Tattoos

I might pop there next weekend

This weekend isnt much use to me, I'm working during the day on Saturday, then going to Herne Hill after work for some cyclocross with christine (watching, not competing!). Maybe the weekend of November 6th?

Or maybe next Thursday? I have Thursdays off. Whats your schedule like?

I have Vol. I and III of the books so I am looking forward to seeing the original drawings.

I'm at Herne Hill too, hopefully on gears because I'll be injured and drunk! You going to Dark Times after? Dancing in cleats, niiice. Weekend of the 6th sounds sweet.

Thursday day is good, I have weight lifting in the evening.

What's Dark Times?

Lets aim for the weekend of the 6th then. Maybe a spin before / after? With a pint somewhere along the way, of course.

Lileth you want to join up with us?

Dark Times! - highly recommended!

I'd love to but I promised to take my boyfriend this weekend or the next!

Excited. First tattoo this Sat at Shangri-la.

My only worry is that I'm going surfing for 3 days on the 10th. I'm guessing that eleven days will be ok for it to heal?

Any suggestions as to how to protect it? Going to the Canary Islands, but still I'm guessing I'll be wearing a suit this time of year.

Cheers.

I wouldnt recommand getting tattooed then going surfing, cos depsite how your tattoo may look on the surface doesn't mean it's healed.

spend money on cars

burn the infidel!

^^ that's what I was worried about...

The internet seems to say 2-3weeks. I was hoping 10 days would be enough.

hummmm... guess I've got to decide whether to reschedule or not.

What is the worst case senario?

Infection probably, blurriness at a later date etc

Do you honestly want to pay good wage of money on a tattoo only to possibly fuck it up later?

No not really. The whole surf holiday timing has been a bit of a fuck up on my part...

...guess I'll call them now to see if it's too late to change a date without loosing my deposite.

Got to say, to date, tattoos seem like a massive hassle :(

**This can vary to different people's aftercare, including mine but the main things are noted here **

Tattoo Aftercare
Do:
Leave the tattoo bandaged for a minimum of 3 hours and no longer than 12 hours.
Remove bandage under warm running water. If bandage is stuck to the tattoo, gently remove it while under running water, therefore reducing the risk of damaging the tattoo.
Once bandage is removed, using an unscented soap, wash the tattoo off well with your hand and warm soapy water.
When done washing the tattoo off, gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel and allow the tattoo to air dry for about 5-10 minutes.
Apply Curel (Ultra healing/Fragrance free) or other unscented dry skin lotion to the tattoo 4-6 times a day.
The lotion can be applied to the tattoo about 3-4 times daily for about 10-14 days or until the tattoo is completely done peeling.
Somewhere between 3 and 6 days, the tattoo will start to flake off like tissue paper. Do not pick at or scratch. Let the skin peel naturally. You will notice small pieces of dry skin containing color coming off while using the lotion or washing the tattoo. This is normal - it is just the top layer of dead skin coming off. Your tattoo is not disappearing.
Do Not:
Re-bandage the tattoo once the bandage is completely removed.
Allow direct sunlight on tattoo for first 2-3 weeks.
Pick or scratch tattoo while it is peeling.
Soak the tattoo for 2 weeks.
Swim, take a bath, or enter a hot tub or sauna for 2 weeks or until the tattoo is completely peeled.
Shave or wax the area until tattoo is completely healed.
Apply alcohol, Vaseline (petroleum jelly) or sun block to fresh tattoo.
Put too much faith in commonsense advice: If you have questions, call or visit the artist that did your tattoo!
Some extra stuff:
Once you leave the shop, proper care of your tattoo is your responsibility.
Small amounts of color may appear on clothing or sheets for first few days.
When tattoo is peeling, color will appear in pieces of dry skin.
If the tattoo is in an area where it can be exposed to the air, allow it to breathe. Allowing the tattoo to breathe will help the healing. Your body and oxygen are going to heal the tattoo.
If possible, wear loose fitting clothing over tattoo and be careful not to suffocate tattoo with socks or pantyhose.

Cheers for that. I've read similar, but it's good to have it in one lump.

The sun doesn't worry me too much as it'll be on my ribs, so fairly well protected from direct sunlight. It's being in the sea with a wetsuit on.

Oh well time to call and see what the deal is.

I just read up more, they say not to use sun factor cream on new tattoo just yet

I'd say call and ask them what their advice is.

As a fellow surfer, I have to say, it depends on how you heal. I surfed in Bali 12 days after some work and it had pretty much healed before this so there are no signs of any damage to it. Are you having the whole thing done or just the outline? If it is the outline only, I personally wouldn't worry too much. However, if there is any colour involved, including solid black, I would be more cautious for sure. Make sure you use plenty of high factor sun cream as well as UV will fade the colour of a fresh tattoo very quickly.

Where you going in The Canaries? I'm doing my annual Corralejo trip on the 21st Nov. Actually, I've just realised, this is only 10 days after my next session but mine is dotwork only and will have healed pretty well.

Called and posponed.

The artist didn't seem that happy. Which is to be expected. I'd be a bit pissed if someone called me up the day before to cancel.

oh well, at least my disappointment means I really want it. Which is good. Plus it free's up my weekend.

Just by way of info, the reason the sea is a no-no, is becasue the salt water restricts the healing process. The suntan cream is also a good point.

Thanks agin for the info.

RE: sunlight

What are some bad things for my new tattoo?
SUNLIGHT
Well, unfortunately it is. The newer inks are better at resisting fading but whatever you do, if you spend lots of time in bright sunlight your tattoos will fade (over a lifetime, not over a week). Try and keep them out of bright sunlight and use sunblock.
Did you know that your tan is your skin's way of dealing with the damage caused by the sun? It's like the formation of a scab when you have a cut. You will pay for your years of sun exposure when you are in your 40s and 50s. Leathery, wrinkled, dry skin with freckles and liver spots. Melanoma. Skin cancer. Regular visits to the dermatologist. Be cautious!
Tanning booths are not good for you! They are not regulated by the FDA, and the staff that work at these salons have been known to give out patently false information. Many salon operators will suggest dosages far exceeding industry recommendations, and the FDA would actually prefer that these booths be banned altogether. Do not believe the salon operators who tell you there is NO damage caused by their UV rays. There are indications that tanning booths emit rays that cause the type of damage that only shows up years later, when it is difficult to fault any one operator. Their industry motto is "tan safe." There is no such thing as a SAFE tan, folks. Sorry.
The following is information about suncare and sunblock, as well as some specific brand recommendations by RAB readers:
Use products that do not clog your pores. If your sunblock
makes you break out or feel itchy, this may be the cause.
Avoid sunblock containing PABA, apparently found to be carcinogenic.
"SPF" stands for Sun Protection Factor. If you can normally stay out
for ten minutes without getting sunburnt, then an SPF 2 should protect
you for 20 minutes, SPF 6 for 60 minutes, etc. HOWEVER, this
does 'not mean an SPF 30 will let you stay out for five hours with
just one coat. Keep your exposure limited to the minimum amounts,
and always use an extra strong sunblock with at least SPF 30 for your
tattoo.
"Waterproof" and "sweatproof" sunblocks protect you while in water.
However, reflections from the water add to your exposure. Make
sure you use a high SPF number, and always re-apply your sunblock when
coming out of the water.
Sunblock is not just for the beach! Make it a habit to carry one with
you during the sunnier months so you can protect your tattoo always!
The Watermelon Stick from the Body Shop is nice and portable, but in a
pinch, a tube of lip balm (Blistik, etc.) will work, as long as it has
an SPF. Dab a bit on your tattoo whenever you will be outside.
Products recommended by some RABbits:
Banana Boat for Kids - SPF 50.
Banana Boat's SPF 50, for Extra Sesitive Skin
"Deep Cover" Super Sunblock
Body Shop's Watermelon Stick
Bullfrog Moisturizing Formula - Body Lotion (not the Gel Formula).
Neutrogena's Senisitive Skin SPF 17
Schering-Plough's "Shade Sunblock" in various SPFs.

I personally wouldnt swim, wear a wetsuit or go in the sun so soon, surfer or not. But it's postponed and you'll know you did everything to make sure your new tattoo is epic

^^ I'm going just near Corralejo - last min change ment accomadation was a mission, going to natural surf camp in Lajares. Do you usually rent a car? Any tips?

The tat is black and green - leaves and text basically. Not huge, a hand spread out, but big enough and with enough detailed to look shit if all goes wrong.

I just read up more, they say not to use sun factor cream on new tattoo just yet

I'd say call and ask them what their advice is.

To be fair, most aftercare instructions are based around what works without causing any infections or loss of colour. Sun creams are known to cause skin reactions in lots of people, acne etc. so will be bad for a tattoo. However, if you know your skin is ok with a particular cream use it when in the sun to prevent sun damage to your tattoo, and more importantly, your skin. As long as you wash the area after sun exposure, and then follow your normal aftercare you should be ok.

Would you put suncream on road rash?

Until the epidermis has healed a tattoo is still a wound and should really be treated as such.

Still a risk I'd rather not take.

I use Nivea, cos I know it doesn't cause anything when I holiday at my family's in Portugal even after I was tattooed, but I left it a good few months between.

Would you put suncream on road rash?

Until the epidermis has healed a tattoo is still a wound and should really be treated as such.

Eeeexactly.

If you're up for the death tubes like "the bubble" definitely hire a car and head round the north track on the island. There's about 15 known breaks in a 5 mile area between Majanicho and Corralejo, although most are shallow and sharp lava reef. Cotillo is a lovely big beach near Lajares but closes out easily. The Harbour in Corralejo is my favourite left anywhere, being a reef/point break and relatively forgiving. Having a car gives you the option of seeing a bit more of the island and you can go to the beach whenever you want so definitely recommended.

There's loads online about where to go but if you need any more info pm me and I'll do my best for you.

i personally wouldnot worry too much, a well made tattoo isnot destroyed that fast

bout time i posted mine up, its been two weeks now, and healing nicely
apologies for crap picture, doesnt do it justice in my opinion

Would you put suncream on road rash?

Until the epidermis has healed a tattoo is still a wound and should really be treated as such.

Totally agree and I wouldn't expose my tattoo to the sun if the healing wasn't quite well advanced. I was referring more to a 10 day old tattoo where I still think if you're going to be in the sun, I'd rather have a layer of sun cream on than Bepanthen.