Q&A
1. How do I heal my tattoo?
First of all, we need to understand the nature of a tattoo, to be able to best formulate the method to effectively heal one. Tattoos are not deep wounds, they are surface abrasions going only minimally into the outer layers of our flesh. A tattoo is essentially a colorful equivalent of a large scratch. The main difference being that we want to keep the foreign bodies in it, instead of taking them out. This is the main reason that I stress NOT TO USE ANTIBIOTIC CREAMS (Bacitracin/Neosporin) or similar substances in the healing process, unless one encounters the rare occasion of a bad heal, consisting of a rare allergic reaction or rare infection. These substances are intended to take foreign bodies out of wounds, and ink is a foreign body... mostly made up of alcohol, glycerin, water, and various minerals to get different pigmentation. The best substances to use are skin moisturizers such as ointments designed for chapped and dry skin, or hypo-allergenic or plain, non-scented lotions(Lubriderm or Curel original formula). Many artists have different methods that they believe work better, but most all will agree that this method works. If you are going to use an ointment, it is best to use something formulated for moisturizing and helping skin renew, such as Aquaphor, Vitamin A&D ointment, or Baby Eczema cream. These substances are more like thicker lotions, than medicated healing ointments that are used for cleaning wounds and preventing infections. Moisturizing ointments are good because of the high content of Vitamins A,D,& E, which are excellent for the skin, however, tend to be a little bit greasy in comparison to a lotion, so they take a little more care during application so as to not over-moisturize, or irritate the tattoo during application. The less petroleum content in the ointment, the better. I believe that the less petroleum there is in the ointment, the easier it is absorbed into the pores of the skin. When using an ointment some believe it works better to cease using the ointment when the tattoo starts to peel, and switch to one of the above said lotions. This is because lotion is thinner, and takes less to work into the skin, and when a tattoo is peeling, you want to retain as much of that skin as possible. Here are a few things to remember when healing a tattoo.
-For the first week of the healing process, It is ok in some situations to wrap your tattoo with saran wrap at night while you sleep, or in the event the tattoo runs extra risk of becoming dirty, or being put in contact with an unclean surface. In these events, clean the tattoo thoroughly but gently using luke warm water, dry it avoid application of lotion or healing ointment, and wrap the tattoo. Upon waking up, or removal of the wrap, clean the tattoo, re-apply moisturizer, then keep it uncovered/unwrapped throughout the day to allow it to breathe. This keeps your tattoo moist during the night using your bodies' natural moisture. During sleep is the longest period your tattoo should go without your attention. It can also help keep your tattoo from sticking to your linens as well as keeping all the nasty stuff that is hiding in your bed, out of your tattoo.
-Only use a non-scented soap to clean it... no perfumed soaps. Dial Gold is a great option as is Dr. Bronners unscented baby soap.
-Never soak your tattoo in standing water, only cleanse with running water over the top of it, not directly on it, and hand wash with only the lather. No direct un-lathered soap. Do not grind soap directly onto it, because then it is more difficult to wash it back out. Never use anything abrasive like fu-fu loofah sponges or washcloths... be gentle. This also means no soaking or swimming until the tattoo is completely healed otherwise it can get soggy and excess skin can come off. I shouldn't need to tell you why this is bad.
-Keep your tattoo lubed up and moisturized but not over moisturized. It should be lubricated or moist to the touch, but not caked on to the degree that you can scrape it off and have excessive build up, or write your name in it. If your tattoo starts to feel dry, give it more lotion. it should need moisturized every 3-4 hours, Possibly up to five hours with a thicker ointment. Clean the tattoo, and apply more lotion or ointment Right before going to sleep if you do not wrap it, and right away upon waking, and also immediately after any additional cleansing.
-Pat your tattoo dry, very gently, with something soft, or just let it air dry... No wiping over it, until it is fully healed.
-Sun is your tattoo's worst enemy, especially when it is healing. Keep your tattoo art out of the sun during healing, and always use a high SPF sunblock to help protect it during exposure to sunlight. The sun will fade your tattoo, just as it fades anything else with color.
-Any other questions regarding tattoo aftercare... call a professional, preferably the one who did your tattoo. Don't listen to your friend just because they have a lot of tattoo work on them, this doesn't make them a viable source on the topic of tattoos.
2. How do I find/Pick a good tattoo artist?
-If you are in the Indianapolis, Indiana area, simply text or call Ryan Dearringer(1-317-983-4567). If this is not an option, refer to the next segment for further advice.
-Contrary to popular belief... just because a tattoo artist is at a reputable shop, doesn't mean they can do what you want them to. With this said... if they aren't at a reputable shop... the odds are definitely against them. there are a few diamonds in the rough however. Most likely, that one guy your friend knows, isn't one of them. In a world where anything can be bought on the internet, and anyone who can hold a pencil calls themselves an artist, it is probably best that you don't try your luck. The odds are against you. please support proven professionals. kitchen magicians and backyard scratchers give us all a bad name, and only drive down the reputations of those of us who do it the right way, and take the proper precautions to keep you safe, as well as give you a lifelong piece of artwork.
-Search for a solid tattoo portfolio. Make sure the artist is consistent, and that the tattoo work speaks for itself. Never mind what the artist says or promises, look at their work both in their portfolios, and try to see some healed work. Ask yourself, "does their work say the same thing that their mouth does?" ALWAYS VIEW THEIR PORTFOLIO. Many tattoo artists will promise you the world and then not come through on their promises or talk themselves up while not giving you any real evidence that they can do what they say. I find myself covering up these so called artist's mistakes on a regular basis. Be smart... It is permanent. I get sick of cover-ups... especially when a smart decision could have prevented the need for it, and given me, or another qualified artist the ability to do it right the first time, without the restrictions of a cover up. Usually, this results in a better tattoo because the limits are determined by us and our abilities, instead of a preexisting tattoo. You get what you pay for... cheap tattoos are not good, and good tattoos are not cheap. Most of the time a good artist is worth what they charge, and a longer wait indicates that they are good at what they do. People don't wait because they feel like waiting. They wait because they have found that waiting is worth it to them... don't go for the artist/shop that charges the least, or just because they can do it right now... base your decision on quality... View the portfolios!!! Happy hunting.
First of all, we need to understand the nature of a tattoo, to be able to best formulate the method to effectively heal one. Tattoos are not deep wounds, they are surface abrasions going only minimally into the outer layers of our flesh. A tattoo is essentially a colorful equivalent of a large scratch. The main difference being that we want to keep the foreign bodies in it, instead of taking them out. This is the main reason that I stress NOT TO USE ANTIBIOTIC CREAMS (Bacitracin/Neosporin) or similar substances in the healing process, unless one encounters the rare occasion of a bad heal, consisting of a rare allergic reaction or rare infection. These substances are intended to take foreign bodies out of wounds, and ink is a foreign body... mostly made up of alcohol, glycerin, water, and various minerals to get different pigmentation. The best substances to use are skin moisturizers such as ointments designed for chapped and dry skin, or hypo-allergenic or plain, non-scented lotions(Lubriderm or Curel original formula). Many artists have different methods that they believe work better, but most all will agree that this method works. If you are going to use an ointment, it is best to use something formulated for moisturizing and helping skin renew, such as Aquaphor, Vitamin A&D ointment, or Baby Eczema cream. These substances are more like thicker lotions, than medicated healing ointments that are used for cleaning wounds and preventing infections. Moisturizing ointments are good because of the high content of Vitamins A,D,& E, which are excellent for the skin, however, tend to be a little bit greasy in comparison to a lotion, so they take a little more care during application so as to not over-moisturize, or irritate the tattoo during application. The less petroleum content in the ointment, the better. I believe that the less petroleum there is in the ointment, the easier it is absorbed into the pores of the skin. When using an ointment some believe it works better to cease using the ointment when the tattoo starts to peel, and switch to one of the above said lotions. This is because lotion is thinner, and takes less to work into the skin, and when a tattoo is peeling, you want to retain as much of that skin as possible. Here are a few things to remember when healing a tattoo.
-For the first week of the healing process, It is ok in some situations to wrap your tattoo with saran wrap at night while you sleep, or in the event the tattoo runs extra risk of becoming dirty, or being put in contact with an unclean surface. In these events, clean the tattoo thoroughly but gently using luke warm water, dry it avoid application of lotion or healing ointment, and wrap the tattoo. Upon waking up, or removal of the wrap, clean the tattoo, re-apply moisturizer, then keep it uncovered/unwrapped throughout the day to allow it to breathe. This keeps your tattoo moist during the night using your bodies' natural moisture. During sleep is the longest period your tattoo should go without your attention. It can also help keep your tattoo from sticking to your linens as well as keeping all the nasty stuff that is hiding in your bed, out of your tattoo.
-Only use a non-scented soap to clean it... no perfumed soaps. Dial Gold is a great option as is Dr. Bronners unscented baby soap.
-Never soak your tattoo in standing water, only cleanse with running water over the top of it, not directly on it, and hand wash with only the lather. No direct un-lathered soap. Do not grind soap directly onto it, because then it is more difficult to wash it back out. Never use anything abrasive like fu-fu loofah sponges or washcloths... be gentle. This also means no soaking or swimming until the tattoo is completely healed otherwise it can get soggy and excess skin can come off. I shouldn't need to tell you why this is bad.
-Keep your tattoo lubed up and moisturized but not over moisturized. It should be lubricated or moist to the touch, but not caked on to the degree that you can scrape it off and have excessive build up, or write your name in it. If your tattoo starts to feel dry, give it more lotion. it should need moisturized every 3-4 hours, Possibly up to five hours with a thicker ointment. Clean the tattoo, and apply more lotion or ointment Right before going to sleep if you do not wrap it, and right away upon waking, and also immediately after any additional cleansing.
-Pat your tattoo dry, very gently, with something soft, or just let it air dry... No wiping over it, until it is fully healed.
-Sun is your tattoo's worst enemy, especially when it is healing. Keep your tattoo art out of the sun during healing, and always use a high SPF sunblock to help protect it during exposure to sunlight. The sun will fade your tattoo, just as it fades anything else with color.
-Any other questions regarding tattoo aftercare... call a professional, preferably the one who did your tattoo. Don't listen to your friend just because they have a lot of tattoo work on them, this doesn't make them a viable source on the topic of tattoos.
2. How do I find/Pick a good tattoo artist?
-If you are in the Indianapolis, Indiana area, simply text or call Ryan Dearringer(1-317-983-4567). If this is not an option, refer to the next segment for further advice.
-Contrary to popular belief... just because a tattoo artist is at a reputable shop, doesn't mean they can do what you want them to. With this said... if they aren't at a reputable shop... the odds are definitely against them. there are a few diamonds in the rough however. Most likely, that one guy your friend knows, isn't one of them. In a world where anything can be bought on the internet, and anyone who can hold a pencil calls themselves an artist, it is probably best that you don't try your luck. The odds are against you. please support proven professionals. kitchen magicians and backyard scratchers give us all a bad name, and only drive down the reputations of those of us who do it the right way, and take the proper precautions to keep you safe, as well as give you a lifelong piece of artwork.
-Search for a solid tattoo portfolio. Make sure the artist is consistent, and that the tattoo work speaks for itself. Never mind what the artist says or promises, look at their work both in their portfolios, and try to see some healed work. Ask yourself, "does their work say the same thing that their mouth does?" ALWAYS VIEW THEIR PORTFOLIO. Many tattoo artists will promise you the world and then not come through on their promises or talk themselves up while not giving you any real evidence that they can do what they say. I find myself covering up these so called artist's mistakes on a regular basis. Be smart... It is permanent. I get sick of cover-ups... especially when a smart decision could have prevented the need for it, and given me, or another qualified artist the ability to do it right the first time, without the restrictions of a cover up. Usually, this results in a better tattoo because the limits are determined by us and our abilities, instead of a preexisting tattoo. You get what you pay for... cheap tattoos are not good, and good tattoos are not cheap. Most of the time a good artist is worth what they charge, and a longer wait indicates that they are good at what they do. People don't wait because they feel like waiting. They wait because they have found that waiting is worth it to them... don't go for the artist/shop that charges the least, or just because they can do it right now... base your decision on quality... View the portfolios!!! Happy hunting.