As a photographer watching from the sidelines on tattooers and tattooees at a tattoo festival, tattoos have always intrigued me. As someone who has one or two tattoos on my body, I can relate to the feeling of getting a tattoo. Here are some of my thoughts and feelings on tattoos:

What does a tattoo symbolize for me?

For me, tattoos are a way of expressing myself and my individuality. Each of my tattoos has a special meaning and tells a story. I chose the design, placement, and style of each tattoo based on what it represents to me. However, not everyone gets tattoos for the same reason. Some people get tattoos as a form of self-expression, while others may get them as a form of rebellion or to commemorate a special event or person in their life. At the end of the day, a tattoo can symbolize whatever the person getting it wants it to.

What is the feeling of pain?

Getting a tattoo can be a painful experience, but it is also a unique one. The sensation of getting a tattoo can vary depending on the person and the location of the tattoo. Some people describe it as a sharp, burning pain, while others say it feels like a constant scratch. Personally, I find the pain to be tolerable and even enjoyable in a strange way. It's a feeling that I can't really describe, but it's not as bad as some people make it out to be.

Is it pleasure?

While I wouldn't necessarily describe getting a tattoo as a pleasurable experience, there is something satisfying about seeing the finished product. The pain and discomfort that comes with getting a tattoo are temporary, but the tattoo itself is a permanent reminder of a moment or feeling. For me, the pleasure comes from knowing that I have something on my body that is unique and meaningful to me.

Overall, tattoos are a personal choice and can mean different things to different people. As someone who has one or two tattoos, I can appreciate the beauty and artistry that goes into creating them. While the pain and discomfort can be intimidating, the end result is often worth it.

Tattooing made a comeback in England and Europe in the 19th century, when tattooing became popular among royal families of the late 1800's. In fact, the mother of Winston Churchill, Lady Randolph Churchill, had a tattoo of a snake on her wrist.

Allergy Alerts..

The biggest allergy issue the customer needs to worry about is with latex, as the tattoo artist usually uses latex gloves. (We use a latex and non-latex glove to ensure all clients are safe) You might want to ask your tattoo artist ahead of time if they would be able to switch to another type of gloves for your tattoo.

Even with a slight allergy to latex, you may want to have different gloves, as the tattoo artist will be doing a lot of stretching the skin and touching already tattooed areas. This can lead to swelling, irritation, breakouts, rashes, and more discomfort than necessary. This can negatively affect the healing process and tattoo outcome. It's why we always have Nitrile gloves on hand for any clients with allergies.

There are many metals that are put into (cheaper) tattoo inks, including nickel, which is said to be the most common metal allergy. Most normal earrings are made from nickel, so if you can wear those you probably don't have an allergy to Nickle.  Our inks are organic, gluten free, and vegan friendly to ensure you're experience with us is a positive one.

Henna tattoos, which are not actual tattoos, but a dye that stains the skin for a few weeks, have chemical para-phenylene diamine (PPD), which can cause the “tattooed” areas to be swollen or itchy for months. Worse, it causes your body to become PPD hyper-sensitive, and be unable to touch things dyed with PPD, which is a chemical in many clothing dyes. Doctors suggest people with sensitive skin should avoid henna tattoos. A list of ingredients on packages of henna tattoo dye should let the customer know if that brand includes PPD or not.

Different physical reactions to tattooing have been reported by medical professionals in America and Britain, and although not a major issue in any way, it is important to discuss. Most reactions are due to allergies to the latex gloves worn by tattoo artists, sensitivities to metals within the tattoo ink, infections caused by unclean practices, and sun exposure.

Most people with metal sensitivities, especially mercury, have reactions or irritation for prolonged periods of time after getting tattooed. The color red is considered the biggest culprit for metal reactions. These reactions can leave the skin itchy and sore for months or even longer. Some people can develop a sensitivity to mercury that they did not previously have because of the tattoo.  Your doctor can prescribe topical creams that are able to take away any discomforts related to metal sensitivity.

Infections, while not common, can be a difficult problem to not only cure but to pinpoint the actions that caused them. You may have gotten infected by something your tattoo artist did, or something you did on your way home, or while trying to heal your tattoo. You should keep your tattoo absolutely clean for the first few days of healing, keeping it away from germ infested areas and objects like diapers, litter boxes, stagnant water, etc. You will be able to tell that you have an infection by discoloring of the tattoo or the skin around the tattoo. If the surrounding skin becomes red or inflamed, you should bring it to the attention of a doctor.

New tattoos are sensitive and need to be protected from the elements. This means that prolonged exposure to the sun will damage the new tattoo, and cause soreness, swelling, and/or it will become hot to the touch. New tattoos also need to be safe from extreme temperatures. This includes water temperature, so take precautions when washing your tattoo that the water is not hot. Also keep your tattoo from being rubbed or bumped, as too much friction will cause damage to your permanent body art.