AboutThe GYPSY - Professional Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer Expertise I can accept questions on proper tattooing and piercing procedures, including but not limited to, licensing, sterilization, studio promotion, safety, what to look for in an artist/studio, aftercare, apprenticeship, studio management and proper design/piercing placement. I can also rate artistic quality. We also can answer questions on tattoo/piercing resources, ie; books, videos, studios and artists/piercers. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE ASKING YOUR QUESTION: I will NOT answer "How To" questions. If you want to know how to tattoo or pierce do the right thing and seek out a formal apprenticeship. Tattooing and piercing are not a "Learn On Your Own" professions. ALSO: Please DO NOT ask me about tattoo or piercing prices. Rates vary from region to region. You will need to check with studios in your area for their current rates.
Experience
Past/Present clients I tattoo/pierce over 1200 people per year. Multiply that by 31 years and I have tattooed and/or pierced approx. 37,200 people.
The GYPSY founder of Skin Art Creations Tattoo Emporium® is a State of Kansas licensed Tattoo & Piercing Artist & Trainer and has been in the Tattoo & Piercing Industry since 1976. He is a Professional Member of APT (Alliance of Professional Tattooist), and has taken and passed the APT Tattoo Mastery Test. His formal art training and experience has helped him win numerous awards both Nationally and Internationally. The GYPSY's art has been exhibited in museums World wide, including the Smithsonian. He has also appeared on television, documentaries, albums, radio talk shows and in numerous magazines. Along with his Wife Debbie they have developed and maintained numerous projects including resource and shopping sites. WE INVITE YOU TO VIST THESE SITES: www.ubtat2d.com - www.ablazable.com - www.emerald-city.us - www.sekpress.net - www.freaky-links.com and www.pluribusunum.net
Question I just recieved a colored tattoo spanning the entire length of the backside of my forearm (just the backside, so 50% of my whole forearm wrist to elbow.) It was my first tattoo and it did not hurt as much as I thought, I will explain why I told you that later...
I read tattoo aftercare and used a mild antibacterial hand soap (non fregrance, non irritating, just simple.). I just attempted to wash my tattoo with very very light no pressure circles using my hand, very very light. the soap started to turn blue and so I washed it off immediately. My tattoo appeared less blue after being washed but I have read that the scabbing period will make it seem less dull.
My thoughts are the blue could have been the excess sharpy marker my artist used to draw on the design, or perhaps the actual tattoo itself... I do not want to sound paranoid since this is my first tattoo. Back to my comment before with the tattoo not hurting that bad, could it be possible that artist did not push hard enough to sink the ink deep enough into my arm, so now when I washed it I washed it off? I have no intention of using the soap again and have also discontinued using generic frangrance free non irritating lotion (very thin thin coat as my artist suggested.) To stay properly hydrated so the tattoo doesn't dry out too bad I have just resolved to drink gallons and gallons of water.
Am I just freaking out or is this normal? What should I continue to use lotion, soap, both, nothing???
Answer Mark,
You should NOT be washing the tattoo as it has a tendency to take out pigment, knock off the protective crust and remove essential oils that the tattoo needs for proper healing. You should also not be using any form of lotion on your tattoo as lotions contain many of the same components that tattoo pigment contains and may actually draw out the pigment from the skin as well as block the pores keeping the skin from breathing properly.
Without seeing the tattoo I cannot tell you if it was done properly. What I can tell you is this; Too light a touch and the tattoo will not hold, too heavy and it will not hold and scar.
