Hi

I was looking over some other sites on the net and was disgusted about the mis-information and bullshit that ppl are posting about tattooing so just figured I’d respond.

Rule One – Always check the source. The amount of bullshit that gets spread around through a ‘friend told me’ or the wiki says so it must be true. 😡

If I post something up I tend to use reliable sources – medical journals, professional papers/sites etc. be very careful about believing everything you read.

To cite a few examples of the myths –

Myth

‘It is safe for a brother and sister or close relative to be tattooed by the same needle – because you have the same blood’. I shit you not.

Fact: The blood types could as easily be different (they can be similar but not always it is gene dependent) and who the hell would ever want to get tattooed by a dirty needle! HIV & Hepatitus doesn’t give a shit about family bonds.

Myth

‘Picking the scab off before a tattoo heals will remove the tattoo completely if you do not like it.’

Fact: Picking the scab will lift the ink yes. So what it will do is leave you with a half-arsed spotty tattoo. It can also lead to infection and blood poisoning.

Myth

‘People with tattoos can never give blood, organ donate, bone marrow etc’
Fact: Most countries will insist on a 12 mth waiting period so that any blood born diseases can be picked up and identified HIV Hep etc. Once you are free of this and in the clear you can donate. I am on the organ donation register and I just update them each time I get a tattoo.

Myth

‘You need to keep your tattoos bandaged all the time.’
Fact: This little tip came from a self-styled tattoo-guru :mad:. Tattoos should be covered for the first 24 hours to give them time to clot. But they should be washed preferably within 12 hours and patted dry. After that let them breathe use antiseptic for 3-4 days then moisturise with unscented after. Leave a bandage on all time you are harbouring bacteria and could lead to an infection.

Myth

‘Tattooing makes you infertile.’

Fact: There is no proof whastsoever that tattooing lowers a sperm count or makes a woman less fertile. Beer, bad diet and no exercise can all do that. Not ink.

Myth

‘Anybody with a tattoo has low self esteem’

Fact: Anybody can have low self esteem having ink has no bearing on this. If somebody suffers depression, a personality disorder, or just feel generally down about themselves, they will suffer this regardless of whether they have ink or not. This is due to brain chemistry and social factors – not ink. Hell I know plenty of normal ppl with low self esteem because they are surrounded by nasty heartless bastards and they don’t have tats. In fact i think a bit of ink might even lift their spirits and give them some self achievement.

Anyhow I just wanted to point out there is a lot of bullshit – follow my advice

‘If you are not sure ask. Then check with a professional or a professional source.’

Take Care
Matthew