Tatts

G'day all,

I was thinking about all the crazy things one could do for a 21st birthday. Mostly of the commemorative sort.

Perhaps one of things most young people dream about is getting a tattoo. I'm thinking of getting one done: more specifically, a phoenix tattoo, either on the top of my spine (if you reach up, then try and touch your spine, just below your fingertips there) or on my hip. It would be pretty small, about a quarter the size of your average mobile phone, and it's a tattoo where I feel empowered because I know it's there.



I was wondering what's involved in getting a tattoo and taking care of it. My only tattooed friend is away on holiday, and she won't be back until after my birthday.... and I thought, hell, if nobody helps me out in this thread, at least it would make good conversation.

My boyfriend said that it involves gladwrap to keep it dry, and shopping around to find a reputable parlour to decrease the risk of infections. But neither of us really know what we're looking for, so yeah.

Advice, anyone?

 

My advice is to not get a tattoo and spend your money one something better.

 

It's a very nice design, but you'll need to do some research on care before you get it done. Tattoos can be ruined by your body's own healing process, and it's a bit more technical than gladwrap.
Consider the first two weeks of your new ink the probationary period. If you screw up here, your artwork will be ruined and all that money is wasted. Plus, it's a bummer.
Read up on it here.
I know a bit about tattoo care, but this will set you off in the right direction.
Besides, I never got my idea inked, so I'd be a bit of a false start.

 

I was thinking about getting a tattoo when I was younger, you know before your 18 and can't wait until you are legally able to drink, get tattoos' without parent consent and fuck hookers. The only issue I'd have is what would the tattoo look at with age. I've seen some really old people with tattoos on their arms and lets just say a Phoenix looks like a melting Zapdos.

 

http://planescape.outshine.com/crap.pla ... ymbol.html

 

Grossenschwamm: Hey, thanks for that! I've just read it, and it looks like I'm going to have to wait a while to see what happens with it.... considering my parents wouldn't be too keep on it...

Telcontar: That's why it's going onto the back of my neck. So it's only when they shave my head can the nurses see it in the old folks home.

Frigo: Ew, no.

Dark Elf: it says in Gross's link that tattoos would fade with the sun, and I guess, with age as well. I'm only just thinking about it for now, but yeah, *maybe* black. I was thinking a scarlet red, though.

 

Always put sunscreen over the tattoo once the bandage comes off. It will prolong the color and you'll need to get it touched up less often.

As for the creams you can use, go buy a cheap bottle of Butt Paste (you can find it or something similar at most baby stores). It really helps to heal faster and severely reduces the chance of infection.

 

So tattoos aren't really that permanent after all?

 

Oh they are permanent. The color just gets bleached out a bit by the sun and if you want to keep it bright and vibrant you need to go get it touched up every few years.

 

How faded is faded, out of curiosity? I've seen ancient Maoris with their face tattos as black as the day they got theirs - but I've also seen biker tatts that look little more than a port wine blemish.

 

Well, at least it'sn't the Neverwinter Eye...

 

I got one word for you – “Scarification”.

http://superpageshosting.com/scarabbody ... utting.jpg

 

Ugh...scarification is totally permanent, as far as I can tell. Unless you get plastic surgery or a skin graft to cover it.
I'll admit, certain designs would look cool, but I have enough natural scarring on my body to warrant not getting my skin cut off in sections to paint a pretty picture.
There are secrets to maintaining cool scars, though...like scar compression. Done correctly, the scar will just look like a mis-colored patch of skin in whatever design you chose. No sense in having it raised above the rest of your dermis.

 

Nolanoth: No.

 

Oh come on. Get your boyfriends initials permanently inscribed into your skin means you love him twice as much as just getting his initials inked into your flesh.