Thursday - March 28, 2024
Tattoo Basics

Faq

Does it hurt?
Which spot hurts the most? 

Is it safe?

How do I prepare for a tattoo? 
How do I choose a design?
What size should it be? 
How long will the whole process take?
How much will it cost?
Is it OK to get a tattoo if I'm sick?
What maintenance does a tattoo require?
Can I get rid of it?

Does it hurt?
Yes, it does. You are likely to experience some discomfort while being tattooed, but it's bearable.
Most people agree that it feels more like a minor irritation, just like a sunburn or a scratching feeling.

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Which spot hurts the most?
Areas just above bones (such as elbow, collar bone and knee), the inside of the upper arms and thighs and the lower back are more sensitive than the rest of the body. But remember: you should not decide on the spot for your tattoo based purely on the "hurt factor". Get your tattoo where you really want it.

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Is it safe?
According to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA, which in 1985 issued national guidelines for protection during the tattoo process, there has never been a recorded case of tattoo-transmitted HIV infection; the last reported tattoo-related incident of hepatitis was in 1950.

Tattoo studios in general, are now well-equipped, with rubber gloves, disinfectant soap, disposable ink cups and sterilized autoclaves, to protect both the client and the artist. If you have come across tattoo studios which do not meet these basic health requirements, it is advisable for you to seek ones which do.

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How do I prepare for a tattoo?
Listed below are a two simple steps which can help you prepare for your "big day":
1. Rest well on the night before the tattoo and do not use/consume any drugs and/or alcohol.
2. Eat a good meal on the day of the tattoo and remember to not use/consume any drugs and/or alcohol.

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How do I choose a design?
You can always ask your tattoo artist for advice or you can provide some visual aid to your tattoo artist. Your tattoo artist should be able to come up with a few drawn up samples for you, with or without changes and refinements.

What size should it be?
Bigger tattoos are better! This is solely because tattoos change with time. A tattoo which you get today will look different 10 years down the road.

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How long will the whole process take?
This depends on the size and the intricacy of the design, as well as on how well you sit while being tattooed. It's difficult to determine until the design has been chosen. Always allow yourself enough time for your tattoo.

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How much will it cost?
This also depends on the size of design and time taken to execute the design. We try to have designs that suit all tastes and budgets.


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Is it OK to get a tattoo if I'm sick?
It is not advisable to get a tattoo when your immune system isn't functioning at 100%. You will definitely need your strength and white blood cells to heal your tattoo, and this is something your body won't be able to do once you are sick. It is also not advisable for you to visit the tattoo studio once you are sick, as you might pass the germs on to others.

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What maintenance does a tattoo require?
The future of your new tattoo depends on several factors, and most tattoo studios will provide you with proper care instructions. Typically, a new tattoo will scab over immediately and then heal in a few weeks; during that period direct sunlight should be avoided or else the color can fade. Sunlight, in fact, is the enemy of tattoos, but proper protection with clothing and/or sunscreen can keep high-quality work looking pristine even after several decades have passed. And, if the color eventually needs brightening, it is not uncommon to be re-inked.

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Can I get rid of it?
Tattooing should never be considered anything less than permanent since the removal process is expensive, time consuming, and not necessarily pleasant. Before medical solutions are sought, a tattooed 'cover-up' should be considered, since many a poorly made, out-grown, or otherwise unloved tattoo has been cleverly disguised by the added work of a skilled artist. Carefully planned and colored overlays can turn unwanted tattoos into finely wrought creations, without a hint of the earlier work. But if utter obliteration is the only solution, there is now hope for successful removal. Until recently, the removal process was fairly barbaric, relying on surgical incisions, dermabrasion, or chemical salabrasion, all of which cures were often less satisfactory than the problem. Recently, laser technology - particularly the high-tech pulse lasers - has opened up new possibilities for erasing tattoos. Developed in the 1980's, the Medlite, Dermalase, and Alexandrite lasers deliver short bursts of energy that are selectively absorbed by the tattoo ink; this process breaks up the tattoo pigment, which is gradually eliminated from the body.

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