The following information is FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
Contact your tattoo/piercing artist or health care professional for clarification or additional details.
TATTOO FAQ's
Q. Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt?
A. Pain is really relative. Everyone has a different tolerancy to pain. I'm not going to kid you, though - it does hurt. Just not that much. Some have compared it to a "hot scratching feeling". But, people would not be returning again and again for tattoo after tattoo if it hurt that bad! Most of us are not into pain, but the beauty of the tattoo and the pride associated with wearing it far outweighs a little pin-stick here and there.
Q. Is my Tattoo Infected?
A. If you think your tattoo (or piercing) might be infected, don't sit around waiting for it to get worse! Signs of infection are severe pain, hot redness, swelling and/or a puss discharge (with or without the presence of blood), or a foul odor emanating from the area. Infection that is not properly tended to can result in serious health consequences and even death. It is not something to be taken lightly. See your doctor immediately. We are all susceptible to Staph infections - the bacteria that causes it resides on our bodies and just waits for an opportunity to take hold, like in a fresh new tattoo or piercing wound.
Q. Lower Back Tattoos and Epidurals?
A. There are no conclusions and no proof to substantiate this theory. BME quickly dismisses this as an urban legend, but one pervasive enough that even doctors have been known to believe it. Tattooz.net's medical expert says, "The needle would go through the epidermis, dermis and into the areas where the anesthesia is infiltrated without difficulty", but wisely advises that anyone in this situation get personal professional advice from their own anesthesiologist.
Q. Can I Donate Blood if I Have a Tattoo?
A. One of the reasons for this is because of the increasing popularity of body art - if you've had a tattoo or piercing within the last year, you are not eligible to donate blood in most states, according to their rules.
Q. Why is my Tattoo Peeling and Flaking Off?
A. Peeling and flaking of a new tattoo is perfectly normal. Before it actually begins to peel, the tattoo will look like it's covered with a whitish, cracking film. Then you'll see white or translucent flakes of old, dead skin start to peel off and some of the flakes may even contain some ink. Sometimes you can actually see a duplicate image of part of your tattoo peeling off - it's rather disconcerting, but it is also perfectly normal and there is no need to panic. It's a lot like a snake shedding its skin. Just add a little lotion (a LITTLE) to the tattoo to help keep it moist and encourage those flakes to come off. Do NOT scratch, pick or peel them. It will all be done in a few days and the color of your tattoo will start to return to normal.
Q. Can a Mole be Tattooed Over?
A. Although moles are usually benign and we go through life ignoring them, there is always the possibility that a mole could serve as an indicator of cancer. This makes the preservation of a mole important. One of the ways a mole can indicate a problem is by changing color. If it has been tattooed over with pigment, it may hinder your ability to spot any color differences.
Q. What Tattoo Should I Get and Where Should I Put it?
A. This is all a matter of personal taste. You can get whatever you want, and whatever your artist is willing to do. You can choose a picture off the wall, or you can have them create a custom piece just for you. Your only limit is your own imagination. As far as where you should get it goes, just keep in mind what you do for work and the type of social circles you are in. You might want to consider placing your tattoo where it can be easily covered up with normal clothing.
Q. How Much do Tattoos Cost?
A. When it comes to tattoos, you get what you pay for. Yes, there are plenty of people tattooing out there that will ink you cheap, and you'll be crying to a real artist to have it covered up. Look for quality, and be willing to pay for it. NEVER haggle over the price of a tattoo. It is disrespectful to the artist. If you can't pay for quality, don't bother. This is not a bargain bin. It is a piece of art you will wear for life
Q. Can I Shave Over a New Tattoo?
A. First of all, you can shave over a tattoo once it's healed - you just shave like you normally would as if the tattoo wasn't even there. But the key is knowing when the tattoo is healed enough to be shaved over.
Q. Are Tanning and Sunbathing OK with a Tattoo?
A. Sunbathing and tanning beds might be really tempting, but are not a wise choice if you have tattoos.
PIERCING FAQ's
Q. Is it gonna hurt?
A. Not nearly as much as you might think! In fact, the actual piercing is so brief that the worst part is the preceding mental anxiety and fear. And, no matter how the piercing felt, almost everyone who gets pierced can't help but laugh or smile when it's over. Don't get me wrong, piercing is not a painless experience--but pain is completely relative to the individual and the pain incurred during a piercing is nothing that the average person can't handle. Remember: the piercing process only lasts a split second, while the new addition to your body can be enjoyed as long as you like!
Q. How long will it take to heal?
A. That depends. Each area of the body has its own unique healing period and process. Oral and oral/facial piercings tend to heal fastest, while others tend to heal a bit slower. Also, every individual body heals and reacts to piercings in an individualized manner. So, your friend may have tackled an entire pizza a few days after getting a tongue piercing (which is HIGHLY unrecommended) while you, on the other hand, may still be spoon feeding yourself ice cream and soup after waiting the same amount of time. A general guideline for approximate healing times is as follows:Cartilage: 2 months-1 year
Earlobe: 6-8 weeks
Eyebrow: 6-8 weeks
Genitals: 4 weeks-6 months
Labret: 6-8 weeks
Lip: 6-8 weeks
Navel: 6 months-over 1 year
Nipple: 2-6 months
Nostril: 2 months-1 year
Septum: 6-8 weeks
Tongue: 4-6 weeks
Q. What can and can't I do during the healing period?
A. Basically, treat your piercing like what it is: a wound. Would you play rough sports or have rough encounters if you were wounded? Would you irritate a wound that is trying to heal? You should treat your fresh piercings as gently as possible--at all times, at all costs. This will insure that your body is healing your new piercing at the fastest rate possible. And always remember to wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap before touching your healing piercing. For further information regarding healing and aftercare please click on the 'Aftercare' link.
Q. How long before I can change the starter jewelry?
A. In accordance with healing, this time period can vary from person to person. There are two things to consider: the initial and full healing periods. The initial healing period is that time when the body creates a nice layer of skin between you and the starter jewelry. The full healing period is when the new piercing is entirely healed. Now, when deciding how long to wait before changing your jewelry you have to remember that you don’t want to reopen the wound. This will delay your healing process and require intense aftercare to prevent possible infection. And when you change your jewelry you are going to irritate your new piercing—no matter how gentle you are. So, our advice is to wait until the piercing is no longer tender (meaning, you can play with your piercing without experiencing ANY discomfort).
Q. How long can I keep my jewelry out?
A. This depends. Each piercing has a different lifespan without jewelry. For example, I removed my second tongue barbell to go to the dentist and after an hour and a half the hole closed up. On the other hand, I've kept my earlobe jewelry out for days without having my holes shrink or close-up. Bottom line, if you have to remove your jewelry, get a retainer. This will prevent any chance of losing the piercing.
Should I "spin" my jewelry when cleaning a new piercing, or will this drag bacteria into the wound and delay healing?
A. After receiving several inquiries concerning the effectiveness of "spinning" jewelry
during the cleaning process (for a fresh piercing), we researched and Tribalectic's
piercing-friendly medic, Dr. Janet L. H. Keating gave the following statement:
"Rotating or "spinning" the jewelry during healing will cut down on scabbing. If done with clean
hands, it should not increase the infection rate--though I have seen recommendations for minimal
handling. In other words--it is not necessary, but should not be harmful, if done properly."
Q. Should I use alcohol to clean my piercing?
A. DO NOT use any type of alcohol to clean your piercing. Alcohol is not meant for internal use, and will only irritate and further complicate the healing process.
Q. My piercing is red and seems to be infected ... what can I do?
A. First, make sure that you are NOT using Bactine, alcohol, or Neosporin. The largest amount of complaints come from those who use these products to heal their piercings. Second, make sure that you are only using antibacterial or antimicrobial soap and sea salt to clean your piercing.
Q. How long should I wait before stretching my piercing?
A. It's a good idea to wait at least 3 times as long as the healing period before attempting to stretch. This is only a General Rule, so sometimes you can go faster, sometimes slower. It's always a good idea to let your piercer do the stetching as the right tools for the job make it a lot easier.
Q. Will I have a problem breast feeding if my nipples are pierced?
A. As long as the piercing are well healed one would not have a problem with breast feeding. The nipple has plenty of cells of mammory glands. If the piercing is at the base of the nipple, jewelry doesn't matter. Alot of people choose barbells so they can remove them during feeding. Some leave them in.
Q. My tongue is really white and there seems to be a whitish ring around my piercing ... what should I do?
A. This is often caused by too much mouth wash. If you are using mouth wash too frequently and/or it contains alcohol E.G. listerene, it can destroy the layer of healthy bacteria on the top of your tongue. If this is the case I would suggest that you use the mouth wash less frequently or dilute your mouth wash with 50 percent water. You can also switch to a salt water mixture. 1/4 teaspoon of non iodized sea salt to 8 oz. of water.
