Hi Mike

The issue with exercise on a new tattoo is that you do not want to catch or tear the tattoo.
This means that you do not want to wear any tight clothing or do any sliding tackles on the tattoo.

Also keep it clean and possibly covered with a non-stick dressing so you do not get mud and shit stuck in it.

Otherwise should be fine.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi Al

Welcome to the forum.

I cannot wait to see your ink – I love suits!

Take care
Matthew

Hi Mike

In answer to your question ink can be done inside the armpit and was the favoured part of many medical tattoos in the armed forces for many years.

The reason it is not suggested is because of three reasons;

1. There is a collection of lymphatic glands (they help produce antibodies for your immune system) in your armpits and inside the…[Read more]

Hi Shaft

First of all that was a brave first tattoo – you are right you did not mess about.
Actually it is not that bad but needs some more loving care to make it the best tattoo it can be.

Constructive Criticism

First of all it could do with a re-outline with more emphasis on feathers and head.

The feathers could do with more shaping which…[Read more]

Hi Zayne

I am currently in the process of writing it alongside my PhD dissertation. I am very unlikely to get a publisher to take it on – as I have decided to do it as a personal challenge, and because I love tattooing.

I will likley ebook it and will let ppl know once I am done.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi Zayne is correct.

Tattoo ink is not actually an ink it is a pigment (there is a major difference as normal ink would wash away) and sits in the upper and some of the lower dermal layers (your skin).

This is actually treated as a ‘foreign body’ and your immune system will constantly try and flush the area and growth of new skin is a type of…[Read more]

Hi

Actually you got me at the right time- my research is complete! 😀
So I am going to step down from posting so much an let others have a chance. :p

Yes I have seen various feminine style dragons – they are quite easy to do actually.

Most westerners see the dragon as a symbol of strength and power and so masculise the drawing with talons…[Read more]

Hi

No you can post in your album or direct to the thread of what you are discussing. There is no post limit that I have seen.

The post I made was not meant to amke you feel unwelcome but from past experience even the discussion of equipment has been locked before – which is why I suggested Outlaw’s forum.

It is a very good place to start out on…[Read more]

Hi

I love dragon tattoos.

There are several options if you go for the air element I would go for smoke and clouds as a background choice and keep it black n shade.

If you go for the water element you could have the dragon swiming through the water with crests of waves above and water lillies or blossoms floating along the surface of the water.…[Read more]

Hi Kim

Sorry to hear about the visa issues and yep S Africa is some distance to fly from.

I did try to ring and ask them but no answer 🙁

That said I did some digging for you…

I have been looking at some research for my book on what is the ‘best’ inks to use. Obviously I am not an expert and my opinion is solely mine, but I have based this…[Read more]

That is looking sweet!

I love the expression captured in the face.
Post up when it is done – gonna have a great tattoo there.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi Antmeister

Don’t worry everybody is different when faced with different types of pain.

For example I snapped my arm so the bone was poking through and it hurt like hell but didn’t blink or shed a tear.

I got my leg tattoo done and I was crying like a baby. We all handle things differently and sometimes what is a small thing to one is pure…[Read more]

Hi Joey

Welcome to the forum and looking forward to seeing your tattoo.
The moderators do not allow unlicensed tattoo discusions or how to tattoo on this site.

That said if you look up Outlaw (one of the mods) he has a link in his signature of a forum that would answer all your questions.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi and welcome to the forum.

That is certainly a different tattoo and as Outlaw suggests it could do with that finished feel of extra colour or more shading.

As for ideas we need to know more about you;

Likes and dislikes in tattoos

Colour or black n shade

Style: Biomech, Fantasy, Portrait, Care Bears? ( 😉 )

Size and positioning.

let us…[Read more]

Hi apostle

Check out this link – he is a great angel artist.

I would advise you ask him for permission should you choose to use any of his work as I am just showing for inspiration only.

That said he does not seem to mind if ppl use his ideas for tattoo work but respectful to ask.

http://art.thehomeofjon.net/art-packs/battle-angels/

Preparing…[Read more]

Hi

My advice is you ahve to up your iron intake for a few days. The problem you have is that is scar tissue forms a band aid over previously ruptured blood vessels (because you have torn the cartlege with a previous piercing).

Piercing back through scar tissue can mean it takes longer for the wound to heal and because you have a foreign body in…[Read more]

Hi

I looked into some sites on what Henna actually contains and to be frank I was horrified that this shit is not more strongly regulated.

In essence it is used from plants and crushed into a paste using turpentine and/or monoterpene alcohols. Many of the plants used also contain monoterpene alcohols.

This added to the paste. Some unscrupulous…[Read more]

Hi

My advice is ring up or email and ask, That said if you live in the states and could fly/drive to the artist looking at their work it would be worth the trip!

Take care
Matthew

Hi

It should not be much of a problem unless you are working over the older area to join the seam between wrist and hand.

If you have had work done on the wrist and then need to work it again for the hand I would leave a small gap and get it filled in a week or so later.

That way you are not overworking the skin.

If you are working on fresh…[Read more]

It is looking good.
I love the sugar skull you had done.

Take Care
Matthew