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General | Selecting a Tattoo | After the Chair
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General | Selecting a Tattoo | After the Chair |
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| Is tattooing painful? | |
| This is the first question in this list of FAQs, because it is usually the first question that people ask the artists at Masterpiece Tattoo. The simple answer is yes. Having needles pierce your skin does hurt. That said, the next logical questions are often, "How much does it hurt and can I handle it?" It is not nearly as bad as what you might imagine. The pain comes from the cluster of needles on the tattooing machine piercing your skin very rapidly. This sensation, however, does not feel like the poking pain of an injection. It is more of a constant vibration. You will be amazed at how quickly your body releases endorphins, (pain killers), that dull the pain significantly. | |
| Does the intensity of the pain vary? | |
| The pain will vary according to the location on your body you select for tattooing. You should know that the skin areas located right above bones (such as collarbone, anklebone, etc.) tend to be more painful than other areas In addition, certain types of needles seem to hurt more than others. Mike Pastore, owner an operator of Masterpiece Tattoo, advises clients that needles used for outlining often produce a sharper, more noticeable pain, while the needles used for shading seem to be much more like an electrical buzz (nearly painless). | |
| What if I am still not sure about the pain? | |
| �Having serious reservations is only natural, especially for first-time clients,� says Mike Pastore. �That is why I encourage my clients to come down and witness a session. Talk to my artists. Talk to my clients. I am more than willing to take the time with you to make sure you really get a full understanding of what you are getting in to.� | |
| What should I know about drinking alcohol or taking pain relievers immediately prior to my appointment? | |
| Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs for pain relief purposes prior to your tattoo sessions. Both aspirin and alcohol thin your blood and promote excessive bleeding. Aspirin also decreases the clotting of blood, which will slow down your healing. | |
| What about anesthetics? | |
| Some people say that taking a couple of over-the-counter analgesics before tattooing can take the edge off the pain. Acetaminophen, commonly sold under the brand name 'Tylenol' is generally recommended, but not aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs, as they tend to inhibit clotting. There are actually topical anesthetics available. For instance, Bactine contains some lidocaine, and it is possible to buy benzocaine preparations over the counter. The drawback of these is that they do not work on unbroken skin, but if they are applied after the first pass with the needle, they can make a tremendous difference. If you really require such measures, please discuss this subject with your Masterpiece Tattoo artist during your initial consultation. | |
| How long will it take? | |
| The amount of time it takes to design and complete your tattoo depends on many factors, such as the size of the design and the intricacy of the customization. In the cases of larger pieces, multiple sessions are usually required. And, the time per session is also dictated by the amount of time you can hold the position necessary to for being tattooed. However, during your initial consultation, your Masterpiece Tattoo artist will provide you with an estimation based on all the available information. | |
| How much will it cost? | |
| The cost of your tattoo will also be based on a number of factors, such as the size of design and the amount of time needed to execute the design. Keep in mind that small elements and intricate designs may take as long as a larger, more simplistic piece. | |
| Why should I get a tattoo? | |
| �There are many reasons to get a tattoo, but not all of them are good reasons,� says Mike Pastore. �Because of the permanency of tattooing, I encourage you to take your time and select the right design, or request a custom design, that you will be happy with for years to come. The professional artists at Masterpiece Tattoo are more than willing to sit down with you to ensure your satisfaction.� | |
| Why do I want one? | |
| People get tattoos for many different reasons. Is it to please your partner? Is it because you want to belong to a group that has tattoos? Do you identify with a certain subculture known for tattoos? Do you want to show your independence, individuality or uniqueness?
These are all valid reasons and why many people get tattooed. However, because of the permanency of your tattoo, try to look at yourself in five, 10, or even 20 years. What will you be doing at that time? You might be a free-spirited college student now, and a web of vines on your wrist would look really lovely. However, are you planning to work in a very conservative field after you graduate? Will others look at your tattoo in a bad way? Will you have to hide it with long sleeve shirts? Are you willing to wear long sleeve shirts if the environment is negative? Do you want a tattoo of a tiger because your partner's nickname is "Tiger," and you love the way s/he scratches your skin? Do you think you'll be with this person in five years? If not, how will you look at that tattoo? With fond memories, symbolizing a special period in your life? Or a shameful or painful reminder of somebody who hurt you and didn't care for you? You're a headbanger (or a nose-smasher, ear-bopper or whatever) and you really want a tattoo all over your arms just like Axl Rose, but you can't afford a professional artist so you get your friend with the mail-order tattooing machine to do those designs for you? Or perhaps you get spider webs tattooed all over your hands (or your face, which has happened) because you want to be "different" in school. What if you decide to "straighten out" and get a real job; train as a chef or something, and then no restaurant hires you? These are just some of the important questions you need to ask yourself. Again, Masterpiece Tattoo professionals are standing by to provide you with the information and perspectives you will need to make this important decision. | |
| Can I get it removed? | |
| Unfortunately, removing a tattoo is a difficult, expensive, and often painful process. At the very least, expect to pay upwards of $1,000 to remove even a fairly small-sized tattoo if you plan using laser surgery removal procedures. In many instances, you may have to live with a noticeable ugly scar if you go with a non-laser technique. Additionally, health insurance companies will not pay for tattoo removal. | |
| Do you use Indian Ink? | |
| ABSOLUTELY NOT. All pigments used by Masterpiece Tattoo artists are specially formulated for the tattoo industry only. | |
| Do you use new needles for everybody? | |
| ABSOLUTELY. Masterpiece Tattoo adheres to the highest standards to ensure your safety. Masterpiece Tattoo has a strict policy at the start of each session for the artist to actually remove the new needles from its packaging. And, every needle is disposed of after each session. | |
| Can my friend/relative come with me when I am tattooed? | |
| Unlike other studios that have constrictive policies, Masterpiece Tattoo encourages you to bring a friend or a family member down to the studio with you. However, during your session, we suggest you restrict your invitations to one person, to avoid distracting the artist and prolonging your visit. | |
| What is the legal age to get a tattoo | |
| According to New York State law, you must be 18 years or over to receive a tattoo. - THAT IS THE LAW. NO EXCEPTIONS. | |
| What does it mean to have a tattoo license? | |
| To operate a tattoo parlor in New York State, you simply need a license from the Department of Health. The distributing of the license has nothing to do with the skills of the tattooist. That is why Masterpiece Tattoo provides FREE initial consultations to discuss our Best Practices, health and safety policies, review our portfolios, and discuss your expectations. | |
| Can my tattoo fade | |
| Unfortunately, yes, with the two most often culprits being the sun and time. Sunlight drains the color from the tattoo, which is why it is essential to use sunscreen and sun block each and every time you're in the sun. However, another cause could be bad aftercare. As long as the tattoo hasn't healed, do not go swimming in salt water of pools that contain chlorine. Do not allow thick crusts to appear on the tattoo and most importantly, DO NOT SCRATCH. | |
| How long will it take for my tattoo to heal? | |
| The healing process may vary, but in most instances, the first phase of the process takes about 5 to 7 days. Then you can expect slightly dry and flaky skin. Overall, your tattoo should heal within a couple of weeks. | |
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