Ask A Tattoo Artist

Need a Tattoo Aftercare Kit or to purchase kits for your Tattoo Shop?

2009-11-24T08:35:00.000-08:00

Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare makes several different sizes & combinations whether it's a butterfly on your rear or a whole sleeve. Order the pack that suits you best.

Go here for retail.

Need to get Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare products in your shop? You will make money off of these kits and at the same time provide your customers with the best tattoo aftercare available.

Go here for wholesale.

Go here for wholesale with CUSTOM LABELING!

If They Did Tattoos in Church Like This, I Might Just Go...

2009-11-24T08:17:00.000-08:00

MILL CREEK, Wash. - Church is probably the last place you'd think to get a tattoo, but a pastor in Mill Creek is getting his message out - one tattoo at a time.

A Sunday sermon at the Gold Creek Community Church in Mill Creek features something very unique.

On stage with the pastor is a tattoo artist and a member of the congregation, Erica Armendariz, sits quietly as he adds another tattoo to her arm.

"The one you don't want to put on yourself is the '666' right?" the Rev. Dan Kellogg asks the church-goers.

This is one way Kellogg gets his message across to his followers.

It's part of a six-week series called "Permanent Ink." Kellogg says the purpose is to find things in life that should be permanent and other things that should be removed.

Some churches considering tattooing a desecration of the body. But Kellogg disagrees with that.

"Even though it's a little edgy - and in fact some churches would say it's wrong to get a tattoo - we don't take that position at all," he says.

"We actually believe that this represents something that we can apply, something popular in our culture, that we can apply some spiritual truth to."

On this Sunday, Armendariz is on stage getting more artwork added to what she calls her "spiritual sleeve," a mural of religious tattoos across her arm.

"It's a constant reminder every day I wake up to it," she says. "It's something that constantly keeps it in the back of my head that I need to be the best person that I can be."

"Some people have thought through what they want permanently on their body, and what we want to talk about is what you want permanently on your soul too," the pastor says.

Kellogg says he's neither encouraging nor discouraging tattoos, but it's a powerful message and a unique way to get it across.

He didn't get a tattoo but had the word "FOUND" airbrushed on to his arm - and that's part of his next message.

As part of his message last week, Pastor Kellogg had some people remove their old tattoos - representing things they wanted out of their life.
_KOMONews.com

Rihanna rocks 'Rated R' neck tattoo on American Music Awards

2009-11-24T08:10:00.001-08:00

Rihanna made missing the Grammy Awards and being beaten by her boyfriend a distant memory when she rocked the American Music awards with stunning costumes, a cool new (temporary) neck tattoo, and a cool cyborg mashup of her new songs, "Wait Your Turn" and Hard" on Sunday night.

Her neck tattoo read "Rated R," the name of her new album. Ne-Yo said the R stands for "remarkable" or "really, really sexy." MTV called her "electrifying"

Hmm. This is difficult because I am a 100% total advocate for tattooing, but just not so sure about Rihanna's decision here. It's for her new album? Hope it's a hit or she will have a constant reminder...

This Man Donated His Tattoos & Skin To Art...

2009-11-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

HE is an art lover who has dedicated his whole body to his passion.

Now retired history teacher Geoff Ostling, 65, has pledged to donate his skin to the National Gallery in Canberra.

He worked with cult artist eX de Merci over 15 years to tattoo a masterpiece on his body, from neck to ankle, with the theme "All the flowers of a Sydney garden".

"I wanted something unique, so I thought about a garden of plants, of natives and imported flowers, what you would find in a Sydney garden with a distant view of the city from Heartbreak Hill (at Rose Bay)," he said.

"To donate skin is not the most amazing thing in the world but the tattoos are revolutionary."

The concept of donating his skin was followed in an Australian documentary Anatomy, which has already won international acclaim.

He will also donate his organs to medicine.

"It has never been done as a whole body before and not in a gallery," he said.

"People can be squeamish about it. Portraits painted on human skin hang in galleries around the world. They don't tell you that, of course, and valuable books were also covered in human skin."

Sydney taxidermy expert Sascha Smith said it could be a challenge to preserve the tattoos unharmed but the process would be no different to skinning an animal.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Some FAQ's for Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare

2009-11-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

OF ALL THE TATTOO AFTERCARE PRODUCTS OUT THERE, WHY SHOULD WE USE YOURS?
Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare products were developed and tested by Tattoo Artists, chemists and countless clients. We tested all of our products thoroughly in our tattoo shops and have achieved what we think is the optimal recipe for healing. The company is still owned and operated by Tattoo Artists, not a bunch of banker guys in suits. We know the business!

WHY SHOULD I USE BLACK CAT SPRAY CLEANSER INSTEAD OF REGULAR SOAP?
Black Cat Aftercare has super mild ingredients that were all intentionally created to achieive the most optimum results for tattoo healing. The chemicals in your soap make a huge difference in your tattoo's outcome. Washing your tattoo is the single most important thing you can do to help it along. As Tattoo Artists, our opinion is to avoid "deep cleaning soaps", some scented antibacterial and any with citric acid or synthetic scent in the ingredients. Ours is water based, with a new spray bottle. Dont be fooled by copy-cats.

We were the first to develop a soap for tattoo healing, now look at all of them on the market. Some have even copied our unique spray bottle, but no one can copy or duplicate our proven recipe!

WHAT TATTOO AFTERCARE HEALING ROUTINE DO YOU RECOMMEND?
We recommend ALWAYS listening to your tattoo artist. If you were not given any instructions, visit the "Directions" section of our site for the directions we use in our own Tattoo Shops.

WHERE CAN I BUY BLACK CAT TATTOO CARE PRODUCTS?
Black Cat is available in 7 countries and over 600 of the absolute best tattoo shops worldwide. It is also available online 24/7. Beware of copy cats! Ask for it by name.

WHATS WRONG WITH A&D, BACITRACIN or NEOSPORIN?
Some old school Tattoo Artists still swear by the old methods. It is our opinion that there is a better way to heal. These over the counter products have drawing properties that are normally used to take impurities out of an open wound. We have noticed in the past in our tattoo shops that using these old school methods will cause unnecessary scabbing, and draw out some of the ink as well as cause a pimply rash to form around the tattoo.

WHAT DID MY TATTOO ARTIST USE AFTER THE TATTOO?
Many professional Tattoo Artists use Black Cat Healing Salve Studio Jars as soon as they have finished tattooing. Some artists use Vaseline or other petroleum based products. Black Cat Tattoo Healing Salve actually begins to start the healing process right away. Black Cat Salve also gives an immediate soothing sensation when applied and the plantain infused herb will help aid in pain relief.

WHY DO YOU NO LONGER USE BEESWAX?
We actually wanted to find a wax that was just as good with the same properties as beeswax, but that would be a VEGAN wax that would suit all of our clients. Some of you dont care about vegan stuff, some do. This way everybody is happy and our salve still kicks butt!

HOW MUCH DO I USE?
After tattooing Black Cat Tattoo Healing Salve should be applied immediately to your fresh tattoo. Tattoo Salve should then be applied 3-4 times per day after washing with Black Cat Spray Cleanser. A little bit goes a long way with our salve, apply sparingly and blot any excess still on tattoo after 5 minutes with a clean paper towel. Our clients experience an average 4-5 day healing period with minor itching, little to no scabbing. You only need a tiny bit, and it will soak right in with no greasy residue like other brands.

WHAT ELSE CAN I USE IT ON?
Black Cat can also be used to soothe eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, bee stings, sunburn, chicken pox, chapped lips, stubble rash, blisters, cuts...etc....It contains NO artificial or chemical ingredients. 100% natural.

IS THE TATTOO CARE SALVE OKAY TO USE WITH PERMANENT MAKEUP OR AFTER LASER PROCEDURES?
Absolutely! Black Cat Salve has been used for many years on permanent make up clients as well as after photofacial ad other laser skin treatments. Micro-pigmenation / Permanent Make-Up – apply Healing Salve 2-3 times a day while skin is healing. Apply gently and sparingly around eye area.

DID YOU USE ANY ANIMAL INGREDIENTS OR ANIMAL TESTING ?
NEVER TESTED ON ANIMALS! 100% Humane! No Animal ingredients.

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT EMU OIL FOR TATTOO CARE?
Unfortunatley yes. We do not reccomend using Emu oil or any animal ingredients on your tattoo. Try Black Cat and you will be hooked!

If you still have questions not answered here, fill out our simple form to the right to ask a Tattoo Artist directly. Thanks for choosing Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare.

How to Heal a new Tattoo

2009-11-21T10:32:00.001-08:00

If you receive no written instructions from your Tattoo Artist regarding aftercare of your new tattoo, please follow the method below. It is what we use in our own Texas tattoo shops.

1. Wash your new tattoo a MINIMUM of 3-5 times daily usingBlack Cat Tattoo Spray Cleanser. Our super mild formula was developed to avoid burning on application or pulling the ink out of your new tattoo. Be careful what you put on your tattoo. Not all soap is created equal! Beware of copy cats!

2. Apply a thin layer of Black Cat Super Healing Salve after each wash. A little dab will do ya. Just enough to make it shiny. It will soak right in and not feel greasy like some other brands.

3. After an average of 4 days you will notice a light flaking & new skin growth. It is now time to use Black Cat Unscented Lotion. It will soften up your tattoo and keep it looking great!

Remember to apply AT LEAST a 45+ sunscreen to tattoos afterhealing, even on cloudy days! In our opinion, the "specialty" sunscreens for tattoos generally do not offer as much protection as you really need.

Get a cheap bottle of SPF 45+ at the store & use it DAILY!

Does the Tattoo artist strap your arm down when giving you a tattoo?

2008-03-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

I'm looking to get my first tattoo on the inside of my upper arm(the place where it's supposed to be a little painful) I'm worried I might twitch and mess up my tattoo.

The tattoo artist will not strap you down or anything along those lines. They will have a good grip on you while stretching the skin and also to help alleviate any wiggling. Most experienced tattoo artists are familiar with jittery, wiggly customers so rest assured you wont be the first....but we may giggle at you later. hehe

Does It Hurt to Get a Tattoo?

2008-03-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

Getting a tattoo can hurt, but the level of pain can vary. Because getting a tattoo involves being stuck multiple times with a needle, it can feel like getting a bunch of shots or being stung by a hornet multiple times. Some people describe the tattoo sensation as "tingling." It all depends on your pain threshold, how good the person wielding the tattoo machine is, and where exactly on your body you're getting the tattoo. Also, keep in mind that you'll probably bleed a little.

What's the procedure like?

2008-03-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

Here's what you can expect from a normal tattooing procedure:

The tattoo artist will first wash his or her hands with a germicidal soap.
The to-be-tattooed area on your body will be cleaned and disinfected.
The tattoo artist will put on clean, fresh gloves.
The tattoo artist will explain the sterilization procedure to you and open up the single-use, sterilized equipment (such as needles, etc.).
Using the tattoo machine (with a sterile, single-use needle attached), the tattoo artist will begin drawing an outline of the tattoo under your skin.
The outline will be cleaned with antiseptic green soap and water.
Sterile, thicker needles will be installed on the tattoo machine, and the tattoo artist will start shading the design. After cleaning the area again, color will be injected.
Any blood will be removed by a sterile, disposable cloth or paper towel.
When finished, the area, now sporting a finished tattoo, will be cleaned once again. A thin film of Vaseline, A&D ointment or better yet Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare Salve will be applied and a bandage will be put on over the newly tattooed area.

Have a burning question for a tattoo artist?

2008-03-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Send your question to info@TattooAftercare.net and we will answer your questions and post them here.