Tattoo Parlors

Black_Bird

Not Innocent
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Posts
9,019
Okay, so I'm seriously concidering getting a tattoo; my question is, what do *you* look for in a tattoo parlor and artist? What's the biggest no no's of getting a tat?
 
Don't let anybody tell you there's a 1 in 9 chance that you'll get Hepititis from it.

Oh damn.
 
take a good look around...is it clean...are the artist helpful in explaining what they're going to do, how they are going to do it and how it feels...make real sure that you watch them take a new needle from a sealed package and make sure that the work area is spotless...if you have friends that have tats, ask them where they got them...

you might pm kiwiwolf...i think it was him that started thread looking for native american pics for more tatoos...he's evidently got a few already..
 
Ok i have a friend who owns one of these places and his big thing is Gloves, make sure no one with bare hands touches you while it is going on. cause any ole bacteria can get in the tiny hole they punch and cause a really bad infection. also a needle sterilization machine, most really good places have them. like it was said no already open needles and used ink. My best tip is to look at the artist's work on skin, even though you may know what you want this will give you an idea of the talent and expearence. most artists have big portfolios now adays. And if you see someone on the street with an awesome tat don't hesitate to walk up and ask them where they got it and if they'd recomend the artist. Make sure the area is sterile, and if you are unsure there is nothing wrong with stopping in a few places and asking if you can watch them work to get a feel. My friend Grant says this is usually fine with most artists and he recomends it to all his customers. Plus it is easier to relax through one if you have seen the artist in action.

Good luck on your adventure and remember it is permenent, unless you get lots of cash to have it removed. Just remeber there are people out ther regretting their "Ice Ice Baby 4ever" tattoos. :D
 
Make sure you can check the place out first, the place where I went there never used the same needles, they were packaged and when he took them out of the packages he dipped them in alcohol or peroxide (which ever)I felt pretty safe. Plus this place has a pretty good rep for business.
 
Ask lots of questions and use your instincts. If you get the impression that the artist doesn't want to answer your questions or is getting impatient, look elsewhere until you feel comfortable.
 
Black_Bird said:


Is he kosher?

he was clean, so were his tools... new needles, new ink.
And I know the artschool where he went. Also, his practices on healing your tat were perfect.

Gotta go, back later.

<still stalking you>
 
perky_baby said:
he was clean, so were his tools... new needles, new ink.
And I know the artschool where he went. Also, his practices on healing your tat were perfect.

Gotta go, back later.

<still stalking you>

:)

Stalk away. ;)
 
You are going to get a tattoo BB?

Good on you mate.

Talk to the tattoo artist. Ask him straight about his hygene measures. Gloves are only the beginning of the hygene procedure. All the needles and barrels for his guns should be medically sterilized and packed in indicator bags like medical instruments.

The ink he uses should be poured into a seperate container for use on only you. Any left over should go into the bin at the end. Your tattoo artist should ask you about your medical history... hepatitis, Aids or any other communicable disease.

He should change gloves everytime he touches something that has nothing to do with the process of tattooing you...

Your tattoo artist should explain the whole process to you before he even stencils you... ask as many questions as you can. Just remember my fine feathered friend that a tattoo is a lot easier to put on thanm to take off and you have to be 100 percent sure before he puts one drop of ink into you...

Listen to everything he tells you about after care... if you have any questions at all PM me...

There is more info on the tattoo thread... I'll bump it for you...

Good luck man
:cool:
 
sd412 said:
Don't let anybody tell you there's a 1 in 9 chance that you'll get Hepititis from it.

Oh damn.
Wait- does that mean that 1 out of every 9 people who get a tattoo get infected with hepatitis?
 
Pretty good advice darlin, but sometimes I just can't help being the ditto girl. :)

Cleanliness is obviously pretty important. The guy who did mine used disposable needles, wore gloves, swabbed my leg down with medical soap and then alcohol before he began work, changed gloves between colors when he had to get a new ink pkg... also, all the ink was in little disposable single-use things. They were sealed, and when he was done, he tossed them.

The artist also had an extensive portfolio, letters of recommendation, and the parlor he worked out of has won several awards. I actually watched him refuse to do several tats while I was there the day before I got my tat. A bunch of giggling girls had come in and wanted their sorority symbols tattooed on their backs. He told them to come back in a week if they still wanted the tats.

My current tat, and all the ones I have planned are on/going on places that aren't going to get wrinkled or saggy anytime soon... my calf, my lower back, my shoulder and my ankles. I'll never have a tat on my boobs or belly. ;)

Sounds silly, but remember that it's permanent so anything you get should be something that means something to you now, and in the future.
 
Excellent advise PCG... also check out some of his work on other people... anyone can get a collection of photos together...
 
Okay - another question for you guys: How much worse is it to get a tat done on the center of your back. I'm being told that it hurts like a fucking bitch when the needle hits your spine... Is the pain the bareable kind?
 
Black_Bird said:
Okay - another question for you guys: How much worse is it to get a tat done on the center of your back. I'm being told that it hurts like a fucking bitch when the needle hits your spine... Is the pain the bareable kind?

Black Bird all pain is relative buddy.Tattoos hurt but some areas hurt more than others. I have found that my ass, my stomach and the inner arm have been most painful for me so far.

My back gave me pain equivelant to a minor sunburn, but I have heard other people say it hurt like hell. How big is the piece that you are looking at getting? Exactly where are you going to get it?

If you have any doubts at all talk to the guy who is going to do the work for you. Send me a PM and I can sort a bit more out for you. It gets a bit long winded on the board...:cool:
 
Silly Bird, "pain" is relative! :D Just with any body mod....the pain factor is just so individual! For some, they are excruciating anywhere. For some, they would never classify the sensation as "pain". It depends on so many things; placement of the work, your pain tolerance, your way of preparing beforehand, what the work represents to you. So much of it is in state of mind. There are several different sensations that go along with ink work. Mine were sort of buzzing/stinging/warmth/vibration/humming...so many different things at different times! There were times when it felt a little stronger, especially over bony prominences, and occasionally I felt a slight 'jolting' along nerve pathways. But, out of the ones I have, the only time I would have classified my sensation as "pain" was the part of my orca that's over my anterior hip crest. That lil bit did hurt a bit. The rest of that tat tickled like a bitch! Hard to not giggle while getting it, I didn't want to ruin the lines! Getting inked is a very warm and sensual/erotic experience for me. It's one of the reasons I fantasize about dating a tattoo artist (besides the free work, lol!) Oh man the fun we could have with his inking machine as foreplay! *shiver*

I often hear people say that the sensation is different over the spine, a lot of that "travelling" sensation that moves up and down the spinal column while the work is being done. The new piece I hope to start this week or next will have a significant part over my spine, I'll tell you about it once it gets done :D

BB, I think you already have some of the tools to focus yourself before getting ink. Meditation, visualization, etc...some people do different things when getting ink. Some folks are chatty, and like lots of conversation from friends that go for support, or from the artist. Some folks (like me) sort of 'zone out' while getting worked on. A good artist should support whichever type of inkee you are!

I wholeheartedly agree with all the advice given! Definitely make sure you see that nice autoclave (sterilizing machine) somewhere! The other big thing is to make sure they don't do anything like eat, drink or smoke while working on you. Another big hygeine issue. As always, go with the vibe you get! Instincts are important in choosing a good artist.

Oh, and DON'T comparison shop by price! This isn't one of the things you want to shirk on money-wise. Good work often comes at a bit higher price. Sure, there are some great artists that do cheap work; but you often pay for experience and reputation. It's not a bad thing. Ink is permanent, it's certainly different than shopping for your favourite thrift store gems! (Well, for those of us who thrift shop, lol!)

Ah well, good luck either way! And remember, you can't donate blood for a year after getting one! Just your friendly Mae trivia for the day!

*hug*
 
Hepatitis is easily avoided- go to your doctor and ask for the vaccine. It is a series of three shots. But it would be better to get new needles and new ink.
 
Mine felt like a hive of bees were using my upper arm for a bullseye. LOL. It wasn't sooo bad, until he hit up near my shoulder socket. Also the color shading hurt for me, but I think that was beacuse I had many shades put in mine and he had to keep going over it.

Make sure you get a care guide that explaines how to take care of your tatoo after you get it. This will tell you how long to keep the bandage on, how to change it, ect... Different states may have different rules, but here in Iowa they have to be state inspected to be certified.

I also agree that you pay for quality. You don't want just anyone putting this on you. The guy I went to has been in business for over 30 years. Oh and in case you're wondering I have a blue wizard standing on a cliff summoning up multicolored fire for mine.

Myydryn
 
I want one I want one

well I have been thinking about this for 2 years now .. i am 43... I want a butterfly.. It will be only where I and who ever I WANT to see it... all skin sags sooner of later.... i saw another thread that said use vit E on it to lep it stay moist and have more color???? Magnolia:kiss:
 
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