Myths, Misunderstandings, and Morals of Tattoos​



Whether you’ve had tattoos, thought about them, or even work as a tattoo artist, you have more than likely heard your share of tall tales involving tattoos. I think it’s high time we settle those myths and help out those who need the facts.
First, some of the myths about tattoos that need to be dispelled are the requirements to getting tattooed.

Aftercare – This is a hotly debated issue, and has several disagreements between shops and even between artist at the same shop. Taking care of a tattoo is simple work. The first thing is to keep it clean. A tattoo is a glorified abrasion, and should be, for the most part, taken care in the same way. Many times you will hear to leave the bandage the artist puts on your for hours or even an entire day. Some have even suggested leaving it on for a whole week! The truth is, after about an hour the tattoo doesn’t need one. Paper bandages just stick to it creating more toxicity with every piece of paper that sticks to it. Plastic bandages create heat and moisture that actually inhibit the growth of bacteria! Obviously this is not going to help your tattoo. Cleaning it is of utmost importance. What you use is anything that is antibacterial, and non-fragranced. Fragrances added to the soap utilize alcohol because it evaporates quickly, releasing the fragrance into the air, alcohol will dry out the skin keeping the bodies natural antigens to do their work. Bar soaps are also discouraged since they use animal fats and waxes that may cause build up, keeping the fresh tattoo from a ready source of oxygen. Oxygen breaks down collagen, creating new skin that is just as good as the old skin. Keeping the healing skin from oxygen allows it to build up and becomes scar tissue that is hardened and tough. This makes touch ups less successful since the skin is no longer a susceptible medium for the pigments to adhere to. For this reason it is recommended you keep from submerging a tattoo under water for extended periods of time. This bit of advice has lead to misunderstandings in most aftercare. Showers ARE acceptable and in fact are a great way to help heal a tattoo, and are just great for overall hygiene. It is, although, not recommended that you take a bath or go swimming or take a dip in the jacuzzi for the simple fact that it will cut off the tattoos source of oxygen. Not to mention that public waterholes have a lot of bacteria an such to content with, and do so with chemicals that you don’t want on your tattoo. Several ointments, creams, and lotions are available for applying to fresh ink. What to use depends on your preferences especially when allergies are involved. Some key points to remember are that fragrances require added alcohol. Applying too much can, again, cut off the supply of oxygen to the healing skin, and can also attract dust and dirt to stick to the surface, so it is recommended you put on only a light layer, working it into the skin. Washing between applications will keep dirt that may have been stuck to the surface from entering the new tattoo. I usually recommend three applications a day.

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Age – Age is of critical concern mostly because of local laws. Each area has regulations set in place requiring the client be a certain age to receive a tattoo. 18 is the usual age because at 18 you are considered an adult. Tattooing under age with a parent or legal guardian giving permission to the artist is not uncommon, but by no means a right to every individual. The artist has the right to turn down anyone they feel is not a viable client and that may involve many factors that should be discussed with the artist as each has their own guidelines for tattooing under age.

Alcohol – For many first timers and even some veteran collectors, getting drunk or hitting the bottle is considered to be a great way to take the edge off before getting through with a session.  Some even say that getting drunk before or after a tattoo will cause the ink to “bleed” out as the alcohol thins the blood. While alcohol does thin the blood, it takes a while for this to happen, so this will take effect more greatly if you have been drinking the night before and have not re-hydrated yourself or have eaten anything prior to the tattoo session. Drinking afterwards will not affect the tattoo in any harmful way either. Just because drinking right before doesn’t affect the blood as much, doesn’t mean that getting a few drinks before a tattoo is recommended either, your imparity will affect your ability to work with the artist, as this is a tandem activity. I can’t speak for other artists, but I can safely say that I do not like to deal with drunken clients while working on a tattoo. Best bet is to stay well fed and well hydrated and you will increase your chances of getting a top rate tattoo.

Bartering – This is a long standing tradition that, I imagine, goes back as far as tattooing itself, when local tribes people bartered with the shaman the price of a protective tattoo. For some reason in it’s long history, it had retained a bit, usually with beginning tattoo artists because they had to find practice anywhere it could be found, unfortunately sticking with them long into their careers. Truth be told, asking for deals or trades is up to the artist themselves. But be warned, asking them is sometimes a deal killer, as it undermines the skill and ability of the artist. Keep in mind that this is a case by case scenario and should always be dealt with tact and professionalism.

Designs – Knowing what you want before coming in means you’ll be happier with what you get. Even coming in with an idea of what you want, communicating is that much more important. When an artist is faced with “I don’t know, what do you think?”, you are left with less of what you want, and more of what you get. While for some that is the traditional approach to getting tattooed, a growing trend in customized tattoos really requires some homework to be done by the client so as to give the artist a direction. Yes, they are the artists, but without direction all you’ll really get is a permanent sticker that reads “I had the chance to get a really cool tattoo, but all I got was THIS tattoo”

Drugs – Getting loaded is most definitely not the best way to get tattooed. So, as for the question of using any street drugs before or during a session, the answer is most definitely not. As for over-the-counter, prescribed pain killers, or muscle relaxers, it depends. Keep in mind some of them are blood thinners and have the same affect as alcohol, although much faster. If you are unsure what you are thinking of using is a blood thinner, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Inks – For many years, tattoos were thought to fade and the black in was thought to actually be blue or a blue/green. The truth is that color does not fade, in fact tattoos of any color do not fade, but rather their inks or the technical ability of the artist is inferior. Many of the colors used today are of much higher quality than they used to be. The use of ink, first of all, is no more. These days pigments are used. What’s the difference? Inks are water based, and thereby are inducted by the body because we ourselves are up to 80% water. What happens then is the black ink that was the tattoo leaves a stain, instead of the color itself, leaving you with a bluish, greenish excuse for a tattoo. Pigments are microscopic balls of the color itself which embed themselves into the dermis, that area between the epidermis (the part that flakes off) and subcutaneous (the layer keeping your skin and fatty tissues separate) tissues. Red has been thought to fade, and for a time it did. Red used to be extracted from shellfish and is a water based color, hence the fading, and would also cause irritation in those allergic to shellfish or iodine. This is no longer the case, all new colors are regulated for safe use on skin.

Pain – This is another hotly debated subject in tattooing. Pain is definitely a factor in getting tattooed. How you personally deal with pain is a much bigger factor though. Where you get tattooed and the size of the piece, are also factors. There are several abstract variables involved, and asking others won’t give you a usable comparison either. Many clients tend to choose the size and location according to what the perceived pain may be like, but what does that give you? A tattoo you would have liked better somewhere else at a size that doesn’t quite do it justice, all this AFTER you may have found out it was not as bad as you thought it was going to be. Best advice is, if you want it there, and you want it that big, do it there, and do it that big.

Passing Out / Fainting – Many people have asked about the possibility of passing out or fainting during a tattoo. Well, it is very possible. There are ways to prevent this though, since they are usually brought on by a list of things that contribute to the overall experience. Coming for your tattoo de-hydrated, hungry, tired, stressed recovering from serious injuries, or any combination of these will definitely contribute to the possibility of a black out. Other than that, most people do just fine.

Scars – Tattooing over scars can be a delicate issue. Many things have to be considered when it comes to tattooing over scar tissue. Much of it has to be matched with the artists ability. For this reason it is best to find an artist that is both knowledgeable with scar tissue and has had the chance to asses your scar(s) in person prior to making arrangements for your tattoo. This includes working over existing tattoos.