Leaderboard

haha thank you @Gingerninja ! I've definately been thinking outside the box now with my new tattoo ideas, and i've got some more crazy ideas brewing. no laser, no coverups...i just keep piling on the tattoos and it seems to be working out in my favour. I love it. my excitement of tattooing just keeps growing and the experiences become more personal as me and my tattooists push the boundary of where you would think the concept of "bodysuit" would typically end/finish.

so...this walk-in blast-o-rama happened... by Shawn Hedley at Champion Tattoo 124 St Edmonton, AB, Canada

I totally agree, I think this is a big issue, I love stopping strangers and starting a conversation about tattoos, but I don't always get a friendly response. oh well, I will always keep trying.

haha that's great. people should ask and talk to each other more when they see interesting tattoos, sometimes us tattoo people get too-cool to just open up, yknow.

Don't be in a hurry. Wait for the artist you want. Send her an email, what's the worst that could happen? Do you know that your tattoo probably isn't even fully healed? A tattoo can take 4 - 8 weeks to fully heal. I don't understand the rush. There are people on this board that wait months (at least) to get a spot with the artist they want. I've been working with the same artist for years and I still have to wait to get my first appointment when I start a new project. Take your time and your next post will be, "I love my tattoo and it was worth the wait" instead of "I got this tattoo to fix another bad one. How do I fix the new one?" Just my opinion.

If you want to get f*cked up, take the drugs and get f*cked up. If you want to get tattooed, get tattooed. Pain is part of the rite of passage of tattooing. I believe is being lost because of how accessible everything is now. Take a swig of navy rum, bite down on a leather belt and take it like a champ.

ps maaaan inner arm was too easy after years of tough spots. I could've fallen asleep if it wasn't for the funny shop talk about R Kelly and Alberta politics haha.

Well, these are opinions, so I don't have a problem with people who disagree with me. However, you point out a good exception to the numbing cream rule, for me anyway. I'm really talking about someone that comes in for their first dime size tattoo on their bicep and cries like a baby. To me it's the difference between some dilettante getting a tattoo because it's trendy, but doesn't want any discomfort and someone who respects the tradition. With 150+ hours in the chair, you've certainly proved that you respect the tradition, although the only one anyone needs to prove or justify anything to is themselves.

Thanks guys. I know I’m being impatient. I guess I just want it fixed but I do realize that I need to take my time with this. Thanks for all the advice. I really do appreciate it.

Get the tattoo you want, not the one you can get now. Like @Gingerninja already said. I'd stop in the shop one of these days and see if you can talk with Natasha in person. edit: @Hogrider beat me to it, and then some!

I've got 20 year old color tattoos that are almost as vivid as the day they were done. There are many factors that play into longevity, not the least of which are quality of the ink, the tattooists ability and exposure to sun.

How quickly tattoos fade depend on the quality of your tattooer, the quality of your skin and how well you take care of it. You can control two of the three. In your other post you say your tattoo has held up well even with a lot of time in the sun. If you are concerned with fading, keep out of the sun, it's really just that simple. Also, very simple - you don't get the best results by insulting the people you are asking for help. This IS a quality forum, but you are welcome here anyway. :-)

@tmbelknap When did you get it? Is it warm to the touch? Sore? We aren't doctors, so if you are concerned go get it checked out. Have you contacted your artist?

@Oiocha one of the students at our kung fu school got a full colour turtleback from Tomo (at Silkneedle, he was travelling to Japan regularly). It was his first and only tattoo. The details and patterns are insane, got that velvet look. You're pretty lucky, enjoy the ride.

Don't get a sleeve. Thanks in advance.

Done by Mike Perfetto, Brooklyn NY in 1997

If you're worried about it, don't get a sleeve. Because who gives a shit?

LOL who cares ?!?!? it's going to look like a nicely settled 20 yo tattoo. maybe you shouldn't be getting tattoos if that is a serious concern of yours. here is one of my 24 yo tattoos (never touched up)

@Hogrider This is where we disagree. You are way more tattooed than me but I still have 150+ hours of needle time, so I feel like my perspective is at least educated. I think there is a time and place for numbing creams. If tattoos always hurt you and you can't stand it, then maybe tattoos aren't for you. If you always rely on something to kill the pain, that's not what I am saying is a use case, IMO. However, in situations where someone has traveled to get a tattoo in a multi-hour session, and the pain becomes unbearable, then why not? What if the artist suggests it? Some tattoos just hurt more than others, too. If the artist is okay with it, numbing allows him to do his work, and the client is obviously in extreme pain, why not?

Going to see Tomo next weekend and I'm ready to go. I also haven't forgotten about posting my Daruma: its perpetually got something that wont let me take a clean picture.

"It's a good thing tattoos hurt, because otherwise, every pussy in the world would have one.”

What's next, anesthesia? What ever happened to earning your tattoo?

No. I don't use meds while getting tattoos unless they are prescribed. Next.

Wow, you view tattooing as scarring yourself?