Tattoo FAQ
Here are some tattoos FAQ
When deciding whether or not to get a tattoo there are many questions that people want answered. From safety concerns, costs, healing processes, and everything else associated with getting tattoos, this tattoo FAQ aims at answering some of the most common questions on your mind.
Is getting a tattoo safe?
Yes, getting a tattoo is perfectly safe, provided it is done in a legitimate tattoo parlor with trained tattoo artists that follow standard procedures for cleanliness, sterilization and the like. If you are unsure about a certain shop, simply ask the workers what their procedures are for preventing infections, cleaning up and sterilizing. Needles should never be used on different people and other tattoo equipment should be sterilized in between uses.
The area on your skin should also be disinfected prior to getting a tattoo. If a place doesn’t seem to care or doesn’t look clean or professional, just find a new place. It is also never recommended that you and your buddies tattoo yourselves at home. This will result not just in sloppier tattoos, but a more painful procedure and possible infections as well.
How much do tattoos cost?
Tattoos can start from as little as $50 and range all the way up to multiple thousands of dollars. The main factors involved in the cost of a tattoo are the size of the tattoo you want, the complexity of the tattoo and how many colors are used and the combination of those elements in figuring out how long the tattoo will take. A small, single color tattoo of fairly simple design on your shoulder, for example, should not cost more than a $100. Different tattoo parlors have different policies and prices so do your research and ask around for what they charge.
How much does getting a tattoo hurt?
The pain associated with getting a tattoo depends on the placement of the tattoo as well as your natural pain tolerance and state of mind. As a rule of thumb, the more flesh, muscle and/or fat on a body part, the less the tattoo will hurt. The most painful places to get a tattoo therefore include your feet and hands (or any other place) where the skin is right above the bone.
For larger, thicker and filled in tattoos, you may begin to get a feeling of numbness in the area after an extended tattooing session. Bring a friend for support if you’ll think you need, but most people find the pain of getting a tattoo to be minimal; and certainly not enough to prevent you from getting the tattoo that you want.
How do I take care of my new tattoo?
After getting a new tattoo it is important to take proper care of it while it heals. After letting the tattoo be bandaged for several hours, take the bandaging off to let the tattoo get some air and breathe. Wash the skin several times a day, but do so very gently and with a mild antibacterial soap.
Never scratch or pick at the new tattoo as it heals, as this can result in scarring and further irritation. The use of moisturizer can also help quicken the healing process as well as keep you more comfortable and itch-free. Avoid exposure to the elements such as the sun or prolonged soaking in water.
What is used to give a tattoo and how does it work?
Tattoo guns, also known as tattoo machines, are the instrument used to apply a tattoo. Electromagnetic coils move and connect a circuit in the machine, which forces the needle down and into your skin repeatedly. As the needle is pushed into your skin, the ink is deposited there. Tattoo machines have power supplies to regulate how much power is given to the machine, with foot pedals to turn it on and off. These provide far more consistent and painless results as opposed to ancient ways of administering a tattoo including the use of sharp teeth and combs to carve into your skin.
How long will my tattoo last and will it ever change?
Tattoos are permanent applications of ink to a sub-surface layer of the skin. That means they are with you forever, unless you undergo a removal procedure. Yes, a tattoo can change over time as your body ages, the skin wrinkles and sags or you either gain a lot of weight (fat or muscle gain) or lose a lot of weight. Having a stomach tattoo can be affected through pregnancy, and severe sunburn or other injury over a tattoo can cause it to fade, blur or be altered.
Tattoos in areas such as your feet and hands will need to be fixed up more often to keep their integrity. To prevent your tattoo from changing, you can pick a location that is least likely to be changed as you age and your body changes. You can also make sure to center your tattoo on a body part, so even as it changes, it will always be centered. The art of fixing up or touching up a tattoo involves going over any blurred or damaged portions of your tattoo and reapplying fresh ink.
How do I get my tattoo removed and is complete removal possible?
Complete tattoo removal is possible but is never guaranteed through a procedure such as laser tattoo removal. Laser tattoo removal is also very costly and can take a lot of time. Other procedures exist, including cutting away the skin that is covered with a tattoo, although this can produce scars and is best for small tattoos.
There are new tattoo inks available today that are completely removable with one single laser treatment. These new tattoo inks are perfectly safe and only minimally more expensive. If you are getting a new tattoo and for any reason feel you may have a problem with it down the line or want it removed, opt for the removable ink which should be available at most tattoo shops.
