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- Can you cover up an old tattoo?
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Choosing a studio for getting a tattoo can be a daunting task. Nonetheless, there are some very important factors that make a studio clean and safe. Don't hesitate to ask the staff to answer your questions BEFORE making an appointment. A reputable studio will gladly address your questions.
The studio must be clean and well kept. The floors and counter should be clean, and the tattooing area should be well lit and organized.
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The artists must use sterile single-use needles AND needle bars.
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Sharps containers must be used to discard dirty needles.
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An autoclave sterilizer must be used and routinely (at least monthly) spore tested (unless the studio uses ONLY disposable, single-use tubes and grips).
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The artists must wear gloves and change them each time he or she could cause cross-contamination.
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Disposable razors and ink caps need to be used only once and discarded after each customer.
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The artist must NOT be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Spending some time investigating the studio where you wish to get your tattoo can prevent you from getting a bad tattoo or worse. Ask questions and use your best judgment. If an artist tries to avoid questions or seems evasive in any way, he or she probably has something to hide. Artists who practice safe, sterile tattooing are proud of that fact and will probably answer any and all questions you have.
Your tattoo experience should be as good as the tattoo itself. When you enter a studio, take note of whether or not the employees are helpful and friendly. They should take the time to answer your questions and to understand what you are looking for.
Anyone can buy and hang flash on the wall, so take a look at the artists' portfolios. Their lines should be smooth, not jumpy or jagged or shaky. Colors should be bold and filled in completely with no blank areas. Circles should look like circles, not ovals. The pictures should be clear and in focus--photoshopped or blurry pictures may be hiding poor work.
Again, these are just basic guidelines when choosing an artist. Artists have many different styles, some may suit you and some may not. Some artists are versatile and can work comfortably in any style to suit you. Use your best judgment and common sense. You get what you pay for and good art doesn't come cheap.
Tattoos are for a lifetime, so take care in making a decision you are ready to live with. Carefully select the correct design and location that will best suit you and your lifestyle. And keep in mind that your lifestyle will likely change at least once in the next 20 years.
Choose what you like! Discuss size and color with your artist to achieve the look you want. Sometimes it is better to leave artistic aspects of your tattoo up to the wisdom and experience of your chosen artist.
Give the location of your tattoo considerable thought. It is there forever. If your concerns are for the sensation and level of discomfort involved, your artist should be happy to discuss these aspects with you.
Dave's Unique Ink is a modern studio with sterile instruments and pigments. The long-term appearance of your tattoo is dependent upon the care it receives in the first few days. Following these instructions will insure that it heals quickly and remains attractive.
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The key to healing a new tattoo is to avoid letting a scab form. Regularly washing, in addition to applying an ointment or lotion between washes, will help prevent scabs from forming.
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Remove the initial bandage after 2 - 3 hours. Do not re-bandage the tattoo during healing.
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Gently and completely wash your tattoo 3 - 4 times a day for the next 3 - 4 days. Using clean hands, mix a gentle soap with warm water until you have an even lather, then carefully wash the tattooed area. Thoroughly rinse away all of the soap. Avoid soaps with colors and fragrances as these may irritate your new tattoo. Products such as white Dial, Pure and Gentle, Dove and white Lever2000 are
adequate.
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Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Regular cloth towels that are frequently used contain unseen bacteria and fungi and should not come into contact with your new tattoo.
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Immediately apply a small amount of Aquaphor Healing Ointment or Vitamin A+D ointment. Gently and thoroughly work it into the tattooed area. Apply additional ointment between washes to prevent over-drying.
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After the initial 3 - 4 days, wash no more than 2 - 3 times a day and replace the Aquaphor/Vitamin A+D ointment with a fragrance and color-free skin lotion such as Lubriderm Seriously Sensitive. Apply as much additional lotion as is necessary, between washes, to prevent over drying. If the lotion burns or causes a rash, return to using the ointment for the duration of the healling time.
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While your tattoo is healing, flaking, peeling, redness, swelling, and itching may occur; this is perfectly healthy and normal…take care not to pick or scratch at your tattoo while it’s healing!
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A daily multivitamin, combined with a healthy lifestyle, will greatly increase your body’s natural ability to heal. Vitamin E and Zinc are also excellent for helping heal the skin.
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Once your tattoo is healed, use a high level SPF sunscreen for long-lasting bright color. Enjoy!
What don’t I do?
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Average tattoo healing time is anywhere from 2 - 4 weeks or longer. Everyone’s body and individual healing times will vary. Don’t re-bandage your tattoo while it is healing.
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Pick one soap/lotion product and stick with it! Changing your soap/lotion frequently can cause unwanted irritation! Try to avoid getting shampoos or other products onto your tattoo.
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Don’t pick or scratch at the tattoo! Flakes that fall away on their own are normal and healthy.
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Don’t expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight or tanning beds while healing.
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Don’t soak in tubs, pools, Jacuzzis, rivers, lakes, oceans and other bodies of water.
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Don’t use any triple-antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin, Polysporin or Bacitracin.
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Your new tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such. Unless you’re in the process of washing or applying ointment or lotion, don’t touch and try to keep everything away from it!
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Don’t rely on advice from Moms, Toms, Joes, and Schmoes. This is the single worst way you can care for your tattoo: by ignoring your tattoo artist!
These aftercare suggestions are based on years of professional experience, common sense, worldwide research, and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. Be aware, however, that many doctors have no specific training or experience regarding tattooing and may not be educated on how to best assist you. Please direct any questions or concerns to your tattoo artist.
Remember, the tattoo is your responsibility after you leave the studio. Use common sense. When in doubt call us (360) 576-7085, or stop in.
Our minimum price is $60. Our hourly rate is $100.
Please visit us in person for a price quote as we cannot give one without seeing the actual design. The cost of a tattoo is determined by size, detail, color, placement on the body, and the work and time involved in doing the tattoo.
Yes, we can cover up unwanted tattoos with new ones. We are somewhat limited in what will actually cover existing tattoos as you cannot put lighter colors over darker colors without the old design showing through. Old tattoos that were improperly done and resulted in scarring may show through as well. The new tattoo will generally need to be larger and darker than the old one in order to fully hide the old tattoo. If you have a tattoo that you would like covered or reworked please stop in for a consultation and we would be happy to help you.
Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins can be accommodated if we have time. We suggest that if you are on a time schedule that you do make an appointment.
Yes, we encourage it. Bring your own design or just your idea and let our artists visualize it for you. We also have designs here, and we can customize a piece for you.
DUI uses disposable single-use needles, tubes, and grips. Each of these are used once and then disposed of in an approved Sharps container. These containers are made of a puncture proof plastic. When full, the lid is secured and the whole container is delivered to medical waste technicians and disposed of properly.
You should not hesitate to ask your artist about their sterilization methods. Every artist should be fully knowledgeable in this area and willing to discuss their methods with you. CLEAN TATTOOS ARE POSSIBLE WITH PROPER STERILIZATION AND WORK METHODS. GETTING TATTOOED SHOULD NOT BE A HEALTH RISK.
You must be 18 or older to get tattooed in our studio. In Washington and Oregon it is a misdemeanor to tattoo a minor. We do not tattoo anyone under the age of 18, period. Please be sure to bring photo ID with you.
Acceptable forms of ID:
- Current State-issued Drivers License
- Current State-issued ID Card
- Current Photo Military ID
- Passport
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Yes, you should always have something in your system before you have work done. Consider this a small medical procedure.
Alcohol and many other drugs thin the blood and cannot be consumed prior to receiving work. Excessive bleeding due to alcohol and other substances will push the ink out of your body, leaving you with a faded looking tattoo that will need to be touched up. If you are taking prescription medications, be sure to discuss this with your artist!
Tips are welcome and are a way to let us know that you value the work we have done.
We prefer cash but do also accept Visa and Master Card.
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Dave's Unique Ink