Tattoo Mythbusters?
 

I just got a few quick questions.
I've heard many different aspects about tattoos.
Can anyone confirm or disprove them?

1) Shouldn't drink any alcohol
2) Shouldn't smoke any cigarettes
3) Shouldn't smoke any weed
4) Don't let anyone slap or punch that area incase of bruising
5) use Preparation H for faster healing
6) Apply only weak dryskin cream

Also anyone have explainations for any of the above?.. and if the above is true... how LONG do you think is reasonable to do/avoid those certain things for after the tattoo, a few days? A week?

Thanks

i keep forgetting you're Aznsir.. thats a much better name :)

yes Prep H helps ye heal faster

that's all i know ^^

got my appt bbooked today :0

Oh and how about intense exercising causing intense sweat? Would that effect anything?

Stylin: Haha well it was my original name but then I no longer have a SiR so I think it's time to move on ... even though I still miss it :(

Gotta love that Prep H. Make all my tats heal a bit faster and helped with the itch a bit at times.

Don`t drink before getting a tat. Ive seen some artists actually get pissed off at people for realizing they just drank. Makes your blood umm thicker So you bleed more which is a bitch.

Although I have tons of experience getting tattoos I really can`t answer any of these questions with scientific back up unfortunately just what I hear is good or bad.

i work in a warehouse , am i goign to be ok to go to work and lift some boxes and shit if i just had my app earlier in the day?

1) alcohol is a blood thinner, aka, you dont stop bleeding as easily.. I.E. you could possibly bleed to death from a minor cut, as your blood doesnt congel(sp?)
2)you can smoke, but smoking makes people more relaxed or focused...so you might focus on the pain more
3)gettin high is fine, but if you freak out easily, it might not be a good idea
4)why the fuck would you want someone to slap a wound?
5)duno
6)duno

It's going to be hella sore but you'll survive haha

Thanks for the answers, but I'm more concerned about how these myths/facts affect the tatt AFTERWARDS... not before :)

#4) I work in the restaurant sometimes customers that know me just come up behind me to pat me on the back (maybe harder than intended cuz they drunk) and my tatt goes over onto my shoulder blade haha..

if thats the case, healing will be hard if it is constantly hit, and if the scabbing breaks you might get an infection

edit: if your more interested in post tattooing....i would recommend just laying low on the liquor as it slows down healing...but smoking weed and other things should be fine. if you want your body to heal quickly and efficiently, then i would recommend just babying your body and just stay healthy for a while.

1) only associated with before, so u dont bleed extra, causing the artist to whipe your blood every few seconds is not fun for them or you
2) nonsense
3) nonsense
4) its gonna feel like a really bad sunburn, I dont think you will want anyone hitting it even by accident until its not sore anymore
5) this sounded like nonsense to me, but I did a quick google for you ;)
We have heard stories of tattoo artists recommending the use of
Preparation-H in the healing of new tattoos. Preparation-H is a product
marketed for the relief of hemorrhoidal tissue in the US, and comes in
both cream and suppository form (I assume artists don't recommend the
suppositories).

Dr. Jeff Herndon <JHERNDON@Gems.VCU.EDU>, resident assistant professor
at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth
University's Medical College, says Preparation-H should *NOT* be used
for tattoos:

According to the 1995 Drug Facts & Comparisons (Olin, et al., Facts and
Comparisons Inc.: St Louis, 1995; p 540-541) the list of ingredients
for Preparation-H are as follows:
- Live yeast cell derivative supplying 2000 units of skin respiratory
factor per ounce
- 3% shark liver oil
- 1:10000 phenyl mercuric nitrate
Facts and Comparisons goes on to say that shark liver oil (similar to
cod liver oil) is used primarily as a carrier of the active ingredients
and as a protectant, forming a physical barrier on the skin. While this
may be helpful in the healing of hemorroids, it provides no benefit and
perhaps impedes the healing of new tattoos.
Furthermore, while phenylmercuric nitrate may have antiseptic
properties (similar to mercurichrome or tincture of iodine; neither of
which should be used on fresh tattoos) it possesses very little anti-
infective properties when compared to traditional antibacterial agents
(neosporin, baccitracin, etc.). Its use in such low quantities in
Preperation-H is possibly as a preservative (Facts and Comparisons,
1995, p. 540).
The active ingredient of Preparation-H is the skin respiratory factor
and this does nothing to relieve the itching and/or swelling associated
with a new tattoo. In fact, it is best to simply keep the area moist
and clean and to avoid picking the scabs or 'onion skin peel' that
develop--and refrain from using Preparation-H. Not only will it NOT
help your tattoo, it will actually probably do more harm than good. The
product was developed for hemorrhoidal tissue only.

Jeff adds simply: "I just can't figure why you'd want to spread yeast
cells on a tattoo."

the whole idea is to keep the skin moisterized, use NON fragranced lotion(important), if you cant pick one, ask your artist. I was in the kitchen the morning after I got mine done (arm/chest) a few people smacked it, it hurt but no real harm.

One last thing, the reasoning behind not working out or hard labour is because sweat makes breeding grounds for bacteria or something like that and in extreme cases stretches your tattoo

^- Bang on! Great responses!

Another question; Why is NON-scented so important? What's wrong with scented lotions?

^^^ scented causes burning etc to sensitive skin.. which is what urs will be after a tat

same is suggested for cancer patients who receive radiation therapy


docotrs suggest...... ... cant remember what it is exactly (they reccommend 2 types) the 2nd type of lotion/brand is non-scented lubriderm

I was going to reply, but dhawes said everything I would have (minus the googling, which wasn't even necessary :lol)

IMO, all of these are questions you should ask your tattoo artist, not anyone else.

survive..LOL maybe ill survive long enough to stop by ur place for some rolls and asahi =P

The one I've heard recommended most often is the non-scented Vaseline petroleum jelly. It's what my girlfriend uses after her tattoos and it seems to help quite well.

shouldn't you have asked your artist all this BEFORE booking a tattoo?

No matter what cream you use, use very little at a time. You don't want your skin to by shiny. Use a tiny little bit, and apply throughout the day. I used a bit too much once, and my demon got a big zit on his head :lol

[QUOTE=Obsideon;6569773]I just got a few quick questions.
I've heard many different aspects about tattoos.
Can anyone confirm or disprove them?

1) Shouldn't drink any alcohol - unless youre loser pissed you should be ok. i always have a few drinks before i go.
2) Shouldn't smoke any cigarettess - not true
3) Shouldn't smoke any weed - not true
4) Don't let anyone slap or punch that area incase of bruising - true
5) use Preparation H for faster healing - true. moisturize at least once per day untill it is fully healed which could be up to a week.
6) Apply only weak dryskin cream

you want to keep it dry and clean. after u shower pat it down right away and then apply moisturizer. not excessive amounts of moisturizer either - just enough to get the job done. The tattoo will feel like a pretty good sun burn but it won't be that uncomfortable. Make sure nobody slaps or punches you in that area because it might disrupt the healing process.

someone told me they compared going baked and not baked and it hurts more when your high?

Everyone has their tricks and secrets about helping their tattoos heal. Some swear by not applying any moisturizer at all and just letting it heal naturally while others stress out daily over different moisturizers during the healing process.

The best advice I can give is to keep it clean and don't pick the scabs. Wash the area with regular soap and pat dry. It will get itchy but the majority of your tattoo will be healed within a week, regardless of how you care for it.

Since you work in the food industry, i'd be cautious around food preparation. Afterall, no one wants salmon sashimi with scab sprinkles.

Once more piece of advice. Make sure you eat a good meal and drink plenty of water prior to your tattoo session. Nothing worse than the pain of a tattoo mixed with the pain of an empty stomach. :thumbsup:

i used vaseline intensive care unscented extra strength lotion

or just be different and don't get a tattoo!

your fine as long as you dont get yur ass tattooed...

i was actually gonan get the canadian/cannabis flag on my ass later this year lolol