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MTS Blog — tattoo enthusiasts

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Heal a Tattoo without Scabbing 0

Fresh tattoos look so amazing. I remember having my third tattoo, I just kept staring at it, amazed by how great my tattoo artist was. But one stage that irritates some people after having a tattoo is the scabbing. It's itchy, even uncomfortable for some.

Scabbing is a natural part of the tattoo healing process, it's technically a wound so scabbing is pretty normal. What’s hard is fighting the urge to scratch and peel it. You may control it during the day, but you might find it hard to avoid when you're sleeping. Another thing that can happen is when your clothing gets caught on the rough edges of the scabs and tears it off. If this happens you might even need to have a tattoo touch-up.

So the question is, what should you do during your tattoo's healing process?

There are a lot of aftercare tips and techniques that may help you speed up and "survive" your tattoo's healing process. Some say bandages keep the tattoo safe, others say the skin should be able to breathe to help it heal faster. Some say using tattoo soap helps, others say it doesn't make a difference. It can get very confusing because you only want what’s best for your skin, right?

When some people feel uncomfortable after they get their tattoos done, they automatically assume it's infected and start taking unnecessary measures. Before you take any action, read through this article so we can give you some advice.

It may differ depending on what your tattoo artist tells you, but here are some ground rules.

• Before touching your tattoo, always wash your hands with soap and clean water. 

• Avoid scratching your tattoo.

• Always wear clean and loose clothing

• Stay away from the sun or tanning beds.

Make sure that once your tattoo is finished, ask your tattoo artist to bandage your tattoo. Bandages are a must to avoid infections on your way home from the tattoo parlour. Before going to bed, wash your tattoo with a bit of cool water, try not to rub it yet. You can ask your tattoo artist for some tattoo aftercare products like antibacterial lotion, and mild soap. If your tattoo is located somewhere you can easily reach and scratch, cover it with plastic wrap. Take off the plastic wrap in the morning and rinse your tattoo with cold water. Use a paper towel to gently pat it dry, or you can always let it air dry. Once it's dry, use the antibacterial lotion you got from your tattoo artist. Apply the cream every time your tattoo feels dry and itchy.

After about a week, wash your tattoo twice a day. Rub it with a tiny amount of lotion after your tattoo dries. Be careful not to overdo it.

Continue doing this for the next 2-3 weeks until the initial healing period of your tattoo is over and done with!

Isn’t it fulfilling to see your piece of art heal perfectly? You never need to worry about having to do a touch up!

Follow these simple and easy tips for your road to a happy healing.

Points to Ponder Before Having Your First Tattoo 0

Everybody gets too hyped up when getting their very first tattoo. Most of the people who get inked for the first time have this feeling of a fire burning inside them or a feeling of their blood rushing through their veins. Some might even feel butterflies in their stomach. Having your very first tattoo gives you mixed emotions – a feeling of excitement, nervousness, happiness and liberation.

Tattoos have become part of the modern fashion. What used to be a taboo has now become a craze and for some it even became an obsession. Of course, there will always be some people who regret getting their first tattoos because of different reasons. This is why you need to remember the three main tips I am about to tell you. Read through before booking an appointment with your chosen tattoo artist.

1. Think. Think, think and think again. This is something that will remain on your skin for a very very VERY long time, so you have to think about your design, its placement and the person you choose to do it for you. Take your time and do not rush things. Getting a tattoo is painful, but bearable. The amount of pain will depend on the part of your body, and your pain tolerance. Imagine pricking your skin with a needle and scratching it using that needle. As a first timer, avoid putting your tattoos in the most sensitive parts of your body. As much as possible, keep your face out of this, too. If you want to test your pain tolerance, you can always start with a small tattoo. You don't want to end up fainting in the middle of your tattoo session, or worse having an unfinished tattoo. I guess everybody wants to have a perfect memory of having their first tattoo, so try not to panic, because it might ruin the moment, or you might end up having your most embarrassing moment.
2. Research. This is important – the researching part. There's a lot of things to research about. You start with the design, placement, inks, tattoo shop, tattoo artist, and the most important of all... the price. Looking for the right design might be hard. This could take days or weeks, some take years to find a perfect design they want. That tattoo will remain on your skin for a long time, so don't rush it. Be sure of what you really want and don’t be deceived by your temporary feeling. Remember that feelings are temporary and tattoos are forever. You must also research the shop and the artist you want to entrust your "virgin" skin with. Try to search whether or not they have the right equipment to get it properly and safely done. As much as possible, make sure that you see them opening a new needle for you. Then comes the price. Some might offer cheaper services, there's nothing wrong with that. Just don't sacrifice your safety and your tattoo's quality. Unless this is a world-class shop or artist and someone close to you vouch for them, then go. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions.

3. Commit. Follow your tattoo care instructions. You can use some Tattoo Go products for this like their Aftercare Lotion and Aftercare Soap to help you with your tattoo's healing process.

 

Eternal Tattoo Ink 0

Despite the risks of getting a tattoo , there are still a number of people who take pleasure in the beauty and aesthetics of it. Most of us know that using unsterilised needle for piercing or wounding yourself is a big risk for our health. Using unsterilised needle can pass infectious disease such as hepatitis and HIV. Another thing is that using these types of needles can increase the risk of getting allergies and other health complications from colored tattoo ink. Some of the complications include carcinoma, cement dermatitis, collagen deposits, granuloma, lichenoid diseases and many others. Before you get your first tattoo, think as much as you can first. Research articles and read some books about tattoos, inks and the other consequences might face. Getting informed about tattoos, inks, needles, and other tattoo-related stuff will help you understand it better. 

Don't worry! Since the art of tattooing have become too mainstream and a lot of people appreciate the art of getting tattoos, the issues and concerns I have mentioned  above are already being taken care of. Tattoo ink manufacturers and tattoo artists are making their efforts to develop and produce a better tattoo ink quality that lessens the said risks. Because of this, there are different types of ink available in the market. Thanks to these people, ink manufacturers have discovered making tattoo inks using organic and vegan ingredients.

If you're considering on getting a tattoo you might want to look for the following ingredients to make sure your tattoo artist is using a non-toxic ink:

  • Aluminum, Copper, Sodium – generates blue dye
  • Carbazole and Dioxazine – generates purple ink
  • Carbon and Logwood – used for generating blank ink
  • Monoazo – generates green ink; it is a carbon-based pigment used in cosmetics as a coloring in cosmetics
  • Naphthol – generates red ink
  • Titanium Dioxide – used for generating white ink
  • Turmeric – an herb that generates yellow ink

Aside from the ingredients mentioned above, non-toxic inks also include purified water, ethanol and vegetable-based glycerine as main ingredients.

One of the leading brands that are proven to be non-toxic is the Eternal Tattoo Ink. Their inks are composed of organic pigments. In addition to that, Eternal Tattoo Ink is also free from any animal by-products. This is a great advantage for our vegan friends out there who are really dying to get themselves a tattoo! Just do some research and find a tattoo artist who use Eternal Ink and not just some normal low-class tattoo ink. Tattoo Artists who use non-toxic inks are artists who not only love their craft but also worry about their client's safety. Read reviews, research and choose the perfect tattoo artist and tattoo parlour for you. Do not hesitate to ask questions. You can even ask them to do a patch test prior to getting inked, this way you will be able to test if you will get any allergic reaction from the tattoo ink they will be using.

Tattoo Products Just For You 0

Nowadays, people express themselves not only through film, writing, and photography. People express themselves through their bodies by getting a tattoo. Tattoos come in different sizes, depending on how big or how small the person wants it. Some are as small as a dot, while others choose to cover a large part of their bodies. Having a tattoo have become very common that some people got their first tattoos even when they were teenagers. It is really important to decide what your tattoo design should be so you don't end up regretting it for the rest of your life (well, there are procedures that can remove tattoos, and you can also ask a tattoo artist for a cover up)

Taking care of your skin after having tattoo is an important, especially when your tattoo is still as fresh as a newly picked tomato. If you don't take care of it properly, you might get infections that may lead to serious complications.

There are so much products that claim to be very effective but always fail to meet expectations. Some even market it for a very cheap price to convince more buyers. Don't get deceived by these marketing strategies. 

I have listed down some of the products I recommend based from my own personal experience.

  1. Fade the Itch Tattoo Aftercare. This dermatologically tested product is a breakthrough from the Cambridge Clinic. Don't worry because suits any skin type. It also boasts a patented dry heal technology. You can use this to protect your skin and to make your skin's recovery quicker. The non-greasy formula of this product is easily absorbed by any skin type, which is why it won't clog your pores allowing your skin to breathe. This product also helps reduce itching and irritation, provides antibacterial shield and anaesthetic, and protects you from any infection.
  2. Tattoo Goo Aftercare Lotion. This water-based compound product is specifically made for people with sensitive skin. It is easy to apply and it can even be applied on your face and neck. It contains vitamin A and D to help you maintain healthy and glowing skin. This product also helps heal and protects dry skin.
  3. Dynarex Vitamin A & D Ointment. This product contains the necessary ingredients to help protect your skin. It contains vitamin A and D, lanolin and petroleum. This is one of the most recommended products in the tattoo community due to its ability to help prevent dry skin, it can also be used to help relieve pain from burns, scrapes, and even rashes.
  4. The Aftercare Company – Tattoo Aftercare. This 100% natural product contains the exact ingredients you need after having a new tattoo. It contains vitamin A, D, and E to maintain a healthy looking skin. It soothes, hydrates, and moisturises skin. This product is approved by Cruelty Free International.

So, when looking for the products after getting a tattoo, don't forget to ask your tattoo artist if they have the products mentioned above.

Manchester International Tattoo Show 0

The most loved and much awaited tattoo convention in the UK is almost here! It will be held next month October 29 – October 30th at Manchester Central Convention Complex! Tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts are all excited. If you’re thinking of attending the Manchester International Tattoo Show, here are some of the things to expect during this two-day affair. 

Obviously you will meet and see a lot of tattoo artists, tattoo shop owners, vendors selling tattoo supplies, clothing, and other tattoo related items. Aside from that you’ll also see a lot of tattoo enthusiasts, including those who are wanting to have their bodies as canvasses. Hundreds of tattoo artists from around the world will be there, so this event is perfect not only for those wanting to get inked but also for aspiring tattoo artists wanting to get apprenticeship. Some artists will be coming from Thailand, Turkey, Cyprus, Spain, France, Netherlands, Greece, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Germany, South Africa, and of course the well-known tattoo artists in the UK.  

If you’re planning to get a tattoo during this two-day event, here are some tips that might come on handy. First, checkout the conventions Facebook Page and see the list of tattoo artist who will be participating in the event, though these artists will accept “walk-ups” keep in mind that thousands of people are expected to attend the event, and pre-booking is the safest option. Second, don’t be afraid to ask questions and make a conversation to make your experience worthwhile. 

If you don’t feel like getting tattooed, there are quite a lot of other activities you can do during this convention. This is your chance to meet, chat, and take a photo with your favourite tattoo artists, but make sure that you don’t bother them too much when they are doing an actual tattoo on a client. Aside from that, there will be a lot of vendors selling clothes, artworks, and other memorabilia, most of the vendors deal with cash only transactions so bring cash to avoid hassle. 

You shouldn’t worry about getting bored during the event, because aside from tattoo sessions there will be bands playing different types of music, burlesque, and some magic and freak-shows. There’s face painting, henna sessions, and tarot card reading.  

Another most awaited happening during the event is the Skin Deep Contest, where some of the highest standard tattoos will be judged. Different tattoo artists will be competing and will be judged on the mainstage based on the design, creativity, and quality of their work. The awards for this contest includes: (For Saturday) Best Oriental, Best Traditional, Best Blackwork, Best Colour, Best of Saturday, (For Sunday) Best Avante Garde, Best Black and Grey, Best Realism, Best of Sunday and Best of Convention. 

If you feel that even after participating in all the mentioned activities above are still not enough, you may join the after-show party at the REVOLUTION BAR (Deansgate) just a few minutes away from the Manchester Central Convention Complex.

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