When is a good time to get a tattoo!

[Chris221273]

Would you get it at the start of your holiday so it heals quicker on the sun or just before you go back.
I want one on my lower left arm on the up facing side(where the hair grows ) but am wondering when the best time to get one is, as I don't want it to spoil being able to go swimming etc etc
Thanks
Chris

[dksbbs]

Friends of mine always get theirs done the day before coming home.


Dave

[Kneale]

Definitely when you're sober

[Papa_P]

DO NOT get your tattoo at the start of your holiday.

Think of it as an open wound (because essentially thats what it is), so you need to keep it moisturised and clean. Problems and irritation arise when you expose a new tattoo to direct sunlight or bath it in water. Salt Water especially can cause major problems. You need to keep your new tattoo clean at all times.

Basically you want to really look after it until all scabbing is away (usually about 2 weeks).

The last thing you want is the ink fading or running from your new tattoo, so take some Bepanthen with you (to put on it 3 times daily after you've had it done)

Whoever does your tattoo will probably tell you all this anyway.

But the most important thing is to hold off and not get your tattoo until your last day/night.

[Erik The Viking]

As above, always last night for me, apart from a shower etc you shouldnt really be swimming in the sea after etc.

Be mindful of where you have your tattoo too as last year I had a large one on my back and the plane journey was a little uncomfortable.

and never ever pick it....!

[Chris221273]

Thanks everyone, it will be on my left arm so should be ok, have had 2 tats before so will look after it well
Chris

[Chocoholic]

Definately as near to the finish of your holiday as you can. I had quite a big one done at the top of my back and I was lucky and it didn't scab at all. Came away from the tattoo place with cling film over it to be left for a couple of hours (looking like a meat sandwich lol!) I suppose to keep germs out.

I had 2 done the day before I came home on my hands, and pulling my cases was agony, wouldn't wait that long again.

[Katiehutchinson_1991]

not at the start of your holiday but not at the very end
give it a couple of days before you fly home
xxxx

[emmamichelle]

As a tattoo artist i would say please for the love of all that is good in the world, dont get it at any point that you will allow it to be in the sun. You increase the risk of skin cancer, ink running -- which will leave it very undesirable and blurry and horrible, by allowing a new tattoo to be exposed to the sun within the first 6 weeks of having it done can (and mostly likely will) just lead to problems --- plus you'll be in a lot of pain and will come home with a crappy tat.

If you notice loadsa people are always back from holidays like "look at my new tattoo" and you think aw thats quite crap --- the tattoo artist probably did a good job, the person probably just exposed it to the sun and got it burnt wouldnt want you to regret it!

oh and by the way --- take some "Palmer's cocoa butter formula" ! works like a babe!! i always recommend it!! plus it smells so much nicer than Bepanthen!

what are you planning on getting???

emma

[john]

A tattoo artist in the UK told me that untill your tat has healed you should avoid anything beginning with " S " sun, sea and sand. Last year my daughter had one on her foot the day before we came home and she was fine.

John

[Chris221273]

Hi Emma,
I'm planning a tiger of some sort, I already have 2 tigers (can you see a pattern immerging yet?) so this will be number 3.
One of my tattoos was done by Ian of Reading, no doubt someone you will have heard of as your in the same business, and I love it.
Chris

[Erik The Viking]

Hi Emma,
I'm planning a tiger of some sort, I already have 2 tigers (can you see a pattern immerging yet?) so this will be number 3.
One of my tattoos was done by Ian of Reading, no doubt someone you will have heard of as your in the same business, and I love it.
Chris

Chris, i nearly had the one below a couple of years ago, i love the design but went for a wolf in the end, feel free to take this if you like it

[Chris221273]

Hi Emma,
I'm planning a tiger of some sort, I already have 2 tigers (can you see a pattern immerging yet?) so this will be number 3.
One of my tattoos was done by Ian of Reading, no doubt someone you will have heard of as your in the same business, and I love it.
Chris

Chris, i nearly had the one below a couple of years ago, i love the design but went for a wolf in the end, feel free to take this if you like it

That's an awesome design Erik, I like that.
What ever I have will have my youngest daughters name underneath with her date of birth, just like I have on my right lower arm.
Thanks
Chris

[jmelia128]

Thats a class tat Erik, im looking at getting a half sleeve when im there got any good tips on where to go, and the best web sites i can visit to get some ideas.

[Erik The Viking]

Thats a class tat Erik, im looking at getting a half sleeve when im there got any good tips on where to go, and the best web sites i can visit to get some ideas.

Everyone has their favourites and will say different, personally I always you Gamze at Icmeler Ink, she has done 6 for me now and her work is excellent, she has also done work on my other half, our boy and my brother!

She uses inks imported from Birmingham in the UK, be very wary of smaller shops as the turkish ink isnt very good quality, especially is you want pinks and blues etc.

If you visit Gamze she will design something for you or you can take in your own design. There is also a guy in what they call the old 'underground market' I have heard good things about him too but as ive never had one or seen his work i cannot comment.

I would personally go to Gamze, its a 30 second walk from the main square, find the green car, go round the corner and its opposite the Hobnob bar, you wont miss it! tell her Mat sent you and you want big discount!!

[jmelia128]

Cheers Erik,i will definitley call in there and have a look, ive noticed we will be there the same time so no doubt we will bump into each other. [whos Mat]????

[Erik The Viking]

Cheers Erik,i will definitley call in there and have a look, ive noticed we will be there the same time so no doubt we will bump into each other. [whos Mat]????

Mat is me!! my name is not really Erik....and dont go looking for a hat with horns as im not a viking either...

The name comes from Erik Thorsvedt...a former Tottenham Hotspur Goalkeeper..who was a viking...well norwegian

[Chris221273]

A very good keeper too!!
What are the prices like in icmeler mat with regards to tats?
I went to see my local tattooist and they wanted nearly £60.00 just for the name Ellie-mae and her date of birth, that's without the price of the tattoo!!!

[Erik The Viking]

A very good keeper too!!
What are the prices like in icmeler mat with regards to tats?
I went to see my local tattooist and they wanted nearly £60.00 just for the name Ellie-mae and her date of birth, that's without the price of the tattoo!!!

Much cheaper, no tattoo is dirt cheap, i think some go thinking they are going to have a giant tattoo for around a fiver.

Last year i had a massive one on my back which was £200, it would have took 3 sittings in the UK at at least £140 per sitting.

The year before i had a large carp done on my leg which has £120 but i have had a small one done on my foot (a housefly) and that was free when i had a bigger one done. You will no doubt get cheaper in the resort but they are not artists and i saw one that was absolulutely terrible so not worth risking.