Kate1939

My first tattoo was flash right off the wall and done kind of spur of the moment (I was 19).  I loved it for about ten years and then decided to cover it up.  I did a lot of research in the area where I was living at the time (this was now the mid-1990s, so the internet wasn't really a "thing" yet).  I just did legwork.  Checked out shops, portfolios, talked to artists.  Found someone I was comfortable with whose work I admired.  He did I great job.  I've done the same kind of research for my most recent two tattoos, but the legwork started online and ended with meeting the artist in person, talking design, etc.  I'm very happy with him, and very lucky that he works not too far from me.  But I'm also kind of heading into a new phase here on LST and getting an even better education about what makes a "good" tattoo.  I'm reading a lot, checking out the artist interviews, absorbing things.  It's been a real education and I plan to stick around so I can become even more informed.  Best way to find out what makes a good tattoo?  Spend time with people who HAVE good tattoos!  

If tattooing just worked by placing a pool of ink under the skin, then the force of impacts could force it to move like squashing a blood-filled tick. But it doesn't. The ink placed in the epidermis during the process is mostly consumed by macrophages which are sent by the body's immune system to deal with the intruding ink or absorbed by skin cells - fibroblasts. The majority of the macrophages and fibroblasts remain in the epidermis and retain the ink which is why the tattoo remains visible. Over time, some ink does break down and gets carried away which is why they fade over time. But, the cells don't get moved about when you get hit. You may have bruising as the body reacts to the trauma...much like when you got tattooed, but the cells don't get rearranged and pushed out into other areas on the epidermis.
I learned this by watching a TED video.

I would recomend a scientific approach to finding out if this happens.
The first step is to have a professional topographical survey done of the two full sleeves on both your arms.
After that you will have to keep close track of any impacts that your arm's sustain. The g-force measuring equipment is heavy and hot, but in the name of science I feel you should person-up and wear it for the cause.
Finally after each impact above the small bump level (impact force in kilonewtons as yet to be defined) you will need to re-survey both your two full sleeves on both your arms daily, perhaps twice, to look for fading. External variables, such as light exposure and aging will be hard to account for, but hopefully the measuring equipment will provide some sun protection.
Best of luck in this scientific endeavor! I salute your bravery and willingness to devote your life to the furthering of our tattoo longevity factor knowledge.

Very new here and I have to say I find the honesty refreshing.  There's too much BS in the world as it is.  I'm here for quality advice and insight, not hand-holding.  I've been cruising the initiation threads the last few days (got to page 71...geez) and I've seen a few threads where people just seem to be fishing for some kind of therapeutic approval. I'm all for supporting each other, but I'm glad to see this isn't a place for coddling the attention-grabbers.  I like the honesty of LST.  Keep it real.  Just my two cents.

I don't have an elbow tattoo, so I may be the last person who should be answering this, but I agree with Sarah that the skin seems very different on the elbow.  I know that the skin on my elbow can be dry and scaly almost like an elephant hide (gross, sorry).  Maybe it has something to do with texture?  And also the amount of bending and flexing that goes on.  An expert (who actually has an elbow tattoo) could give you a better answer.
As for the ankle tattoos, I've had an ankle tattoo for close to 17 years now (first a small, solid black one, then a much larger cover up) and neither have been affected by socks.  Don't know if this helps.  Maybe someone else has a different experience.

Officially started to peel this afternoon. And itch. Did I mention it itches?  Oh, and no scabs so far!!!

So on to Day 3 of the healing. Plasma and ink leak have stopped. Still a bit sensitive to the touch but less so each day. I tried to wear a t-shirt and dress shirt to work yesterday....OUCH!!!!....luckily I had a polo shirt in my closet in the office so I switched out after an hour at work.
I am probably about to jinx myself, but to this point no signs of scabbing. I've stuck to the routine that worked for my first tattoo. I wash with antibacterial soap 3 to 4 times a day, let it air dry, and then apply a very light coat of Aquaphor - massaging it in thoroughly and then using a clean paper towel to blot off any excess. I can tell if I've left too much on in any place within a few hours - the skin in that are will swell a bit. I blot the area and it will subside within a few hours.
I can see some spots already getting ready to start peeling. Once that happens, I'll switch to unscented Aveeno body lotion.
So far so good. It's amazing how each of us react differently to the healing process.

So I will post this pic here as my start point - about 24 hours post finish. I slept in an old t-shirt last night and had no plasma or ink leak that I noticed. Showered this morning using antibacterial soap and am using a light Aquaphor application in place of the A&D my artist gave me (I used Aquaphor on my first tattoo also). This one seems much more sensitive than my first - perhaps because of the amount of shading on this one versus my first?). It is tender - like a brush burn. Most of the redness is gone, it just is uncomfortable to have a shirt sleeve rubbing it.  I was out this afternoon and as I got in the car Lynn mentioned that it looked like I had some plasma leak - never had that with my first. When I got home I washed it again and reapplied a very light cover of Aquaphor. I noticed when I pat it dry with a clean paper towel, I am getting a small amount of ink but that seems to lessen with each washing.
So, we'll see how this one goes. My guess is that it's not going to be as easy as my first.

 

And, finally, in the daylight. I am really stoked. This says exactly what I want it to say...without stating it blatantly. For me, it is awesome.

Looking a little less irritated today - and now on to the commiserating about healing thread!!

Got this today - crappy picture so it's hard to see the colors. I'll post a better pic tomorrow after it is a bit less irritated and in better light. This is my 9/11 Pentagon survivor nod. I had the artist perch the eagle on a pentagonal-shaped piece of rubble. Had originally wanted to have the date 9-11-01 in the center but, after getting feedback here, decided against it. I'm glad I left it out. I asked him to create some clouds and show the sun beginning to peak out - really based on my desire to speak to the focus on the future and not just the event itself. I was very, very lucky to survive that day - this piece has much meaning.

I think the skin on your elbow tends to be much dryer and coarser, maybe that's why those tattoos age more. I had heard of ankle tattoos being effected by constant rubbing from socks, that's why I was worried initially. 
 
Kate, thanks for your input. It's good to hear from someone who has lived with their tattoo a while. Hope you love your new tattoo!

I don't have any tattoos on my shoulders, so I am big fat zero help. But I wanted you to know I read your thread, even I have no insight. Haha.

The problem I see with this "tattoo style flow chart" is that it enables people to do all their research from the comfort of the home computer. A consultation tool? Whatever happened to walking INTO A TATTOO SHOP! Y'know, feeling like your going to shit your pants when the scary surly tattooer with a cig hanging out of his mouth comes to the counter to greet you with a smile, flash a gold tooth and says "what'll it be kid?". And you say in a shaky voice "uh um uh uh...i'd like a tattoo" and mr.tattooer says "relax kid and make yourself at home, we gots lots of flash on the walls, photo portfolios from our tattooers are on the table" and you say "uh thank you!" and then you sit back and flip through the books, get excited and see what type of fine work this shop is capable of. THAT is research.
maybe I'm being a snob. yes, most probably. but part of getting the tattoo is that experience. and I'll never forget the first few times I walked into tattoo shops. some of them i looked around for 30secs and walked right out. some I stuck around for an hour and half and waited to be able to chat with a tattooer who's work struck me. it made getting a tattoo a real thing.
so maybe you are thinking about your first tattoo. or second or third. or you're nearly filled up! whichever way I encourage people to get off tumblr and instagram (okay, stay here on LST though hehe) and go into that tattoo shop with the butterflies in your stomach to see what the tattooers within your reach are capable of. don't dissolve tattoos down to binary decision making -- make your tattoo an analog life experience. GO FOR IT!
/endrant!

What is this, the high school guidance counsellor method of getting tattooed?

Don't tell me that people walked into a shop or picked up a phone, talked to a human being, looked through a portfolio and then made up his or her mind and booked something (or not), because that's obviously crazy.

The longer I've had a tattoo and the more I'm focused on the next one the less I care about small imperfections. If anything they can along with fading be beautiful like a well worn pair of jeans. Tattoos are hand made. That's why I like 'em.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are you for real? This is supposed to justify not going to a tattooer? If you had any respect for getting tattoos, you would want to soak up the whole experience and process for getting a tattoo. I love consults and mulling over designs the weeks/months before. Even if a cylon was able to draw up a sick "tat" for you, it seems like you have a clear direction to what you want anyway. Just take it to a human and save us from a nuclear war with machines FOR FRACKING SAKE.
/end battlestar rant/cylon fears.

How lovely and inspiring, Mark. *faith in humanity restored* @Devious6

Want to know what 1000 backpacks filled with school supplies destined to be given to needy elementary and middle school children look like? Here they are

 
Our College's Registrar Office has been doing internal fundraisers for the past 4 years to fund giving the backpacks out - as well as other supplies when possible - to schools that have needy students. We started with one 3rd grade class and are now up to 3 schools and multiple classes in each. We've given out over 450 backpacks so far this year.
But, a local church, Parker Hill Church, contacted us recently to say they wanted to help. Today, the delivered 1000 backpacks filled with supplies. This will allow us to outreach to schools that surround our 4 extension campuses - something we've not been able to do before. It took about an hour for us to carry them in to the storage room - but what an experience. If this doesn't put a smile on your face, nothing will.

Just to add to this, I've had good luck on my back tattoo with shirts made for hiking -- lightweight, breathable, soft material.  Don't wear anything that has fluffy bits on the inside that could get inside the open wound for the first few days.  Also, always dry your tattoo with paper towels.  Same concept.  Regular towels can have fluff that can get into your tattoo (also they can harbor all sorts of nasties even when they're "clean").
Good luck, Devious!  Have a great time Saturday! :)

Very new here and I have to say I find the honesty refreshing.  There's too much BS in the world as it is.  I'm here for quality advice and insight, not hand-holding.  I've been cruising the initiation threads the last few days (got to page 71...geez) and I've seen a few threads where people just seem to be fishing for some kind of therapeutic approval. I'm all for supporting each other, but I'm glad to see this isn't a place for coddling the attention-grabbers.  I like the honesty of LST.  Keep it real.  Just my two cents.

Make sure you listen to your artist. He/she will give you instructions on aftercare as well. My only alteration was to use Aquaphor instead of A&D for the first few days - and VERY light is truly the key for both the Aquaphor and the lotion until you are healed and the peeling and any scabbing is gone.
Your skin needs air to heal - one of the major factors behind the many folks who advocate for a dry heal. Whatever you wear it should cover the tattoo to protect it from the sun and the poking of curious people, but not be constricting or chafing.
I'm scheduled to be in the chair on Saturday so I'll be right behind you in the healing process!!  Enjoy the experience!

I'd agree to all of this.  Make sure the aquaphor is definitely VERY light, you want the tattoo to breathe.  I don't know where your placement is, but I also like to give my tattoo lots of air time.  Once the (light) aquaphor is on, I let the tattoo breathe whenever I can.  Not sure if this actually does anything, but I'm a pretty fast healer, so maybe it helps (?).  Also I'd say whatever snack you bring, make sure it has some sugar in it -- depending on how long you're sitting, you'll want to keep your sugar levels up so you don't crash out.  Keep those glucose levels up!  Dress comfortably, and enjoy the ride :).  Good luck and congrats!

What are you getting? How big and where?
Best advice: get plenty of sleep, eat a lot of food before you go, bring water (and a snack if you'll be there awhile), and just relax and enjoy it.
Everyone has their aftercare routine, but mine is first 2-3 days lots of washing and very light aquaphor, then switching to lotion once the peel starts on day 3-4. That's it.