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Hey everyone, here's my most recent tattoo, done last weekend at the Bucharest tattoo convention by the awesome noayanni. I'm extremely happy with how it turned out and how it ties to my other Ripley tattoo :) Click for video

I've heard that lymph nodes can collect the 'debris' from tattoo removal, which breaks down the ink. I'm not a doctor, but I've never heard of a tattoo causing lymph glands to swell from "taking in the ink" and I don't think he is right. Frankly I don't even know what that means; taking in the ink??? Do your research. If this is a legit diagnosis, you'll find it on medical sites through a google search.

Be aware that it's really hard to do script well. You need someone that is really precise because you'll see every imperfection. Also, be aware that thin skin is more prone to blowouts. Even skilled artists can have them. Bigger is better. Make sure you have multiple recommendations, don't just pop into the first shop you see. Do your research before you get the tattoo so you don't wind up back here asking if there is some way to fix the shaky script or the blowouts. ;-)

Yeah, that diagnosis is new to me, too.

By no means should you take my opinion as medical advice. However, I am surprised to hear that the doctor concluded the tattoo ink caused the swelling. There are reports of tattoo ink staining lymp nodes (found post-autopsy I believe) but I dont' think any of these cases involved lymp node swelling as a direct result of being tattooed. Also, placement would be irrelevant. The ink gets to the tattoo via your body's systems and not just because it's placed on your arm. If you're confident the doctor's assessment is accurate then you might want to avoid another tattoo or do something small and see how your body reacts this time. Here's a couple of articles on the subject: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2017/09/15/tattoos-may-go-deeper-than-you-realize-and-not-in-an-emotional-way/#467b48a3273b https://www.firstforwomen.com/posts/tattoo-pigment-in-lymph-nodes-143666

Another fun family day at Leviticus Tattoo in Minneapolis. A crayfish for my wife and a rocket ship for me. Both by Kyle Malone.

Here is a sneak peak of one side of my leg...

I got my third tattoo last Wednesday... the tattoo I always thought would be my first, a family tribute. I asked for suggestions on it here a while back and tried to put them to good use. I stayed away from heavy on text and went with something more graphic and symbolic. We all like the Pixar movie "Up" so I used that as a theme and added my wife's, daughter's and grandkids' first initials in heart shaped balloons with their birth stone colors. It was done by Jaimi Mullholand at Broad Wing Tattoo in Bowling Green, OH. I'm super pleased with it and ready for my next.