 |
Tattoo FAQs
What should I expect from a healing tattoo?
Healing tattoos often scab, peel, itch, and seep ink onto clothing and linens. All of this is entirely normal. You can expect the tattoo to be uncomfortable for at least the first five days or until the scabbing process is finished. Some flaking, redness and swelling is also normal. If the tattoo becomes severely swollen, red, or painful...consult your physician immediately as this may be a sign of an infection, allergic reaction, or other skin disorder.
ALL INFECTIONS ARE ENTIRELY AVOIDABLE!
We don't need to tell you how important it is to take care of your tattoos. Foreign bacteria can only be INTRODUCED to the skin by contact with unsanitary agents such as skin, counter tops, door handles, etc. Please wash your hands before touching your tattoo and continue with your aftercare as directed by your artist.
Remember, your tattoo will only heal correctly if you are attentive to its needs. Tattoos need to be moisturized 3-5 times a day, remain dry (no submersion of any kind), and are not picked at, scratched or otherwise disturbed in any way.
What should avoid while my tattoo is healing?
(1) Submersion (oceans, lakes, rivers, bathtubs, etc.) will lead to bubbling and excessive peeling of your tattoo, causing you to lose color.
(2) Picking, scratching, and rubbing the tattoo may have the same effect, as well as adding the possibility of permanently scarring the tattoo area. (If you pick at a scab, it's going to scar...duh.)
(3) Excessive exposure to sunlight. The last thing you want to do after getting a nice, bright tattoo is to go sit in the sun for hours on end. UV rays are notorious for affecting the skin pigmentation to begin with (hence the Florida tan), a day at the beach while your tattoo is fresh can ruin your tattoo. Stay out of the sun as much as possible and be sure to wear your strongest sunblock when you have no choice.
(4) Alcohol products! STAY AWAY FROM NEOSPORIN! Gels like A&D ointment, Neosporin, and Bacitracin are NOT recommended for a healing tattoo. Isopropyl alcohol and glycerin (main ingredients) are not ideal for healing tissue. These products are designed to force infectious bacteria and all foreign agents out of your skin. While the defense against bacteria sounds like a good thing, it may lead to irritation, excessive swelling, and loss of new-forming tissue. Your ink is also a foreign agent, if it's forced from the body, your tattoo is probably going to look faded, dull and crusty.
It is advisable to stick with products that encourage tissue growth and will not dry out the tattoo.
Use unscented lotions, not gels, for this purpose.
I have skin allergies, can I get a tattoo?
Possibly, depending on the particular skin problem. If you have a historty of staph infections, eczema, cellulitis, psoriasis, or have had a previous reaction to a tattoo, IT IS UNADVISABLE TO GET A TATTOO. Each of these skin problems tends to get worse when the skin is broken, such as with a cut or puncture wound. A tattoo will MOST CERTAINLY cause a flare up and would result in a disfigured tattoo.
If you have skin allergies, talk to your tattoo artist to be sure yours isn't the type to avoid.
My teenager wants a tattoo, do you tattoo minors?
Although Florida State Laws allow the tattooing of minors with parental consent, Jet Set DOES NOT tatoo minors. We make absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS. Look, we understand that tattoos can be a rite of passage for young adults and that parents may even be willing to sign for the tattoo, we just prefer to avoid the complications such tattoos can cause.
(1) Teenagers are still growing. Yep, especially the boys. Males don't reach their full height until around the age of 21. The tattoo may look great when you're 16, but as you grow, your skin grows too...the tattoo will surely distort and fade with time.
(2) Tattoos are a HUGE responsibility. Not to pick on the young folks, but we remember what we were like as teenagers, responsibility wasn't a top priority.
(3) What a teenager thinks is cool at 16, they will probably think is lame at 21. Look, tattoos are for life. That sweet tribal armband you want so badly now may be something you'll be embarrassed about later...trust us. If you want the tattoo that badly, you'll still want it when you're 18.
Does it hurt?
OF COURSE IT HURTS! What's a little pain when the result is a kick-ass tattoo? Don't be a sissy, it's not that bad ;)
|
|
 |
