One of my favourite subjects (clearly... If you've ever seen me you know) to speak about are my tattoos. Actually, just tattoos in general.
I get approached a lot by people who either have only a couple tattoos, tattoos they're not happy with, or tattoos virgins all the time. They always have a million questions about them. Hopefully this can answer some of them.
1. "Where should I go to get my tattoos done?"
When looking into getting new work done the best thing to do is to check out the shops themselves. I don't doubt that there are talented artists working in their own basements but for your safety and piece of mind, go to an actual tattoo shop. Take a little tour and check out how the shop operates. Generally speaking a good tattoo shop will show you the work stations and sterilization room (if they do piercings as well) to make you comfortable with your surroundings. If you like what you see take it to the next step.
2. "Who should I get to do my tattoo?"
Choosing the right artist is like choosing a hair dresser or barber. Check out their work in their portfolio and determine if the style of the artist matches the style of the tattoo you're looking to get. You won't want to go to someone who does script very well to do something in full colour, for example. Look for someone who does what YOU want well.
3. "I really want to cover this."
Nothing more stressful than tattoo regret. Never fear, cover-ups are here! Covering a tattoo is sometimes difficult based on the tattoo that's being covered. Just be aware that whatever is covering it will have to be bigger and darker to cover effectively.
4. "How much do you pay for your tattoos?"
I'm the wrong person to ask. My homies are tattoo artists. But tattoos are one of those things where you get what you pay for. Cheap tattoos aren't good and good tattoos aren't cheap. The worst thing you can do is price shop for a tattoo. Downtown Toronto shops usually charge between $100-$175 per hour and have base prices of about $80. Keep in mind that the price is to cover he cost of needles, ink, and all the disposable sterile equipment being used as well as labour itself. It's worth shopping around for artists but not for the lowest price. Don't risk your health or the quality of your art just because you're cheap.
5. "I can't decide what to get!"
Knowing you want a tattoo but not knowing what to get is a common complaint. Most people think every tattoo should have some deep, profound meaning. That's a good way to choose one, but certainly not the ONLY way. Only a couple of my tattoos have a meaning, the rest are just works of art I love. A good tattoo is something you love and will continue to love. Whether it means something or not is up to you. Talk to your artist, many times they have insight about the meaning of symbols that may suit your needs, or just a really dope piece they've drawn and can't wait to tattoo!
The bottom line is knowledge and comfort. Know what you want, and what your artist is capable of. Be comfortable with the shop you're in, they people who work there and the person you bring with you to get your tattoo. Make sure your artists shows you that your needle, tubes and equipment are all new in sealed packages.
When you're all set up and ready to go, just breathe! Relax, all tattoos are painful to some degree. Some body parts hurt more than others so do a little research if you're afraid of pain. Numbing gel exists, but it changes to texture of the skin making it harder for your artists. So just man up! I promise the pain is worth the result.
Always always always listen to the advice your artist gives you about aftercare!!! No vaseline and no polysporin, EVER!!! Unscented, mild lotion and soap is the way to go. Don't hit the gym and work out the area you just got tatted and for heavens sake keep it out of water (pools, hot tubs, ocean, lake etc) and sun. Sun is a new tattoos enemy.
Love the art, not the cool factor. Keep it real, don't swagger jack someone's tatts. That shit is horrible.
Hope this helps you budding tattoo enthusiasts! Remember, only ink is forever.
The Articulate Bitch
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