Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : November 22, 2017 4:46 PM IST
These days getting a tattoo has become too common. Most people opt for one to up their fashion quotient or make a statement. However, there are people who regret getting a tattoo done in the first place. For such people going for a laser tattoo removal later becomes a painful process. People don t seek an expert s opinion before getting a tattoo done and this causes problems like irritation, itching, swelling of the surface. Some are even allergic to the ink use and they don t even know that until too late. So, we thought of speaking to an expert who could tell us what one should do while planning to get a tattoo done. Here are few things a tattoo artist wishes you knew about getting inked.
Here Dr Mohan Thomas, Senior Cosmetic Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgery Institute,Mumbai talks about some dos and don ts to keep in mind before getting inked.
Think before you ink: Tattoo is a work of art done by a trained artist to bring out the expressions and feelings of the person sporting the tattoo. It s like artefacts marked on the skin which will last for a long time. Tattoos once created cannot be removed completely in spite of using the best lasers for removal. Remember many job descriptions strictly prevent job aspirants from sporting any tattoo. So think before you ink as it could become a social botheration later.
Do your own research: Before you zero on a tattoo studio and artist check for a clean, hygienic tattoo shop which follows international norms on tattoo creation (read about it over the net or talk to a cosmetologist). This will ensure that you can limit exposure to blood-borne infections due to cross contamination. Once the right place has been chosen, take care to choose the right artist. You should look at his work, check if the art is clean enough the lines are clean, the shades, the colours and the themes. If your design goes wrong this could lead to a lot of psychological trauma later.
Choose designs sensibly: Once you have chosen the right artist and the studio, pick a design based on what you want to express. If it is the first time you are getting inked, then go for a small tattoo made in a hidden area. Preferably do not tattoo names as if you change your mind later you might have a difficult time getting them removed.
Aftercare is important: Take good care of the area after the tattoo has been done. Use an antibiotic cream till the area has healed well. Expect swelling in the area. Use moisturizers and sunscreen for the best glow in the tattoo.
Tattoo removal is difficult: There surely are ways to erase the tattoo done if you are not happy or satisfied with it. But a complete removal is not possible, unfortunately. Expect an outline of the tattoo to be left behind even after you undergo a series of laser procedures for tattoo removal. This is called a 'ghost tattoo'.
Colourful tattoos are difficult to remove: Remember that all laser machines cannot address tattoos of different colours. Different types of lasers work on different colour dyes. This is why removing a colourful tattoo is difficult. If you are in two minds better opt for a single colour tattoo. When it comes to tattoo removal Q switched laser called Alma Q provide the best results both on multicolour and single colour tattoos.
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