.:: information ::.
I don't wish to preach
to the converted but I have on offer a little advice for the first
timer.
Before Having a
Tattoo
-
Research your
design. This is perhaps one of the most permanent decisions of
your life, so take the time to chose carefully. View ideas in
magazines, on-line, at conventions. You can even design your
own! A good artist will take the time to give you advice on
images and placement or even to draw something out for you.
-
Think about
the placement. Be sure about where you want to wear the tattoo.
Build on a muscle shape, take advantage of your figure, flow
with body lines, for example curvy women suit designs which
emphasise their shape, guys could take advantage of square set
shoulders with a very rigid design. You may wish to add to a
smaller tattoo in the future, bear this in mind when you place
them. Tattoos which show outside of normal clothing (neck,
hands, sometimes fore-arms) can still stop you from entering
certain restaurants, nightclubs, jeopardise job interviews,
affect your choice of clothing.
-
Research your
artist. Some form of art training is usually a good start, after
all you want to know that they can draw!! Ask to see photographs
of their work. Do they have drawings, flash designs or paintings
that they have produced. Feel comfortable that the artist has
your best interests at heart. And above all, don't just go on
price!
-
Research the
studio. A Health and Safety certificate should be available for
inspection and the studio should appear to be clean and well
managed. Confident artists may show you their working area when
requested so that you can view the level of cleanliness. Ask
around. Check out previous customer's experiences in the studio
too.
-
And finally,
prepare yourself. Certain things will adversely affect your
experience and you need to be as relaxed and comfortable as
possible. Take along a friend for moral support. Do have
something to eat within the few hours prior to having your
tattoo and take a sugary drink along with you. Try not to drink
in the 24 hours beforehand and tell the artist of any medication
(even if un-prescribed or recreational) you may have taken.
These may affect the final outcome. Oh and last of all, don't
wear white!
Tattoo
Aftercare
-
After two
hours you may gently remove the dressing from your tattoo. Wash
with warm water and a mild soap & pat dry with a clean towel.
-
Apply a small
amount of antiseptic healing cream with a clean finger. Rub into
the tattoo in small circles until fully absorbed. Do not use too
much cream, this is wasteful and won't aid healing any faster.
Gently wash the tattoo twice daily and apply cream 3-5 times in
total
-
Refrain from
picking, scratching or rubbing the scabs which develop. Soon
they will drop away naturally as the skin repairs but this may
take up to three weeks.
-
Continue with
the aftercare until no scabs remain and the skin is fully healed
with a smooth unbroken surface.
Important
Points
Always wash hands before touching a healing tattoo
Do not swim in pools, river or sea until tattoo is fully healed
Do not sunbathe or use a sun bed or tanning aid until the tattoo is
fully healed - excessive sunbathing mat fade a tattoo, try to use a
sun block
Keep away from grease, dirt, raw meats, animals and any other
substance that may irritate the tattoo
Do not pick or scratch your new tattoo, you may remove colour
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