What can you do with that body art that just isn't... Well, it just isn't art! Or it just isn't you anymore. Either from bad choices, bad application or improper aftercare don't think you are stuck with wearing ugly 'art'!
Remember Uncle's tattoos from the War? What a green blob they became? That blob is a result of a number of factors. First of all is pigment. Pigment of that era was rather primitive and the results were primitive too. People also had no idea of what UV rays were doing to those molecules of pigment and over the years the unrefined pigment spread and the 'blob' resulted.
Today tattooers work with much more sophisticated pigments that hold their color and hold their position in the skin. We understand the effects of UV rays. Be it sun rays or tanning bed rays UV can actually breakdown the pigment which dissapates into the body's waste system. White and yellow are the first pigments to say 'caio' and disappear under UV abuse. When your artist says 'sunscreen/block' they aren't just whistlin' Dixie, folks! Tanned skin and tattoos are not friends!
The first few weeks after a newly applied tattoo can be crucial to the long term look of the piece. Ocean, pools, hot tubs, sand exposure and sun exposure in this critical time can damage the tattoo for life. Bacteria can enter the body with serious health consequences (remember the Advertiser's article on what is alive in our ocean beaches??).
Sun exposure on new bodyart can blow out line work resulting in nice 'fuzzy' tattoos. Great if you are a teddy bear! Listen to the person you trusted with your skin (you DID go to a qualified, licensed professional, right??) and follow proper aftercare. That is step one to a quality tattoo!
Well, maybe it isn't really step one. Step one is making a good decision on what you want permanently as a part of you. As I've said for years, Mom, Dad, kids are forever....relationships are NOT! But what if...oh, just what if in a weak moment you crossed that line and there for all the world to see is THAT person's name on you? And now you have met THE ONE? sigh. I see it almost every day where I work. Sheepish grins followed by 'what can we do about this' as they slowly reveal their foolishness!
'Amy' still haunting....now almost buried under the four feathers.....GONE for good now!
Maybe you got a 'deal' on a tattoo...the person had just started and for a small fee they would be happy to work on you. A bargain? Oh Boy! Until you look at what they are doing and OMG!! I've seen skin so damaged and so scarred from inexperienced 'tattooers' that a coverups become a real challenge. Yikes! You have one body so why entrust it to a beginner? You get what you pay for!
Tattoos are like parachutes...you can buy good or you can buy cheap.
When a person takes that step to rectify a bad tattoo they should take their time. Visit a few shops and talk with the staff. View pictures of before and after coverup work. Don't just take Mr/Ms. I-can-do-anything's word for it....see their work in pictures!!
I've heard of shops telling people they need an entire 'sleeve' to cover up a 3" sun!! (It was covered by using the sun as the center tribal burst in a celtic cross for much much less than a 'sleeve') On the other hand I hear people exclaim when told the price of the cover up...'but I only paid $50 for this!" And you are here to cover it up, yeah?
Nasty small tattoo visible in upper section of hibiscus...outline and shading of coverup completed. Second picture........Now THAT'S a lady's tattoo!
I would be remiss not to mention the refined tattoo removal techniques available today. In the right hands laser removal can be quite successful. Body location of old or bad tattoos may warrant this avenue. Hand, finger, neck tattoos may keep you from the right job. Even a nice coverup doesn't solve this situation. (remember in a prior article where I said 'think before you ink' ?)
If you choose laser work, again expect to view before and after photos. The medical personnel will ask you questions regarding the origin of the tattoo that will aide them in proper removal techniques. Some pigments lend themselves to easier removal. And NO I am not an advocate of the new pigments being touted as easier to remove!! More on that in a later column.
Whatever your reason for not being happy with what is under your skin....don't think you are stuck with it. Visit a qualified experienced professional and take care of it!
