Here are some really cool tattoo links for designs
Chopper-Tattoo - Huge Tattoo Gallery!
Tattoo Me Now
Tattoo My Brain - Over 6,000 Tattoo Designs
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Tattoo Removal
Ok, so you got a tattoo and now you have decided for whatever reason to have it removed. Below are some of the ways to have it removed. No one method is 100%, as more then likely you will have some scarring and there is always the chance not all the color will be removed.
Methods of Tattoo Removal
There are several excellent methods of tattoo removal available today. The method that the physician chooses will depend upon the size of the tattoo and its location as well as the length of time it has been on the skin. How the patient heals may also be a factor in the decision.
Excision
Another popular method of tattoo removal especially when the dyed area is small is by excision. The advantage of this method is that the entire tattoo can be removed. With larger tattoos, however, it may be necessary to excise in stages, removing the center of it initially and the sides at a later date.
Excision involves an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area after which the tattoo is removed surgically. The edges are then brought together and sutured. With this procedure, there is minimal bleeding which is easily controlled with electrocautery. In some cases involving large tattoos, a skin graft taken from another part of the body may be necessary.
Excision
Dermabrasion
Another method of tattoo removal is called dermabrasion in which a small portion of the tattoo is sprayed with a solution that freezes the area. The tattoo is then "sanded" with a rotary abrasive instrument causing the skin to peel. Because some bleeding is likely to occur, a dressing is immediately applied to the area.
Dermabrasion
Laser
In recent times, many physicians consider laser surgery one of the best methods of tattoo removal . Today, the Q-switched Nd:Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby are among the most frequently used lasers today for the removal of unwanted tattoos. They are all employed in a similar manner. If necessary, a cream to numb the skin can be applied prior to the treatment. Pulses of light from the laser are directed onto the tattoo breaking up the tattoo pigment. Over the next several weeks the body's scavenger cells remove the treated pigmented areas. More then one treatment is usually necessary to remove all of the tattoo.
Laser
Salabrasion
Salabrasion, a procedure which is centuries old, is a method still sometimes used today to remove tattoos. As with the other methods, a local anesthetic is used on and around the tattooed area after which a solution of ordinary tap water dipped in table salt is applied. An abrading apparatus such as the one used with dermabrasion, or an even simpler device such as a wooden block wrapped in gauze, is used to vigorously abrade the area. When the area becomes deep red in color, a dressing is applied.
Salabrasion
What Results Can Be Expected?
Regardless of which method of tattoo removal is used, some scarring or color variations are likely to remain. Healing time varies depending upon the size and depth of the tattoo, the procedure used and the patient's healing process. It is important for the patient to discuss with the physician the various procedures, how they are performed, and the probable results. Care of the treated area must also be discussed.
Copyright © 2000 Contemporary Health Communications, Earth City, Missouri (Commercial use strictly prohibited)
Methods of Tattoo Removal
There are several excellent methods of tattoo removal available today. The method that the physician chooses will depend upon the size of the tattoo and its location as well as the length of time it has been on the skin. How the patient heals may also be a factor in the decision.
Excision
Another popular method of tattoo removal especially when the dyed area is small is by excision. The advantage of this method is that the entire tattoo can be removed. With larger tattoos, however, it may be necessary to excise in stages, removing the center of it initially and the sides at a later date.
Excision involves an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area after which the tattoo is removed surgically. The edges are then brought together and sutured. With this procedure, there is minimal bleeding which is easily controlled with electrocautery. In some cases involving large tattoos, a skin graft taken from another part of the body may be necessary.
Excision
Dermabrasion
Another method of tattoo removal is called dermabrasion in which a small portion of the tattoo is sprayed with a solution that freezes the area. The tattoo is then "sanded" with a rotary abrasive instrument causing the skin to peel. Because some bleeding is likely to occur, a dressing is immediately applied to the area.
Dermabrasion
Laser
In recent times, many physicians consider laser surgery one of the best methods of tattoo removal . Today, the Q-switched Nd:Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby are among the most frequently used lasers today for the removal of unwanted tattoos. They are all employed in a similar manner. If necessary, a cream to numb the skin can be applied prior to the treatment. Pulses of light from the laser are directed onto the tattoo breaking up the tattoo pigment. Over the next several weeks the body's scavenger cells remove the treated pigmented areas. More then one treatment is usually necessary to remove all of the tattoo.
Laser
Salabrasion
Salabrasion, a procedure which is centuries old, is a method still sometimes used today to remove tattoos. As with the other methods, a local anesthetic is used on and around the tattooed area after which a solution of ordinary tap water dipped in table salt is applied. An abrading apparatus such as the one used with dermabrasion, or an even simpler device such as a wooden block wrapped in gauze, is used to vigorously abrade the area. When the area becomes deep red in color, a dressing is applied.
Salabrasion
What Results Can Be Expected?
Regardless of which method of tattoo removal is used, some scarring or color variations are likely to remain. Healing time varies depending upon the size and depth of the tattoo, the procedure used and the patient's healing process. It is important for the patient to discuss with the physician the various procedures, how they are performed, and the probable results. Care of the treated area must also be discussed.
Copyright © 2000 Contemporary Health Communications, Earth City, Missouri (Commercial use strictly prohibited)
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Tattoo Aftercare
How you take care of your tattoo after it is done is almost as important as picking an artist and shop. They are very easy to care for, but if you go in a pool or get sun on it right after it is done, then the work will suffer. Below is a general after care guideline.
Tattoo After Care
How to care for your tattoo...
1. If your tattoo has been wrapped, leave the wrapping on for one hour. If it has been covered with a bandage, leave the bandage on for 2 hours. Otherwise, go to step 2.
2. After removing the dressing or in one hour, gently wash your tattoo with your
fingertips using warm water and anti-bacterial soap.
DO NOT use a wash cloth or sponge on a new tattoo for 2 weeks.
3. Rinse off and pat dry with a soft cloth (DO NOT WIPE).
You will need to "pat dry" your new tattoo for the next 2 weeks. Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor to the tattooed area 4 times a day for 3 days.
4. On the 4th day, switch to Curel lotion. Apply Curel lotion periodically if the tattoo feels dry and/or tight. Use the lotion as needed for the next few days.
Keep your tattoo moist and clean at all times until it is completely healed.
5. If your tattoo starts flaking or scabbing, DO NOT pick or scratch at it. Let the tattoo flake off on it's own.
6. DO NOT put a covering (i.e. bandage) on your new tattoo.
The more air that you tattoo receives, the faster it will heal.
7. DO NOT expose your new tattoo to the sun for the first 2 weeks.
8. DO NOT soak your new tattoo for the first 2 weeks.
No baths (showers are fine), hot tubs, swimming pools, saunas or the ocean.
9. For the best results and color retention, always apply spf 45 or higher
sunscreen to your new tattoo, after it has healed, when ever the tattoo is going to be exposed to the sun.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Thinking about getting a tattoo?
So, your thinking about getting a tattoo, there are a few things you should consider before you get one. We will cover each of these in different blogs, so for today we will start with tattoo designs.
The main thing to remember is once you get a tattoo it is on you forever. Yes, there are ways of having them removed, but they are costly and can leave scarring. You want a tattoo that is you, not one that everyone else has. A tattoo should in my opinion be unique like the person that is getting it. There are lots of tattoo designs out there and any of them can be turned into a custom piece. It will all depend on the artist you choose and what you can afford.
Tattoo's can be cheap at some shops, but honestly you get what you paid for. If you just want someone that can copy and color then that isn't a tattoo done by an artist. A true tattoo artist will start with what you give them and work the design so it is your design, no one else will have your design. They will color and shade it so it is what you want, not what the shop wants. Take the picture above, that is one of my custom tattoo's done by Reb at Tat2U in Palm Harbor, FL. I showed him a very grainy picture and told him color wise what I was looking for. A few days later he had the tattoo all drawn up and colored for me to look at before I made my final decision. Reb has done all my tattoo's and I would recommend him to anyone, he truly is a gifted artist. You can check out his work at tat2uonline.com
What I would recommend to anyone thinking about getting a tattoo is to really research what you want from a tattoo. What do you want to have on your body? Where do you want it? How big do you want it? A lot of people just say hey I want a tattoo and end up getting something they later regret, but with a lot of thought and research you don't have to regret getting one. One thing I don't recommend getting are names. Girlfriends, wives, husbands, boyfriends and what not can come and go out of your life. Do you really want say George's name on you ten years after he dumped you?? Out of all of mine I only have one that has a name. It is a breast cancer ribbon with my favorite and my mom's favorite flowers. It has Mom on it as she will always be my mom and she fought and won her battle with breast cancer.
My main point of this blog is to really think about what you want and if 20 years down the road if you will still like it or will you wish you never got it. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me
Friday, May 18, 2007
Welcome to the Tattoo corner
I love tattoo's and have a lot of them. I know trying to find something you like isn't that easy. If you go to a good artist they can take that and come up with some really good custom designs. Flash is the term used for premade designs. A lot of tattoo's start with one little piece of flash and grow from that. Ok, well at least one of mine did...lol The above picture is one of mine that started out with a tiny little rose. I will post other pictures as time goes on.
In future blogs I will be posting stuff on what to expect when getting a tat, tat care, what to look for in an artist and shop.
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