Tattoo Facts
H.I.V. and Tattooing - "According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there has not been a single reported case of the HIV virus being transmitted through tattooing..." - Skin and Ink Tattoo Magazine, September 1998 Click here to see the CDC Report on Health Risks
The Aids virus and the tattoo needle are not compatible. This virus requires a hospitable, enclosed environment, such as an intra-venous (hollow) needle. Tattooists use standard, eyeless needles. Ink flows down the sides of the needle from an ink-well in the needle tube (requiring repeated "dipping" in the ink to refill the well).
AFTER CARE - Tattooing does penetrate the skin. The penetraion is slight, barely a cat-scratch or a paper-cut. However, any break or cut in the skin requires care for proper healing.
Immediately after receiving a tattoo, it is bandaged. This is necessary to afford the body a chance to close the wound without any dust or foriegn matter entering. This bandage should remain in place for 2-6 hours. Resist the temptation to pull the bandage back to show-off. This may pull ink out and/or introduce contaminates. When it is time to remove the bandage, soak it off. Let it fall away on its own. It should not be ncessary to re-bandage, unless the tattoo is still seeping or if any activity or clothing aggravates it.
Once the bandage is removed, wash the tattoo often, rinse well, and pat dry. Start a moisturizing treatment. It is recommended that the Original A&D Ointment be used to keep the tattoo moist. A light coating, several times a day (do not pack ointment) should be sufficient. This treatment should continue, until the wound is healed (usually 3 days to a week). Don't let the tattoo dry out. If it does, it will crack and allow detriments or bacteria to settle in the cracks.
The tattoo is your responsibility after you leave the studio. Use common sense. If redness or swelling persists, call your doctor.
Do not use vaseline or petroleum jelly. Do not apply alcohol or peroxide. Do not rub or scratch the tattoo. Keep out of direct sunlight or tanning lights for 2 weeks. Do not swim, sauna, steam, or tub bath until the peeling has stopped. These recommendations are endorsed by the Physician Assistant as published in the May 1996 issue; by K.Korn, MS, PA-C, FNP.
COVER-UPS - Once you have a tattoo, you pretty much have it always. If the quality is less than desired, or the subject matter is something you've outgrown, you can have it covered up with another design. There are some limitations. The old design should "fit" in with the new design (the lines need to line up as much as possible). You cannot cover dark ink with light ink, which means you cannot do a flesh tone over an old 8-ball. The trick with cover-ups, is to fool the eye into seeing the new design and not noticing the old design. This often requires much planning and over-lay work, and often a favourite design may not be a first choice. If you have a new design that you like, it would be better not to use it as a cover up and keep it for a fresh tattoo on its own.
TATTOO REMOVAL - As I said, once you have a tattoo, you pretty much have it always. All of the various methods of tattoo removal will always leave a mark; either discoloration, or scarring. The vaunted laser removal method works well enough with vegetable based inks (home made tattoos), but many pigments of the heavy metal inks of a professional tattooist will simply reflect the laser. Be very sure of a tattoo before you commit to a life-time message.
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