The Essentials of Tattoo Care

Now that you have a tattoo, you will want to take special care of it. Improperly maintained tattoos, while healing, can look distorted, faded, smeary, or even just plain wrong. The color you originally thought you had might be lighter or darker depending on the quality care you give to your ink. Follow some basic steps to keep your tattoo looking the best it possibly can.

A Very Faded Tattoo

Don't Expose It Too Soon!

After you have been inked, the artist will cover the area in a bandage or gauze. This prevents the tattoo from becoming infected with bacteria. It keeps dirt and other undesirable materials out of the way. The skin is tender, after having been punctured thousands of times, so be sure to keep it covered up! Your artist will advise you on the proper amount of time before you can remove the bandage.

Taking Off The Bandage

Keep It Clean

Be sure to regularly wash the area with soap and warm water. It probably will scab up, so gently wash the area to remove dirt and debris. There might be blood and dried ink, so be sure to get it as clean and possible. Do NOT pick the scabs, as this might cause portions of the tattoo to look wrong. It could make you bleed and the area below the scab might not show up. So be sure to clean GENTLY!

An Infected Tattoo

Moisturize

The tattooed area is technically a wound. It can easily dry up, become scabby, or get infected. Artists recommend you moisturize the area regularly. Try to use alcohol free and fragrance free ointments, as ones containing these things tend to burn.

Stay Out Of The Sun

The sun can be extremely detrimental to your new ink. If you need to be outside, make sure to cover the area or apply a high SPF sunblock. This prevent the UV rays from damaging your ink.

These are just SOME basic guidelines which, if followed, will help to preserve your tattoo for years to come.

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Three Common Tattoo Myths

Many first-time tattoo-ers are skeptical about being inked.  They hear stories from families and friends, and believe what they see in movies or television.  However, do they really know what to expect when tattooed?  Let’s see if we can help first timers ease their worries about tattooing.

Myth #1: It Hurts…A LOT

TRUE AND FALSE.

This statement depends on the type of person you are, and the location of the tattoo.  Certain people have very high pain tolerances – these people may not even flinch when getting a tattoo in a very sensitive spot.  However, even people that are tough may get rib or feet tattoos and be in a lot of pain.  On the other hand, those who do not do well with pain may be in for a bit of a struggle.  Knowing what beautiful artwork is going to come at the end usually eases the mind of the person being tattooed.  YOU know your body the best – if you want a tattoo but aren’t sure about the pain, think wisely about your tattoo location.

Even pros feel the pain

Myth #2: Getting a tattoo keeps you from donating blood forever.

FALSE.

In certain states (like Pennsylvania), when you get a tattoo, it does prevent you from donating blood – but only for 1 year from the date of your ink.  After that, you are free to donate blood as much as you’d like.  In other states, you can get a tattoo and donate blood right after – this depends on the type of place you go to.  If your shop is licensed by the state, and gets inspected periodically, you are free to give blood.  These shops use single-use ink containers and sterile equipment. If donating is something important to you, please check with your tattoo artist and the shop you are going to for more information.

Myth #3: Tattoos aren’t socially acceptable.

FALSE.

This was true maybe 10 or 20 years ago, or even further.  Tattoos used to be thought of as faded designs on military men or biker gangs.  They were not seen on women, and if men had them, they were concealed.  Nowadays, open tattoos are much more accepted in culture.  Many teens and college students have ink, and are planning on getting more.  It is only becoming more assimilated into culture.  Many more employers are becoming accepting of tattoos; however, if this is a concern to you for a future job prospect, make sure your tattoo can be concealed by a long sleeved shirt or appropriate clothing.  For example, many people going into serious jobs like law or law enforcement feel like they cannot have tattoos.  This is untrue – as long as your tattoo is concealed, or can be concealed with clothing, this should not hurt your chances in the job market whatsoever.  Think wisely before you get a tattoo, but know that in the right field of work, having ink shouldn’t hurt you.

Businessmen Have Tattoos Too!

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A Quick Guide To Flash!

           Looking for a cheap tattoo? Don't care too much about customization Do you not care about getting something really special? Then get a flash tattoo! If you've ever been into a tattoo parlor, you've seen those binders laying around that showcase an artist's talent. Some are previous tattoos that they have done, while others are sketches and designs. These are flash tattoos. They are quick, simple, and cheap. Often, an artist will just charge you a base price to ink it. They are more of “idea” tattoos then ones to be chosen from.

Simple Heart Flash Tattoos

          Personally, I don't recommend flash tattoos. Tattoos, to me, are supposed to be special and symbolize something about you. After all, they will be with you forever! However, if a flash tattoo design holds significant meaning to you, or you are trying to fit it into a larger, overall piece(like a sleeve), then by all means get it! It will be easier for the artist to do and easy on your wallet too!

Cartoon Flash

          Flash tattoos, most times lacking any creativity, can consist of simple tribal designs, cartoon characters, words in fancy scripts, symbols in other languages, or just simple designs in general. I've seen tons of flash tattoos that either get removed or covered up by another, more original, tattoo. Most times, but not all, flash tattoos are for people who want to say they have one, but don't care too much what it looks like or why they are getting it. Flash tattoos are like mass produced designs. Almost any artist can do them. Do not be surprised if you walk around town and see someone else with the exact same Scooby-Doo tattoo. It is the choice between getting an original piece, or getting something pre-designed. Again, this is not something I would do, but others might not care.  

A quick and easy sheet of flash

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The Road To Ink, Part II: Funding

This is Part II in a series of posts.

Let's face it: tattoos are expensive. Unless you are getting a Stick-and-Poke, and the only cost is for a needle and ink(and maybe a six-pack for the artist!), you'll need to save up some money. Here are some basic guidelines to remember to prepare for your next piece of art.

Price

The price of a tattoo is dependent on the shop, the artist, the intricacy of the design, whether or not you want color and, obviously, the size. A small black tattoo will cost significantly less than an entire sleeve with many colors. Different colors generally cost around the same price. The increase in price comes from the time between switching colors and filling in the design. This causes the tattoo to take longer to complete, thus driving up the price. A good number to start with is about $100. This will cover the expense of a smaller, single color tattoo. My friend Nora told me her tattoo cost over $1000. For my next tattoo, I am estimating that it will cost at least $200. I am considering just getting the outlines done with the money I have, and finishing the color at a later date.

My next ink: at least $200, probably more.

Funding

If you cannot afford the price of your tattoo, definitely do not try to find a cheaper place. Quality is far more important than price, especially for something that will be on your body forever. Always look for a good quality artist and not an inexpensive shop. Never sacrifice quality for price.

As a unemployed college student, I have to rely on other peoples' money. That means saving up from birthdays, Christmas, and always shaving off a little from my meal funds. Collect your change over the course of the year. Offer handiwork like leaf raking or snow shoveling. Or just get a job. The choice is yours. Just make sure you have enough money before you get the tattoo.

Tip

Because of the amount of work the artist puts into your tattoo, it is customary that you tip. My polar bear tattoo was $100, and I felt that a $20 tip was fair. The larger the tattoo, the larger the tip.

Got any price advice? Leave a comment below! And don't forget to send in those submissions!

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The Very Basics of DIY tattoos

NOTE: Work not done by a professional can be dangerous, unsanitary, and could lead to infections and/or diseases.

I cannot speak for the entire world, but at least in the Philadelphia area, I am seeing more and more do-it-yourself tattoos. These are primarily done for fun and are cheaper, simpler, and "less permanent" than regular, professionally done tattoos. While some DIY tattoos leave permanent marks, they often are lighter than normal tattoos, do not penetrate the skin as deep, and tend to fade. Also, as I mentioned above, the process can be hazardous to your health. The needles can contain germs if not sterilized properly, and the ink can get into your bloodstream and cause infections or illness.

With that being said, what exactly goes into a DIY tattoo?

The basics are simple. You will need:

• A needle
• Ink
• Sterilizing materials

Courtesy: http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?id=282&Itemid=104&option=com_content&task=view

They call them "Stick-and-Poke" tattoos for a reason. After sterilizing the needle, it is dipped in the ink, then poked into the skin. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly before and after, and also keep the space sterile. Because of the nature of the method, DIY(or stick-and-pokes) tend to be more painful, because they are individual pokes, unlike professional guns that pierce your skin dozens of times per second. Stick and poke tattoos are generally simpler, without any shading or huge designs(unless you have an extremely high pain tolerance). Different color inks can be used as well. The most popular seems to be India ink. I personally do not have a stick-and-poke, and would probably advise against it, as the ink might be bad if put into the body. 

If you decide to get a DIY tattoo, make sure you trust the person, they are confident in their abilities, and they have a steady hand. No one wants a needle stuck too far into their arm.

If any reader HAS, a stick-and-poke tattoo, we'd love to have your submission! Leave a comment in the box!

TJ's stick and poke!

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The Key To Love

I already featured the tattoo that I got with my brother. He has two other ones, which he kindly described to me below. Thanks TJ!

Skeleton Key

          This was TJ's first tattoo that he got in the summer of 2008. It was inked at Little John's Tattoo while he was in North Carolina. Normally I'd only post tattoos inked IN Philadelphia, but due to the fact that this is my brother, and he is still a Philadelphian, I'll make an exception. Says TJ:

"I chose the key because of it's meaning and the connection shared with my girlfriend and myself. Within her family there is a fascination with antique skeleton keys and their design. This fascination was passed on to me and I found myself keeping an eye out for them while I was out and about. The key also symbolizes a way to open and let others in. This is especially true in our relationship where no matter what we are always there for each other. The skeleton key is a constant reminder that there is someone out there with me caring for me and waiting for me to come back." 

 Tri-Ghosts

          This tattoo was done by his friend by way of the stick and poke method using India ink and a needle. Here is what TJ had to say about this one:

"The design started out as a drawing on a pair of shoes in the same location. Eventually there was a good enough trust built up between us to allow him to jab me repeatedly in the foot with a sharp object. It has a very nice flow with the shape of my foot and looks very organic. The ghosts were a prevalent character in the drawings and tags that we had done together so in a moment of bonding I let him put it on my body."

This is the first Stick and Poke that I have featured. I will do a write-up soon featuring the basics of the stick and poke method, and India ink. Thanks to TJ for providing me with the pictures and the stories behind his designs!

Have a tattoo you would like me to feature? Send me a comment and I'll try to get your design and story up on the site!

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The Road To Ink, Part I: Design

This is Part I in a series of posts.

After I got my first tattoo, I immediately knew I wanted more. The only questions were: what, when, where, and why? I am of the mindset that all tattoos should be special, but that is just me. I don't mind that other people have girlfriends' names, facial tattoos, or a design of birds flying away. That is fine if you like those things, but they're just not for me. So, in deciding what I wanted to get, I had to think about what meant a lot to me, and what I wouldn't mind having until the day I die.

Months passed, but there was still no sign(or design for that matter). Then, I started listening to punk band Iron Chic. I soon grew to love them, and they became one of my favorite bands. Their graphic designer has his own website here, and designs for a lot of other bands too. When I saw that he designed a t-shirt for another band I like, a switch in my brain flipped.

The design is for the punk band Spraynard, who is undoubtedly one of my favorite bands ever. They were the second band I ever discovered for myself, aside from the music of my parents. I have been going to see Spraynard shows since the summer they started, and it is at their shows where I forged my best friendships. Back in Senior year of high school, I traveled with my new friends almost every weekend to see some small show in West Chester or the surrounding area. I grew close to these people, and they have been my best friends since, over three years later.

The design is special to me because it represents the time in my life that molded me into who I am today. Out of this period came the music I like, the clothes I wear, and the friends I have. I know when I look at it, I'll remember the time when I finally “became” me. Not only that, but it also brings together two of my favorite bands, Iron Chic and Spraynard. The design is awesome and I can't wait to get it.

The next step in the tattoo process will be fundraising, an ever so important component considering this tattoo will probably be at least 200 dollars total. Be on the lookout for Part II!

Have a tattoo you would like me to feature? Send me a comment and I'll try to get your design and story up on the site!

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Some Basic Tips for YOUR Next Tattoo!

There are literally dozens of tattoo parlours in Philadelphia. When deciding to get a tattoo, it is important to research which places suit your style. While most parlours have various artists proficient in certain styles, some places have more to offer. My friend Nora may have gotten different results had she gone to a different place. Tattoos are permanent, and one should be prudent in searching for the place which will give them the best results. Some common sense tips include:

• Finding a place/artist that best suits the style of tattoo you want.
• Reading other customers' reviews for descriptions of cleanliness, professionalism, and price.
• Making sure the location provides quality work that is also safe and sanitary.

Tips like these will help you in finding the best place for a tattoo that you will love(and won't regret) forever.

When I got my tattoo in January 2011, I made sure to research the best place. My brother, who got the same tattoo, heard from friends that the work of Body Graphics was quality, professional, and affordable. We went to the Portside Parlor and Art Gallery, of Body Graphics, on 30 S. 2^nd Street. The shop was brightly lit, clean, and welcoming. There were books with flash tattoos, walls with design sketches, and even a television showing pictures of past work.

Our artist was Scott Musick, who was friendly and inviting. He inked both of our arms in under an hour. We were provided with detailed care instructions and given a nicely designed business card with some basic care instructions as well as Scott's contact information in case we had any questions. The whole experience was comfortable, professional, and completely worth it.

Scott Musick

I love my tattoo and cannot wait for my next one. I have a certain design in mind that deals with ghosts, monsters, and burst chests. If YOU have any suggestions for locations that excel at this type of style, be sure to leave a comment!

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Home Is Where The Heart Stays

The Who: My friend Maeve and her mother got these matching tattoos in August 2010. Maeve has lived in Philadelphia all her life, first in the Northeast and now at school in the city. She is the only child of a widowed parent, which is precisely the reason for this tattoo.

The Where: Maeve and he mother got their ink at Sink The Ink in Willow Grove, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia

The What: Before she entered college in 2010, Maeve finally decided to take the plunge. She and her mom had debated getting matching tattoos for years, and finally felt they were ready. Maeve wanted the tattoo to be a symbol of her and her two parents. The tattoo is extremely special because it is in memory of her father who passed away when she was 10 years old. Maeve, being an only child, was extremely close to her dad. His passing brought Maeve and her mom closer together, giving them a very unique and special friendship and relationship.

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Tattoo De Los Muertos

The Who: This tattoo belongs to my friend Nora. We've been friends for over a year, ever since I joined my school's radio station. Nora loves showing off her ink, and I thought it would be an awesome, original piece to showcase. I asked her to send me some pictures with her story and she so graciously obliged. 

                  

Photo Credit: Matthew Klein

Here's what Nora had to say about this beautiful tattoo:

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The Tattoo of Brotherly Love

Welcome to the blog of tattoos and their stories. All from Philadelphia! I will be regularly documenting original designs done by artists based in and around the city. Every tattoo has its own story, from the fallen loved one to the sports team tribute to the drunken dare. Tattoos need to be thought out, designed, applied, and shown off. It is my job to provide a gallery filled with the creative pieces floating around the City of Brotherly Love. And what better way to start off the blog than with one of my own?

This is a tattoo that I got with my brother., T.J., back in January of 2011. My brother is my best friend and I knew I wanted to get something that would provide proof of the brotherly bond we share. These were done at the Portside Parlor and Art Gallery by Body Graphics, on 2^nd Street in Olde City.

In my opinion, getting a tattoo should be a long, carefully thought out process. Rushing to get a tattoo leads to poor designs, unoriginal artwork, and a greater chance of regretting the piece. For something that will last forever, a tattoo needs to be carefully considered. My brother and I deliberated for over a year before we finally took the plunge. When deciding on our tattoos, we went through various objects and designs, finally settling on a polar bear.

The polar bear has been our favorite animal for quite some time and it seemed fitting for us to get. We also have a polar bear lawn ornament that has a history of his own. Q-Bear, as he is named, is about three feet long and one foot high. For a few years, we took him everywhere with us. He's been to Canada, sporting events, out in the snow, and even to the beach. He has been a dog toy, a drinking buddy, and a flotation device. Everywhere we go, people want to hold and get their picture taken with Q-Bear. It seems silly, but it is a fun tradition we have, and we knew that having a Q-Bear tattoo would be something we'd want forever.

T.J. designed the outline based entirely on Q-Bear's profile. We saved our money up and headed down to Body Graphics. Scott Musik did both of our tattoos in under an hour. I think they turned out great and it was a great design for my first tattoo(T.J. has three). Throughout the year, I've shown off my design(and told the story) to anyone and everyone who would listen. The positive responses I received made me so happy I finally went for it. I now have something that my brother and I will share forever. As anyone with ink is aware, tattoo culture is addicting. I'm already gearing up for my second piece, so be sure to check back soon!

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