First; you should be fine. I use Aquaphor by Eucerin cause it works magic for healing my ink.

Second; I don’t agree with your statement Butterfly. && this isn’t me trying to start an argument. But, wha tartistic difference does it make if it’s in a rented/owned bussiness center OR let’s just say on on personal time away from a shop at the artist home?

Also, what about tattoo conventions? Technically, it is the same as doing it at home. Correct??? 😎

I have to agree Biker. I run a shop in Mineral Wells Texas and My brother just left me high and dry so I hired another artist to take his place. The artist I hired, until recently worked out of his kitchen. Normally I wouldn’t even give the guy a chance, but go to our webpage and look at his work. http://www.newcovenantinktattoo.net and you’ll see why I hired him.

What set him apart from the rest of the kitchen crowd is that he’s a professional. Does that mean he was formally trained in a studio? No, it doesn’t. But I’ll tell you what, he knows more about Blood Borne Pathogens and sterilization than most decade veterans in a shop. He’s obsessive about cleanliness, he uses a $400.00 hand crafted machine for shading, and his liner isn’t far behind. He’s gone top notch and best quality at every step.

What I’m saying is that Butterfly is right, MOST work at home tattooists are pathetic. The key in what she said is MOST. Most of them are. I fix so much screwed up work from the kitchen crew that it makes me sick. I don’t know why people would put themselves in so much danger to get a tattoo from them. But they do, and they continually get screwed around, then they have to pay me twice what they would have had to pay to begin with just to get it fixed.

Concerning Conventions, no it is nothing like tattooing at home. You see, at home there are no rules, no regulations, no over sight. You can do whatever you damn well please. At a convention, to tattoo you must present a license, you must have everything needed to maintain a sterile environement, and you are overseen by the convention inspectors. In most cases the requirements are even stricter than in a shop.

Now for this guy. Talk to Sherav, he’ll direct you to work he’s already written on how to take care of it. From now on, quit going to wannabe artists. Stick with professionals.

Hi

Read the thread with interest.

My advice is in 2 parts;

I am not going to bang on about where the tattoo was done – my concern is how the tattoo was done.

Did the guy use sterile disposable needles and tubes? Were these broken out in front of you?

If not did he take them out of the autoclave in front of you? Did you see the spore count certificate?

Were gloves used?

If the answer was no to any of these you need to take your arse down to the Dr’s and get tested for HIV and Hepatitis. Seriously – my mate was done at age of 14 he died of liver damage caused by hep in his early 30’s.

The second part of advice is how to care for your tattoo.

You can click on my sig and check out tattoo aftercare or read S Neill’s – his is also an excellent resource.

You only use enough antiseptic to give it a light coating and do this x2 a day.

After this when it peels you can use a non-scented lotion or one of the made for tattoo creams such as tattoo goo or H2Ocean both have excellent reports.

Avoid anything with petroleum.

But I underline get those blood tests – you are likely fine but could be putting yourself and others at risk if you are wrong.

Take care
Matthew

remember when putting cream on…….

too much cream is worse than none at all

Notice how i said most ?? never said all !! :rolleyes:
will have to see a pic to judge !!

jolly good, what is it you have had done anyways ?
i didnt notice if you said what it is yet ?

Tana