We're looking for your story!!!

That's right; If you're looking for a tattoo, We're looking for your story!!! We're looking for 3-5 (maybe more) people with a great story behind the tattoo they want.

The tattoo can be big or small, completely hidden, or on even the top of your head. We prefer fresh skin, but a cover-up often has a more compelling story. What's important here  is the story of the why behind the tattoo you want!

If you want a tattoo, and you have a compelling story behind wanting it ie; life event, challenge overcome, family member(s), something inspiring, some small miracle, milestone reached, hurdles overcome, a reminder of what or what not to do again, a secret kept, etc... Then we want to hear from you!

We want to work with you to develop this tattoo into something that will truly represent your story and document it along the way. We will be giving at least one of these tattoos away, but the rest that are chosen for this project will be done at a significantly reduced rate.

Message us if this sounds like something that interests you and we'll get into the details. Sent a Brief summary of what you want to get and don't forget the most important part... The WHY, and we'll go from there.

Please, pass this along! Tell your friends, co-workers, family, anyone that may have a compelling reason to get a tattoo. Let's see if we can inspire something great!

ALOHA!

You can reply to this post, or contact me directly at saltlaketattoos@gmail.com for more info.

Common Tattoo Questions; Cover-Up Tattoos

Wow! I've heard it all... Today a girl in her early 20's came in and said "I heard that you can cover this (mess of a tattoo) up with white ink. How does that work, and when can we start?" I just smiled and shook my head. I had her sit down and explained to her how a cover-up works. Since I find myself explaining this to at least a dozen people a month, I decided to post it on our site so that it can benefit others.

In a perfect world, we could cover a mistake with a beautiful image and the old image would simply be gone. But it just doesn't work like that in the real world. 

I get so many people stoping by the shop asking about doing a cover-up. It seems like anyone that has more than a couple tattoos has at least that one "mistake" tattoo. It's usually one of two stories; either it's a drunken night escapade, or a search for a cheap tattoo (and usually a friend of a friend that purchased a "tattoo kit" from some shady internet site thinking tattooing could be a fun hobby. You with visions of a perfectly placed amazing piece of art at a steal of a price; Paying all of $20 bucks and a pack of smokes.) – and you wonder why the tattoo didn't turn out the way you envisioned it. 

Someone should break the hands of these "scratchers" that claim to tattoo (or at least their cheap equipment)! I know, I know, but the tattoo he did on one of your friends looks great! I hate to break it to you... NO, It looks just as bad as yours! Look at it again; and look at it as close as you look at yours. They both look terrible and you both made the mistake. The sad part is: it's a mistake that will be on your body for the rest of your life! In many states it's a FELONY to do this to someone; Tattoo outside of a State Licensed establishment without the proper tattoo licenses and training. (But not in Utah! Utah doesn't license it's tattooers for some unknown reason. So anyone can pick-up a tattoo machine and ruin someone's skin, spread disease and not even realize that they did it because they didn't have to do any training! Utah, you gotta love it! If any Tattooer claims to be a "Licensed Tattoo Artist in UTAH, they're lying! there are currently no licensing procedures for Tattooers! Ridiculous; but that's a topic for another time.) My point is, these people are spreading horrible tattoos and diseases for cheap prices, ruining people's skin, and lives with their filth. I for one have had enough of it, and I'm tired of fixing their mistakes.

Even though people joke about, and poke fun at their buddy's messed up angel that looks like it got ran over by a semi, or her ex's name on her shoulder that's missing a few lines and has ink spreading out underneath the skin, or the rose that looks like a dead cat. A bad tattoo is nothing to laugh about. wether it's an ex-lover's name, something you drew back in school, or a tattoo that just didn't turn out the way you wanted it, an un-wanted tattoo is a source of pride-sucking embarrassment. Sometimes it was the start of something amazing; something that you had planned for years but somehow it just got lost along the way.

Regardless of how, what, where, or when, now you're stuck with it and there are very few options. Actually only three viable options;

1. You can just keep living with it; Well, we all know how that feels. But, hey, it's an option.

2. You can get it removed with a laser; Great option! it's costly, but with some of the new laser clinics we are working with, it's quick and more affordable than you may think.

3. Tattoo Cover-Up; That's where I come in. Before I get into this, I should point out that I get quite a few clients that opt to do a partial Laser removal and partial cover-up. This is a great option and I'll get into it further.

Each has pros and cons... Once you are sick of hiding it, only you can decide which is right for you. If laser removal is the best solution for you, we have two different clinics we work with. Both have the most up-to-date, modern methods for removal... where it takes a couple months, not years to get rid of your mistake. Both offer great pricing and both offer financing to help you.

Which brings us to your third option; Covering it up with another Tattoo.

There is a disturbing trend in the industry by less seasoned cover-up artists. Tattooers are covering up mistake tattoos with anything, and everything. Thinking it's covered since you can't see it when they are finished that day. You see, when a new tattoo is put into place, the old tattoo pigment hasn't mixed in with the new pigment yet. That and the redness from the irritated skin caused by applying the new tattoo completely hides the old tattoo no matter how light the colors are.  The instant result is a "WOW!!! THE OLD TATTOO IS GONE!" the thank-you follows. What you, and probably this artist, doesn't realize is Yes, it looks great right now. But give it 1-6 months and that old tattoo will show right through it all. And now you have a really big mess on your hands! Covering up a cover-up that's covering a cover-up is a major undertaking! And the worst part is, you thought it had been taken care of the first time! Only to be horrified when the old pigment mixed with the new pigment and left what looks like two images combined on your skin in the worst possible way.

When it comes to covering a tattoo in this day and age, there is a common misconception that a tattoo can be covered up by anything. And lack of proper training in many new tattooers just proliferates this misconception. And I wish that was true; But it's just not the case. The fact is: All Tattoo Pigment (ink) is Transparent. Which means it's see-through. The ink remains wet in the dermis layer of skin indefinitely. So, any pigment that is put over/into older pigment mixes together in the skin eventually. Just like mixing paint, the darker pigment takes over the lighter. So, if the tattoo is black, or has black, the only thing that can cover it is black. If the color of the tattoo is Yellow and we put blue over/into it, it mixes in the skin and makes a green color. Get the idea? The only thing you can cover a black tattoo is black pigment, or hide it in Black shading.

There are some tricks we use at Aloha Salt Lake Tattoos so that we don't have to use Solid Black to cover a mistake that was originally done in black pigment. The first trick is to go at least 2-3x as large as the mistake tattoo we are covering and trick the eye to look somewhere other than the location of the old tattoo. Now, we still have to use Black pigment to cover a black mistake, but we can hide it in shading or detailed lines with shading. We then divert the eye to a different area where we add details and something pleasing to look at. So, the old tattoo is still there, hidden in shading. So you end up looking at the new image and don't focus on the area where the shadow is hiding the old tattoo. This gets especially tricky with lettering and thicker lines. Lines and shading that go in one direction are generally easier to "hide" than lines that go in a bunch of different directions. Same with Thick lines; A thick black line is another tricky thing to "hide". But with planning, it can be done effectively.

The problem with a cover-up is you can never get exactly what you want. There is always going to be some degree of settling to make it work. Many people think they found the perfect image to cover their mistake tattoo. Then I explain to them the transparent pigment and how it works. Shattering their dream of a simple cover-up that's the same size as the original mistake tattoo. But, after I explain the in's and out's of how a cover-up works, it's a lot easier for them to find an image that they like that will also do the trick of covering up the mistake.

Basically, if you're wondering if a cover-up image you found will work, Instead of thinking of the new image on top of the old mistake, think of the old tattoo on top of the new image. Because that is what's going to happen. In less than 6 months, that old tattoo will show through on top of the new tattoo. And, if done correctly, you won't be able to tell that there was anything there. Now, YOU may be able to see a small piece of the old tattoo because you know exactly where to look. But nobody else will ever be the wiser. And is't that the point?

When planning a cover-up we have to take all of this into consideration. Each color, each line and shade. It's never a quick... Let's just do this to cover that (unless it's a black shape covering the old tattoo; which some people opt for as a quick fix. But that never looks good in the long-run).

Finally, depending on the image you want, the size of the Mistake Tattoo, and your budget, a partial laser removal partial cover-up may be the way to go. If done correctly, you can get stunning results for a lot less than you think.

There are a few ways to go about this. But each one has it's advantages. Sometimes it's a simple; fade the entire existing tattoo to the point that lighter colors will cover the remaining pigment. This makes things much simpler to get a new image exactly the way you want it. Other times it's removing smaller (or sometimes larger) areas completely so that we can use that space for light areas of the new tattoo. Then leaving other parts that will be covered by dark pigment. This is another way to make a cover-up look exactly the way you want while compromising very little. With the new modern lasers it's less painful and a lot quicker than ever before. We have two tattoo removal partners that our clients work with to accomplish one of these two results. Resulting in an amazing cover-up.

Don't fall victim to anyone telling you that a cover-up is easy! It's not exactly easy. It's always a challenge. And while it's nice to be able to give someone exactly what they want, it rarely works that way with a cover-up. So, take your time, find an artist that will work with you to understand what you are trying to accomplish.

Which-ever way you decide to go, Do it right! Don't make another mistake and end-up with an even bigger mess than you started with. It's going to take time and patience. But in the end, you'll actually have something that you are proud to show.

If you have any questions about covering a tattoo that you don't like, give me a call or send an email. I'm more than happy to answer your questions. We can schedule a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your situation if you like. I'm more than happy to make recommendations based on your expected results. If it turns out that a cover-up is the best solution, We'll figure it out together and give you something that you'll be happy to show off. If Laser Removal is the best solution for you, I have two different clinics that use the most modern methods for removal... it now takes a 1-3 month, not years, to get rid of your mistake. Even quicker to do a partial removal to get that cover-up started. Either way you decide, we are here to help you find a solution that will work best for you.

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Feel free to contact Jon Poulson directly with questions, etc.. You will find him at his private studio in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, or by clicking here - www.AncientMarksTattoo.com

Common Tattoo Questions; Does it Hurt?

I get people stopping by every week asking the same questions; this week was no different. I've decided to answer some of these questions in a public forum, so that others can benefit. I'm going to break this up into segments to that it's not a novella. Hopefully more like smaller chapters that anyone can read in their preferred order, depending on which questions are the most important to them.

With the new-found acceptance of body art, including tattoos, in popular culture, comes waves of people that in decades past would have never considered a tattoo because of the stigma attached. But now that tattoos are an accepted way to express yourself; a way to express your differences; a way to protest society;  even a way to express your sense of belonging to a particular culture, group, club or way of thinking; a way to remember someone, something, or a moment in time; sometimes even just a way to fit-in. The reality is, more and more people are getting tattooed for every reason imaginable.

But, even though it's widely accepted, not everyone can jump into the commitment of a new tattoo so easily. Which is understandable. I've talked to numerous people that really want a tattoo, but deep-down they are afraid for one reason or the other. What if I can't handle the pain; What if I don't like this image staring back at me for the rest of my life; What if I don't like the results; What if I change my mind in the future; What if my best-friend/boss/parents/members of the opposite sex/and the list goes on... doesn't like it? What if..., What if... What if... And each is a valid concern. It's a life-long commitment. What if? And I can't answer that question for anyone. That's something that each individual must answer for themselves.

What I can tell you, from experience, that once you find that perfect first tattoo, you'll know it. You'll know where you want to get it, and you'll know why. And in reality, that's all that should matter. What do you think of it. Here's why: After you get your tattoo, as you're caring for it, you're going to look at it multiple times a day for weeks, months even. Then, after about 6 months you'll notice that you haven't looked at it or even shown it to anyone in a week or two. That's when you'll look at it from time to time with fond memories that bring back the original emotions of why you got it in the first place. Then, after about 9 months to a year, you'll realize that you only see it now and then, and you usually don't even notice it anyway. Maybe when you're getting dressed one morning,  or walking past a mirror at a certain angle, etc... The reality of a tattoo is; It becomes a part of you. You don't notice it any more than you notice the lines on your wrist or elbow. It's just that... a part of you.

Now, if you did your research, and go to an artist that will do a great job on your tattoo, an artist that will give you honest advice. And you did your research, making sure what you are getting isn't a symbol that stands for the opposite of what you are thinking to some other culture, and that you are realistic about what is physically possible as a tattoo (it is pigment(s) injected into living tissue in real-time by an individual; not a computer printing onto a two-demential piece of flat paper), you'll do what most of those tattooed people out there do. Look at your tattoo from time-to-time with fond memories. And that's the reason most people get tattooed. Some times people get a tattoo so that others can tell instantly a little something about that person, or provoke a thought or conversation. But a tattoo is a personal choice that should have meaning to you, and you alone. Expressing that thought or idea to others is, and should be a secondary motive.

So, now that you know that you aren't alone in your fears of the comitment of a tattoo, we can get down to some of the questions people ask about their first tattoo.

Does it Hurt to get Tattooed? 

What do you think? Of course it hurts! it's a very hard sensation to describe; that's why you've heard so many people describe the sensation differently. But honestly, getting a tattoo feels like... getting a tattoo! The pain comes from multiple needles penetrating your skin thousands of times in quick succession. The needles don't go very deep; In fact, when done correctly, the needles are going just below the first layer of skin (the Epidermis) and barely into the second layers (the Dermis). The tattoo needles don't go deep enough to puncture veins, they don't go deep enough to hit the bone. They are barely go a millimeter into the skin. (otherwise blood would push the pigment back out as quickly as it was applied). The easiest way to answer this question is; the sensation of getting a tattoo is similar to a slow scratch.

I tell everyone; Yes, it hurts. But, it's a manageable pain and as soon as I do the first small line so that you can feel it, You will realize that you will be just fine. You, like everyone that's come before you, have built the pain up in your imagination based on what others have told you and your perception. I also tell everyone that in addition to the realization that a tattoo is rarely as painful as they imagine, that by the time we're done, they will be ready to be done. So, it's not the pain of getting tattooed that's the painful part, it's the pain over time that will get to you. Most people can't go beyond the 3 hour mark; I certainly know that I can't, and won't get tattooed for over 2-3 hours. That's my personal limit. (Thus the need for "sessions" on larger pieces.)

What is the Least/Most Painful Area to Get a Tattoo?

This is a tricky question to answer. Tattoo pain is tattoo pain. It feels the same no matter where you are getting tattooed. The difference in pain at certain areas of the body is directly related to the sensitivity of that particular area. But beyond that, it's biased. The reality is; Everyone is different when it comes down to "the most painful area to get tattooed". While there are areas that everyone says hurts more than others, There are almost as many that say those areas are no more painful than easier areas. So, you will never really know where the most or least painful areas are until you experience them for yourself. The strange thing is, I've worked on someone for several weeks in a row and they have experienced little or no pain in that area. Then one week, they say it's excruciating. And while they have been able to go 3-4 hours in weeks past, on that particular day, they an only go for 45 min - 1 hour. So i've come to realize that it has a lot to do with the state your body and mind are in while getting tattooed. Coming to the conclusion that pain is subjective. So, I answer this question with:

Don't worry where it's going to hurt More or Less. It's a Tattoo, it's not going to be pleasant. But, you'll make it through it just fine. Worry more about where you want this particular tattoo. Get it there regardless of the perception of pain associated with that area. The pain is temporary. It hurts while I am physically tattooing you. After it feels akin to a sun-burn. When it's healed, you won't remember the pain. You will however, have a tattoo where you wanted it. For a Lifetime of enjoyment.

To sum it all up: Tattoos do hurt. They don't hurt as bad as most people think. Anyone can make it through a tattoo with a little will-power and persistence. While there are areas on the body that hurt most people a bit more than other areas, please don't let that get in the way of your decision. Get your tattoo where you want to get it, get your tattoo how you want it, and get your tattoo for the reasons you want.  Don't let anyone directly influence your decision to get a tattoo or not get a tattoo. This is your body, You get to live with this tattoo for the rest of your life. Not every tattoo needs to have meaning; sometimes the meaning comes from getting the tattoo itself. It represents a time in your life; Be it a struggle, or anything but a struggle. A tattoo is a representation of a moment in your life and a reminder of that moment.

If you are considering your first tattoo, we are here to help  you make informed decisions on what to get, where to get it and everything else.

Feel free to contact Jon Poulson directly with questions, etc.. You will find him at his private studio in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, or by clicking here - www.AncientMarksTattoo.com

We'll help you make informed decisions about your new tattoo.

White Tattoos

I got two more calls yesterday about white tattoos. It seems like they're becoming more and more popular with the ever-present phrase "do you do white tattoos?" 

Like every "poplar" tattoo white tattoos come in and out of style, but it seems like this one is here to stay. I understand why; most that ask me about getting a white tattoo are noobs to tattooing. (usually it's their first tattoo). It almost seems like they are trying to dip their toes into the waters of tattooing without actually committing to jumping in. So, I get it. With the dramatic increase in popularity over the past 5 years, it's almost become the norm for 20-somethings to have a tattoo that they can show-off. But, like I've often said, "Tattoos aren't for everyone". Heh-since when has that ever stopped a young person from trying out a new trend...

Basically, there is nothing wrong with a white tattoo. I get it; you can easy conceal it; it doesn't attract attention the way a solid black tattoo does; The fact is, you can barely see it. So it's easy to hide from parents, from judge-mental friends, and current and future employers. And you can even look cool to your friends, sexy to the opposite-sex, and seem like a bad-ass that's breaking the rules, without having to really commit.  So, I really do get it.

However, there are some down-sides to it as well. First, it's white! White is already a light color. Most people don't realize that the tattoo pigment we put into your body is just like any other paint in many ways. The pigments used to die the medium to get the vivant colors are the exact same things. (kinda scary, I know) But, like any other pigment, the sun damages them over time. Meaning after years of sun exposure, they lighten up and aren't so bright anymore. Now, that's a long-term problem that many of us face, and I'll get into that more another time. But, my point is... it's gonna all but disappear at some point. And, not in the way that you want either. Spots and areas degrade, leaving blotches of un-recognizable ink and something completely unrecognisable. - Now, that's a worse case scenario. But, it happens.

Beyond that, white pigment doesn't appear to be white under the skin. Let me say that again! White Tattoo Pigment Does Not Look White Under YOUR SKIN! And it never will. You see, every one's skin has a color to it. Look around, and you'll see the range in color; Nobody is the same shade. I'm bringing this up because... Again,  most people don't realize this either; We put the ink (tattoo) into the second layer of the skin, called the Dermis. It's just below the epidermis, but above the Subcutaneous fat in your body. The Dermis is a stable area for the ink to reside. If we go too deep, and it reaches the fat layers, the ink spreads out and looks smudged. If we don't go deep enough, and end up in the epidermis, the ink just falls out when the epidermis exfoliates (or falls off, revealing a new layer). The pigment sits below these layers of skin all of which have your skin color in them. So; Think of your layers of skin as a stained glass window. Each of us has skin of a different color or tone. The ink is behind that layer of "stained glass" skin. So, you see white through your skin tone. (all tattoo pigment is viewed from behind this "stained glass" layers of skin). So, your skin color distorts the color of the pigment. In the case of white, it appears to be a lightened verson of your skin color. Usually a Yellow-ish ocre color. It looks a bit like a scar in some people, but usually it doesn't look pretty. And more-often than not, it doesn't look good once it's all healed.

Now, fresh white tattoos, Look great! They look bright white and pop off the skin. Who wouldn't want that! But the reality is, over a few weeks, your new skin forms over the fresh tattoo, and you lose the brilliance. Then over the long-term the pigment degrades even more due to damage caused by unprotected exposure to the elements; mainly the sun.

And lastly, you are extremely limited in what you can get with a white tattoo. Usually you can't do any shading; and if you can, only small amounts work. You're limited to simple designs that aren't too small.

So, If you're thinking about getting a white tattoo for what-ever reason, think twice. We certainly do white tattoos @ Aloha Salt Lake Tattoos. But, we're going to try and talk you out of it first. In addition, we don't offer complimentary touch-ups on white tattoos for the reasons mentioned above.

If you still want to schedule an appointment to get a white tattoo; Contact us and we'll set-up a consultation so we can discuss the specifics of what you want, and the potential problems. But, realize that we ultimately understand that it's your tattoo, and you get to live with it. So, if you decide that White is the color for you; do all of your research so that you know what you are getting into and call us. We'll take great care of you.

Feel free to contact Jon Poulson directly with questions, etc.. You will find him at his private studio in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, or by clicking here - www.AncientMarksTattoo.com

Tattoo Aftercare

I’ve been a Professional tattoo artist since 2002 and I’ve been a tattoo collector since 1988. I’ve tried everything in the way of tattoo aftercare, and made plenty of mistakes along the way (with the scarred tattoos to prove it). But with all those tattoos and mistakes, I’ve learned a few things about proper healing of a tattoo.

I started documenting these aftercare instructions in 1998, after a particularly bad healing session. Over the years, decades really, It has evolved and morphed because of all of the mistakes that I’ve personally witnessed and things my clients have done; both right and wrong.

I hope you find this guide insightful. I welcome comments and even a discussion. I know that everyone is different; that everyone has their own techniques to heal their own personal tattoos. But this is a general guideline that I have found to be extremely effective for both the new comer to tattoos with the tiny line, all the way up to the seasoned vet; with both arms sleeved and a back and chest piece. Most people find that their body reacts differently to different lotions and moisturizers. I've found that as long as they follow these general guidelines, I’ve never seen a problem.

So here it is… Two methods, the new method: Saniderm, and the old method, Susan Wrap/Washing method

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Tegaderm Method

(Saniderm, Second Skin, Derm Shield, Transparent bandaid, etc…)

1.  Clean and dry the tattoo thoroughly.

2. Cut Saniderm to the desired length and shape. You should account for an extra inch or two on each side of the tattoo to come in contact with un-tattooed, dry skin.

3. Expose a small section of the sticky side by peeling off the opaque backing.

4. Smooth Saniderm over the freshly cleaned tattoo as yo peel the backing.

5. Once applied, remove the clear/shiny supportive backing (on the outside). The look of the backing on both front and back does vary by brand.

6. The bandage should be flat on the skin with no bubbles or wrinkles for best results. The bandage can leak if not applied properly.

How Does Saniderm Work? 

Unlike Saran Wrap, Saniderm is a medical-grade, breathable, waterproof tattoo bandage. Saniderm is engineered to be permeable to gasses, like oxygen. These bandages alleviate many of the pitfalls that come with other tattoo healing methods. Primarily, Saniderm drastically reduces the risk of contaminants entering the wound site of a fresh tattoo. Wearing Saniderm protects the area from unwanted shear/friction and allows the body to keep itself moisturized.

Keep this bandage on for 3-6 days (or as directed by your artist) – the full six days being ideal. If the skin appears irritated, there is fluid buildup, or the bandage is coming off, it’s okay to remove the bandage sooner rather than later.

• The first t24-48 hours there may be a build up of blood, ink, and/or plasma underneath the Saniderm. This is completely normal.

• You do not want to leave the build up for more than one day.

• Remove Saniderm when there is build up, clean and dry the tattooed area and re-apply a fresh piece.

Saniderm Removal

• To remove Saniderm, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth.

• Your shower is the ideal place to remove Saniderm. Running water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable.

• Dry removal of Saniderm may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.

• Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with a mild soap, preferably fragrance-free. 

• Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a clean towel.

• Repeat the process, using a new piece of Saniderm starting at step one (Above)

• If you develop an adverse reaction, discontinue use immediately.

• Once you remove the Saniderm for good, if desired, apply a thin layer of aftercare product to your tattoo. Use a thin layer of petroleum-free moisturizer to help the tattoo retain moisture and itch less. 

Do not reapply any more bandages after the scabbing/flaking phase of tattoo healing has begun. If you find yourself bandage-less during this phase, make sure you’re keeping the area thoroughly moisturized.

If there is adhesive residue leftover on the skin, or the adhesive is not loosening enough with water, coconut oil and baby oil are helpful for removal.

Caring for Your New Tattoo After Removing Saniderm

Once the bandage has been removed, continue caring for the tattoo by washing and moisturizing as needed, until the tattoo is fully healed. The tattoo may appear to be fully healed on the surface once your Saniderm bandage comes off. However, deeper layers of skin will still be repairing for 2-4 months. We recommend a good moisturizing regimen for this entire period.

Wearing Saniderm While Showering, Swimming, and Exercising

Showering while wearing Saniderm is fine, but it’s best to keep the time spent in the shower to a minimum. Bathing, swimming, or fully submerging a tattoo dressed in Saniderm is strongly discouraged. Light exercise while wearing Saniderm is fine, but avoid activity that causes excessive sweating. Just as water will weaken the adhesion of the bandage, so will sweat and any other significant amount of fluid. Try to keep the bandage as clean and dry as possible until it’s time to remove it. 

Please call if you have any questions or concerns with these products

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The Old Method… that many still prefer over Saniderm:

1. Remove the bandage/wrappings in no less than 1 hour, but no more than 5 hours and gently wash the entire area with a mild anti-bacterial soap and warm water (avoid hot water). Thoroughly massage the tattoo using only your hands with lathered soap and warm water to remove any dried blood and plasma. Do not scrub. Do not re-bandage.

2. Rinse thoroughly, gently pat dry with a clean paper towel, then allow a few minutes “breathing time” to air dry completely.

3. Apply mild unscented lotion* VERY LIGHTLY and THIN as needed, Usually 2-4 times a day, with clean hands until fully healed. Always wash hands before applying lotion or touching the healing tattoo. (Applying lotion with un-clean hands is the #1 cause of infection. Infection, even a minor infection, can not only harm you, it can destroy a healing tattoo. Germs are everywhere! Always wash hands just prior to any contact. Otherwise these germs will enter the open skin in and around the tattoo. (Not all germs are bad, but the bad ones can destroy your tattoo.)

4. Wash, dry, then moisturize your tattoo 2-3 times a day with the same process as above for about 3 days. (Showering counts as one of those cleanings.) if you chose to use a petroleum based moisturizer, it is best to limit it to the first 3 days. After you stop washing the tattoo daily, switch to a lotion as mentioned above.)

5. Keep your new tattoo dry and clean until healed. Do not touch, pick, scratch or otherwise irritate the tattoo. (Wear clean, lose, unbinding clothing, avoid rubbing or irritating the healing tattoo.)

6. ABSOLUTELY NO soaking the tattoo in baths, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, oceans, pools or any other naturally or unnaturally occurring body of water until fully healed. Or at very least until the tattoo has finished flaking and only new skin remains. Aside from using lotion to moisturize as necessary, keep your tattoo as dry as possible until fully healed. Again, showering is fine. just remember to stop washing the tattoo after day 3. Keep the tattoo out of the water as much as possible while showering to avoid complications. (Remember to gently pat, never rub, the tattoo dry.)

7. Keep the new tattoo out of the sun for at least 4 weeks. After that period use the highest sun block you can to keep your tattoo from fading. Any and all tanning of the tattoo will cause fading and will void any touch-up guarantee. (Tanning beds included.)

8. DO NOT listen to ANYONE but your tattoo artist about the aftercare of your tattoo. Just because something works for someone you know, does not mean it will work for you, or this tattoo. (Obviously we aren’t medical professionals, but we’ve seen enough go wrong that we can point you in that direction if necessary.)

9. Yes, they are going to be there forever, yes they hurt, yes they make you tough, and no they don’t make you a bad person.

10. Contact your artist immediately if you have ANY questions, complications, or concerns.

*PLEASE NOTE: There are many lotions that will work. You will want to use a lotion that your body is familiar with if possible. You want a lotion that is unscented, and contains minimal, or preferably no alcohol. Brands like Curell, Eucerin, Lubraderm, or Noxema (lotion, not cleanser) typically work great. Ideally a new bottle that is travel sized for easy access while out of your home. If you chose to use a petroleum based moisturizer, please apply extremely thin (so thin that your clothes won’t even stick to it), and only use it for the first 3 days. After that, switch to a regular lotion mentioned above. Avoid Triple Antibiotic Ointment (ie…Neosporin or Polysporin). While there are certain antibiotic products that can help a healing tattoo for the first few days if used properly, (Namely Bacitracin); Neosporin (and any other triple antibiotic ointment) is designed to heal a wound not a tattoo, and often pulls ink out of a healing tattoo. Especially if used improperly. It is important to understand that healing a tattoo must be treated differently than healing a wound. Your body’s job is to remove debris embedded in a wound to help prevent infection. But with a tattoo, you want this “debris” in the form of tattoo pigment to remain in tact where it was so carefully, and painfully, placed by your artist.

Once something goes wrong with the healing process, it is nearly impossible to stop or reverse most complications. If the tattoo scabs, then something went wrong and the tattoo got infected during the healing process. (Usually from bacteria transferred from unclean surfaces; ie. hands, lotion, clothing, water, or numerous other un-clean sources coming into contact with the healing tattoo.) It is best to let any scabs that form dry out completely… stop using the moisturizer then let any scab fall off completely naturally. Picking, rubbing or itching any scab on the tattoo will often pull the underlying ink out, along with the healing skin. This often results in bleeding, worse scabbing, and scarring which is often impossible to fix. Ultimately leaving you with something less than ideal on your body permanently.

While some bruising and swelling is common, especially in fleshy areas, sensitive areas, or lower extremities for the first few days, swelling that continues to increase for 3-4 days, develops a red outer edge around that continues to expand, and feels warm, or hot to the touch could be a sign of infection. It is extremely rare to get an infection from actually getting the tattoo. 99.999% of infected tattoos I have seen have come from neglect while caring for the tattoo; either not washing anything that comes into contact with the new tattoo, exposing it to numerous germs; or just ignoring your responsibilities for aftercare and hoping your body does the job. That being said, if it is infected, there is nothing I can do for you…. Could be time to consult a physician. But, keep in mind, most doctors rarely see infected tattoos, and their job is to heal you as quickly as possible as well as scare you so you don’t make foolish mistakes again. Often, their advise and prescriptions, along with the infection, destroy the tattoo in the process. So do yourself a favor, just follow the instructions and all will be well.

You only have one shot at this. Do not over-do it! Simply follow the instructions above, no more-no less and you will have a beautiful tattoo that you can enjoy for the rest of your life.

Again, if you have any questions, concerns or complications, contact me as soon as possible. While I am not a doctor, and cannot offer any actual medical advice, I have seen nearly every complication that can possibly arise from a healing tattoo. While certain complications can be common, as long as you follow the instructions provided, it is highly unlikely that you will have any problems.

A little tip; when your tattoo starts to itch, please don’t scratch it. By doing so, you can easily damage the skin, causing infection, or at very least, pull pigment out of the fresh tattoo causing a vicious cycle that results in scarring. Instead, with clean hands, gently slap the itching area with minimal force. This usually eliminates the itching sensation. Sometimes you will have to slap it a few times. You can itch around the tattoo, but you run the risk of damaging the edges. If it gets bad, try a lotion with lidocaine in it or possibly a lidocaine spray.

Feel free to contact Jon Poulson directly with questions, etc.. You will find him at his private studio in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, or by clicking here - www.AncientMarksTattoo.com

Your comments and photos help others make informed decisions about getting a tattoo. And I really appreciate the feedback. ;-)