Frequently Asked Questions
Please visit BellaOnline's informative
How is a Tattoo Done?
for a good understanding of the basics of tattooing. Also feel free to
email us with questions that you don't see answered here.
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Prices
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- How much will the tattoo I want cost?
Each artist sets their own rates at Diving Swallow. Some artists charge by the hour and some by the piece.
Please contact the artist who you are interested in working with to get an estimate on how much your tattoo will
cost.
- Can I pay with a credit card, check or cash?
Again, each artist accepts different methods of payment so please check with your artist on how best to pay.
- Should I tip my tattoo artist?
We charge what we think is a fair price for our work and so never expect an additional tip. Of course we are honored
and grateful when clients are moved to express appreciation through tips or other gifts, but best of all we love
to get calls or emails from clients who are still loving their tattoo(s) long after they've left us!
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Longevity
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- Why is it not a good idea to tattoo small intricate designs?
Tattoo inks are made up of very finely ground particles in a suspension of distilled water, glycerine, alcohol
and preservative. When skin is tattooed, these particles of ink are pushed into the dermis layer of your
skin (BellaOnline's How is a Tattoo Done?
is a useful resource for understanding how tattoos affect your skin). As the tattoo heals, the liquid components
of the ink are carried off by your lymph system but the fine particles of pigment remain in the cells of the
dermis layer. Although the dermis is relatively stable compared to your epidermis, which renews itself constantly,
slight changes in this layer as you age can act upon the tattoo to "soften" the original lines. The visual affect of
this softening is much greater on a design that is small and intricate than on one that is a little bigger and more
boldly graphic.
- Why do some tattoos age well and others don't?
Two factors affect how well tattoos age: how much sun the tattoo gets (see
Why do some tattoos fade? below) and the skill with which the tattoo was applied.
If the tattoo artist tattoos too deeply, goes over an area too many times or does not use equipment that is
properly tuned the tattoo can look blurred even as soon as it's healed. It takes years to learn how to tattoo in a
manner that the ink is delivered as efficiently as possible solely to the dermis, so it is important to chose an
artist with years of experience and a portfolio of work that looks crisp and skilled.
- Why do some tattoos fade?
Even the best artist's work can be faded in one summer on the beach with no sun block. Your tattoo is just like
a poster in a window that gets afternoon sun everyday - within a few months of sun exposure the colors are completely
changed. Therefore it is essential that you use as high an SPF sun block as possible on your tattoo every time your
tattoo is in the sun. This includes even when you are in the shade outdoors (particularly in high UV areas like Hawaii).
Try also to be conscious of sun exposure that you may not normally be aware of, such as your lower back as a shirt
rides up or other areas exposed through a sheer fabric.
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Pain Reduction
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- How can I reduce the pain of the tattoo?
The best way to reduce the pain of the tattoo is to be in a comfortable, grounded physical and mental state
before you get tattooed and to practice yoga-type breathing through the tattoo. Here are a few tips for how
to prepare:
- - Don't get tattooed when you are experiencing any serious health problems or illnesses.
- - Increase your water intake by a liter per day at least three days before the tattoo.
- - Eat a good meal as close to your appointment as you can.
- - Don't drink caffeine the day of your tattoo - if you can't keep your eyes open without, use it
minimally.
- Is there any numbing cream that I can use prior to my tattoo?
There are several topical anesthetic creams available over the counter and by prescription. The easiest to
purchase is a 4% topical lidocaine cream called L-M-X, which is available at most major pharmacies. You
usually have to ask for it at the pharmacy window, but you should not need a prescription. It's a little
pricey this way, so if you're able to get a prescription from your doctor you may save money. EMLA is another
topical lidocaine cream of the same strength that is usually available only by prescription in the US, although
available online from Canadian pharmacy sites.
- Are there any problems associated with using a numbing cream when I get
tattooed?
We have found no ill effects to the tattooing procedure or end result from it's use. In fact we often
recommend the use of a lidocaine cream to clients considering large pieces in sensitive areas as not only
does it greatly reduce the pain in the first hour or two, but by doing so it enables the client to sit
still in a more relaxed manner. If you want to use a lidocaine cream during a tattoo please discuss the best
usage with your tattoo artist.
- Should I take any pain killers before or after the tattoo?
We do not advise the use of pain killers before or after a tattoo as they can effect your physical and/or
mental state adversely.
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Healing
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- How do I heal my tattoo?
Please read our aftercare instructions thoroughly after getting tattooed
and don't hesitate to call or
email us if you have a question about
how your tattoo is healing.
- What is the healing process like?
During the first few days after the tattoo it is normal to have some seepage (including color from the inks used).
Since we recommend the use of an ointment during this phase, you will want to be aware that clothing or bedding
can become oil-stained from the ointment. As the seepage diminishes, the top layer of your skin will begin
to peel off similar to a sunburn. Peeling usually happens within the first week, but can vary based on your
individual health and the area of the body tattooed. After the initial peeling the tattoo can remain dry and
flaky for up to a month, but will gradually become the same texture as the rest of your skin.
- How soon can I . . .
- . . . exercise, workout, practice yoga, etc.?
You can generally continue to exercise shortly after you've been tattooed. It is however advisable to wait at least
24 hours and to be cautious about over doing it in the area of the tattoo. Use your judgment - if you feel that your
workout is causing you more discomfort in the area of the tattoo than try to avoid that movement. Make sure that you
clean down the tattoo immediately after any strenuous exercise and that you go through your full care regime as
outlined at that time.
- . . . soak in a bath or hot tub?
You should wait until your tattoo is fully healed before soaking the area in a bath or hot tub. This means that
you should have gone through the initial peeling stage and the skin should be feeling normal again, other than
a little dryness.
- . . . go in a sauna or steam room?
Again, wait until your tattoo is full healed as outlined above for soaking in a bath or hot tub.
- . . . swim?
Swimming (surfing, etc.) exposes new tattoos to even more hazards than just soaking in a bath as chlorinated pools can
bleach the ink and natural bodies of water carry many microorganisms that could cause problems while healing. It
is important to wait until your tattoo is fully healed as outlined above for soaking in a bath or hot tub before
you go swimming.
- . . . have the tattoo in the sun?
All tattoos are vulnerable to the sun (please see our Longevity
FAQ's for more detailed information) but new tattoos are especially so. Keep your tattoo completely out of the
sun until it is fully healed or for at least two weeks, whichever is longer. After that you can apply a full
strength sun block to the tattoo and expose it to sun.
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Risks
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- Does getting a tattoo put you at risk of HIV or Hepatitis infection?
Please visit TattooArtist.com's excellent article
No Case of AIDS Transmission Ever Documented
In a US Tattoo Studio - Statistics Show Lower Hepatitis Risk in Tattoo Shops than in Dentists' offices for a good
perspective on the risk of blood-borne pathogen diseases in relation to tattooing as reported by the CDC (Centers
for Disease Control). In addition, please feel free to ask your artist about any aspect of the universal
precautions that are part of our training and commitment to protecting the health of our clients.
- Can you have a reaction to the ink?
In a very small percentage of people, some component of the ink or aftercare products can cause an allergic
reaction. These can be painful and intense to heal and should be immediately treated by a physician.
Allergic reactions are hard to predict, but if you have had any particularly severe or unusual reactions to
topical products in the past, please inform your tattoo artist so that you can discuss options.
- Should I get tattooed if . . .
- . . . I'm pregnant?
It is inadvisable to get tattooed when you're pregnant simply because you don't want to add any stress to your body
during such a critical time.
- . . . have a health complication?
You should always discuss the advisability of getting tattooed with your physician and your tattoo artist if
you have a serious health complication. Additionally if you are in the midst of a cold or other illness that
is affecting your health, it is advisable to postpone getting tattooed.
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