SeeSea

That is going to be awesome!

Head over to http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/15-latest-tattoo-lowdown.html and post a fresh pic there!

Did I miss you post the tattoo???

Ugh. Don't double post.

On the surface, it doesn't look like a big deal. I've had areas darkened to improve the image - I didn't ask for this, he just did it as a part of the design on subsequent sessions (multi-session tattoo). However, I am not a tattoo artist, so just go ask him. Or email the pics. It's a cute tattoo.

Some thoughts... http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-advice/4424-black-grey-now-color-later.html I seem to recall another thread that talked about this but I don't see it. It might also have been in someone's intro thread. Welcome!

Probably September. Been waiting to get a good healed picture.

It was a blast, but we didn't get all the shots I wanted because there was a double booking. I will go back to get the traditional 3-panel back piece shot for my tattoo artist in a couple weeks when these pics are ready to view. Also got a very nice head shot out of the deal. I probably won't post much here, but I'll DM folks when I get some shots back to share.

@Cork - @Iwar?

There is a discussion somewhere around here about using tattoos as "cosmetic surgery" for just that reason. I think I even talked about using tattoos to hide the "dreaded batwings" (underarm skin). It takes ink, it isn't gross to touch, it's all your self image. As long as you are clean and fresh, don't go in wearing perfume and brush and floss your teeth, you are good to go. There is also another thread about guys and getting the nether regions tattooed to complete a full body suit. Some include everything. Can you imagine having to tattoo someone's balls? (or getting them tattooed - yikes!). There's a lot of butt crack tattooing happening. But it's all a job. If a tattooer says "that won't work" then perhaps you have the wrong person. If they say it won't look good, ask why. It could be completely how the design you want might flow right on the body and not that said body part doesn't look like you are 18 anymore. Good luck!

Going to get some professional pictures of my back tomorrow. You know, with drapey fabric and all - the whole statue fine art thing. To capture it before I fry my tattoo in the sun. ;)

Welcome, again! How big do you plan to get it? I'd say avoid wasting good real estate making letters very big. But make it big enough it doesn't turn into a blob because it's not recognizable as an actual word, and find a good tattooer who does solid clean lettering. There are many roman letter/numeral tattoos that look a little sad because the letters weren't spot on. It's also really easy for roman letters to look like they are stamped onto the skin rather than flowing, or looking like they are part of the person. If you want that look, that's fine, but personally I don't like the look that it might have come from a rubber stamp. Ugh - the roman numerals and roman lettering running along the length of forearms and biceps and across the ribs. Please, world, stop doing that!

Damn. There should seriously be a separate backpiece contest. Damn.

Welcome! You'll get more traffic if you start a new thread over in the Initiation area.

Sooooo, just look at it in the mirror. ;)

So happy you came here and can't wait to see the results! Vegetable tray - that made me laugh! Don't worry, those will be easy to cover if you want.

Welcome! You might be interested in http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/5371-ladies-thread.html as well.

@cltattooing seesealisa

My tattooer had to blast color on more than one session on the tops of my back/shoulder area because he said that the skin there tends to be more damaged from the sun. Apparently it often doesn't take color as easily on some folks.

@bedoktime - that roadkill is crazy!

At first glance, yes. At a minimum, regulatory oversight would include that the facility manufacturing the product comply with good manufacturing practices. This is to ensure that what is supposed to go into the bottle actually makes it into the bottle. (And stuff that shouldn't, doesn't.) This would also ensure that the facility has appropriate safeguards to prevent contamination (testing raw materials, equipment is properly cleaned, air quality is appropriate, etc.) Recall the Blue 7 White Tattoo Ink recall last year: Updated: Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Tattoo Ink, Tattoo Needles, Tattoo kits due to Microbial contamination. While all this can be subverted, just establishing good manufacturing practices would significantly reduce the risk of harm and increase the probability that the product is made consistently over time. Pursuing this and achieving this doesn't require that a regulatory agency like FDA be involved. Manufacturers should be doing this anyway. If FDA (for example) were to get involved, the bar goes up. Facilities would be inspected to ensure that GMPs are actually implemented and that the firm has a quality system in place. Manufacturers would also need to show that the ink is safe and effective. Phase 1 clinical trials assesses safety - determines the most frequent side effects. Phase 2 establishes effectiveness and generally involves human subjects. Because we already know it is effective (the tattoo can be made) then Phase 2 might not be as onerous as when a drug company is trying to establish that a new drug does what they claim. Note, "safe" does not mean that there are no side effects. Just that they are established, and a risk-benefit analysis is performed. If inks are found to cause cancer, approval would likely not be made. If inks cause irritation, then as long as it is disclosed in the package insert, the product will likely be approved for sale. If an ink manufacturer were to pursue FDA approval, it would have a significant market advantage. Huge. Although, there is always the chance that it could not establish the safety claim, and that could be disastrous for the entire industry. Although, FDA started regulating tobacco several years ago, knowing that tobacco causes cancer. The notion is that the quality and consistency could be established. The word "safe" does not have a hard-and-fast definition. The same could be said of tattoo ink. Who knows. I'm not familiar with the tattoo industry's stance on regulatory oversight. There may be arguments for and against that I'm not aware of. For instance, if Congress decides that all tattoo inks be subject to regulatory oversight, then a tattooer who makes his own inks might be in a bad way. (Note: FDA does not decide to regulate something; Congress passes legislation that FDA must follow. If you don't like what FDA is doing, blame Congress and tell them to change the laws.) A couple refs: The FDA's Drug Review Process: Ensuring Drugs Are Safe and Effective Think Before You Ink: Are Tattoos Safe? FDA Consumer Advice on Certain Tattoo Inks and Tattoo Kits Sold Online

That is the IDEA! Then someone comes along and tells you to buck up, pull up your big girl pants and smile. It helps :-) (I can't wait until I can post legitimately in this thread again!)

He looks great @iowagirl! What personality in that little frog (and the rest of the tattoo is wonderful is well!)

Love! The colors are awesome and look great together.

Oh sweetheart, just wait. You have no idea. @TrixieFaux - I like the sports bra idea.