Tattoos

[Green12]

Does anyone know where on the body it hurts the least to get a tattoo, and can you have a reaction to getting one (to the inks, the needles, etc.), especially someone who is very sensitive and allergic to everything?

[penguin]

Hah - I worked in a tattoo shop when I was 13, babysitting the owner's kid. (ok, so it was a wierd job, but I learned a lot!)

Tattoos hurt the least in large, fleshy areas, like your butt

The closer you are to a bone, the more it's going to hurt. This is especially true on end of the extremities (feet, hands), because there are more nerve endings in those areas.

Directly on the spine, it doesn't hurt as bad, but on either side it hurts like hell (from experience )

Avoid getting tats anywhere that might stretch (stomach, hip, boobs). You know those cute little tattoos girls tend to get on their hip or tummy? Yeah, then they get pregnant and the butterfly turns into a pink bruise

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to the dye, but it's extremely rare. If you go to a reputable place, the needle shouldn't bother you any more than getting a shot. Everyone gets irritation (duh) but it goes away after a week or two, especially if you take good care of it.

When choosing a shop, make sure they have an autoclave (to sterilize tattoo guns, tweezers, tongs, etc.), that they use NEW NEEDLES with every new client, that they use disposable plastic cups for the ink. The work area should look much like a dr's office in terms of sterility, more like a dentist's in terms of tools. Ask to see pictures of tattoos that the artist YOU'RE SEEING did, just after it's done and a few weeks after (after redness goes down) if possible. If possible, ask to watch the artist at work on someone else. A tattoo artist is an ARTIST and their work should reflect that.

Other words to the wise: Don't get anything that requires a lot of white, because it doesn't have great staying power. If it's somewhere that will see sunlight, make sure to use SPF as-high-as-possible on it. Expect to have it retouched every 5-10 years to keep it looking good. Make sure you see both the transfer on paper and when it is transferred to your body to make sure it's exactly what/where you want it. If you have words, make sure they are spelled correctly (especially true if in other languages).

Oh - also- not only do tattoos on the bottoms of your feet or on your palms hurt like hell, they also fade VERY QUICKLY because the skin replenishes itself so often. Tattoo artists often practise on themselves in these areas because of that.

[jerseyangel]

I was going to suggest talking to Chelsea, but I see she's on the case

So, you're considering a tattoo, Julie?

[Green12]

  penguin said:

Hah - I worked in a tattoo shop when I was 13, babysitting the owner's kid. (ok, so it was a wierd job, but I learned a lot!)

Tattoos hurt the least in large, fleshy areas, like your butt

The closer you are to a bone, the more it's going to hurt. This is especially true on end of the extremities (feet, hands), because there are more nerve endings in those areas.

Directly on the spine, it doesn't hurt as bad, but on either side it hurts like hell (from experience )

Avoid getting tats anywhere that might stretch (stomach, hip, boobs). You know those cute little tattoos girls tend to get on their hip or tummy? Yeah, then they get pregnant and the butterfly turns into a pink bruise

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to the dye, but it's extremely rare. Everyone gets irritation (duh) but it goes away after a week or two, especially if you take good care of it.

Thanks Chelse for this info.

Do you have any, and where are they if you do?

Yes, Patti I am considering getting a very small one- but have to think about it a lot since I react to everything.

[penguin]

  juliem said:

Thanks Chelse for this info.

Do you have any, and where are they if you do?

You're welcome, and I added more stuff

I have one that I got when I was 17 (my mom had to sign for it, she was going to get one too and chickened out)

It's on the small of my back, and I forget what it looks like because I need two mirrors to see it

It's a swirly black tribal thingy with a blue butterfly on top of it. I had the woman that I babysat for do it. I still really like it, but I think it's only because I only see it when I want to

[kabowman]

I am pretty sensitive too - I get a new lotion, have to give it away because it makes me break out. Just the right shampoo or my head itches, just the right soap, etc. I haven't had any problems/reactions with my tattoos and I love them.

The one that hurt the most was on my hip and it runs from bottom of my tummy (no more kids for me) to my upper thigh - the tummy part hurt! The others were fine.

I saw the next one I want, just not sure where to put it...I like mine so I can hide them if I want - they are for me, not anyone else.

[tiffjake]

Chelsea! I didn't know you knew about tats! I SO should have asked you before I got mine on 6th Street in April!

Man, it is in a bad place, between the ankle bone and the bottom of the foot on the inside of my right foot. Where ever you are thinking, it is lower. You know those little tennis socks? Totally covers it up.... The guy didn't say anything about that being a bad place (even though I asked) and it has faded REALLY bad.....looks 10 years old after a couple of months!

I also had a really bad reaction. I went to the derm and they swabbed and said that it wasn't infected, but that it probably couldn't heal corretly because that skin MOVES every time I WALK and the scabs keep breaking even though I didn't wear socks or shoes, just flip flops. It got really red, in a huge circle around the tattoo, and I had to take special care to watch for a spreading infection. I took pics and the doc was really amazed at how much it faded between 4/1 and 5/1. It looked really old!

Anyway, I think it was because of the location. I am still debating getting it fixed or getting it removed. If I get it fixed, then the SAME thing could happen, b/c of the location. But I hate to get a 100 dollar tattoo removed b/c it will cost at least 600!! (200 per treatment at a min of 3 treatments with this light laser thing....)

So that is my experience.

[penguin]

Ouch, Tiff! You couldn't get me to get a tat on 6th street if my life depended on it! YIKES!!!

Yep, probably faded because of the location. It probably faded unevenly, right? Because some of it was closer to the bottom of the foot and some was closer to the ankle. And ouch. I'd bet $20 your reaction was because of the location (both on 6th street and on your body ) That had to hurt like hell!

I didn't even address the issue of depth. The ink goes inbetween a couple of layers of skin, and the artist has to hit those layers just right. If it's too deep, it ends up looking fuzzy and like a bruise. If it's too close to the surface, it fades really quickly. A good artist knows this, and will answer all of your questions.

Oh, and if the place doesn't have a policy that they won't tat drunk people, walk out the door. You don't want to deal with a place like that.

[tiffjake]

Yeah, it faded pretty evenly, but there is one chunk of blue that is totally gone. It is a star (for the lone star state) with a waving flag inside (so red, "white" which is more grey, and blue). The black outline looks great, but the colors are faded really bad.....after just 4 months......and if you know me, you know I am a flip flop person, so it is not because of socks rubbing against it!!

Yeah....dumb move, 6th street that is....

[Guest ~jules~]

I got one on my ankle when I was 19, way down on the bone...it hurt like hell but you get over it...I also oddly enough broke out in some sort of hives all over it afterward...

[tiffjake]

  ~jules~ said:

I got one on my ankle when I was 19, way down on the bone...it hurt like hell but you get over it...I also oddly enough broke out in some sort of hives all over it afterward...

Thats exactly what happened to mine! Hm...

[jayhawkmom]

I have one on my left calf - about mid way between my knee and ankle. I LOVE it.

It hurt like crazy while having it done, but immediately following - I had no pain. Mine is a Celtic Motherknot, with my kids birthstone colors. It's about 4" in height and 3" wide. I had no problems or issues with it at all.

[Green12]

Chels, thanks for the information you added, very thorough , and very helpful.

  kabowman said:

I am pretty sensitive too - I get a new lotion, have to give it away because it makes me break out. Just the right shampoo or my head itches, just the right soap, etc. I haven't had any problems/reactions with my tattoos and I love them.

The one that hurt the most was on my hip and it runs from bottom of my tummy (no more kids for me) to my upper thigh - the tummy part hurt! The others were fine.

I saw the next one I want, just not sure where to put it...I like mine so I can hide them if I want - they are for me, not anyone else.

Thanks for sharing your experiences kabowman, I was encouraged by the fact that you did fine with your tattoos even though you are so sensitive to everything as well.

Then I read tiff and jule's experiences, yikes! Double yikes . Now I am leaning more towards the hesitant side....

Still thinking, and thinking- but thank so much tiff, jules, and Kris for your input

[pinkpei77]

hi guys~!

thats me on the pic and thats my husband.

i personally dont think they hurt. (obviuosly , i wouldnt be sleeved if they hurt)

i think its more annoying than anything. and the healing is what hurts the most.

it feels like a sunburn.

the onlything i thought kind of hurt was my achilles (sp?) tendons. that was a deep burn.

and my husband said the adam's apple isnt the most pleasent either.

anyways..

the most important thing i can stress is cleanliness!!

the artist should be willing to show you exactly how they clean everything and show you the autoclave bags that your needle came out of.

make sure you pick something you really love!

and i hope you have a great experince!!

ps. sorry my spelling sucks.

pps. also.. red ink is the one color most people do have a reaction to.

and alot of people will get a "rash" or "little bumps" because the tattooer will shave the area they are tattooing and alot of times they use cheap razors and/or nothing for lubrication ( shave gel, shave cream, soap..etc.) and they shave in all directions which will cause irritation especially if its somewhere that isnt shaved often.

[Green12]

  pinkpei77 said:

hi guys~!

thats me on the pic and thats my husband.

i personally dont think they hurt. (obviuosly , i wouldnt be sleeved if they hurt)

i think its more annoying than anything. and the healing is what hurts the most.

it feels like a sunburn.

the onlything i thought kind of hurt was my achilles (sp?) tendons. that was a deep burn.

and my husband said the adam's apple isnt the most pleasent either.

anyways..

the most important thing i can stress is cleanliness!!

the artist should be willing to show you exactly how they clean everything and show you the autoclave bags that your needle came out of.

make sure you pick something you really love!

and i hope you have a great experince!!

ps. sorry my spelling sucks.

pps. also.. red ink is the one color most people do have a reaction to.

and alot of people will get a "rash" or "little bumps" because the tattooer will shave the area they are tattooing and alot of times they use cheap razors and/or nothing for lubrication ( shave gel, shave cream, soap..etc.) and they shave in all directions which will cause irritation especially if its somewhere that isnt shaved often.

Thanks pinkpei for your input and information, very helpful Great picture of you and your husband, and your spelling is fine.

I am still on the fence, I found something I really love, just worried because I am highly reactive and breakout very easily- even to acupuncture needles at times, so I'm thinking a tattoo might not be the best idea

[pinkpei77]

  juliem said:

Thanks pinkpei for your input and information, very helpful Great picture of you and your husband, and your spelling is fine.

I am still on the fence, I found something I really love, just worried because I am highly reactive and breakout very easily- even to acupuncture needles at times, so I'm thinking a tattoo might not be the best idea

thanks! thats one of our wedding pics!

oh that stinks about the reaction!! to bad there isnt a safe way to test it!!

getting tattooed is such a great experience!

[tiredofdoctors]

Hey Julie -- depending upon how pain sensitive you are, and the location, tattoos are pretty much more an annoying feeling while they're doing it. I loved what Chelsea said . . . DEFINITELY pick a place that autoclaves, uses sterilizing treatment prior to that, etc. Before my son and I got ours, I went to the place four times! Each time, I asked them to show me how they clean their equipment. They went through the process, were VERY open to me asking, showed me the individual cups, and I watched after they were finished with people that they threw the cups away. Of course, I'm also in the medical field, so I was a little "overboard".

My son got a band around his arm . . . it is exquisite -- he is very musical (greatest Jazz Sax player I know of! -- no predjudice there . . . . ) but the band looks like music. In the middle, he has a Yin/Yang sign . . it was funny, because we researched the sign extensively to make sure that it was placed correctly, etc. He has had an interest in Buddhism, so it was pretty easy for us. The only problem that he had was when they were doing the fleshy underpart of his arm . . . he said it got a little tender.

Mine is on my low back, actually VERY low, because as a PT it wouldn't be too great for my patients to have seen it while I was bending down changing equipment, etc. (The whole -- "Have to be professional" thing.) So it's pretty much right on the bone. It really just felt annoying . . . like someone was continually scratching me. The guy told me that he was going to do some practice strokes without ink so that he would know if I could tolerate it. It had been a little while, and I said, "So, do you think I'll be able to take it?" He started laughing and said, "I'm 3/4 finished with the outline!" I had no idea. The only part that was uncomfortable was when he was filling in the black portion of the Yang sign on mine. I had chosen to draw my own -- it is a scaled-down version of a stained-glass window that is in a Cathedral in Lyon, France. Oddly, it had a Yin/Yang symbol in the center. Go figure.

Brandon's friend had a tattoo put on the outside of her foot, toward the toes . . . she said that it hurt a little bit, but not bad.

You're young, so there's not really any admonishments I'd give you. My son took his best friend, and at the time I was thin and buff -- but didn't know the best friend has always had a crush on me. Because we went ON his 18th birthday (his tattoo was started at the exact minute that he was born), we had his party that night. His friend bragged all night to EVERYONE . . . I saw Mrs. E's a**. I had to go behind him and say . . . "He did not see my a**. He saw my low back. My a** was covered with a towel . . . " It was unbelievable. Of course, his friend were also SHOCKED that I had done it . . . . no one ever considered me a "tattoo" kind of gal. Gotta keep 'em guessing . . . . .

I say -- Go for it!

[Green12]

  tiredofdoctors!!! said:

Hey Julie -- depending upon how pain sensitive you are, and the location, tattoos are pretty much more an annoying feeling while they're doing it. I loved what Chelsea said . . . DEFINITELY pick a place that autoclaves, uses sterilizing treatment prior to that, etc. Before my son and I got ours, I went to the place four times! Each time, I asked them to show me how they clean their equipment. They went through the process, were VERY open to me asking, showed me the individual cups, and I watched after they were finished with people that they threw the cups away. Of course, I'm also in the medical field, so I was a little "overboard".

My son got a band around his arm . . . it is exquisite -- he is very musical (greatest Jazz Sax player I know of! -- no predjudice there . . . . ) but the band looks like music. In the middle, he has a Yin/Yang sign . . it was funny, because we researched the sign extensively to make sure that it was placed correctly, etc. He has had an interest in Buddhism, so it was pretty easy for us. The only problem that he had was when they were doing the fleshy underpart of his arm . . . he said it got a little tender.

Mine is on my low back, actually VERY low, because as a PT it wouldn't be too great for my patients to have seen it while I was bending down changing equipment, etc. (The whole -- "Have to be professional" thing.) So it's pretty much right on the bone. It really just felt annoying . . . like someone was continually scratching me. The guy told me that he was going to do some practice strokes without ink so that he would know if I could tolerate it. It had been a little while, and I said, "So, do you think I'll be able to take it?" He started laughing and said, "I'm 3/4 finished with the outline!" I had no idea. The only part that was uncomfortable was when he was filling in the black portion of the Yang sign on mine. I had chosen to draw my own -- it is a scaled-down version of a stained-glass window that is in a Cathedral in Lyon, France. Oddly, it had a Yin/Yang symbol in the center. Go figure.

Brandon's friend had a tattoo put on the outside of her foot, toward the toes . . . she said that it hurt a little bit, but not bad.

You're young, so there's not really any admonishments I'd give you. My son took his best friend, and at the time I was thin and buff -- but didn't know the best friend has always had a crush on me. Because we went ON his 18th birthday (his tattoo was started at the exact minute that he was born), we had his party that night. His friend bragged all night to EVERYONE . . . I saw Mrs. E's a**. I had to go behind him and say . . . "He did not see my a**. He saw my low back. My a** was covered with a towel . . . " It was unbelievable. Of course, his friend were also SHOCKED that I had done it . . . . no one ever considered me a "tattoo" kind of gal. Gotta keep 'em guessing . . . . .

I say -- Go for it!

Hi Lynne,

I really appreciate you sharing your tattoo knowledge and experiences with me. It is always so helpful to hear other's stories.

I have decided I should probably take the next step and at least research places and artists as you, and everyone else, have suggested.

[mylady4]

I had mine about two years ago as a present for losing 75 pounds. I got a custom designed calla lily on my chest halfway between my shoulder and breast. It was my wedding flower and it is in a place where I can easily show it but nobody knows it is there unless I wear spaghetti straps or if I show it. Most of the time you cannot see it even while wearing tanks. I describe the feeling as being snapped by a rubber band. My tattoo guy was real good and he knew when to stop and give it a break. Once I lose the last 30 pounds I will be getting a tribal sun on the lower back (like the godsmack symbol). Just think about what you want and are willing to live with for the rest of your life and talk to other people who have tattoo ans ask them where they got them from and if they are happy with the artist and the parlor.

good luck

Nicole

[STINGER]

  juliem said:

Does anyone know where on the body it hurts the least to get a tattoo, and can you have a reaction to getting one (to the inks, the needles, etc.), especially someone who is very sensitive and allergic to everything?

  juliem said:

Does anyone know where on the body it hurts the least to get a tattoo, and can you have a reaction to getting one (to the inks, the needles, etc.), especially someone who is very sensitive and allergic to everything?

  juliem said:

Does anyone know where on the body it hurts the least to get a tattoo, and can you have a reaction to getting one (to the inks, the needles, etc.), especially someone who is very sensitive and allergic to everything?

[STINGER]

I AM A TAT DESIGNER/PIERCER. I HAVE TWO FULL SLEEVES, AND MY TOTAL INK COMES TO ABOUT 400 HOURS WORTH, I THINK I HAVE JUST A TINY BIT OF EXPERIENCE HERE. ASKING SOMEONE IF IT'S GOING TO HURT IS A RELATIVE QUESTION, I PERSONALLY FALL ASLEEP WHILE GETTING INKED, TO ME THEY DON'T HURT AT ALL. YOU HAVE TO JUDGE FOR YOURSELF HOW YOU DEAL WITH PAIN. BUT I TOTALLY AGREE WITH ASKING AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU NEED TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR ARTIST, THEY SHOULD IN NO WAY MAKE YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE BEING PUSHED INTO ANYTHING. IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE....WALK OUT, OR RUN. THE PLACE SHOULD BE SPIC AND SPAN, AND EVEN SMELL LIKE DISINFECTANT. IF YOU ASK THE ARTIST TO STOP BECAUSE IT HURTS HE SHOULD, AND NOT MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE WUSSING OUT. IF YOU ARE LATEX SENSITIVE MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM, THEY SHOULD HAVE THE NON LATEX GLOVES. THEY SHOULD OPEN A NEW NEEDLE INFRONT OF YOU AND BREAK IT WHEN THEY ARE DONE, ALL THE LITTLE INK WELLS ARE DISPOSABLE, AND THE TUBES SHOULD BE PLASTIC, INFACT EVERYTHING IN USE SHOULD BE COVERED IN PLASTIC, CORDS AND EVERYTHING (WE ARE) RED IS THE MOST SENSITIVE COLOR, WHITE, AND THE GLOW IN THE DARKS GENERALLY LAST THE LEAST. ALTHOUGH I STILL HAVE ALL OF MINE AFTER 12 YEARS. YOU DO WANT TO BE CAREFUL WITH THE LOTIONS YOU USE AFTERWARDS, I PERSONALLY LIKE AVEENO.USE ABSOLUTELY NO LOTION OF ANY SORT BEFORE YOU GO IN, SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO GET OFF AND YOUR INK WON'T TAKE WELL. AND YES, ABSOLUTELY CHECK THE CREDENTIALS OF THE STUDIO, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE AN EXCELLENT RATING FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THAT THEY HAVE POLICIES IN PLACE ABOUT INKING PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DRINKING, AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ILL. CHECK YOUR ARTISTS WORK BEFORE YOU CHOOSE ONE, THEY SHOULDN'T MIND YOU WATCHING THEM WHILE THEY ARE INKING SOMEONE ELSE, THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO CHECK THE ATTITUDE OF THE ARTIST AS WELL. IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO BRING IN YOUR OWN DESIGN AND WORK WITH AN ARTIST, THIS INSURES YOU HAVE A ONE OF A KIND PIECE OF WORK THAT WILL LOOK GOOD AND LAST YOU A LIFETIME. USE THE HIGHEST SPF SUNSCREEN YOU CAN FIND TO INSURE THE SUN WILL NOT FADE YOU MASTERPIECE, INFACT THERE ARE SOME ESPECIALLY FORMULATED FOR TATTOOS THAT HAVE A HIGH AMOUNT OF ZINK IN THEM.

[Michi8]

  juliem said:

Does anyone know where on the body it hurts the least to get a tattoo, and can you have a reaction to getting one (to the inks, the needles, etc.), especially someone who is very sensitive and allergic to everything?

Yes, you can be allergic to the dyes. I just found out today that I'm allergic to two common chemicals used in tattoo dyes. Guess tattoos are out for me. So are piercings due to my metal allergies.

Michelle

[Green12]

Hi Stinger, this is great information, thank you for giving your input

Michelle, how did you find out you were allergic to the dyes, if you don't mind me asking? Did you react to them while getting a tattoo, or did you have some kind of test done?? Just curious.

[Michi8]

  juliem said:

Hi Stinger, this is great information, thank you for giving your input

Michelle, how did you find out you were allergic to the dyes, if you don't mind me asking? Did you react to them while getting a tattoo, or did you have some kind of test done?? Just curious.

I just had skin patch testing done this week (got the results yesterday.) I posted a thread about here: Open Original Shared Link Two of my allergens are to chemicals/colours used in many, many products which include tattoo dyes (some hair dyes too!)

Michelle

[skoki-mom]

  Michi8 said:

Yes, you can be allergic to the dyes. I just found out today that I'm allergic to two common chemicals used in tattoo dyes. Guess tattoos are out for me. So are piercings due to my metal allergies.

Michelle

Michelle, I'm so with you on this stuff. It took me a loooong time to decide to get my belly button pierced. I can only wear 18K gold in my ears, and my earrings have to hang from hooks or hoops because a traditional butterfly back has my ears itching and irritated in a few hours. I do sometimes wear special earrings out for an evening, but as soon as I get home they have to come out and I put my hooks back in. Anyhow, I did finally get the naval done just over 2 years ago. It took a really long time to heal and while it has never been infected, it is still gets irritated very easily and the redness has never fully gone away. I can only wear a barbell with balls on the end because anything with a fancy shape starts to irritate the piercing and then it starts to drain and stuff.

I'm also very sensitive to pigments, especially the blue/purple ones. Not sure exactly what it is, but any make up that is purple or blue just makes my eyes itch almost on contact. I seem to be ok with brown or pink shadows/liners, but that is a drag since purple/plum would be best for my eye colour (green). I keep trying stuff looking for things that don't bother me, but it is a real pita.