Frequently Asked Questions

If anyone finds any information on my web site to be incorrect, please e-mail me. The last thing I want to do is misinform people.

The purpose of this section is to inform people about basic tattoo topics. I am not a doctor. I answer the questions to the best of my knowledge based on experience and research. My goal is to help people make the best decision possible regarding their tattoo design and placement on the body. This is a lifetime decision. It should not be taken lightly or made in haste.

1. How do tattoos work?
2. Does it hurt?
3. How should I take care of my new tattoo?
4. Can I drink alcohol or take other drugs to relax before I get tattooed?
5. How much does it cost?
6. Is there a health risk?
7. Are tattoos permanent? How can they be removed?
8. Can you tattoo on scars?
9. Do I have to have a black outline?
10. Where can I find a tattoo design?
11. Are there any tattoos that you won't do?

How do tattoos work?

Tattoo pigment is inserted by a puncture made with a needle. The pigment is inserted under the epidermis to the dermis. The epidermis is almost transparent so the pigment is easily seen. The pigment sort of mixes with the cells of the dermis. The dermis does not shed and therefore the tattoo is there for life.

Read more about how tattoos work at HowStufWorks.com

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Does it hurt?

It totally depends on the person. Some people have higher pain thresholds than others. It also depends on the part of the body being tattooed. Some places hurt more than others. Imagine a cat scratching you on different parts of your body. The bicep is going to feel different from the armpit. Also consider that the nerves being triggered are just under the surface of the skin not under the fat, so this isn't going to make it hurt less. Just keep in mind; they are tiny needles penetrating approximately 1/16 of an inch.

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How should I take care of my new tattoo?

Please understand that these are suggestions, not a prescription. I am not a doctor. The instructions may vary from other tattoo studios.

• Wash your hands and remove the bandage after about two hours or whenever you get somewhere that you know is clean.
  You want your tattoo to breathe. You do not need to re-bandage your tattoo.
• Clean the tattoo gently with antibacterial soap and water.
  There will be blood and plasma seeping out of your tattoo. Wash this initial seepage off and gently clean off any ointment. Don't scrub it! Wash it gently with clean hands. Do not use a wash cloth.
• Begin applying a small amount of unscented moisturizer to the tattoo until the tattoo is fully healed. Usually about two to four weeks.
  You can start this on the same evening the tattoo was applied or the next day. Moisture is needed so the scabs do not crack. Cracking can result in light spots on the healed tattoo. Use a very small amount of moisturizer. Too little is better than too much.
• Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your tattoo for any reason.
  You have an open wound until the scabbing is completely flaked off. This means you are open to infection. Always wash your hands before and after applying moisturizer and never let anyone touch your tattoo while it's healing.
• Gently wash your tattoo every day with antibacterial soap in the shower.
  Keep yourself and your tattoo as clean as possible. Wash your tattoo at the end of the shower so your hands are very clean and all the shampoo and conditioner will be washed off. Use your hands. Never use a washcloth or sponge.
• Do not let the tattoo dry out or get too saturated.
  Drying may result in cracking which can cause loss of color in the healed tattoo. Too saturated means that the scabs are completely soaked with moisturizer and may be easily rubbed off before they are ready. Your tattoo also needs to breathe. If there is a layer over the top of it, it can't get any of the oxygen it needs to heal quickly.
• Do not expose a healing tattoo to salt water or chlorine.
  Any body of water whether it be a pool, bathtub, lake, ocean, or river has bacteria in it. Remember you are open to infection. Chlorine can severely irritate a tattoo causing infection and/or loss of color.
• Do not pick or scratch the tattoo.
  If a scab was to accidentally or intentionally be removed, it may pull up all the tattooed skin underneath it. That means you will have a spot with no color or a scar. Tattoos will fade if skin damage such as tanning or sunburn occur. The tattoo is only under the layer of skin that is somewhat transparent. That is why you can see the colors after the new skin heals over it. The sun and other sources of UV light will damage the ink causing it to lose it's vibrancy. You are left with lighter colors, lighter blacks, and sometimes a complete loss of color. This can happen especially while you're healing but can happen easily after you're healed. UV light will fade old tattoos just as much as newer ones.

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Can I drink alcohol or take other drugs to relax before I get tattooed?

No. Alcohol and other drugs such as aspirin may thin the blood. There is blood involved in the tattoo process and it is not easy to work through lots of it. Excessive bleeding can make it very difficult which can lead to a tattoo that could have been better.

More body fluids also put me at a greater risk. You don't need it. You can handle it. I'm positive. Also, a loss of judgment can be devastating with a tattoo. I'm sure you've heard the stories; they are not so funny when it's on your skin for the rest of your life.

Additionally, alcohol and other drugs stay in your system for days after you have stopped ingesting them. This will prolong your healing time. Good physical condition and good health will raise your pain tolerance and help you heal faster.

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How much does it cost?

When deciding the price of a tattoo I take many factors into consideration. For example:

• How long is it going to take me to do the tattoo?
  We charge approximately $125 an hour but this will vary from piece to piece.
• Where is the tattoo going to be on the body?
  If a tattoo is placed where the skin is naturally tight such as on the bicep, it is easier for me and therefore doesn't take as long. If it is placed on a spot that stretches easily such as under the arm, lower back or stomach it is more difficult and will take longer.
• Is there a lot of detail or very little?
• Are there lots of solid color fills?
• Are there lots of straight lines or perfect circles?
  Imagine trying to draw a straight line on a soft, squishy thing that's moving, without an eraser.

All things have to be considered to come to a logical, fair price. Remember you probably spent several grand on your car and you don't have to look at it every day for the rest of your life!

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Is there a health risk?

I am blood borne pathogen certified. My needles are new and sterilized, only used once, and then disposed of in a sharps container. All reusable items that do not enter the skin are either covered in plastic and then disinfected or, if they are exposed to blood, are placed in an ultrasonic, scrubbed down and then autoclaved. An autoclave is the same appliance that hospitals and dentists use to sterilize their instruments.

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Are tattoos permanent? How can they be removed?

Most doctors warn that complete removal is usually not possible, at least without scars. There are many ways to try to remove a tattoo:

1. Derma-brasion — A doctor will freeze the skin and "sand" the tattoo off.
2. Skin graft — A surgeon cuts off the tattoo and uses skin from another part of your body to fill in the hole.
3. Excision — The surgeon cuts out the tattoo and then pulls the sides together.
4. Laser removal — The most popular method. Lasers use pulses of light directed at the tattoo to break up the tattoo pigment. The body's scavenger cells, over the next couple of weeks, remove the treated pigment. More than one treatment is usually necessary. Yellow and Green are the hardest to remove.

In my humble opinion if you don't have a tattoo and you are already wondering about removal, you should probably wait. Wait until you are ready to make a lifetime commitment. I try to help people make the best decision based on my experience covering up tattoos. If you have a tattoo that you want to cover up laser removal is a good option for lightening but make sure you go to a reputable office. Scarring may occur.

More details on tattoo removal at HowStuffWorks.com

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Can you tattoo on scars?

This depends on if the scar is still healing. If it is, then it's a good idea to wait until it is healed. Scars can take a long time to heal if they are deep. Tattoos should not change the texture of the skin so covering up a scar with a tattoo doesn't mean you won't still see it. The only way to know for sure is to stop by and let me look at your scar.

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Do I have to have a black outline?

This is a good question. Some tattoo artists insist that it is necessary. I have had some luck without outlines. If done properly, a tattoo can look incredible without black at all. I won't suggest this for every tattoo though. Some designs look best as tattoos if they have outlines. If you want to know about your design you can either e-mail it to me or bring it into the studio.

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Where can I find a tattoo design?

I work at a custom tattoo shop. That means that I design most of the tattoos that I do. I love to do custom work so that your design is uniquely yours. I can draw a lot of stuff from my head but it is best to have at least something for me to go on when you walk in the door. Even if it's a really rough sketch. It will save us a lot of time and makes it easier for me to visualize that perfect image that's just right for you. To find reference material I use Google image search. Type in the subject of your tattoo but refrain from using the word "tattoo" in your search. You'll get much better results that way.

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Are there any tattoos that you won't do?

Yes, I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. I will not tattoo images that offend me personally. These include racially bigoted designs such as white or black power or pride, and sexist designs such as "property of". I will not do gang related designs, such as street gang or motorcycle club designs.

I won't tattoo the bottom of the feet or hands because it just won't stay.

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If you have any questions that were not covered you can either e-mail me or call ArtCore Studios at (206) 767-CORE (2673) and talk to any of our artists.