Hogrider

I'd pass on this artist. First, there are only a few tattoos that show their delicate line work and if you look closely, some of that line work is really wonky. What you want to look for is someone that has examples of delicate line work on thin skin, just exactly like what you are looking to have done. Look for someone that does what you want done. It doesn't matter if someone does the best traditional Japanese if you are looking for a portrait and it doesn't matter if someone can do big, bold colorful tattoos if you are looking for small, delicate line work.

Wow, you view tattooing as scarring yourself?

Blocking the pain is blocking the pain. It's just my opinion, my rules aren't binding on anyone but myself.

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.

How are numbing creams any different? You still didn't 'earn' your tattoo.

"It's just lines." Drawing accurate, consistent lines isn't easy. And you had it done on thin, delicate skin prone to blow-outs. And in a very visible spot. And you had concerns about the artist before you started. No way that could go wrong. I would look for the best artist you can find to see what they can do about that. Look at this as a very valuable lesson - don't cheap out on artists. And take your time. I've seen many people rush out to fix something they didn't like and wound up making it worse.

Why can't you just take a picture of it yourself and print it out so they can draw on it?

I know. If there is a legitimate reason for the information, why the secrecy?

"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?

At least you didn't get a tattoo of Uranus.

Tattoos fade eventually. Some faster, some slower; there are a lot of different factors involved. The chances of having a lot of tattoos the exact same shade of brown are practically zero. If that is your expectation you’ll be very disappointed.

I was just joking. She doesn't like my tattoos, but she doesn't give me the stink eye.

It takes 4 - 6 weeks for a tattoo to heal. You can't do ANYTHING until then, so sit back, relax, see what happens. Worst case scenario you go back for a touch up.

The only reason I stayed away is I was afraid I'd move if I woke up and ruin a line.

Different people have different sensitive spots. I almost fell asleep while I was getting my back done ... above the love handles. My right leg was mostly a piece of cake, my left leg is not going as easily. As my artist says, just because it hurts isn't a good reason to not get a tattoo.

5 or 6 hours on your inner forearm is no walk in the park. That's some pretty thin, sensitive skin. For a long session I usually take 3 Advil before I start, 3 four hours later and then 3 more four hours after that. If you are going to sit that long I'd bring some Gatorade, power bars, banana, etc. Sip and graze, it cuts down on the bathroom breaks. I'd keep the breaks to a minimum. Every time you stop, you have to try to get back into the zone and it gets harder every time. Good luck.

If you have limits, it would be useful to pin your area down a little better than Eastern Iowa and how far you are willing to drive.

If anyone looks at that and thinks it is a cabbage they are just stupid.

1. How will a tattoo look when the underlying skin is brown? I mean, will it be like mixing 2 colors with each other, or will the ink overpower the spot's pigment? No, it's not mixing colors. Your artist should create the design with this in mind. 2. I know that tattooing on high-friction, high-moisture areas (exactly like mine) isn't the brightest idea, because the tattoo might fade away quick. Is it true? I've never heard of under arm tattoos fading quickly. It's not like it's on your foot and you're walking on the skin all day. If it is true, how come the "natural" brown pigmentation I have hasn't faded away? It's not true. Are tattoo pigments and my pigments residing on different layers of the skin? Ink goes into the dermis or second layer of skin just below the epidermis. Where is your pigment? 3. Obviously my skin is more sensitive than others'. Is there any way to assess the consequences of having a tattoo? No. Can I be allergic to the ink? Actual allergies are extremely rare. Some people are more sensitive to some colors, but if you do the research, you'll find that few medically documented cases of people being allergic to ink. Can the tattoos cause inflammation like the deodorants did? It's possible, but if your doctors can't answer the question, it's unlikely a tattoo artist could. I read that most inks contain some nasty metals and unfriendly materials that will surely irritate my skin. No, No, No, No, No. Millions of people get tattoos and only a tiny percent every have problems. If the inks were so toxic, there would be a lot of people with problems. But maybe are there natural pigments or anything less harmful that I could tolerate? You don't know until you get the tattoo. Tattooing a tiny spot to "test" the ink doesn't really do anything. 4. Since the area is close to the lymph nodes, do you think that the ink can somehow diffuse to them and cause unwanted effects? Plenty of people get tattoos next to and over the lymph nodes. I wouldn't worry about that. Or am I too paranoid? Better to ask the questions BEFORE you get a tattoo than after. There is nothing wrong with doing thorough research before deciding if you want to go ahead with the tattoo.

If you tell where you are located, you might get some recommendations.

I don't know what a big ass crisp is, but that tattoo looks normal, as @Gingerninja said, give it time. Tattoos can take a month or more to completely heal. I'm not sure how long it takes a big ass crisp.

You've had lots of tattoos and you don't know about peeling? Tattoos take a month or more to heal. Save the tears until at least then.

Very cool, nice crisp line work.

Maybe she should just use a Sharpe. That will fade quickly and there is no long term commitment. My advice is to wait until you and your friend are ready to commit to a tattoo. Otherwise you're going to wind up with a squiggly line on your arm, in a very visible spot, wondering what the hell you were thinking. You know that you don't just go in and laser them off like on TV, right? It's painful, expensive, multiple sessions and will likely leave something you can still see on the skin.