Frequently asked questions

On somebody else... Seriously though, as a general rule of thumb, skin that doesn't see the light of day tends to be more sensitive (under the arm, inside of leg). Skin directly over bone or ligaments tend to be more sensitive (inside wrist or back of ankle, ribs, neck). In addition, fat tissue tends to be more sensitive so areas that have more fat tend to be more sensitive (love handles, buttocks). Of course different people feel different levels of pain and what you say hurts may not hurt someone else.

 Where To Put The Tattoo

Yes, but I might clean up the artwork, depending on your artistic level. While you may draw awesome stick figures, I wouldn't tattoo them on you. Even people who are 'artists' seldom understand the mechanics of what makes for good tattoo art.

While I usually don't give final prices until a design is created, on the average a small ankle tattoo goes for around $60 to $100. Of course it also depends on the size and complexity of the art and the reputation of the artist.

  How A Tattoo Is Priced

In short, the answer to this question is "No". The main reason is that no artist wants to deal with someone who is "not all there". The old adage that alcohol thins your blood is for the most part an old wives tale. Unless you went on a bender the night before, drinking liquor has too broad an effect on people to merit a simple answer. Different metabolisms handle alcohol levels differently. A person's blood pressure, iron count and any medications taken have an effect as well.

  Alcohol And Getting Tattooed

Tattooing over freckles is seldom a problem, but moles can be. While they are rarely cancerous, irritation due to a tattoo procedure or the pigments used offers a small (and I mean a very small) chance of the mole becoming malignant. Most tattoo artists avoid tattooing over a mole, opting to tattoo around them rather than over. Creative placement of the tattoo design can also help disguise a mole or other skin blemish.

Stretch marks can be tattooed. Just be aware that this type of skin tends to be a little bit more sensitive and softer. The consequence of increased sensitivity is obvious, but pain is subjective and depends on your personal tolerance. As for the tissue being softer, make sure your tattoo artist is experienced with softer skin tissue as the techniques used are slightly different in order to avoid excessive trauma to the skin and possible scarring.

The short answer is 'yes', but the scar needs to be fully healed. For most scars the healing time is about two years. If the scar is still reddish or brownish in color, it is a good indicator that the scar is not yet healed completely.

You also need to understand that a tattoo over a scar will not completely hide the scar. All it can do is camouflage the scar. The texture of the skin will still be the same. On severely damaged skin, a busy colored pattern tends to work best. You want the tattoo to distract the eye away from the scar. Large areas of open color (including black tribal) will not effectively camouflage the scar.

Another thing you will need to consider is that there are various types of scar tissue. Keloided scar tissue is tougher and may not take color as well as other types of scar tissue. Try to find an artist that is experienced and is able to handle working over scars. Ask questions and become informed before jumping in.

  Freehand Tattoo Over A Scar

Tips are a good way of showing your artist that you appreciate the work they did for you. The amount tipped for a tattoo is based on the amount and quality of work that has been done. Remember that the tattoo you get will be with you for life. The more you are satisfied with the work, the more you should tip. For project tattoos that take several sessions, a gift is an acceptable tip for an artist. While you are at the shop, look around or ask questions about what your artist likes or needs. Art, tattoo and body modification books are great to give and are always appreciated (just make sure they don't have the book first). Of course a cash tip is always the safest bet.

In body piercing, the body has a natural tendency to want to get rid of foreign objects, including jewelry. Therefore we have to 'trick' the body into accepting body jewelry by minimizing skin irritations. this is done by proper piercing techniques, right choice of jewelry material and proper aftercare and upkeep. In certain piercing types the tissue being pierced is soft or thin (such as an eyebrow) making it easier for the body to 'push' the jewelry out. Other times a piercing simply 'settles in' to a comfortable location (such as ear lobes) without too much movement.

Bensalkonium Chloride is a good all-purpose antibiotic cleanser and soother for a fresh piercing. You can find it in over-the-counter products like Bactine ® by "Bayer ® and Ear Care ® by "Inverness ®" at most pharmacies. You can also use natural sea salt (not table salt) after a couple of weeks to help flush out trapped bacteria and alleviate soreness around the surrounding skin tissue.

Tips are a good way of showing your piercer that you appreciate the work they did for you. A suitable tip of $5 or $10 (depending on the piercing done) is more than satisfactory. The more you are satisfied with the piercer's work, the more you should tip. If you are constantly visiting your piercer, asking for help with adjustments or reinsertions, a gift is an acceptable tip. While you are at the shop, look around or ask questions about what your piercer likes or needs. Body modification books are great to give and always appreciated (just make sure they don't have the book first). Of course a cash tip is always the easiest and safest bet.

The obvious reason for getting any genital piercing is for sexual stimulation for either yourself, your partner or both. As with any other type of piercing, your reason for getting a genital piercing should be solely a personal one. Learn all you can about the type of piercing available and base your decision on the results you are trying to achieve. Not all genital piercing are for everyone and it is not unusual for someone to get a piercing only to find that either they or their partner don't like it. It is always best to talk with your partner first before getting a genital piercing.

According to the American Red Cross website, for body or ear piercing you do not have to wait, so long as the equipment used was sterile and one time use. For tattoos they recommend waiting at least 12 months if it was done in a shop that is not state-regulated. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Donating blood is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile technique. Only a few states currently regulate tattoo facilities, so most donors with tattoos must wait 12 months after tattoo application before donating blood. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

To donate blood in Connecticut visit CT American Red Cross for more information.

One of the biggest false rumors I've ever heard is that if you get a tattoo on your breast, you can't breast feed. Why, you ask? "Because the ink gets in the blood."

That's right folks. That's the kind of info that is out there. Not to worry, your baby won't be feeding on your blood. Unless there's something wrong with your little bundle of joy. Furthermore, the ink is going into the skin, not your circulatory system. While there is some bleeding, the blood is flowing out, not in. So relax, all you moms out there. You don't have to worry about harming your baby if you get a tattoo on your breast. Just don't get something evil and scary there to freak out the poor kid.

While a tattoo on the breast is nothing to worry, a piece of metal jewelry through the nipple is.

If you know you will be breast feeding within the next six months or if you are currently breast feeding, don't even think of getting your nipples pierced at this time. Wait until the baby is off the breast milk before considering it. If you have had your nipples pierced and they are fully healed and you want to breast feed, simply take the jewelry out during feeding and replace them afterwards. If you decide to keep the jewelry out during the few months you are breast feeding, don't despair if you have trouble getting the jewelry back in. The holes have not healed closed, they are still there. Just go back to your piercer and have him/her re-insert the jewelry for you.

Due to human nature and the overall intolerance out there to those suffering with HIV, the most common answer heard will be "No". This answer has no bearing on a person's immune response to getting a tattoo, but rather an automatic response from prejudice and fear of the unknown. But I'm sure if you are afflicted with HIV you have already come across these types of injustices.

The real answer is not that simple and requires you to be in communication with your doctor, your artist and your body. The process of getting a tattoo is an invasive procedure that breaks the skin and introduces foreign material into the skin's surface. As you can imagine, this can cause havoc with a patient's immune system, especially in advanced stages. For those who have the HIV virus under control, and at an early stage, the ability to get a tattoo is great. You will probably have a harder time convincing a tattoo artist to tattoo you than to get your doctor's approval. And I do strongly urge you to consult with your doctor first.