At Absolute Tattoo we use hospital grade autoclaves which sterilise all of our tattoo and piercing equipment. All sterilization is done to hospital standards.

Absolute Tattoo studios also use "single use needles" only, so there is no risk of cross contamination from one client to another.

If you go to a professional tattoo shop where the proper tattoo equipment is used, getting a tattoo is very safe. Decades ago there was concern about getting hepatitis C from tattoos, but this is something all professionals are very conscious of nowadays. If new needles are used for each and every customer, there is no chance of contracting a blood-borne disease. Most tattoo artists will be glad to set your mind at rest by showing you the unopened package of needles they will be using before the tattooing begins. After your tattoo is finished, they should dispose of the needles. Ask about safety policies such as these before you select a tattoo shop.

 Can I get Aids and other diseases from tattoos?

Obviously there is some concern about AIDS and tattooing because when you get a tattoo, you bleed. But the mechanism of transmission needs to be better understood.

AIDS is transmitted by intimate contact with bodily fluids, blood and semen being the most common. Intimate contact means that the fluid carrying the AIDS virus (HIV) enters into your system.

Injection drug users (IDUs) use hollow medical syringes and needles to inject drugs directly into their bloodstream. It is common practice to withdraw a little blood back into the syringe to delay the onset of the high. When needles are passed from IDU to IDU and reused without sterilization, some of that blood remains in the syringe and is passed
on to the next user. If infected blood is passed, the recipient can become infected with HIV, which leads to AIDS.

Tattooing is VERY different from injecting drugs. The needles used in tattooing are not hollow. They do, however, travel back and forth through a hollow tube that acts as an ink reservoir. The tip of the tube is dipped into the ink, which draws a little into the tube. As the needle withdraws into the tube, it gets coated with ink. When it comes forward, it pierces your skin and deposits the ink. You then bleed a little through the needle hole. This happens several hundred times a second.

You are only at risk of infection if you come in contact with infected blood. Since it is only *your* skin that is being pierced during the tattooing process, only *your* blood is being exposed. This means that the only person at greater risk is the artist, because s/he is the only one coming in contact with someone else's (potentially infected) blood.
This is why reputable (and sane) tattoo artist wears surgical gloves while working.

Another source of infection is through the use of infected tools. *This is why it is IMPERATIVE that you make sure your tattoo artist uses sterile equipment.* Needles and tubes need to be autoclaved before EACH AND EVERY time they are used. Ink should come from separate cups and not directly from the bottle. Any leftover ink should be disposed of and not reused under ANY circumstances.

The key to HIV transmission is *transfer of bodily fluids.* Evidence indicates that infection may require a (relatively) substantial amount of fluid to be passed. A pin prick almost certainly won't do it. HIV is also a very fragile virus that cannot survive long outside the human body, and is very easy to kill via autoclaving. (I have heard of using bleach to sterilize needles. While bleach is an effective HIV killer,
I'm not sure of the procedures for cleaning the equipment after bleach cleaning. As I personally have no desire to have bleach put under my skin, I go with autoclaving as the proper way to sterilize).

If your tattooer maintains sterile conditions and procedures, there is almost no risk of infection. I say "almost" because any risk, no matter how miniscule, is still a risk and must be recognized.

 How much is it going to cost?

When it comes to tattoos, you get what you pay for. Yes, there are plenty of people tattooing out there that will ink you cheap, and you'll be crying to a real artist to have it covered up. Look for quality, and be willing to pay for it. NEVER haggle over the price of a tattoo. It is disrespectful to the artist. If you can't pay for quality, don't bother. This is not a bargain bin. It is a piece of art you will wear for life.

 Should I tip my tattoo artist?

Tipping is a really nice gesture! But, there are no real solid ground rules for tipping.

 What is the best time of year to get a tattoo?

Although you can get a tattoo any time of the year, your skin gets a lot more abuse during the summer with swimming, tanning and just being exposed to the elements more. Winter time is really the best season to get a tattoo.

 Is it OK to get a tattoo if I'm sick?

Getting a tattoo when your immune system isn't at 100% isn't a good idea. You're going to need your strength and your white blood cells to heal your tattoo, something your body won't be able to do if it's already doing battle against virus and bacteria. Not to mention the fact that it's very inconsiderate to bring your illness into the tattoo studio and risk passing the germs onto others, particularly your artist. If you have an appointment, call and reschedule for when you're feeling well again.

 Choosing Your Tattoo Design and Where to Put It

You've decided on the artist for your new tattoo, but now the question: what to get and where to put it. Although this is all really a matter of personal preference, there are some things that can possibly help you in making this decision.

What should I get? And where? This is all a matter of personal taste. You can get whatever you want, and whatever your artist is willing to do. You can choose a picture off the wall, or you can have them create a custom piece just for you. Your only limit is your own imagination. As far as where you should get it goes, just keep in mind what you do for work and the type of social circles you are in. You might want to consider placing your tattoo where it can be easily covered up with normal clothing.

 What hurts more, outline or shading?

When you get shading done, it's done with a group of needles usually in 2 straight lines that run parallel but "alternating" meaning that the bottom row of needles are spaced between the top row of needles, if that makes any sense. Anyway, this is very similar to the guy who can lie down on a bed of nails. If he tried to lay down on just a few nails or several nails in a round shape, it would impale him. However, when the needles are evenly dispersed over the entire surface of his body, they don't hurt him. I think a mag (shader) works very similar. Because of more even displacement of skin, many find it to hurt less than the outline. But again, this has a lot to do with the level of skill of the artist.
If you're not sure you got the right person for the job then don't be afraid to search for a new artist to complete the tattoo. This should be a bearable experience at least and an enjoyable one at best. I hope you're able to complete your tattoo without too many complications.  If you need a break, tell the artist you need to stop for 5 minutes. If you need to go home, then go home and tell him you'll get more done in a couple of weeks.

 Fainting and Tears

First of all, people pass out because their blood sugar drops from not eating or they just allow themselves to get too worked up and their own fear knocks them out. Pain is usually not the culprit when someone faints during a tattoo. As far as crying goes, there are some that find the pain too much to bear. These people are few and far between - don't assume you're going to be one of them. I shed a couple tears myself once - after an eight-hour session that was pure torture during the last two from all the stress on my body. More than likely, you are not going to be sitting down to an 8 hour tattooing session! So don't give in to the horror stories - we moms love to share labour and birth horror stories, but that doesn't stop girls from having babies!

 Fear of Needles or Blood

If you have a fear of needles or blood, getting a tattoo isn't going to be easy. However, I would like to point out that tattoo needles do not enter the skin very far as many fear - actually, it only goes in about 1/16 of an inch. Take a look at a ruler and you'll see just how insignificant that is. Another thing you can do is get your tattoo somewhere on your body where you will not be able to watch the work going on. This helps some to overcome the apprehension, by not actually seeing the needle.

The needles move in an up-and-down motion, carefully pushing the ink just below the surface of the skin. The damage to your skin is so minimal that many people don't bleed at all - or very little. The tattoo artist will also be constantly wiping up your skin to clean off any traces of blood, so it's done in a very clean and professional manner. Excessive bleeding usually only results when the patron has been drinking alcohol or taking some kind of blood thinner (like aspirin).

I do not consider myself real tolerant of pain. But certain things hurt more than others. I can endure childbirth much better than I can deal with a toothache. I think the end result and the reason you are experiencing the pain can affect how much it hurts. Getting a tattoo is one that I consider worth the discomfort because of the outcome. I know that I'm going to have this beautiful piece of artwork on me that I can be proud of when it's all said and done.

 You're Not Alone

Another thing to consider is the fact that nearly everyone is nervous when they go to get a tattoo. I don't care how many you already have, there is always a feeling of apprehension when you sit in the chair. This is your body's natural defence - endorphins. Your own endorphins will kick in and help to ease any pain or discomfort you are about to deal with. The first 60 seconds is usually the worst, and then when you realize it's just not that bad, you calm down and the rest is smooth sailing.

 Learn As Much As You Can

And the number one thing that I find helps me to deal with any situation of feeling anxious is being 100% educated and informed about what I'm getting into. When I wanted to get my first tattoo, I did so much research about the whole process and exactly what to expect that I fell in love with the art. When I finally made the decision to get my first tattoo, I knew exactly what to expect and was not nearly as nervous as I thought I would be.

If you truly want a tattoo, and you take the time to be educated about the process and how to choose the right artist that you can have complete confidence in, I promise you that you will not run out the door screaming due to the pain. You will walk out of that studio with a smile on your face, and your permanent "rite of passage" that is well deserved for overcoming your obstacle of fear.

 Where does it hurt the most?

Well, there are no hard and fast rules about this subject, but based on many opinions over the years, here are some ideas:


Most Painful Areas:
Men - Abdomen, Spine, Chest
Women - Ankle, Spine, Ribcage

Least Painful Areas:
Men - Buttocks, Arm, Back
Women - Abdomen, Buttocks, Thigh, Shoulder

 Consider Your Professionalism

It's great to see that many white-collar professionals are getting tattooed these days.
It is becoming more mainstream and acceptable on all levels of education, background, and professions. Unfortunately, though, this does not mean it is acceptable to the employers or clientele of the professional worker. Before putting a tattoo in a very visible area of your body, you will want to consider how it will affect those around you.

 Your Tattoo Is A Reflection Of You

You can pick up the latest tattoo-related magazine, and you will see some examples of great artwork of some very "outspoken" tattoos. Demons, serial killers and sexually explicit tattoos can be artfully perfect, but this may not be how you want people to view you. Whatever you have tattooed on you is the impression people are going to get about what kind of person you are. Granted, this is no-one's business but your own, but if you want to project a certain image, your tattoos should reflect that.
Instructions on Aftercare of Your New Tattoo
Now, you have your fresh new tattoo, and you want to take good care of it! From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take proper care of it. It is very important that you follow these guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not taken.

 Leave That Bandage Alone!

Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason - to keep air-born bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a maximum of one hour. 

 Wash and Treat

After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and antibacterial soap to gently wash away any ointment and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Continue this procedure at least twice a day for two or three days. After that, continue to keep it clean, but you can use lotion when needed instead of ointment, to keep the skin soft.

 Scabbing and Peeling

After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing indicates a poorly-done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and no need to panic. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!

 Protection from the sun

After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride.