Smart Body Art

Caring for Your New Tattoo

2011-12-30T23:18:00.000-08:00

You’ve done your research and found a tattoo artist you like; you’ve browsed through their work or you may have had a custom design; then sat through the needle work. And now you’ve come away with a brand spanking new piece of body art on your body. Now what?

Though the design is very important and finding the right artist is very advisable, although neither is not nearly as important as taking care of it. It’s like buying a new jacket, for it to last and look good for a long time you have to learn how to care for it. Hanging it on the line incorrectly can misshape it, so too will a tattoo if you put on excess weight. Exposure to direct sunlight not only fades clothes but tattoos too. A tattoo has to last longer than a jacket so more care is needed bother when it’s new and older.

Good tattoo artists will clean and apply antiseptic cream or spray as they create your tattoo, which helps keep the tattoo healthy. Once the tattoo is finished, the artists will wipe it down, clean it off - there will be some blood and ink - and apply another coat of antiseptic cream. Once the antiseptic has been applied, he will put a piece of soft tissue or cellophane over the tattoo.

Think of the tattoo as a big or small scab. The skin has been broken, ink injected and now has to be protected to heal, disallowing germs to get in and manifest to an infection. So antiseptic and a barrier are a basic must before you walk away from the artist. Taking care of a tattoo isn’t hard – as long as you know what you can and can’t do. Your artist should advise you and or give you a care card, if you found a really helpful artist they may even give you a sample size antiseptic cream to take home. If you have any concerns once you get home fell free to call and ask your artist for advice.

Visit your local chemist and purchase a tube of Bepanthen cream or baby nappy rash cream on your way home or better yet before your appointment. Bepanthen cream is the best to use it has a dual action - providing barrier protection and helps soothe and heal. Bepanthen cream is free from all colours, fragrances or preservatives and is clinically proven to be gentle enough for sensitive skin. Bepanthen will keep your tattoo clean and shiny and should be used for the first few days. Once the ointment starts to dry on the tattoo, you should wipe the old application off and apply some more. Don’t rub it too hard, or you could damage the healing process. For the first few days, you should avoid using soap as well.

Never hop right in the shower when you first get home with your new tattoo, nor head to the beach or pool so show off your new art. You should keep it dry for the first few days, but also clean it every few hours. Do not pick at it, it is supposed to scab over, which may get itchy, tough it out. If you pick it you will damage the design. Before you touch the tattoo or clean it, you should always make sure that your hands are clean. If you keep your hands clean, you won’t have to worry about an infection.

After 5 – 6 days, you can quit using the ointment. Bepanthen cream will keep your tattoo healthy, which you’ll notice the first time you apply it. After you stop using it, you should use an unscented body lotion. You want to avoid body lotions that have scents, as they can easily irritate the tender skin that resides under your tattoo.

Tattoos will stay with you for the rest of your life, unless you choose to get them surgically removed. Taking care of your tattoo now will keep it healthy and infection free in the long run and looking good long after that jacket has fallen apart.

Dragon Tattoo

2011-12-05T21:36:00.001-08:00

Image: AKARAKINGDOMS / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A dragon is a serpent or a reptile like creature, which is said to bear some spiritual powers. This creature has scary looks with its scaled body, clawed feet, and large wings, all with a power of emitting fire from the mouth.

The concept or the meaning of the dragon is different in the eastern and western hemisphere. People living in the east believe the dragon to be a protector of the masses, while those who belong to the west consider a dragon to be an evil spirit.

All over the Roman and Greek empires, warriors boasted the emblem of the dragon as a symbol of terror and might. It is also a style that has heavy Asian influences. The eastern dragon is worshiped by the people and is considered as the savior, friendly creature and is a symbol of good fortune.

With an eastern and western origin, it's quite surprising that individuals and artists from different parts of the globe love the dragon tattoo design. Originally a popular choice for men it is gaining popularity with women. The dragon theme tattoo stands well on its own or can be integrated into other designs like flowers and Celtic crosses. A dragon design blends well on a woman's body with some feminine designs like cherry blossoms.

The overall design often depends on the artist's creative hands and on the statement that he or she is trying to seek, often treating the design as a piece of precious art. A very skilled tattoo artist can incorporate the natural features of the dragon into your body. For example the tail of the dragon can be drawn in your arms while the dragon haunches can be drawn in your shoulders.

If you want a dragon tattoo design, you will have one tattoo that can define your artistic sense. With endless choices of colour, shape and styles a dragon tattoo can be created to be as individual ad unique as the body it lives on.

Before You Get Tattooed

2011-11-28T19:36:00.001-08:00

You should always take a little bit of time to talk the tattoo artist you have decided to go with. When you speak to them, be sure to ask questions and find out as much as possible about your new tattoo. You should also find out information about his background, and other important bits of information that will assist you in moving forward with your decision.

The first thing you should find out is how long the parlour has been in business. This will let you know just how professional the quality of tattoo work is and the overall reputation for the business. If the tattoo parlour belongs to the Better Business Bureau you can always check their record and see if any complaints have been filed about the business in the last few years.

You should also find out about the artists qualifications as well. Experience is a must here, as infections and other diseases can easily be contracted if the equipment isn’t clean. Tattoo artists deal with needles on a daily basis, making experience very important. You can get a good feel about the tattoo artist and what kind of experience you will have by finding out how much experience and qualifications a tattoo artists has.

In the unlikely event that you don’t like the outcome of the tattoo, you’ll obviously want it to be fixed. Does the tattoo studio guarantees their work, will they fix it without requiring any money. Refund policies are also important, especially if you don’t like the quality or the workmanship of the tattoo. Keep in mind you choose the design, so if you don’t like it you have no one to blame but yourself.

The cost is also very important. Before you decide to get a tattoo or agree to anything, you’ll obviously want to know the full cost. You can save yourself a lot of time and prevent any type of surprises by knowing the costs upfront. The bigger tattoos can be quite expensive, although even the smallest of tattoos can be expensive as well, especially if you’re on a budget.

Infection is also something you’ll want to find out about. The better tattoo artists can provide information about infections, and tell you how to prevent them. They will also tell you about their services, and how they can prevent you from getting an infection. When you ask about infections, they should also be able to tell you exactly what to do if you think you are developing an infection as well.

If you suffer from a fear of needles, what are you doing thinking about a tattoo? You should always ask if there is a way to help you. You should never feel bad about asking, as many people are deathly afraid of needles. Needles are used with tattoos, as there is no other way to put the ink in the skin.

Asking questions is never a bad thing when it comes to getting a tattoo. If a tattoo artist hesitates to answer any question you ask or acts hasty towards you walk away. Tattoo artists are running a business just like any other so reputation is important. Ask other people you know or see in the streets that have a tattoo about their experiences, where did they go? Who did they use?

Getting a tattoo is not to be taken lightly, so do your research and feel 100% about your choices and you will enjoy the experience.

So You Want a Tattoo

2011-11-22T20:57:00.001-08:00

Really?

Really really?

How long have you thought about getting a tattoo? It is not something to take lightly, a tattoo is for life so you need to think about your life now and in the future. Close your eyes and imagine what kind of parent you want to be. Think further, what about being a grandparent for that matter. Think about it, how many granny’s or pops do you see with tattoos? Will you be one in the future? I plan to be a bitchin nan and my tattoos are a part of me, but I tell my kids they have to wait till they are of legal age before they can be like me. As a potential role model you have to think ahead.

Design and placement are two very important factors to consider before visiting a tattoo parlour. It should be something you will be proud of and will look good for years to come. Don’t forget our bodies change with the years – stretching and sagging – and so too will a tattoo.

Ladies think about the parts of your body that might be tight, firm and perky now. Gravity and age will affect those later on, resulting in some potentially saggy droopy tattoos on bums and boobs. And fellas aren’t off the hook either, with age comes muscle loss and excess skin, all of which can distort a tattoo. While considering the person you are and plan to be, it is a good idea to consider all aspects of your life and future. Did you know some work places have specific policies toward body art? Worth checking first.

I always recommend sitting on the idea for awhile. Think very carefully about the design, do some research; there are plenty of magazines and websites that can inspire you. If you can decide and stick to one specific design for longer than a few months then that is the one for you. Once you have that you need to find the right artist and get inked.

Tiger Tattoo

2011-11-20T21:19:00.000-08:00

Image: AKARAKINGDOMS / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Welcome to Smart Body Art

2011-11-20T20:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Smart Body Art, here you can find information and details about body art. Body art is like any other form of art, it is all in the eye of the beholder. Smart Body Art has thought, emotion and serious contemplation to it. Not a slap up tattoo you got in a drunken binge on holiday. Most reputable artists won't tattoo an intoxicated person. Or tattoo partners names and for good reason. A tattoo is for life and the wearer needs to take that into consideration before commencing with the art work. Commonsense really. No matter how you look at it, there will always be both pros and cons with body art. Before you decide, you should make sure that what you have picked out is something that you can see yourself with for years to come. If there is any doubt in your mind, you shouldn’t get it.