#tattoo advice | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

big-boah · 2 years

Text

General tips for disabled and/or neurodivergent people getting tattoos (of all support need levels):

Under the cut:

Do your research: There are some shops nowadays that are run by neurodivergent or disabled folks and/or cater to neurodivergent/disabled folks, and those would be my first choice to scope out for a tattoo consultation. Otherwise I would go to a place/artist who was recommended by a friend or member of the local community. Check out online reviews too and social media comments to find the person you feel most comfortable reaching out to. You will be communicating with this person a lot because they're giving you something that will last a lifetime.

*Note: "friend" here means friend, significant other, partner, parent, sibling, or attendant/assistant/caregiver. You have to be 18 in most of the United States to get a tattoo.

*Also I can only speak for myself and my own experiences!

Be prepared for an in-person consult, and be ready to ask about any accommodations you would need during the appointment, including your preferred communication style. Tattoo artists usually don't do online consults which can be scary, I've called off a few on bad days. (They understand, your job is to be communicative!) Don't let that stop you or a friend from making an appointment for you.

Be prepared to answer questions from the artist on your comfort levels and communication needs and do not be shy, you're trying to see whether you'll be paying them for an important service. During the consultation, they will ask you questions about your design, colors, size, and the location of the tattoo.

You don't have to come with a totally clear idea in mind, they can help you get creative. Reference photos and printouts do help for ideas. But make sure you or a friend also have a list of questions beforehand if you think of any. And don't be afraid to reach out to the artist before the consult or appointment if you have questions. If they're cool they'll want to help you feel comfortable. During the session, tattoo artists will take breaks based on your comfort level (I've seen neurotypical people take breaks every 15 minutes) so don't feel bad about bringing that up if you anticipate that, no matter the body part.

Make sure to bring a friend, a phone/typing/AAC device or a pen/paper to the consult to ensure clear communication. I usually communicate over email and typing on my phone and I've only had issues with one artist who was inexperienced and we didn't go through with the tattoo. Also be sure to get a ride there and back! Getting a tattoo is tiring, you will not want to drive after if usually drive. Taking public transportation is difficult with executive function issues which will usually feel intense after a tattoo session, it can be very tiring.

Start small with your first design or session. Not that you shouldn't go all out, I say heck yeah to that! But that way, you'll know how it feels in that area of your body and you can plan it better. You don't want to plan a 4 hour session that feels unbearable after half the tattoo 2 hours in. That feeling sucks.

A good artist will also tell you "no" if they think something won't look good or be too difficult to take care of for your body, tattoo location, or skin type, or if they think that a certain body part is a bad idea. They're there to work with you and give you something you'll be happy with forever. This is another reason for the consult before the appointment, you can get to know the artist a little bit. If you feel uncomfortable with them or if you feel like they are judging you, consults are usually free or low cost, or the money goes toward the tattoo, you don't have to go through with the actual first session. It'll be like you're discussing and interviewing each other. You'll also want to start small to gauge pricing so you don't get surprised!

For the appointment, get ready for a weird type of pain that feels different in every part of the body. Everyone is different when it comes to this, and everyone has different tolerance levels. This is why you should start small in one area to make sure you're comfortable with doing more. It feels like someone is scratching you in the same spot over and over until you bleed, because that's pretty much what's happening.

Bring snacks and water to the appointment and eat plenty beforehand. This is important so you don't get dizzy. Drink plenty of water and never be afraid to ask for hydration or snack breaks. Usually the shop will be able to provide water if you forget some. Getting a tattoo sometimes isn't very painful, but it still takes a toll on your body, which is constantly trying to produce numbing chemicals for your wound.

Be prepared to spend several hours trying to stay still. I recommend bringing stim toys or a friend who can help keep you relaxed. Even tiny tattoos take an hour with final discussion and price discussion, placement, and then they clean the room/chair, and prepare the ink and fresh needles for you. Your body in general will need to be as still as possible for your tattoo's benefit and the artist's. The artist also needs to feel safe doing the tattoo too, it's their job to give you something that'll last forever and they want to make sure they do a good job so you need to stay as relaxed as possible. If you need a brace that doesn't interfere with the tattoo area, do it. Also, you can usually listen to headphones if you want or you can request music. Or you can have a friend bring a tablet so you can watch Netflix (I may have done that for a Star Wars vibe.)

Watch what meds or supplements you take before the appointment. Some medicines and natural substances can make your blood thinner, give you high blood pressure, or make you feel pain differently. You have to sign a waiver before you get it done that says you're not under the influence, but make sure to research your meds effects and side effects to make sure it won't make you unalert, dizzy, or otherwise uncomfortable. You want this to be as painless as possible, it's a cool experience and a necessary evil for the cool forever art, you want it to be a good time. 😉

Be prepared for bleeding, clear fluid, and scabbing. Proper after care is crucial for it . I was surprised by how much aftercare was involved in a tattoo, even though the artist had gone over this with me. Usually you'll need to follow a strict bandage and lotion (sometimes) regimen that your tattoo artist will prescribe. You and your friend's job is to take good care of it. They can take a month or two to heal completely, and you have to keep it dry. You also can't put it in direct sunlight so watch out during summer, and you cannot let it rub up against tight clothing, a chair/cushion, or a brace. If your immune system is a bit slower at healing, prepare for up to 4-6 months until the whole thing is healed over. Be mindful of this when planning and be open about it with your tattoo artist for the best results.

Don't be afraid to reach back out after your appointment. You or a friend can send an email to the shop or call the shop if you have a question for the artist. The tattoo artist or a receptionist or manager will provide aftercare help or direct you to their safety tips on their website. Sometimes people have reactions to the ink in the form of heavy scabbing, scarring, or hives. Don't be afraid to ask. If there are any signs of infection at all, you and/or your friend need to call the shop and the doctor as soon as possible. The shop can tell you what's normal, the doctor can tell you if your infection needs treatment. (It is normal for all this to happen even if you do everything right.) And they artists are there to help you, that's what you're paying them for.

Make sure that you and your friends tip well if you can. Especially if the artist is patient and understanding and open and communicative. It's important! It's even more of a compliment to be a repeat customer. If you find someone you like working with, cherish them forever. Give them nice reviews online too, it lets us in the community doing our research know it's a neurodivergent/disability friendly place.

Thank you for coming to my disabled person TED™️ talk. Anyone should be able to get a tattoo or body modification regardless of disability or support need level. You deserve to be heard and respected and to feel comfortable, and the artist you feel comfortable with deserves your communication.

(By the way I'm medium-high support needs semi-speaking autistic white guy with dyspraxia. I once kicked a man in the face on accident during one of my first tattoos and messed it up lol. I have a few tattoo artist friends and have done a lot of sitting/laying for these so feel free to send me asks!)

#tattoos #actually disabled #actually autistic #actually adhd #body mods #tattoo tips #disablility #tattoo advice #neurodivergent #asks always open

50 notes · View notes

gen0c1de · 7 months

Text

I got my first tattoo!

A longer post about the details of my experience and whatnot. Hopefully a bit of a stress/anxiety relief for those who are getting their first tattoo and want some form of reassurance. <3

I'm 19 years old, and in the state of Michigan in the US, idk what tattoo laws are anywhere else, but when you turn 18 years old, you're considered a "legal adult" although you can't legally purchase nicotine or tobacco nor can you purchase or drink anything alcoholic. Can't go into a casino or even rent a vehicle. But I digress.

The tattoo I got is in memory of my father who passed away July 12th, 2017. Just a few minutes shy of my 13th birthday... so that was fun to wake up to. He had an all black tribal armband tattoo around his left upper-arm, which was his dominant arm, and it wasn't finished because it hurt him too much to finish the underarm part.

I was gonna get his tattoo or something close to it on my left upper-arm, but I have an implant where the tattoo would be so I chose to have it mirrored and put on my upper right arm, my dominant arm.

I was nervous as fuck and I was low on iron at the time so I was twitching like hell, so that didn't help calm my nerves or anxiety about it getting messed up. The outline didn't hurt and he did the underside of my arm first because that part is a bitch to do last cause of how sensitive the area already is. So adding on it being tender from doing an outline would've made the ordeal WAY worse. I likely wouldn't have been able to get it finished so it would have been unfinished like my dads was lmfao.

The filling part of the process was decent in the beginning, it only really hurt when he would have to go over the same spot multiple times to get it filled, much like when you color in a book or on paper, you have to go over the same area a few times to make sure its all even and complete. So when he reached the back of my arm it was more painful because it had an hour untouched, so the newly sore areas were being abused again.

It wasn't as painful as I had expected though, I'm a bit of a cry baby when my body actually LETS me cry and I surprisingly didn't cry, so the anxiety of me crying and embarrassing myself went away after a while. I did flinch a time or two and I apologized a lot throughout because I wanna be a good client and I don't want the artists to have a bad impression of me so when I go and get another tattoo they won't be annoyed that they have to deal with me.

The artist was super cool and talked to me every now and again and let me rest my arm when I had to have it above my head so he could do the underside. He said if I needed a break to let him know and complimented me on how I barely reacted in the beginning and how, although I was shaking from adrenaline, my right arm was perfectly still for him. He did grab, pull, and stretch my skin some and I had a large bruise but it didn't hurt, just looked weird for a few days.

When it was peeling it was SO HARD to not pick at the skin... I ended up picking some off and so there's a couple little places that are discolored, but if I make an appointment to get it touched up within the next 3 months then the touch up is completely free, so that's a plus! I'll make sure not to pull at the skin when I get it touched up...

Also, it's at the itchy stage. It's so hard not to scratch it... so if anyone has any tips or pointers on what to do, that would be great... cause I can not ignore it... I have ADHD. If it bothers me, I will focus on it and won't be able to distract myself. If I do manage to forget about it, my brain will suddenly be like: "Yo, remember how itchy it is? Wonder if it still itches like a motherfucker." and then the cycle repeats.

My dad's tattoo

My tattoo!

#tattoos #tatted #tattooed #first tattoo #tattoo advice #new tattoo #inked

2 notes · View notes

earthbison · 2 years

Note

Hey there, I`ve been catching up on your blog and see you`re learning to tattoo.

I was wondering if you have any advice for a complete beginner. I tried asking around about apprenticeships, however, all the studios in my area said they don`t pay for 2 years until the apprenticeship is complete. I couldn`t do this as I have bills to pay, so I want to try learn at home by myself on fruits and fake skin. Could you suggest a kit to purchase and any tips you have gained so far? Any help would be much appreciated.

Oh hey!

Soooo I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask for advice about this. Anything I tell you is very much just a collection of my own personal experiences from what I've learned through an apprenticeship thus far, and is not a universal experience by any means. I'm also still very new to tattooing.

All apprenticeships are different because all shops and all mentors are different. Also, people learn different things at different paces and in different ways. It really all comes down to a combination of different things for how each individual learns to tattoo. What I tell you could even be incorrect information to others, but is my own personal truth and experience from my own shop and mentor nonetheless.

Regardless, you asked for advice so I'll offer some. So first tip, and you'll probably hate this but I really don't recommend starting from home. Even a little bit of experience in a shop would be better than starting straight from home. I say this because you'll think you're doing some things correctly when you're really not. Even from watching shit on youtube lol I blew out lines hardcore when I was dicking around on fruit at home and I had zero clue I was doing it until I got the perspective from being in an actual tattoo shop.

As for money, it's true they don't pay. I mean, there probably is an apprenticeship out there that pays, but the only thing closest to that I know of in my area is a shop that hires you as a receptionist first, then graduates you into an apprentice later. So you're sort of making money while learning if that makes sense.

As for me, I got lucky. I found a shop that understands the need to work to stay alive lol so we have an agreement that two days during the week I leave in the afternoon to go to my second job. I'll be doing this until my income from tattooing surpasses my income from my part time job. Which is still quite a ways away. If you're lucky, you could maybe find a shop that's willing to do this for you as well, where you can give them half your time so you can still pay the bills.

That being said, fruit is the way to go imo if you're set on practicing at home. Fake skin is shitty in that you kind of have to "push" it to get the ink in, whereas you really don't want to be doing that to real skin lmao I've never tried pig skin or anything like that either, although I know those are options as well.

Fruit is closer in that in "bleeds" and it takes the ink better. The only down side being that it takes the ink far better than actual human skin. I've done some dope ass things on fruit that I'm still nowhere near getting on human skin lol

examples ^ lol I recommend using pomelos, which are like giant grapefruits.

and that's because you don't have to stretch fruit. Stretching skin really makes a hell of a difference, and is honestly still something I'm learning about on the daily. I've only got something like 20 ish tattoos under my belt at this point in time. I'm also learning more and more about how ink changes in skin over time, how skin reacts to various needles, how there's different types of skin, how the skin changes over certain parts of the body, etc etc.

Another thing that my mentor got me to do that I'm not sure would be something safe for you to do at home (without knowing the proper sanitary precautions) is tattoo myself. He sat down with me and watched me do it, and corrected me as I was pulling lines.

"If you don't trust yourself to do it on you, then why should someone else trust you to do it on them?" and I mean, yeah. It was a big lesson for me in understanding depth. Because if you go too deep on yourself, man you fucking FEEL it lmao

I have this gimpy ass firefly above my left knee. It was my first tattoo I did on myself (and ever did in general). I did it with a 3rl but because I was going too deep at weird angles the line consistency is all over the place and I have multiple blow outs. It's shit, but it was a major stepping stone for me in terms of learning.

As for kits, I really couldn't think of any off the top of my head. There are a variety of tattoo machines to choose from. My boss and I use rotary pens, his wife and my coworker use regular rotary machines, but then there's also coils which are hella traditional, but have their uses. They hit a bit harder, is what I've heard. Just know that cartridges cost more than regular needles/tubes.

At my shop, we use dental bibs, tongue depressors, disposable razors, green soap, distilled water, vaseline, paper towel, and of course barriers such as medical tape, bottle bags/clip cord bags. All necessary stuff. Plus tegaderm for the healing process, and cavicide for the sanitization process. Cavicide is a huge necessity imo because it kills the shit out of any bacteria or bloodborne contaminants like hep B etc etc.

Anyway I hope some of that helped. If you have any more questions feel free to DM me. I'm not actively online for the most part but when I do check in on Tumblr once in a blue moon I can get back to ya :)

#personal #tattoo apprentice #tattoo advice

7 notes · View notes

bubblegumbi-tch · 1 year

Text

Anyone else have issues with a fussy tattoo that gets raised and rashy every time you shave?! I'm going insane

#It's totally healed I got it beginning of august #But it just keeps getting all raised whenever I shave my legs #Honestly kinda making me regret getting it #What can I do to stop this if anything??#Tattoo #Tattoo advice #Help #It's almost like it blisters even it's such a bitch

3 notes · View notes

ruinedbythehobbit · 2 years

Text

Someone give me watercolor wanda and Pietro tattoo ideas?

These are the marvel ones I've got already

I was gonna get a watercolor spidey

But after seeing multiverse of madness my love for the Maximoff's is renewed.

I was gonna get these in watercolor in addition to spidey

But then there's this-

And now I'm thinking about this in watercolor

But I'm not sure.

Plus there's a billion tattoo ideas for wanda but all the ones for pietro is just a lightning bolt.

Here are the spiderman ones I was thinking of that'd be on my left thigh directly across from the black widow thigh garter

Couldn't decide on which spidey 😅

Just that the "thwip" was gonna be underneath it.

Anyway - gimme your thoughts??

I'm too indecisive.

Might make another post for the other ones I can't decide on either.

#marvel #mcu #marvel tattoos #tattoos #tattoo advice #wanda maximoff #wanda and pietro #pietro maximoff #spiderman #I'm too indecisive #gimme your thoughts

6 notes · View notes

calolily · 1 month

Text

I’m looking for some advice. I am about to start looking for quotes to get this covered. Hopefully with a mindflayer. I got it 20 years ago when I loved HP and now it just feels wrong and shameful to have on my body.

Is it even possible to cover this?

#tattoo cover up #tattoo regret #Harry Potter tattoo #tattoo advice

1 note · View note

wariomolly · 1 month

Text

PSA for tattoos with saniderm‼️

WET IT THEN PEEL IT OFF. DO NOT PEEL IT DRY.

Do Not peel up away from the skin, like a 90degree angle. DO: peel close to the skin, as small of an angle as possible, gently

i have just seen wayyy too many videos of people taking off the second skin/saniderm from fresh beautiful tattoos DRY and you can see on their face how much it hurts!!! pain is a bad sign why do people keep doing this!!!!!!! Peeling wrong can and will fuck up the tatt!!!!!!

maybe it’s because all the advice that says do not submerge or waterlog your new tattoo. you dont have to fully soak it, just run it under warm/ lukewarm water for a few seconds and the saniderm will peel right off. then pat dry with a paper towel. and of course wash your hands before. many people take it off in the shower which is fine as long as you dont let it soak too long.

the best advice is to ask your artist what they recommend doing and if they dont give fully detailed instructions keep asking questions.

#tattoos #tattoo advice #saniderm #PSA #this has been a psa #i dont think ive seen one motherfucking video of people doing this right

0 notes

alo3eev3ra · 2 months

Text

🐌

#diy tattoo #scratched #snail #tattoos #tattoo advice

2 notes · View notes

messyhandstattoo · 2 months

Text

Numbing Cream - fight or flight the pain

Numbing cream can be used during a tattoo to help manage the pain of getting a tattoo. It's an interesting topic in the tattoo space, as some are fiercely against it, some are for and some don't care.

So let's break it down, so you can make decisions about whether you use it or not.

Why do people use numbing cream?

Numbing cream is usually considered an option to manage (not eliminate) pain during a tattoo. I'm sure most people who have sat through hours of tattooing can tell you the different waves of feeling okay and wanting to bite your artist through the experience of getting a tattoo.

This is because while getting tattooed, your body is having a variety of chemical responses to the process and pain. Your body at first is going to feel a rush of adrenaline, which may carry you a bit from feeling lots of pain. When the pain starts to hit, your body releases endorphins - in response to pain, which can make you feel sort of high, and relive the pain to come extent.

This can make the body feel intense and relaxed at the same time, and can last 2-3 hours, depending on the person. It's usually why most people say after the 4 hour mark, everything sucks.

Pain is also psychological too! I'm sure most of us can say our first tattoo, or tattoos in spot people grimace or straight up tell you it's cooked, can be pretty nerve wracking. Which impacts your body's response to pain.

What is it?

We're going to get a bit science-y (very professional way to refer to this), but I think it's important to look at it from this perspective, so you can make an informed decision, rather than just repackaging opinions I have or have heard.

Numbing cream is also known as topical anaesthetic, can include the following main active ingredients

Lidocaine (also called lignocaine)

Prilocaine

Tetracaine.

Please note that here in Australia at least, topical anaesthetics are considered scheduled medicines due to the concertration of these active ingredients. This means they can only be sold/supplied by authorised/licensed individuals under the controlled substances act 1984. Tattoo artists and laser technicians are not authorised to sell or supply scheduled medicines to the public.

Numbing creams that contain more than 2% but less than 10% lidocaine (lignocaine) are available for purchase in a pharmacy. Anything above 10%, are only available via prescription from a doctor.

Why is this? Well there's dangers and risks associated with numbing cream. But let's peddle to how it works first.

How does it work?

Numbing creams work by blocking the nerves responsible fo transmitting pain signals to the brain. I'm sure we would all know from early school science diagrams, nerves extend throughout our bodies.

Numbing cream can come in a gel or cream form, the three main active ingredients (lidocaine/lignocaine, prilocaine and tetracaine) are absorbed through the skin and inhibit nerve function, which provides pain relief.

Sometimes adrenaline or epinephrine are added to numbing cream to reduce bleeding during a tattoo.

Lets extend on those active ingredients and look at what they actually do:

Lidocaine is a nerve deadener, and it stops the initial shock of pain. Though they only affect the nerves on the first layer of skin. You'll still be able to feel pain from the nerves below.

Prilocaine causes loss of feeling in the skin and surrounding tissue.

Tetracaine is a nerve blocker, and stops the nerves from registering pain by dulling the intensity of pain signals sent to the brain. Your body is less what the actual fuck, and more god damn okay.

Epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor, which constricts blood vessels (reducing swelling/bleeding) and slow down the absorption of other aesthetics. Which means a nerve blocking ingredient (such as tetracaine) will last longer. Without a vasoconstrictor, creams wear off quicker.

What are the dangers/risks?

Some of the anaesthetic can get absorbed into the blood stream through the skin, which can have serious side effects or toxicity. You can also have allergies to these anaesthetics.

The amount you apply and how you apply it can have severe side effects or toxicity including:

Irregular heart beat

Seizures

Breathing difficulties

Coma

Death

Applying too much or using occlusive methods without advice from a health professional advice or following product instructions can put you at risk. You may also have underlying health issues that can effect what cream you can and can not use.

Occlusion, is the blockage or closing or an opening, blood vessel or hollow organ. In relation to numbing cream, occlusion techniques you may have heard of is applying a large amount of numbing cream and covering the area with plastic or cling wrap. This can lead to an increased absorption of the active ingredients into the blood stream leading to the toxicity and side effects mentioned above.

To minimise these risks:

Seek, chat to and follow the advice of a health practitioner (pharmacist, compound pharmacist, GP, nurse etc)

Purchase from a reputable pharmacy or chat to a doctor about whether something more than 10% is safe for this process.

Test patch - use the cream in an area away from where you're intending to get the tattoo, to test if you're allergic.

Follow product instructions, along with health practitioner advice.

Openly communicate with your tattoo artist about your decision - as I said in the beginning, there are varying opinions from all sorts of artist about the use of numbing cream. I have been tattooed by and work wth artist that don't mind or are for it, and I've also been tattooed and worked with artist who will cancel or turn you away on the day for using numbing cream. So always inform your artist or ask if they are happy to tattoo you with numbing cream.

Numbing Sprays? And gels? While tattooing?

You may have also see numbing sprays and gels, usually used during the process of tattooing.

I personally have had artists use numbing sprays towards the end of sessions on large pieces, when I start to be a bit more sensitive to touch and tattooing.

Generally it's use on skin already opened by tattooing, which is continually worked on. Usually these sprays and gels are some type of first aid pain relief or antiseptic, used for cuts, scrapes and minor burns. Which can sometimes contain the active ingredients in numbing creams.

Always check what and when your products should be used during a tattoo to minimise any risks. Generally you should also not be choosing multiple products for before and during the tattoo as well.

Why do some artists not like numbing cream?

It's all personal preference for an artist. Generally many will say the pain is a rite of passage (is this kind of sadistic?)

Well it is part of the tattooing culture, and in some cultures it's extremely important. In ancient Polynesia, traditional body tattoos take years and the enduring of pain demonstrated character depth, allegiance and earned respect. "Pe'a", the traditional male tattoo translates to "protect" Mayans receive tattooed in honour of braving the process, as it symbolised they had the fortitude to deal with pain and suffering. Tribes in northeast India perceive tattoos as a symbol of strength, courage and vitality because of the associated pain.

Deferring from the opinions of pain being an essential part of tattooing, we already spoke about the potential risks and dangers associated with using these creams, gels and sprays. This is a valid stand point to have, as we aren't medical professionals and we are not all fully equip to deal with the adverse reactions that can arise from use.

Some also are of the opinion that these creams, gels and sprays interfere with the process and healing of the tattoo. This is a hard one to be on either side of the fence, I think at least. Everyone's body is different and a tattoo artist is susceptible to their own tattoo application as well (you can never guarantee you're tattooing EXACTLY the same every time or every person). There's a lot of competing factors, I think, that create variables already, without the involvement of numbing creams, gels and sprays.

However some say the desensitisation of the skin can make it hard to stretch the skin, make the skin texture slippery or difficult to get the needle and ink into the skin.

I've definitely had this experience, without the knowledge that my client has applied numbing cream, I as an apprentice, thought I was absolutely loosing my god damn mind, because I could not get the needle or ink in.

Some have said during the healing process, the numbing cream, gels and sprays interfere with the natural healing process. Ingredients that impede blood circulation (epinephrine - a vasoconstrictor) delay formation of healing cells, which hinder skin regeneration essential to healing. So you may have a longer healing process and can be susceptible to infections that lead to complications.

Where are we at with it all?

Alright at the end of all this info dump, what should you take away?

Understand the ingredients in your numbing cream to guarantee yourself safety and effectiveness.

Talk to a health practitioner about your health, the risks and options about using numbing creams, gels and sprays before and during a tattoo.

Chat to your artist about what would make you feel most comfortable to manage pain, and if they feel comfortable about your use of these products.

I personally really don't have much opinion due to my own lack of experience using and working with numbing creams, gels and sprays. I am of the opinion to chat to a medical professional to make an informed decision, chat to me about your intention of use and we'll make a decision that make you and I feel comfortable for the process.

#tattoo advice #tattoo numbing cream #numbing cream

0 notes