Every tattoo artist will have a slightly different way that he/she recommends taking care of your tattoo. Because of the many different factor in a tattoo, it is important to carefully listen to what your artist tells you is the best aftercare for your tattoo. What we are describing here are our general best practices for tattoo after care.
After your artist has wrapped your tattoo in plastic wrap, leave it covered for 3 hours. Your tattoo is an open wound while its fresh which can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s important to keep it wrapped for the full three hours.
After the three hours are over, carefully unwrap your tattoo and wash the area with warm water and antibacterial soap. Be cautious not to rub or be rough with your tattoo when washing it.
After you have washed your tattoo, pat it dry and give it 5 to 10 minutes to air dry. Then apply a thin layer of Aquaphor to the whole area of the tattoo.
For the first three days after the tattoo, wash and apply Aquaphor 3 to 5 times a days. Make sure to be gentle as you wash the tattoo. Keep a constant thin layer of Aquaphor on at all times.
4 to 5 days after the tattoo, switch from Aquaphor to a non-scented lotion. Continue to apply that whenever your tattoo is feeling dry.
Soon after this last step your tattoo may start peel. Continue to apply lotion throughout the time where your tattoo is peeling. Do not pull the skin! This may pull the ink out.
It is important to not pick at your tattoo if it begins to peel, the skin will fall off in its own time and it can destroy your tattoo to try and rush that process. Avoid going in bodies of water such as the ocean, chlorine pools, and jacuzzis. Also avoid giving your tattoo a lot of direct sunlight as that can destroy the tattoo while it is healing. Lastly, remember that the better you take care of your tattoo, the better it will look once it is done healing.
When working on larger tattoos, the time it takes to complete can be pretty lengthy and take multiple sessions of tattooing. This can be concerning for people who physically can not sit for long periods of time and people who have a hard time doing long sessions because of pain tolerance issues or anxiety.
The key to effectively dealing with is communicating with your artist early in the process of getting a tattoo. Our artists would be happy to work with you in a way that is comfortable and enjoyable for you, because we care about the entire tattooing experience and want that to be enjoyable.
By communicating with your artist they are able to discuss the time it will take and how many sessions you would want that broken up into. So always be upfront with your artist about any health issues or concerns.
If you have anxiety about having long tattoo session or know you have low pain tolerance, there are a few things that can help deal with the process. It’s important to not psyche yourself before the tattoo, mindset has a large effect on how you react to tattooing. If possible, try to find the most comfortable position, this sometimes can be impossible depending on the location of your tattoo.
Most artists won’t mind if you bring a book or look at your phone during your appointment. Just make sure your distraction is only distracting to you- that is, it should not be something that will interfere with the artist working, like a loud video game.
Lastly, make sure to stay hydrated and bring small snacks to keep energy up throughout the process. Making sure you are properly fuelled will help manage discomfort and avoid dizziness. Absolutely do not come to your appointment hungover- you will not have a fun time if you do.
Cosmetic tattoos can come in many forms. Permanent makeup, micro blading, and our specialty micropigmentation are all examples of cosmetic tattoos. The basic idea is that this kind of tattoo is done to improve a physical feature. Cosmetic tattoos aren’t generally art pieces. So, should you get one? Here’s what you need to know.
With an artistic tattoo, your skin is pierced with an inked needle that creates a vacuum in the skin. This vacuum allows for the deposit of ink. With a cosmetic tattoo, a rotary device slices the skin to apply the pigment. This may sound scary, but in fact, most people report feeling less pain than with a regular tattoo.
Not All Cosmetic Tattoos Are Temporary
It’s called permanent makeup for a reason! While it’s true that cosmetic tattoos fade faster than artistic tattoos, this still takes awhile. In most cases, you will need to get a touchup every 1-3 years. Some forms of cosmetic tattooing are totally permanent.
Microneedling and Microblading Can Increase Confidence
A lot of people are insecure about their hairloss. Maybe you regret overplucking your eyebrows in the 90s. Maybe you simply don’t like the look of your receding hairline. Microneedling, which is the process of tattooing a pattern of dots to emulate the look of natural hair, can bring back that lost confidence. Microblading can similarly boost your look by mimicking the appearance of natural eyebrow hair strokes.
Cosmetic Tattoos Are Not Just Makeup
There are many cosmetic tattoo procedures that are not just makeup! Permanent eyeliner, lipliner, and microblading are probably the most popular and well-known cosmetic tattoos. However, cosmetic tattoing can also include stretch mark filling, faux freckles, and even areola reconstruction.
Cosmetic tattoos are a great option for those looking to boost their confidence, reduce the appearance of scars or hair loss, or simply cut down on their morning routine. Get a consultation to see what is best for you.
You’ve finally booked your first tattoo. It took you forever to settle on your design, find the perfect artist at the perfect studio (Black Label obviously), and book an appointment. It’s a great feeling.
Now imagine you’ve turned up hungover, the artist refuses to tattoo you, you’ve lost your deposit, and missed your chance to add some great art to your body. If only you’d known.
Here’s some advice on getting inked for the first time.
Be on Time
First and foremost, your appointment is time-sensitive for a reason. Tattoo artists are busy people, and they need to rely on you to turn up to your appointment on time.
Many artists aren’t on salaries and depend on their bookings to make money; if you turn up late to your slot, you’re potentially losing your artist money.
Don’t be too early either. Artists need time to prep for your booking, be sure to give them this time.
Okay, this one’s essential. Tattoos are massive wounds, albeit pretty ones. The process takes a lot out of your body and can be exhausting.
Tattoos cause you to bleed, and you need to make sure you have enough blood sugar to withstand this.
If you don’t eat before your appointment, you’ll start to feel light-headed. You could pass out. Your artist could also recommend that you stop and book another session to complete the piece.
Don’t skip breakfast. You’ll be out of pocket and feel unwell.
Seriously. Do not, under any circumstances, turn up to your booking hungover. Artists will not be impressed, you’ll lose your deposit, and most parlors won’t tattoo you.
Hangovers cause your blood sugar to plummet. You’ll simply bleed too much for the artist to see what they’re doing.
Tattooing is also a very intimate profession, and artists do not want to spend hours near clients who reek of alcohol.
The night out can wait. Save it for when you have an opportunity to show off your first tattoo.
People like to say that their tattoos didn’t hurt. But they do. It is a needle repeatedly piercing your skin.
This isn’t to scare you. It’s so you know what you’re to expect.
If you walk into your booking expecting a pain-free experience, you could end up with a nasty shock when your artist starts.
Certain body parts are more painful than others, special mentions to calves, ribs, and inner biceps for being exceptionally painful areas to get done.
Just keep reminding yourself of why you’re getting this done and how it will look when it’s finished.
You Can Take Breaks
Nobody is going to laugh at you for taking a break. Artists would prefer to work on someone who’s relaxed, not someone’s who’s straining to tolerate more than they can take in one sitting.
During longer sessions, it is not unusual to take several breaks. This also helps the artist rest their eyes and stretch their legs.
You wouldn’t work 5 hours straight without so much as a water break, don’t expect your artist to either. Artists will regularly ask you how you’re doing and if you want a break.
The moment you leave the tattoo parlor is where the real work starts. Your artist will talk you through how to care for your new tattoo. Listen to them carefully.
Different artists recommend different things, but the essentials are as follows: keep it clean, moisturized, and out of the sun.
As previously mentioned, tattoos are big wounds. You must keep them clean to avoid infection.
Gently wash your tattoo one to three times a day for the first week and once a day for the two weeks after that.
You can buy specialist tattoo gels to keep your tattoo from drying out. Household goods like coconut oil are also excellent.
Enjoy It
Getting a tattoo is an addictive and rewarding experience. You’re paying for work that will last a lifetime. Enjoy the atmosphere of the parlor and the process of being tattooed.
Following the tips in this guide will help you get the most out of the experience and ensure you end up with a quality piece that stands up to the test of time.
The thought of getting a tattoo might give you pause. Maybe you are concerned about the design. Or maybe you’re worried about the length of time you’ll have to sit in the chair, or the placement of the tattoo. But, there are some great reasons why you should get a tattoo. Here are our top reasons why you should take the plunge and book an appointment.
Show Your Personality
Tattoos can show off a personality that clothes might struggle to show. Maybe you’ve always had a style of drawing in your mind that nobody else has created, in a certain color and size. You can either discuss this with a tattoo artist, who can draw the image for you. Or you can draw the design and ask a tattoo artist to recreate it on any part of your body.
Having an interest in skin art can make you more creative in other areas of your life. You might decide to follow a new artistic career or start drawing as a hobby. Both of these things can improve self-esteem and mental wellbeing.
Tattoos Are Safe
You might be under the impression that tattoos are unsafe. However, this is not true- tattoos are actually very safe! Professional tattoo artists follow a strict cleansing routine, which includes sterilizing equipment, disposal of needles after use, and understanding when a client is struggling and needs a break.
Before you go get a tattoo, still always check for high recommendations from past clients. Social media reviews can show positive experiences along with any negative ones clients have had. Make sure you search in a variety of places, including web reviews and on the tattoo artist’s website.
Tattoos are also a great way to feel closer to religion or a loved one. Maybe there’s a phrase a family member said before they passed away. Why not have this phrase tattooed so you always feel the person is with you? If you are in an occupation where religious symbols aren’t allowed in a material form, like jewelry, tattoos can allow you to wear them discretely.
A Great Topic of Conversation
Tattoos are a great way to start a conversation when you’re out with friends. Getting a tattoo can create happy memories, from their decision to get the tattoo, overcoming a possible fear, and an eagerness to be more creative and expressive.
If you’re looking to show off your personality, eager to find new interests, address popular misconceptions, find a new way to wear a lucky symbol or be more social, tattoos can be a great way to help you achieve these things.
You’re ready to take the plunge and get a tattoo. Maybe this is your first tattoo, or maybe it is your hundredth. Either way, the question remains: how do you choose your tattoo?
Flash
One place to start when looking for a tattoo is with a tattoo flash. With tattoo flashes you can see lots of choices, some better than others. Sometimes you may find a flash of something you want or are looking for, but the feel or design is not quite what you are looking for. Talk with your artist about what it is you like about the piece, what you would change, color schemes, whatever it is you want to change. Our Artist will work with you through what you want so that we can create the tattoo that is right for you.
Custom drawings are another great way to choose a tattoo. For custom tattoos, be sure to bring your ideas with you, do research before you come in, get reference materials, look at different styles, etc. It is important that if you want a custom tattoo, that you know what you want. Your artist can’t decide what tattoo you would like, they are there to help bring your ideas to your skin.
Wanting to directly copy another persons tattoo can be disrespectful to the wearer of the tattoo and the artist who did the piece. If you have a specific tattoo you like, bring in a picture and we can make something similar with its own unique twist.ALEC TURNER
If you are wanting a portrait of someone, it is important that your reference material is the right size, good clarity, and nice resolution. If there is ever any problems with providing these, talk to your artist to see what can be done. The more reference material you bring, the more your artist will have to work with to accurately bring about the portrait.
If you do not know what you want at all, it is best you wait to get a tattoo until there is something that you really want or can’t wait to get. Tattoos are a life long decision, so it’s best to take your time in deciding what you want on your skin forever.
Tattoos have a rich history in the modern world, both as a voluntary form of self-expression and as part of spirituality which embeds it with mystical meaning. People get tattoos for various reasons and often spend a considerable amount of time deciding on the artist, design, and placement due to their permanent nature. It is an important decision for both personal and health reasons since you have to make sure that the artist and tattoo parlor you choose is following health and safety guidelines and have to behave responsibly throughout the healing process. Tattoo artists are very creative people and can churn out beautiful designs after getting an understanding of what inspired the customer and what they wish to achieve with the tattoo. Their years of experience help build a loyal clientele, that sticks by them no matter what.
Alec Turner
One such tattoo artist is Alec Turner. Alec is 34 years old and is from Eugene, Oregon. He owns his own tattoo shop which is called Black Label Tattoo. He serves his customers well and is able to turn their ideas into a reality on their skin, all the while making sure that everything is safe and comfortable. His quality of service and the intricacy of his designs are what keeps people coming back again and again, trusting him to do future tattoos with minimal problems arising. This builds a sense of customer loyalty and community amongst those who live near or frequently visit the tattoo shop and binds them all closer together.
How he became an artist
Alec has been a creative person throughout his life. Whether it be about food, art, or music he knew that he would always pursue a creative field where he could let his talents shine. Many traditional jobs held no interest for him as he knew that he did not have the passion or drive for them. He had always been intrigued by tattoos and had gotten a few himself, loving what the designs represented and what they looked like. Due to this fascination, he always knew that he would eventually try to pursue tattooing in the future. The opportunity came at quite a difficult point in his life. He was incarcerated for a few years during which he decided to hone in and focus on his art and pursue it properly.
The most interesting part of his career has been building such a strong customer base that people fly from all over the country or the world to get tattooed by him. Another important instance that stands out to him is when he bought his first house. This is when he felt that the hard work he had been putting in had paid off and he was extremely proud of what he had accomplished. Over time, he bought two more houses and turned the old ones into recovery houses to help give back to the community that had helped him. Alec knows how it feels to be down on your luck and he wants to do all he can to spread positivity and make sure that people receive the support they need to get better and improve their lives.
Alec’s family
Alec has a beautiful family. He shares both his personal and professional life on social media in order to help inspire others and get more support for his business and recovery efforts. He can be found on Instagram under the username @alecturnertattoos and can be reached through email at alecturnertattoos@gmail.com. As he continues to grow and improve, Alec wants to lift other people and businesses up along with him. He wants to help people make decisions with their bodies that help them feel comfortable and empowered, and make an informed choice when doing so. This is why he posts his work on social media so that people can see for themselves how it looks and decide whether it fits with what they require.
Stay Motivated and Attain Successful Habits with Alec Turner
This 35-year-old born in Portland, Oregon, Alec Turner, is a professional tattoo artist of 7 years. He has won awards such as best of the day at Hell City tattoo show, Best of Day for two consecutive days, and Best of Show at the 208 Tattoo convention in Boise, Idaho. Turner has numerous top-notch sponsors such as Sullen Clothing, Jetpack Wireless battery packs, Nuclear tattoo supply, Raw pigments tattoo ink.
He further has two projects; two recovery houses for former drug addicts to give back to the community. These projects came about after being an addict to heroin and crack, which led him to prison for two years. He has since then maintained sobriety for almost ten years. Here is how Alec Turner stays motivated and how he pitches for success.
Success Habit
Alec Turner spends time doing what matters most to him. He has always been intrigued by art and its culture since he was a teenager. Turner realized he wants to try his way out in tattoo artistry eight years ago while sitting in prison and finding his way to sobriety. He realized the thrill and content he had with art and drawing was the onset of his successful career. Doing what matters the most and training his mind that it is the best time to work on what it takes has kept him productive all through.
Seeking professional guidance and partnerships is another. A partnership is the main thriving force in lifestyle businesses, and he has well utilized that, especially now having sponsorship from big brands.
Motivation
Alec’s motivation comes from his 14-month-old baby boy. He is a single father, and the future of his son drives him to put more effort. Additionally, witnessing the wholeness that comes from what he does, encourages him to keep going and enhancing the culture revolving around street life. The success he has achieved is also a great force in his pursuit. Seeing the impact of hard work is a great drive.
Again, seeing former drug addicts find themselves and grow through his help motivate him to impact society positively. Giving back to society in quite a relatable way gives him a high degree of satisfaction.
Biggest Distress Tips
In one’s quest for success, there will always be distress and burnout. However, to ensure your dream does not fade you need, to find a way to cope and beat distress and burnouts. For Alec Turner, it is taking time off for self-care where he engages in his leisure activities.
You could get productive by taking time to reflect on yourself and probably journaling to unwind the pressure. You could also engage in activities to create room in your mind to get back to work. These activities could be traveling, spending quality family/friends time, listening to music, etc.
Conclusion
It takes a habit and a strong mindset to keep up with your ambitions in life. Therefore, it would be best if you find your purpose and cultivate a habit to drive your ambitions and a positive attitude towards the success path.
