Tattoos — Are they safe? Do they hurt?

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TLD

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#170914 30-Mar-2015 19:50

Tattoos are everywhere nowadays, and despite being in my first year qualifying for super, I like the idea of getting one done. We have a place in Blenheim, so I am wondering are they safe, and does it hurt much?

Thanks for any insight.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

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#1273699 30-Mar-2015 19:53

I am covered

are they safe - Yes if you get it done by a reputable place

do they hurt - Yes they do.

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blakamin

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#1273712 30-Mar-2015 20:10

My mum got her first one at 64.. She's 77 now.
Besides my daughters, I can't think of anyone in my family without at least one.

edit: brother in law doesn't have any.

PoHq

466 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1273745 30-Mar-2015 20:24

Like any business, plumber, electrician or whatever you'll get good and bad tattooists. Do your research on the potential place that will be doing the work on you and you can't go wrong. I have heaps. Love them. Money no object I'd have full sleeves for sure.

Do they hurt? Yes.

I'm from Blenheim also. I think I know the place you are speaking about but I'm unsure about the quality of his work.

Good luck!

scuwp

3885 posts

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#1273746 30-Mar-2015 20:25

Ask around for recommendations, and go to a reputable place. Depending how extensive you want it, hardest part is figuring out what you want, and then finding an artist who can translate that onto skin. Most have lots of examples of their work to peruse.

Does it hurt?...yes, but in a strange liberating kind of way. That also depends on the location (of the tattoo, not the parlour!)

Warning, tattoos are addictive, once you get one you may find yourself looking for some more blank canvas!

Sorry don't know any down your way.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

JaseNZ

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#1273749 30-Mar-2015 20:32

scuwp:

Warning, tattoos are addictive, once you get one you may find yourself looking for some more blank canvas!

+1 , so very very true

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blakamin

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#1273750 30-Mar-2015 20:34

scuwp:

Warning, tattoos are addictive, once you get one you may find yourself looking for some more blank canvas!

+2
HAHA, totally!

jonathan18

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#1273755 30-Mar-2015 20:43

At the risk of being accused of being ageist, I've read that the older one is when getting a tattoo the more care that needs to be put into placement, size etc, due to changes in the skin and its elasticity etc - though I've got no evidence to prove this one way or another. Not that I'm trying to discourage you from doing it!

Talk to people you know with tattoos, as I think direct recommendations are an advantage (though, of course, also check out their sample books).

And, obviously, avoid getting a tattoo with a one day site voucher! I recall someone on Fair Go complaining about their experience but, seriously, is a tattoo something to select based only on cost??!!

I found it hurt quite a bit more than I expected, but found it bearable - watching rather than looking away seemed to help.

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#1273756 30-Mar-2015 20:44

You cannot take it back ... stuck with it forever ...

jonathan18

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#1273760 30-Mar-2015 20:50

joker97: You cannot take it back ... stuck with it forever ...

Huh? Isn't laser removal fairly effective, even if costly?

Sure, put a good amount of thought into the decision, and then the design, size, location etc - but I don't think one is stuck with a tattoo forever. Having your first one in a place that may not be always (or ever) visible may offer a dip-the-toe in experience if not 100% sure...

EDIT - I see a tattoo place in town offers pre-paid vouchers for tattoo removal (not sure if that gives confidence in regards to their workmanship!) but $490 for six treatments for a 10x10cm area I don't think that sounds too bad a price...

Geese

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#1273786 30-Mar-2015 21:22

jonathan18:Huh? Isn't laser removal fairly effective, even if costly?

I have 5 tattoos and looked into getting one removed. WINZ will pay for this if its likely to be a barrier to gaining employment BTW. I got a doctor referral, and then was informed while laser removal is effective - there is some thought that when the laser allows the ink to be removed by the lymphatic system, there is some risk of developing cancer from it. Thats all I needed to hear and I have not had the removal done.

I feel bad somewhat about covering it up at job interviews to not be discriminated against/eliminated from the selection, and then on day one at work, there it is.

Geese

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#1273788 30-Mar-2015 21:25

jonathan18: At the risk of being accused of being ageist, I've read that the older one is when getting a tattoo the more care that needs to be put into placement, size etc, due to changes in the skin and its elasticity etc - though I've got no evidence to prove this one way or another. Not that I'm trying to discourage you from doing it!

Apart from the obvious of ageing and developing wrinkles or stretch lines from gaining weight etc etc applicable to anyone thinking of a tattoo; the other thing is tattoos fade in time, even if they never see the sunlight, and they also blur and lose definition. My first tattoos from 17 years ago are very faded and blurry around the edges.

Geese

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#1273810 30-Mar-2015 21:37

joker97: You cannot take it back ... stuck with it forever ...

I have a tattoo I regret, only because 99% of people who see it have no idea what it is, and therefore ask what it is (and its too hard to explain), or take a guess of what it is and the typical guess is totally wrong but it sort of irritates me the general public must think thats what it looks like.

So there is a solution to getting rid of a tattoo one regrets, if you don't want laser removal, and thats my plan for this irritating tattoo, is to get a patch-over tattoo. I have figured out by its basic shape, it would be very easy to simply go over it in black in another tasteful design.

blakamin

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#1273824 30-Mar-2015 22:13

IlDuce:
joker97: You cannot take it back ... stuck with it forever ...

I have a tattoo I regret, only because 99% of people who see it have no idea what it is, and therefore ask what it is (and its too hard to explain), or take a guess of what it is and the typical guess is totally wrong but it sort of irritates me the general public must think thats what it looks like.

I've never cared what people think, and have never had anyone ask (except my mrs). That said, they come to my wrists so I'm not really expecting anyone to come and have a real close look (they can easily be covered for important occasions).
Some of mine go back 25 years.

My most painful place was over my kidneys on my back. I had to learn to ride the adrenalin on those sessions.

mattwnz

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#1273850 30-Mar-2015 22:54

I have heard laser removal is more painful than getting the tattoo. The may also not fully remove them. There are also possibly other downsides such as cost to remove them. I wouldn't get one, and it seems everyone seems to have one these days. Would I get one done...no.

NZtechfreak

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#1273852 30-Mar-2015 23:00

Regards safety - there is always a risk, no matter how reputable the establishment. They can't banish the risk of infection completely from state of the art operating theatres, so what chance to you suppose a tattoo artist has at achieving that?

The risk is low in good establishments, granted, but anyone trying to tell you it is safe without qualifications...

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