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MTS Blog — life lessons

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Tattooed Teachers? | Tattoo Machine Wholesale Supplier 0

I recently came across an article in The Guardian called “Should Teachers be able to have Tattoos?”. The article peaked my interest because it’s not one that’s wholly new to me as my mum is a manager of a nursery and she we have had many conversations on whether she should show her tattoos at work, it’s something that she thinks a lot about. Now I am obviously coming from a bias position as we here at MTS as a tattoo machine wholesale supplier love everything about tattoos, so keep that caveat in mind so you know which side of the fence I am coming from. The article basically showed a few different statements from head teachers, teachers, parents and one tattoo artist that used to teach maths. It was fairly open ended in the way it didn’t state at the end whether there was a right answer, let's look at some of the points that were brought up.

Would you get your Partner's name tattooed? | Tattoo Ink Wholesale Suppliers 0

Sometimes when we have someone in our lives that we love, we want to show them how much they mean to us and some people choose to do this by getting their name tattooed on them forever. Is this really a good idea? We’ve all heard cautionary tales and seen the pictures of people with names scribbled out in tattoo ink, a lot of tattoo artists even joke that there is some kind of jinx surrounding the concept. So is it a clear cut NO when it comes to name tattoos? Here at MTS, we are interested in finding out as a tattoo ink wholesale supplier, we’d like to make sure that the ink we sell doesn’t contribute to anything regrettable! One important thing to note is that there are many different circumstances under which people get names tattooed on them and I’ll be covering a couple.

Do you really want to hurt me? | Wholesale Tattoo Needles 0

As I have said I am currently in the middle of getting an Edgar Allan Poe chest piece, it started with one of the most painful tattoos I have ever gotten, a portrait of the poet himself. I got this on the right side of my chest and 6 months later I added another tattoo of a ship in the same place but on the left side and it barely hurt at all. Tattoos hurt, that’s just a fact of life and the pain of a tattoo can be weirdly addictive, but sometimes it can just be unbearable. Why was the portrait so much more painful for me than the ship? Well, there are little things you can do that significantly reduce how painful your tattoo is to endure and that’s what I’m going to talk about today because here at MTS we sell wholesale tattoo needles and we want to make sure that those needles inflict as little pain as possible. Saying this it is important to note that we all have different levels of pain tolerance and a tattoo will never be completely pain-free unless you are under local or general anaesthetic but that’s just not common practice, so let's see what we can do to help ourselves.

Things to avoid when getting your first tattoo 0

For first timers, getting a tattoo can be very frightening. Especially when you hear your tattoo artist asks you questions like “Are you sure about this? Are you happy with the design? Is this the size you want?” and then follow it with a “You have to be sure, it’ll be there forever” - statement. But if you really really want to get a tattoo, nothing should stop you. It can be scary, yes, but it will also be an amazing and unforgettable experience.

Tattoo artists can be very intimidating at first, but believe me, they are more than willing to answer any questions you have, so do not be afraid to ask.

If you’re thinking of getting your very first tattoo, you better read this list I made on which things you should avoid when getting your first tattoo.

  • Before anything else, do not forget to research for a tattoo artist. Aside from the design, choosing the tattoo artist is one of the most important thing to consider, especially if it’s your first time. You don’t want to get traumatised and regret getting a tattoo right? Google and search for tattoo artists near your area. You can also look for tattoo artists on Instagram. Most tattoo artists use Instagram to post their portfolio. Read reviews, ask your friends, and ask recommendations from online groups. Facebook is a great place to search for groups related to tattoos.
  • As I mentioned earlier, you should not be afraid to ask questions. Don’t get intimidated with your tattoo artist. Ask them anything tattoo-related. Ask them about the ink, the needles, tips on caring for a healing tattoo, and on how to maintain the vibrancy of your tattoo. This will help you feel more comfortable while getting your tattoo.
  • Asking questions isn’t enough. Do not hesitate to speak up, if you have comments on the design, size, colour, etc. Remember, it’s your skin, and getting a tattoo removed is more painful than getting a tattoo. Communicate with your artist and tell him if you want to adjust the size, or the design of your tattoo. I’m sure they’ll understand. Aside from the fact that you are paying them for their service you should not forget that your tattoo will be there forever (unless you have it removed.)
  • Don’t rush it. Not all tattoo parlours accept walk-ins, especially in-demand artists. Don’t be impatient, and make sure you book an appointment so you don’t waste your time travelling to the tattoo parlour only to find out you won’t be accommodated.
  • Don’t choose an artist because he or she gave you the cheapest quote, and by “cheapest” I mean CHEAPEST. Don’t sacrifice the design and quality of your tattoo just because you want to save money. Tattoos are permanent so you might want to save money to get the best quality tattoo artist to do it. 
  • Don’t doubt your tattoo artist. Experienced tattoo artists have seen and done lots of tattoos, so when they suggest something like size or tattoo placement, trust them. They probably know what will and won’t work.

Antibacterial Tattoo Soap and other Tattoo After-Care tips 0

The process of getting a tattoo doesn’t end with you leaving the tattoo shop. It will take few more days before you see the final outcome. When your tattoo has fully healed, that’s when you can finally say it’s finished. To give you an idea on your tattoo’s healing process, I’ve made a list of the different what to expect, what to avoid, and what to do while your tattoo is healing.


Once your tattoo is finished, the tattoo becomes an open wound. It will be washed and bandaged by your artist to prevent infection and bacteria. Some artists recommend that you keep your tattoo covered for 24 hours, some will recommend that you remove the bandage immediately once you get home. I prefer to remove the bandage immediately once I get home, to let it breathe and to avoid the bandage sticking to the wound.


The pain, and healing process will depend on your tattoo. Tattoos that are bigger in size take more time to heal and are more painful. Some even get fevers. When it becomes too painful for you to bear, you can take a pain reliever. It’s normal for the tattooed area to become reddish and a bit swollen.


You can take a bath even if your tattoo hasn’t fully healed. Just make sure to use an antibacterial tattoo soap, avoid scrubbing, and wash it as gentle as possible. Ask your tattoo artist if they have an antibacterial tattoo soap brand they recommend. It is not advisable to soak in a bath tub while your tattoo is still in its healing process. Soaking in a tub, or swimming in pools, or the sea might cause infections to your tattoo, and that’s the last thing you want to have. Wash your tattoo twice a day with the antibacterial tattoo soap.


The tattooed area will start to become dry and form scabs as it heals. When this happens, it will start to itch. Make sure you do not scratch or peel your tattoo or else, it will have white spots when it’s fully healed. You can moisturize your tattoo by applying a lotion recommended by your artist. You should also avoid being exposed to direct sunlight because it can cause your tattoo to fade. Since your skin is still healing and recovering, expect it to be very sensitive, exposing it to sunlight can cause burning, and other irritations. The scabs will peel and fall off on its own. You will notice that your tattoo won’t be as sharp and vibrant as it was before it peeled. It is perfectly normal. The colour will improve once the tattoo is fully healed.


The healing process might take three to four weeks. During this period, it is important to observe your skin and your tattoo very well. If you notice anything that was not mentioned here, it’s best that you contact your tattoo artist right away. He can give you advise on how to care for a tattoo that has been infected.

Things you need to consider before getting a tattoo 0

So you have finally gathered enough courage to get your first tattoo. Before anything else here are some important things to consider before getting a tattoo.

The Design

Choosing the design is one of the most crucial part of getting a tattoo. Most people choose a tattoo design that has personal significance to them. Getting a tattoo is one way of expressing one’s individuality. Some people search on Google, Pinterest, and Tumblr. But if you want yours to be unique I suggest you ask an artist to customise a design for you.

The Artist

Once you have a design, or a concept next step is to look for an artist. Ask your friends for recommendations, or search online. Thanks to technology finding a great artist have become a lot easier that before. Most artist have Instagram and Facebook Pages, and use these as their portfolios. Read online reviews to know customer’s feedback. If you’re eyeing to get a tattoo from a well-known artist, make sure you book ahead, these artists usually have a waiting list which can take up to a month or a year.

Your Skin

If you have sensitive skin and allergic to make-ups or other skin products, make sure you consult your dermatologist and run some tests so you know what type of inks are best suited for your sensitive skin. Why? Go ahead and search “allergic reaction to tattoo”.

Your Budget

Heard of the saying, “you get what you pay for”? Well, same goes for tattoo. A good tattoo isn’t cheap, and a cheap tattoo is not good. The price of your tattoo will depend on the size, colour, area of the body, and of course the artist.

Which Part of your Body

Aside from the design, you have to think thoroughly on which part you want your design to be tattooed on. They say the ribs, feet, butt, and neck will hurt the most. But I think it still depends on your pain tolerance. I know someone who found getting a wrist tattoo more painful than getting a rib tattoo, that she even fell asleep while having a tattoo on her rib.

The Pain

No, getting a tattoo does not in any way feel like getting a vaccine. Unlike getting a vaccine the tattoo needle doesn’t go very deep, but it doesn’t mean getting a tattoo is less painful than getting a vaccine. Imagine your skin being pierced by a needle and dragging that needle across your skin, that’s how it feels because that’s what exactly happens. They say the lesser the needle the more painful it will be. But, again it depends of your pain tolerance.

The Aftercare

A fresh tattoo is literally a wound, when it’s healing it will be itchy and sensitive like a sunburn. You’ll notice it will scab, when that happens do not peel it so it heals correctly. Make sure you keep it clean and moisturised. Stay away from the beach, the lake, pool, and even the tub to prevent infection.

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