The tattoo I want is very basic. Just four numbers tatted on my chest. Each number just under an inch tall with about an 1/8th inch line.
About how long will that take to tat? (All one color)
What questions do I need to ask with regards to sterilization?
Are there any health risks that can transferred over to my GF?
Thanks.
ETA: I already have a few tats, but the last one I got was 18 years ago.
Tat itself, not too long - maybe 5 minutes? Whole process from walking in to walking out, maybe an hour?
Pick a reputable parlour and you shouldn’t need to ask, they should demonstrate for you: equipment and ink should be fresh for you, either out of packets or a sanitizing machine. Maybe ask ahead of time what brand of ink they use and check the ingredient list there?
Health risks, unless you’re getting a back-alley tat with dirty needles, you’re gonna be fine. The equipment will be sanitized, the ink should be fresh poured for you, the artist will be clean and wearing gloves, and your skin will be sanitized with alcohol beforehand. If any of that doesn’t happen, then walk the fuck out and find someone reputable to work on you.
If you ARE getting a back alley tat with dirty needles, then yeah - you should worry. Anything you could get from sharing needles with random strangers, anything you could get from having open wounds in a dirty environment, and anything you could get from having random unidentified substances injected under your skin.
Every time I’ve had a tattoo, I’ve found the tattooist from referrals from friends who’ve used them–that helps a lot in finding a good one.
What Lasciel said on cleanliness: all the studios I’ve gone to have been damn near OR level of clean–hard surfaces everywhere, stainless steel or the like that’s easy to keep clean. Every time, the tattooist has unwrapped a new needle from its sterile packaging, poured ink into a new, clean tray, all that. Autoclave for anything that’s used repeatedly.
If it helps, this from the CDC:
So, licensed, reputable tattooist will bring the risks down pretty low. Tattooists are protecting themselves with stringent infection control methods as much as they are their customers–they have a vested interest in getting it right.
The actual tattoo, maybe ten minutes. But the whole thing does take longer, what with setup, getting the design onto your skin etc. Have something to eat before you go, even for a simple little tattoo.
The few tattoo artists I’ve actually talked to (eventually did decide tattooing wasn’t for me) actually bragged about their infection control methods and wanted to show off their autoclave and how clean and sterile their facilities were. Seems to me any reputable tattooist would be more than happy to discuss their infection control procedures and equipment. If they aren’t darn near eager to do this I’d walk away.
Yeah, giving your customer HIV is rather frowned upon… To put it mildly. The most important piece of equipment in the whole shop is the autoclave, and they should be more than happy to show it off to you. I’ve been in places that looked like some kind of hippie commune in the “front” but once you moved behind the counter for the actual tattooing, the workspace was as sterile as any hospital. The actual process is quite similar to any medical blood draw or inoculation, so the sanitary practices should be identical. They should wipe every surface with disinfectant, wear gloves, etc. I’m not sure if every single state requires licensing, but the places I’ve been to all prominently displayed their state credentials.
When I was in Iraq, a young soldier went walking around with an obviously fresh tattoo. We were surprised to see it, and asked if he had gotten it while on R&R leave. He said no. Apparently, a soldier had ordered a tattoo machine through the mail and was sitting in his trailer giving free tattoos to his buddies. This is an example of the kind of tattoo you do NOT want to get. (His unofficial tattoo parlor was rapidly shut down.)
I recently got my first tattoo about a month ago. The needles were single use, the whole process took about four hours (designing the tattoo, getting set up, my artist had to take a couple of smoke breaks :smack:) but it was a fairly big one for my first…covers up most of my left shoulder blade.
The actual tattoo process, while uncomfortable (some parts of my back hurt worse than others) is like a burning sensation. It’s not constant, as the artist will shift the needle to move to another section. Passing my kidney stone hurt worse.
Aftercare is CRITICAL. You will want to keep it covered for at least an hour after, then follow their instructions to the letter. In order to keep it bright, you will need to use a high SPF sunscreen from now on. You will not be able to donate blood for at least a year after getting the tattoo (I believe that’s the regulation.)
Tipping the artist is also good form. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
I have a question.
The store I work in sells “tattoo goo” which is advertised as an after-care product for fresh tattoos. Does anyone know of any advantage to these products? Are they superior to other ways of taking care of tattoos?
Never heard of the stuff. But I i’m guessing it’s basically Neosporin in a different package.
Thanks for the responses guys.
I’d think just encouraging people to engage in aftercare could help. But yeah, I’ve always suspected it’s more marketing than Super Special Recipe.
Everyone has their favorite aftercare regime. For me it is gentle cleansing, blotting dry, then applying neosporin three times a day for the first two days. Then I switch to a moisturizing lotion as needed for the next ten or so days.
I’ve used tattoo-goo and was happy with it, but Curel is my go-to.
Lock combination?
Address?
Pin code?
Anniversary?
Why chest? Numbers on your forearm could be problematic. Forehead?
I began getting tattoos back before they were commonplace, and haven’t gone over a year since without adding new ink. My first piece was done by a friend, Pittsburgh tattoo icon Robert “Moose” Rutter. I’d hang out at his shop, and if an appointment no-showed, he’d sometimes offer to work on my right arm. When Moose died, other Pittsburgh artists offered to add to my collection out of respect for our mutual friend.
For someone who is not a member of the community, I’d suggest relying on word of mouth, then meeting with the artist and discussing what you’d like done. Have some sketches done, and don’t be afraid to ask for changes.
IME, unless you are getting work done in someone’s kitchen, sterility is a given.
Above all, have fun.
See, I was told NOT to use Neosporin, as it could cause and allergic reaction and turn your tattoo into a bunch of polka dots.
I washed it twice daily with antiseptic soap (I used Dial) while it was healing and put unscented body lotion on it. They recommend Aquaphor, but any unscented lotion will work.
Ack!! Don’t tell me that! I currently have Neosporin on this new tattoo of mine! 
I wouldn’t sweat it, just don’t re-apply the neosporin when you wash it next. Go for a nice noncomedogenic lotion: Cetaphil or Curel or whatever smells good to you.
The worry with the neosporin is that because it is an antibiotic, we shouldn’t be using it all the freaking time because our biota will possibly become immune to it, or (perhaps worse) people have developed an allergy to it, and that screws you over if you have really bad wounds that actually need the help later.
Keep it soap-and-warm-water and a soft washcloth clean, don’t use antibiotics or rubbing alcohol or antibacterial soaps, keep it nicely moisturized, and it should be fine.
Congrats on the tat, btw!
Everyone has their preferred aftercare method, but I’ll tell you what-- tegaderm is AMAZING for tattoo healing.
You just slap it on, change it after a few days, then leave the second one on for about a week. That’s it, your healing is pretty much done, and it skips most of the itchy peeling phase. This is especially helpful if your new tattoo is in an area that normally flexes a lot or rubs up against clothing. I will never use any other method ever again.
(I am not a paid shill for 3M, there are other brands of the same technology)
I work part time in a tattoo shop (counter monkey) and have several sizable pieces (job hazard :D).
Word of mouth is gold. Check yelp, ask your friends who have nice work who did it, read Facebook reviews. As others here have said, the work area should be spotless. In our shop the autoclave is in an area where customers are not allowed, but the rest of the prep work such as gloving up, sanitizing the work surface, unwrapping the needles, and pouring the ink into single use cups, is all done in full view of the client. My guys are FANATIC about cleanliness, and will break down and reset the whole shebang if something questionable happens. They all get yearly education in blood borne pathogens and we get regular inspections by the health department.
A tiny piece like that will probably be 10 minutes of actual needle work but with set up and break down you’re looking at 45 min or so in the shop. Know that most shops have a piece minimum and ask what that is when you set your appointment. We’ve had sticker shock (“but it’s just a little piece!”) but remember that the artist is doing work outside of the actual tattoo. DON’T FLAKE ON YOUR APPOINTMENT. If you can’t make it, call and say so. If the artists aren’t working, they aren’t earning, so don’t be a no-show.
Also know that tiny tattoos blur over time, no matter how much care you give them. It’s better to go a little bigger than to end up with an unreadable smudge in 15 years.
And for Pete’s sweet sake: TIP. Every shop is different but unless you’re getting tattooed by the owner your artist is not taking home the full fee and just like everyone in the service industry, tips make a big difference. Even $10 is appreciated.