TOPIC: Query re: Tattoos

Brian,<br /><br />  I would agree with the Burn analogy... for the most part.  The outline is what hurts the worst.  Most of the coloring is done with a multi needle head and doesn't hurt very much at all (compared to the Outline)  I don't remember mine hurting at all (but it's been 15 years)<br />The other factor in how much it'll hurt is where you decide to put it.  Anywhere where there's lots of muscle will hurt less that places with little or none.  Ankles, Shoulder blades, The spine, wrists, and Your head are the most painful places (in no particular order)  Places like Biceps, and butt cheecks are pleasently low on that scale hence they're a popular spot for ink (tattoos).<br /><br />   I do have a few pieces of advice Before you get inked:<br /><br />1. Decide where you want it, and be certain that you love the tatto before you get it done.  Tat's are permenant, and the last thing you want is a permenant reminder of something you regret afterwords.  be sure it's something that you'll want as a part of your life for the rest of it.  I should point out that having a visible tattoo is no longer cool, and in someplaces is now decidedly un-cool.  There's a cop in Palo Alto CA who's being required to wear long sleeve shirts now because the department wants all tattoo's covered.  The other factor in placement, is that the more sun a tattoo gets, the quicker it'll Spread out (think the old Biker guys who have that blue black blob that's indistinguishable on their forearm as a worst case scenario)<br />2. Shop around before you get it done.  There are several factors that play into how good a tattoo Parlor is; Safety, Artistic Skill, Cost, and General Attitude.  <br />Safety is less likely to Fluctuate now-a-days, but it's still worth mentioning.  Make sure that the place either uses One time disposable needles, or autoclaves them before putting them back into use(the autoclave is the method used by most of the medical field).  <br />It's Perfectly alright to ask to see what they've done before; in fact it's expected.  Most artists have a portfolio of some of their work, and Tattoo artist's are no different.  Take a picture of what you want done, and ask about it, Many will comment on some different options, or show you what they've done that's similar.<br />Ironically Cost doesn't fluctuate much.  Raven's Price is pretty close to what I paid even though I got mine in '91. ($125, 1-11/2 hours work)  It's ok to shop around, but My experience is that when it comes to Tattoos, you get what you pay for.<br />The Attitude I think is Critical.  I have put off getting another tattoo for a while because I can't find a shop I like.  I would Really prefer someone who thinks the Tattoo's as cool as I do to do it, but I'll settle for someone who can see the same vision for it that I do.  I don't want someone deciding to "add something to it", and I certainly don't want someone who's lazy doing it.  My advice, If you don't like the shop, for any reason, don't go there.  If you're ready to add a permenant piece of art to your body, the 1-2 months it might take to find the right artist should be nothing.<br /><br />3. There are some options for those afraid of needles.  Ask around (at the tattoo places) about them.<br />

d_black_se had lots of great info. I agree that the outline hurts the most, and that location makes a big difference as to the pain level. When I had mine done on my lower back, there was a definite difference between areas that had bone close to the surface and more "fleshy" areas. For me personally, the itching when it's healing is worse than the pain when it's being inked. The burn analogy is a great one, because that's how the skin reacts to the tattoo, like a burn/sunburn.<br /><br />And on that subject, some after-care tips. The artist should give you PRINTED care instructions. Leave the bandage on for the amount of time they tell you. When washing it, DO NOT scrub, just gently lather and rinse. Use a good moisturizer at least once a day, and anytime the itching is unbearable  =D. I was told it's important to use a moisturizer with no fragrance or color. I highly recommend Curel Continuous Comfort, there is a fragrance free version. <br /><br />The goal is to avoid peeling. The less the tattoo peels, the less color "fading". My first one peeled a lot, and I had to have some of it re-inked. My second one the peeling was onion skin thin, and the color stayed nice and bright.

Any lettering will add quite a bit to the cost compared to just a picture...also be willing to listen if they have anything to offer on how they think it will look. Some of the people have good ideas that you might not have thought  about, like shading and things like that.

I've toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo on my ankle for awhile, but I've heard that hurts a lot.  =)  Particularly since my ankle is pretty bony.

I designed my ideal tatoo - never cared to get inked though.<br /><br />It is one of those things I can live without and since it is pseudo permanent - not wanting it around when I am 80 always made me say "no thanks!"

As for After care tips... I reccomend keeping it covered and use an anti-bacterial cream (neosporin) till it heals... Deffinately don't scrub, I'd even reccomend blotting.  The tattoo will scab up, you want to keep those scabs as claen and intact as you can, while promoting the fastest healing you can manage.  Drinking water, and taking vitamins are also good.<br /><br />The science of it is fairly simple.  You're adding a ink to the living skin cells (sub cutaneous).  The object is to get the cell to heal and retain that ink, in effect coloring the skin.  Since the ink is injected there is a small hole where the ink was inserted.  The faster and more completely it heals, the greater the quantity of ink that cell will retain.  If the initial scab comes off, the cell has the oppurtunity to lose more of that ink with the plasma it secretes to form a new scab.  This can leave a pale, or even a blank spot on the tattoo.<br />You also want to keep it out of the sun, since as each cell replicates, it will pass on some of it's ink to the new cell.  The faster your skin grows in a given area, the faster the tattoo will fade and blur.<br /><br />

So not a flaming token with the words "Verus Carcer" ? =D

I am terrified of needles, to the point where I passed out in boot camp from just 2 shots.  Let me tell ya, that was really freaking embarressing, and my division never let me forget it.  That being said, I have 4 tattoos.  All roses on various body parts.  <br /><br />Where you get your tattoo will determine how much it will hurt.  A full band around the arm, the underside of the arm hurts like *bleep*.  The closer you are to a bone, the more it will hurt.  The one on my back shoulder, didnt really hurt, nor did the one on my calf.  <br /><br />If you are going to get one, take a friend with, and do not drink before you go, or take anything that will make you bleed more.  Have that friend distract you by talking to you.  it does not feel like a needle, if it did, I would just have a small mark on my arm, and not a full band of roses. 

Thanks, Marinda, for the advice.  No need to worry re: drinking (I don't), but good to know to avoid anticoagulants like aspirin.<br />