FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?
You must be at least 18 years of age with Government issued ID (drivers license,
passport, military ID etc.) to get a tattoo.
Does it hurt to be tattooed?
Yes, it does hurt to be tattooed, the pain is not severe, but it is very
uncomfortable, the pain is generally handled well by most people, as it is not
an excruciating pain but more of an irritating pain. The tattoo will feel like a
bad sunburn after it is complete and will feel that way for about 5 to 7 days.
After the tattoo is completely healed it will not hurt at all.
Are tattoo’s permanent?
Yes, tattoos are permanent, they can be lightened by laser treatment, but the
laser treatment hurts significantly more than the application of the tattoo, and
is very expensive. So you should make sure that the design you have chosen is
one that you are willing to live with for the rest of your life.
Will the colour fade?
The colour on your tattoo will fade if it is not properly taken care of as it
heals, or if it exposed to the sun or tanning beds. Proper care of your tattoo
is vital to its appearance and healing. Exposure to the sun will fade the colour
just as it fades the paint on a car that sits in the sun.
How safe is it to get tattooed?
In this day and age tattoos are completely safe if done in a clean environment
by a professional with sterile instruments. There have never been any cases of
AIDS reported due to tattoos. Hepatitis can be contracted through dirty needles
in tattooing, but this can be completely avoided by going to a professional who
practices sterile/aseptic techniques and never re-uses needles or inks.
How do I take care of a new tattoo?
Your artist will go over the care of your tattoo with you and tell you the
proper ointment you should use, you will also receive written care instructions.
It is very important that you follow these instructions exactly as they are laid
out, this will ensure proper healing and minimal complications.
Do I need to make an appointment?
It is a very good idea to make an appointment to get a tattoo. There are several
reasons for this. First, this gives your artist time to draw up the design that
you want so that he/she is not rushed when you walk through the door. Second, we
can allow enough time to complete your tattoo without being rushed.
Can you numb the area to be tattooed?
No, for several reasons we cannot numb the area to be tattooed, we are not
licensed to inject a local anaesthetic, this may only be done by a licensed
physician.
How long does it take a tattoo to heal?
Initial healing of a tattoo is about 5 to 10 days, complete healing of a tattoo
is 45 days, this is how long it takes for skin to regenerate itself after being
damaged.
What about infection?
If your tattoo was done under the cleanest possible circumstances with sterile
instruments, sterile ink, and by a gloved artist, the after care of your tattoo
is up to you. The risk of infection is minimal to none if your tattoo is
properly taken care of and is not exposed to dirt, pet hair, swimming pools,
lake or ocean water, hot tubs, dirty clothes, dirty bed linens, etc. It is
important that you keep your tattoo clean at all times while it is healing.
How does the tattoo machine work?
The machine is hooked up to a power supply that regulates the amount of
electrical current going to the machine. The needle is attached to a needle bar
that is inserted into a tube and then attached to the machine itself. The
electrical current makes the needles move back and forth at a high rate of speed
moving in and out of the tube. This movement is turned on and off by a foot
pedal on the floor, the whole process is similar to a sewing machine, with the
needle moving only when the foot switch is depressed. The needle pushes the ink
into the skin about 1/16th of an inch below the surface of the skin. The skin
heals up over the ink leaving a permanent mark in the skin.
Can I get my new tattoo wet?
For best results in healing your new tattoo, you should not get it wet at all.
If you are using a product like Tattoo Goo which is a beeswax formula, it should
be applied before you shower. Using the beeswax formula the water will just run
off. You should never soak your new tattoo in any kind of water. Lake and ocean
water are teeming with bacteria and could cause an infection. Swimming pool
water has chlorine in it which has a bleaching effect on a new tattoo.
How do I prepare for a tattoo?
First, and most important, you should not be under the influence of any drugs or
alcohol. Alcohol works against a tattoo in several ways: First it impairs your
judgment and you may pick out a tattoo that is silly or not at all what you
really want. Second, alcohol thins your blood and makes you bleed more,
therefore pushing ink that we are trying to get into your skin, out of your
skin. Third, alcohol can make you flinch or twitch, and we can not tattoo on
someone who is moving around. Drugs are a bad combination with tattoos, they can
be a fatal combination in fact, and the adrenaline rush in your body can react
with some drugs and can cause respiratory and cardiac failure. Some drugs, such
as marijuana can cause the pain of a tattoo to be intensified and can be
extremely painful. A sober person is the easiest to tattoo, and a sober person
can handle a tattoo much better than a person under the influence of drugs or
alcohol. It is a good idea to eat a full meal 2-3 hours prior to being tattooed.
When dressing for a tattoo appointment, think about
where the tattoo is going to be. Be certain that the area to be tattooed is
easily accessible to the tattooist, while maintaining any modesty you might wish to keep. We
understand that this is not possible in all situations, but many people don't
plan ahead. Our artists are very polite and extremely professional. They have
tattooed just about every body part imaginable, and you need not worry about
discretion. Clothing around the tattoo should be older (but clean)
clothing , something you will not mind if it gets soiled. There is always a
remote possibility that ink or blood may get on the clothing during and after
the tattoo.
Ladies, if you are getting upper chest or back tattoo, we recommend, spaghetti
straps or low cut tank top or sports bra. Hipsters and bikini bottoms
(swimming suit with hips exposed), short shorts, again just make sure the parts
you want covered are covered.
Upper thighs, bikini bottoms (swimming suit), short shorts, and skirt.
Gentlemen, same goes, cover what you want covered. Shorts for legs. On an
end note, it is preferable if you shave the area and around it where you want
the tattoo to go the day of your appointment or the day you plan to come in.
Remember, We have a Private Tattoo Room, so please limit guests to one person
if you need someone with you. I am a trained professional, that will treat you
with consideration and respect. I will work with you to provide you with a great
tattoo experience from start to finish.
Can I suntan my tattoo?
NO! Never ever should you expose your tattoo to the harmful rays of the sun! You
wouldn’t put the Mona Lisa in the sun would you? This tattoo is going to be with
you for the rest of your life, take care of it! The sun will fade your tattoo
even after it is healed, always use a SPF 25 or higher sun block, not sun
screen, sun block is the only thing that will block the rays of the sun. Not to
mention that the sun is bad for you anyway!
Where can I put a tattoo on my body?
Maine State Law regulations prohibit tattooing of the head, neck, hands, feet,
and genitals. Everywhere else on your body will generally heal up well,
providing that you take proper care of your new tattoo. There are some general
things you should know though, if you tattoo your legs you should stay off of
them as much as possible so that the tattoo does not swell excessively, working
out should be avoided as to not stretch or tear the healing tissue, clothing
rubbing on new tattoos can affect the healing process also, bra straps, belts,
panty hose, etc, should be taken into consideration when deciding placement of
your tattoo.
Will my tattoo scar?
Your tattoo should not scar if it is properly taken care of and it is not picked
at! The scab that peels off needs to come off in its own time with no assistance
from you. If you do pick at the peeling skin your tattoo will most likely have
spots in it with no ink or it will scar. There are a few exceptions to this
rule. Keloids are an excessive amount of scar tissue that builds up where skin
has been damaged. You are either prone to keloids or you aren’t. If you are, you
probably know this by now and should alert your artist prior to being tattooed,
special precautions will be taken as to minimize scaring. Keloids are hereditary
and are predominately found in dark, olive or African American skin. If you are
not sure if you are prone to this skin condition, please discuss it with your
artist.
Can I exercise with a new tattoo?
Exercise should be avoided while your tattoo is healing, the pulling and
stretching of the skin is not good for a healing tattoo, 10 days should be a
sufficient amount of healing time.