FAQ

FAQs Courtesy of Pym Tattoo

General & Medical

Myths

Types of Tattoos

Are Tattoos art?

Yes tattoos are art. However, some tattoos are good art, poorly done... and some tattoos are bad art, done well. Find a tattooist who is competent with both a pencil and a tattoo machine.
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Do tattoos hurt?

You bet it hurts. Not as much as you think and definitely not as much as some would like you to believe. Yes, some areas are more tender than others, but the discomfort is manageable if you're getting what you really want, where you really want it.
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Where can I have a tattoo put?

Where to place a tattoo is, and always should be, your own decision. Don't be influenced by "it'll hurt less there" or "it'll be cooler here", get the tattoo where YOU want it!

General advice on placement is that you should consider what kind of clothes you wear, work and social, whether you would like it to show all the time or only when you want to show it off, and in some cases, the appropriateness of the design itself (i.e. the naked warrior girl might be better placed on the calf than the forearm for those who have to attend PTA meetings or be Soccer Mom/Dads!

Most professional tattoo shops will not tattoo faces. They may tattoo your neck and hands IF you already have a lot of coverage. Do not expect to be able to get your first tattoo on your knuckles at a reputable shop!

There are certain areas of the body where the skin does not cooperate well with tattoos over time, notably the fingers, toes and feet. Hands are constantly exposed to the sun, scuffing and rubbing on things, likewise the feet and toes rub on shoes. This means the skin is tougher in these areas and constantly regenerating so it is likely the tattoo will fade fairly quickly. It will need to be touched up on a regular basis. It may not seem like a problem at first, but on your fifth redo, you might begin to wish you hadn't bothered! Women who are considering having children are advised not to get tattooed on the stomach and local area as the skin stretches so much during pregnancy that the tattoo is often badly damaged.

Some types of SCARRING can be tattooed over, but not all, consult with an experienced artist about this. Surgical scars should be at least 6 months old before they are ready to be tattooed over.
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Is tattooing Safe?

Yes... if proper sterilization and infection control standards are practiced by the studio you've chosen. Basically, this means anything that comes in contact with blood / body fluids must either be disposed of (single - use) or sterilized (autoclaved).
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What is an autoclave?

An autoclave is a heat / steam / pressure unit that achieves and maintains 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius) under 10 pounds (4.5 Kilograms) pressure for 30 minutes or up to 270 degrees Fahrenheit (132 degrees Celsius) under 15 pounds (6.8 Kilograms) pressure for 15 minutes. Most units run a 55 minute cycle from a cold start.

It is the only accepted method of sterilization that will kill every living microorganism known to mankind.
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What does the term "single-use" needles mean?

This means that every set of needles used to apply your tattoo are brand new. They are individually packaged, sealed, and autoclaved. An indicator strip on the package changes color when processing has occurred. After use, the needles are disposed of.

One needle, one customer.
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What about inks and other materials?

All ointments, pigments, gloves, ink cups, razors, etc. used to apply your tattoo are discarded after use.

Nothing is reused, this eliminates any possibility of contamination of materials.

After the tattoo procedure has been completed, the work area surfaces are disinfected with an EPA approved veridical which kills any surface bacteria or viruses.
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How do I know if proper standards are being followed?

First, look around. Is the studio clean and professional looking? Appearances can tell you a lot. Then, ask questions.

A professional studio takes pride in its safe tattooing procedures and won't mind answering your concerns.
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How should I take care of my tattoo?

Our job is done, now it's your turn... Not looking after your tattoo properly may result in loss of quality, so you should follow these instructions carefully... Do not listen to your friends and people in bars who think they have a better idea!!!!!
  • Remove bandage in 2 to 4 hours.
  • Wash tattoo carefully with warm water and mild soap.
  • Pat Dry.
  • Apply a thin layer of lotion after a few hours and then twice a day for about a week or until the skin is no longer dry.
  • Good lotions to use are Lubraderm, A&D, Tattoo Goo...
  • Don't use fancy creams, hippy potions, or perfumed lotions.
  • You do not need antibiotic creme.
  • Showers are fine. Baths, swimming, and sauna are out until the tattoo is healed
  • No sun or tanning 'til the tattoo is completely healed.
  • Sunburn on a fresh tattoo can cause severe irritation and allergy.
  • Do not pick, scratch, or 'help' the scab to come off.
  • If you have any questions please callt he person who did your tattoo.
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Anyone who is artistic can tattoo.

Don't bet your skin on it.

The ability to draw neat designs does not make a tattooist. Without the proper equipment, mechanical skill and technical knowledge, that pretty paper design can turn into anything from mush to scar tissue in a couple of months. Every tattooist has artistic talent. Unfortunately, this is false.

A good deal of a professional tattooist's time is spent fixing or covering someone else's "artistic talent".
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Any good artist can do any tattoo.

Not necessarily. While most professionals are capable of a variety of styles, they usually have a specialty, a unique style of tattooing they've developed and are very good at. That artist who's known for his killer tribal work may not be the choice for the portrait of mom and dad you've been planning. Match the design you want with the artist who can pull it off.
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My tattoo doesn't look right, I'll just go back and have them fix it.

Bad idea. Odds are that if their first attempt is botched, so will their second, and third... Steer clear.

A professional may be able to fix-up that blotched job, but if you keep going back to the butcher, you'll probably end up with an even darker, uglier tattoo that requires a cover-up... Much larger and much more expensive.
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Tattoos are accepted by society now.

Yes, more than say 10 or 20 years ago, but not as mainstream as you may think. Most non-tattooed people still associate tattooing with sailors, circus sideshows, skid row drunks and outlaw rebels. You would be wise to place your first tattoo where it is covered by normally worn clothing.
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Artist want you to get real big designs so they can charge more.

Nonsense. Most established professionals have more work than they can handle and can make more money doing a lot of small, uncomplicated pieces than a few large complex ones.
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If I don't get a tattoo today, I probably won't get one.

Don't get one. An impulsive whim is a really stupid reason to make such a permanent decision. If you wouldn't get a tattoo tomorrow, don't get one today.
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Photos are the best way to judge an artist's talent.

No. The best way is to see real tattoos on real people. Photos are second best. They do give you a good idea of what the artist is capable of. Drawings or FLASH may reflect a tattooist's taste and artistic ability, but give no clue as to his ability to tattoo those designs on your skin.
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I want your cheapest tattoo.

Go home!

If you're shopping price, it's a safe bet you're getting tattooed for all the wrong reasons... It's cool, my friends have one, I'm expressing my individuality, it'll piss mom off. If you're serious about getting a tattoo, get exactly what you want, even if you have to save up for it.
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But I really want "Rock Rules" on my knuckles. I'll never regret it.

Yeah, right. And that guy over there still thinks true love is having his ex-wife's name forever tattooed on his chest. If a tattooist refuses to do a particular design, think about it before you blow your top... He just may have a good reason.
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You don't need an autoclave, this works just as well!

Absolutely not. The only acceptable means of sterilization is with an autoclave. Boiling water, dry heat units, alcohol, bleaching or any other kind of voodoo just won't cut it.
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You're not a real tattoo fan if you don't have lots of tattoos.

Definitely not true. A person with one terrific tattoo displays more respect for the art form than someone with an armful of uninspired badlyinked images.
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Don't get any water on your tattoo.

Partly true. You must not "soak" a new tattoo, but gentle hand-washing of it is necessary to remove harmful bacteria from the healing tattoo. When you shower, simply apply a little extra coating of ointment to the tattoo and avoid direct shower spray on it. Blot off excess ointment when you're done bathing.
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Tattoos are done by appointment only and require a $20 deposit that is non refundable.