Post Punk Kitchen Forum

I don't use ANYTHING on my healing tattoos! Honestly, the only people I know whose tattoos got infected were people who were constantly messing with them, putting more goop on and washing multiple times a day.

I've had several artists say this, and I agree: the body knows how to heal itself. About 6-8 hours after the tattoo is finished I remove the bandage, gently wash with water and mild soap, pat dry gently with a towel, and then let it just have some air. I wash 2-3 times a day and use a non-stick bandage only if the area could be exposed to dirt or could be rubbing up against something (like a bra strap or the lacing of a shoe). If the area is excessively swollen, I will put some quick-absorbing calendula or arnica gel on the skin immediately around the tattoo but not on it. I don't even look at lotion until the scabs have dried up and fallen off.

BISON

That forking rules, Mars!

Lovely!

Mars that is so amazing!

Mars! That's amazeballs! Who did it?

That is really great. Mars.

!!!!

I have never wanted a bison tattoo and then Mars posts this forking awesome thing! Holy shiitake it's beautiful!

Jacob Redmond at Atlas Tattoo. He's amazing. I feel like I'm not just saying this because it's on me, but there really is something extrordinarily special about it.

My first tattoo by leraustin(PB, on Flickr
My first tattoo! A long time in the making! Yay!!

That's a gorgeous piece!

Thanks! So happy with it!

Mars, I love your tattoo so much that I'm contemplating trying to get an appointment with your artist when I'm in Portland next year!

Everyone in this thread has such awesome tattoos. Mars, I LOVE yours!

Excessive flash, but here's my most recent one!

Question! If I want to get tattoos on my legs, but I still want the option of being able to wax my legs in the future (for a special event maybe? I don't know), will waxing damage my tattoo?

Edit: How much does weight gain and loss, and muscle gain and loss really affect the tattoo? Does it have to be a dramatic change for it to screw it up?

I can't help much with the waxing since I never have, but I don't imagine it being an issue. Tattoos are in a deeper layer of skin and shouldn't be affected at all. As far as weight, mine has fluctuated by up to 60 pounds in the time I've had my tattoos and I can't tell any difference. My tattoos are on my back, forearm, wrist and ankle. I think the ones most likely to be affected would be stomach pieces, but again I think it takes a large change to affect it.

Waxing shouldn't be an issue for the reasons stated by catalina above. I have tattoos on my arms and get my arms waxed and it's been fine. I've also gained weight with my tattoos with no issue.

Got this text about a month ago. This was taken the same day and it was dark, so it's all weird flash-y.

I've lost about 50 pounds and can't really tell a difference in my tattoos. I have them on my feet, calves, neck, chest, and upper arm.

Thanks, guys! I'm really pleased! My biggest concern about getting tattoos was what would happen if my weight fluctuated. Glad I'll still have the waxing option. Now, to find a parlor with vegan ink.

Guys I just got my first tattoo! I was terrified but then it wasn't really that bad.



It's a line from the Gershwin song Summertime, which my dad used to sing me every night at bedtime. Next tattoo is happening November 16!

Got outlining done for a tattoo of Effie!

I am seriously wanting this Dark Mark tattoo. I can't stop thinking about getting it. My mom is thinking it'll ruin all chances of a career but 1. My forearms are covered in small but obvious scars anyway and 2. Cardigans, right?

EDIT: Nice tattoo, that's cute!

Had this one done a couple of weeks ago, very happy with it.