Tattoos

+1 for Norbert, worked with him this year- great tattooer lovely guy!

Dakin did you get your Mandela tattoo yet?

http://www.helltopaytattoos.com/

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=670230093016705&set=a.665614310144950.1073741840.574089979297384&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=718116214868281&set=a.420184561328116.105895.419246664755239&type=1&theater

found a few!

Anyone have a knee tattoo?
I'm considering one, just wondered about healing times/ longevity.
I have an elbow tattoo thats faired well, but is noticeably lighter on the tip of the elbone.
I remember having a fat elbow for a few days, but it's easier to not use an arm than it is a leg.

Sure it'll be fine just wear loose jeans/trackies for a bit. Cling film for first 3 days. Touch up if needed.

I want my knees done. Not sure if they're too knobbly though. I'd quite like a roaring bear or a tiger or one of each. Worried would be a bit wizard of Oz though (I do also already have a lion as part of my right sleeve)

Also take ibuprofen and arnica tablets to reduce swelling and bruising.

Also take ibuprofen and arnica tablets to reduce swelling and bruising.
Ibuprofen. Which has a common side effect of causing bruising.

And arnica, which has no side-effects. Or any effects, for that matter.

thought ibup was anti-inflammatory?

Not heard of it causing bruises except in isolated cases and when combined with other druqs..

I got one of my knees tattooed, I think it's a bit more than two years ago now. That's not long, but it's healed in well and doesn't look like it's going anywhere.

Swelling was pretty bad for a few days but not unbearable, didn't stop me getting on with things really from what I remember.

got this on me leg done by Oliver Whiting. Mandala and some of the shading is hand poked and the rest is machine.

Sure it'll be fine just wear loose jeans/trackies for a bit. Cling film for first 3 days. Touch up if needed.

I want my knees done. Not sure if they're too knobbly though. I'd quite like a roaring bear or a tiger or one of each. Worried would be a bit wizard of Oz though (I do also already have a lion as part of my right sleeve)

Cling film for three days? I've never kept cling film on for more than an hour or so after a tattoo. As far as I know, it's to keep it from weeping and sticking to your clothes when it's fresh; I've always gone home and washed it up with soap and water. Aquaphor or similar for a day or two depending on the size and then just lotion. Keep it clean, give it air and treat it like a minor skin abrasion has worked brilliantly for me over all the body I've covered.

Maybe the knees are different, but that seems like it would keep a tattoo from healing. I've never touched up a tattoo in over twenty years and certainly not from the healing process.

Painted ladies: why women get tattoos - http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2013/dec/13/painted-ladies-why-women-get-tattoos-inked

Ibuprofen. Which has a common side effect of causing bruising.

And arnica, which has no side-effects. Or any effects, for that matter.

Anti inflammatory for the swelling. The skin is traumatised and the ibuprofen helps.

I've found a distinct difference in the amount of bruising when using arnica and when not.

Also as topical cream in healing boxing related bruising it really helps.

Cling film for three days? I've never kept cling film on for more than an hour or so after a tattoo. As far as I know, it's to keep it from weeping and sticking to your clothes when it's fresh; I've always gone home and washed it up with soap and water. Aquaphor or similar for a day or two depending on the size and then just lotion. Keep it clean, give it air and treat it like a minor skin abrasion has worked brilliantly for me over all the body I've covered.

Maybe the knees are different, but that seems like it would keep a tattoo from healing. I've never touched up a tattoo in over twenty years and certainly not from the healing process.

You'll find quite a lot of artists will recommend cling film for a few at least a day or so. I change it a few hours after the tattoo is finished. Wash with soap and water. Then rewrap with cling film and repeat that. Change in the evening before bed then again in the morning. It stops the tattoo drying out and forming a scab. Also has the advantage of stopping clothing or sheets from rubbing or getting stuck to you/covered in blood, ink etc.

After that I use bepanthen. For almost a week. Then moisturiser usually e45 for a month.

I've never needed touch ups either but I know some people have had issues with elbows and knees.

i have both my knees done, and i used the cling film for three days, they have healed very well and didnot need any touching up. The knee got swollen pretty bad but it was still usable, could still ride my bike.

Fair enough, whatever works for people.

I'm a convert to the cling film method too. Don't let it dry out for even a minute and it heals much quicker.

I usually remove the cling film when I get home, clean it with soap and water, let it air dry and then wrap it again for sleeping. Clean it again in the morning, let it air dry again and then use bepanthen from then on for a week or so, then E45.

I guess everyone heals differently though, It also depends on the artist. Chad destroyed my arm and it took months to heal ( was in my elbow ditch though so that probably had an effect) were as work i've had by Stefano seems to heal in a matter of days.

My elbow ditch hinge healed quickly and with no issues

Everyone has their own experience I guess

Cling film for first 48 hours, change three times a day.
Then moisturise regularly for next 2-3 weeks.
SORTED.
All of mine have healed really well including my hand which is an area prone to drop out.

Both my elbows have been fine bone and ditch. Also easy to do, don't know why so many people leave them blank.

I've only had difficulty with healing red ink. Tends to take a lot longer and itch more. Antihistamines helped that last time tho. Also avoiding starbrite red ink.

I just got work from Pablo Speranza in Buenos Aires (hard to get decent pics on my skinny wrists) but I tried a different method while healing this time -- cling film for 3 days with a few washes a day. Took the wrap off this morning to apply some bepanthon and it is in fantastic condition and can see it will barely scab at all. Will definitely follow this routine in future.

Bushido Vader - Stephan Saunders , Fredericksburg VA

Might be a long shot, but anyone had any experience of good studios in NZ? My brother and I are trying to find somewhere - first for both of us so looking for somewhere patient and happy to talk through loads, run through previous work and all that.

Going to be something very simple and geometric, but big. Studio suggestions appreciated...

Send pinkgottimobbs on here a pm. He deserted us to go live there and has tats