1. Does the placement of a tattoo hurt?

2. Do you always use a new needle of are the needles sterilised and reused?

3. My tattooist doesn't have an autoclave, but he only use sterilised needles. Is this safe?

4. I'm extremely nervous, can I have a few drinks before I come in?

5. Do I make an appointment?

6. Recognised training-seminars-diplomas-certificates-associations-leagues

7. What does it mean to have a tattoo license?

8. How old must I be before I can get a piercing?

9. How come a tattoo can fade?

10. How long does it take for a tattoo to heal?

11. I didn't ask around and just got a tattoo at the first studio I could find. It looks horrid! What can I do?

12. My tattoo swells when I go out into the sun. Why? What can I do?

13. Can I loose my job for having a visible tattoo?

1. Does the placement of a tattoo hurt?
The placement of a piercing is rather annoying than painful. The size and the detail determine the duration of the placement. A new tattoo is a pleasure for life.

2. Do you always use a new needle of are the needles sterilised and reused?
Needles used for a tattoo are only to be used once and than to be disposed off in a special needle container. The opening of the packaging should always happen near and clearly visible to you. THERE IS NO EXCUSE. If the sterilised wrapping was opened in advance: RUN LIKE CRAZY!

3. My tattooist doesn't have an autoclave, but he only use sterilised needles. Is this safe?
NO!!! There is a lot more to be sterilised than just the needle: all tools MUST be sterilised every time again after being used. So your favourite tattooist should have an autoclave on a visual spot in his studio.

4. I'm extremely nervous, can I have a few drinks before I come in?
Rather not! It decreases your sense of judgement, makes it more difficult to sit still and causes haemorrhages. Alcohol, drugs and certain medications (for example for you lungs, painkillers, etc.) thin the blood. This can result to the ink bleeding out when you're getting a tattoo and to the inevitable removal of the piercing if the bleeding can't be stopped. This can also happen when you use 1 of more blood-thinners in the first hours after the placement. Search just as long until you've found a tattooist in which you have enough confidence. Someone who will guide you through the whole event in an experienced and calm manner without giving you the feeling that your an extremely fragile plant.

5. Do I make an appointment?
From our own experience we know that every minute can seem like too, at least. If you come around for an informative chat, this is not a catastrophe! Otherwise it 's the Big Day! Than, of course, wipe that semi-scientific theory off the table and get an appointment when you wish to get your tattoo.

6. Recognised training-seminars-diplomas-certificates-associations-leagues
A self-respecting con-artist can easily promote himself to professor in tattoo-ology.
You just hang out this pamphlet:
Courses and tattoo seminars
5 day training
Training by piercing John Patato
Member of the (English/American/anything else) tattoo association
Recognised diplomas
Prize?? 000, -

Seminars can be educational, fascinating and amusing, but don't be fooled by people who work like this. In Belgium there is no law concerning tattoo practices. Certificates and diplomas are only legitimate to the distributor.

7. What does it mean to have a tattoo license?
These are foreign licenses, distributed by countries or states where there is some kind of oversight concerning piercings and tattoos. For example: in a couple of states in the US one needs a license before opening a studio. This simply means that someone of the public health department checks the place once a year, to see whether there is an autoclave, whether there is no carpeting on the floor etc. The distributing of the license has nothing to do with the skills of the tattooist.

8. How old must I be before I can get a piercing?
You must have reached the minimum age of 18, of be accompanied by one of your parents. If you're under 18, your ID as well as your parents must be shown voluntarily. Even when this demand is met, the tattooist is free to refuse the customer. So pissing your parents off first, is not the way to go.

9. How come a tattoo can fade?
The most important cause is the sun. Sunlight drains the colour from the tattoo. That's why it's important to use sunscreen and sun block, every time you're in the sun. 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. Don't allow thick crusts to appear on the tattoo and most importantly, don't scratch.

10. How long does it take for a tattoo to heal?
The first phase of the process takes about 5 to 7 days. In a following stadium you'll have a slightly dry and flaky skin. The tattoo should heal within a couple of weeks.

11. I didn't ask around and just got a tattoo at the first studio I could find. It looks horrid! What can I do?
Find yourself a good tattooist and ask him for photos of cover-ups. Covering is something completely different than tattooing. Consult her/him about which designs would be appropriate to conceal the old one. DON'T feel worried about spending some cash. A pro is worth the price. A tattoo lasts a lifetime. Most likely you got the first one cheap. You don't want to make that same mistake twice, do you? There aren't that many things that last a lifetime. If you can't afford the cover-up right now, wait until you can

12. My tattoo swells when I go out into the sun. Why? What can I do?
Probably you 're allergic to one or more of the colours. Most of the times this is a mild reaction and you can avoid it by using sun block. When the allergy goes out of proportions, however, you'd better get in touch with you tattooist. He can remove a part of the ink and test the colours you can endure. Allergies such as these are pretty common, because of the use of synthetically manufactured colours.

13. Can I loose my job for having a visible tattoo?
You certainly can, even if your contract doesn't mention anything involving clothing and/or general appearance. Your boss will have no problem in finding some other reason for firing you. When you're considering a visual tattoo, always make sure you know where your boss stands before spending your money. Some employers are still convinced that a piercing and a tattoo influence your zest for work. Or they choose to pursue the ignorance and prejudices of their clients.