Tattoos.

That's cute!

LaMedicine said:

Three, as in the article on the history of tattoos, the threat of hepatitis is very real. Here, whenever we doctors see anyone with tattoos, we suggest to them to let us run a lab test for Hepatitis C, and the percentage who come up positive is very high, espeically with the older and extensive ones, I can't remember off hand anyone I have seen who did not test positive for HCV. (Hepatitis C often causes liver cancer which is why it is of such great concern to us.) So, if you want to get one, make sure that the artist uses disposable equipment, not only the needles, but anything that you may come into contact with, pigments and such, because anything that is used in common with others without sterilization carries the danger of contamination. What better way is there to be sure that there is no contamination than having everything new and opened right in front of your eyes!

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I am horrified by that! The 3 times I have been tattooed they have gone into great detail about the hygiene procedures they use to prevent the spread of hepatitis and other blood-bourne diseases. The most recent one (freshest in my mind because it was only a few months ago) did show me the sealed packets that she was taking the equipment from, explained the autoclave, and then at the end she broke the needles in front of me and put them in the sharps bin so I could be utterly sure they weren't ever going to be used again.

ortega76 said:

The daughter of a friend (who is a tattoo artist) was surprised and puzzled when she started kindergarten this year as her teacher had no "pictures" on her arm. Dad is covered in a Japanese bodysuit and mom has significant coverage. Her grandpa is an old Navy man and biker and Grandma is an old hippie, so they have visible tattoos. Even her uncles and aunts have visible tattoos. She thought adults naturally sprouted pictures on their skin when they got older. She was looking forward to a picture of a pony or bird.

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That is so sweet!

Puzzicato said:

I am horrified by that! The 3 times I have been tattooed they have gone into great detail about the hygiene procedures they use to prevent the spread of hepatitis and other blood-bourne diseases. The most recent one (freshest in my mind because it was only a few months ago) did show me the sealed packets that she was taking the equipment from, explained the autoclave, and then at the end she broke the needles in front of me and put them in the sharps bin so I could be utterly sure they weren't ever going to be used again.

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My artist opens fresh needles in front of me and when he's done he throws everything away in front of you, including the ink. He sprays the entire area with disinfectant and even mops the floor area. All before you leave. He is the best!!

Amy Jeanne said:

My artist opens fresh needles in front of me and when he's done he throws everything away in front of you, including the ink. He sprays the entire area with disinfectant and even mops the floor area. All before you leave. He is the best!!

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Exactly! I am appalled that in a modern, developed country like Japan there is still such a high rate of HepC associated with tattooing.

Has anyone ever felt like having visible tattoos has helped them? My old high school buddy works as a LCSW and deals with addicts in rehab. He has said that he has had to literally roll up his sleeves to deal with a patient acting out (thanks to budget issues the staff has fewer orderlies/security then they once had). He claims some see his forearms ink and are intimidated to comply with the staff. Of course, he's like 300 pounds and around 6' so that may have something to do with it.

jessesgirl08 said:

the month each of my sons was born. There are 4 It took 8 hours and was done in one sitting.

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I'm just having mental giggles about the juxtaposition of "sons being born", "took eight hours," and "done in one sitting."

That's colorful as heck. I'm generally not a tattoo fan, but that's quite a work of art there. How do the sons like being represented by flowers?

One of my tattoos, it's really weird. When I explain what it means to other people, it sounds really silly, and it kind of is. But to me it has a deeper meaning that only myself and a few of my closest friends understand. So I have kind of mixed feelings about it. Not so much that I regret getting the tattoo but that I had to do such dorky things as a kid to bond with my friends.

My solution is to just keep getting more.

Tatoos might be more mainstream now than they ever have been but in a world where books ARE judged by their cover, a tatoo speaks volumes. I suppose it all depends on what you want people to assume about you. My personal attraction to the Fedora Lounge and the Golden Era is based on classic movies and Norman Rockwell, images of a time where the men and women did not have billboards on their bodies. It is not a part of the American culture in the Golden Age, maybe in the Polynesian Islands,Asia or New Zealand, but not here. Again, not to say that it's not becoming a part of our culture now, but it wasn't then.

jessesgirl08 said:

I just got this new tatto this summer. Each flower represents the flower for the month each of my sons was born. There are 4 It took 8 hours and was done in one sitting. This is my 3rd tattoo and I can't wait to get more

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Wow! That is really pretty and I love the meaning behind it! Is it the flowers that represent the birth month or the colour of the flowers that represent the birth month?

Thanks shazzabanazza! Its the flowers that represent the birthmonth, I have 2 in sept. and one in july and one in april.

jessesgirl08 said:

Thanks shazzabanazza! Its the flowers that represent the birthmonth, I have 2 in sept. and one in july and one in april.

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I have one in April and one in October How many hours did it take to do that tat?

it took 8 hours and in one sitting. He started it at 4pm and i was done at 12:30am.

Bourne ID said:

Tatoos might be more mainstream now than they ever have been but in a world where books ARE judged by their cover, a tatoo speaks volumes. I suppose it all depends on what you want people to assume about you. My personal attraction to the Fedora Lounge and the Golden Era is based on classic movies and Norman Rockwell, images of a time where the men and women did not have billboards on their bodies. It is not a part of the American culture in the Golden Age, maybe in the Polynesian Islands,Asia or New Zealand, but not here. Again, not to say that it's not becoming a part of our culture now, but it wasn't then.

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These are interesting ideas, I agree with a lot of them. I also detest the "billboard clothes". My opinion is that if I'm going to have a brand splashed across my chest they should be paying ME to wear it, not the other way around. But my tattoos are different. I also keep mine above the elbows. If I'm not comfortable enough with you to be shirtless around you, you'd never know I have them. As a new guy in a white collar profession, I do that intentionally. But I'm not so buttoned-down after hours, ya see.

Edit: I would add that there were plenty of tattooed people during the old days, though maybe not in the mainstream, and there is a lot of interested today in recapturing that vintage tattooing style.

I'm of the same mind. I have no ink as of yet, but hope to get my first this year. I intend to be able to wear a short sleeve shirt in the office without it being visible... I prefer to be as flexible with my look as possible.

Puzzicato said:

Exactly! I am appalled that in a modern, developed country like Japan there is still such a high rate of HepC associated with tattooing.

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That's because they are from the days when HCV was not yet specifically diagnosed--known at most as non-A non-B hepatitis. The tattooed HCV positive patients I know are 1) at least in their late 50s, and 2) are either mostly (unfortunately) yakuza, and certain groups of traditional carpenters.

The more prevalent source of collective HCV infections were the organized mass immunizations given at schools. This now, also, is seen in only in the over 40 generations. Of course, sterilization of medical/surgical instruments was/is standard procedure, but prevalent use of disposable instruments is relatively new. It may have been already in place in your lifetime, but it wasn't yet completely enforced when I started med school.

One can't really compare what were standard procedures 40-50 years ago to what they are now, and make some kind of judgement. Especially with issues that show up long after the fact. What is turning up now is due to what took place years ago when either knowledge or supply, or both were not sufficient.

Here, tattoos are still widely associated with yakuza, so visible tattoos are still frowned upon. A lot of the gyms, public pools, and the public baths and hot spas have signs that say "no tattoos". A foreigner wouldn't be in the danger of being judged as belonging to a criminal group, but you may still experience embarassing moments by being refused admission to such places as above if you have visible tattoos, though I suppose the final decision will be up to the managers.

Edward said:

I'm of the same mind. I have no ink as of yet, but hope to get my first this year. I intend to be able to wear a short sleeve shirt in the office without it being visible... I prefer to be as flexible with my look as possible.

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Exciting What are you thinking of getting done?

Jesse Jack said:

...I also keep mine above the elbows. If I'm not comfortable enough with you to be shirtless around you, you'd never know I have them. As a new guy in a white collar profession, I do that intentionally. But I'm not so buttoned-down after hours, ya see.

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Edward said:

I'm of the same mind. I have no ink as of yet, but hope to get my first this year. I intend to be able to wear a short sleeve shirt in the office without it being visible... I prefer to be as flexible with my look as possible.

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For anyone who doesn't already know, visible tattoos are still frowned upon in many professions (including "blue collar" professions) and can prevent you from being employed. Just something to consider for anyone who doesn't have tattoos but are thinking of getting one "someday". Jesse Jack and Edward are doing the right thing by carefully considering the placement of their tattoos.

Also, I've been told (so I don't know whether or not it's true) the U.S. military has strict regulations regarding tattoos. Years ago a co-worker told me that when he was in the Marines the troops were allowed to get no more than two new tattoos while they were on active duty (i.e., not counting tattoos they had before they enlisted). When one of the men in his unit got a third tattoo he was charged and convicted of--get this--"defacing government property". When they say, "You're ours," they mean it.

I currently have five tattoos; needless to say, I don't have a problem with tattoos in general. That said, I have seen tattoos that I thought weren't particularly flattering to the person wearing them. Merely a matter of personal taste; to each their own.

I do have a suggestion for anyone wanting to get their first tattoo: Don't just walk into the local tattoo parlor and have it done by any available artist. Take the time to look at their portfolios, and select an artist whose style you like. Like any other profession, most good tattooists specialize, and their particular specialty/style may not be right for the tattoo you have in mind. And be sure to talk to them before you schedule an appointment. Please don't be rude and interrupt them while they're with a client, but do discuss your tattoo with them; sharing and discussing your idea(s) will yield better results if the artist understands what you're "expecting" from your tattoo.

And for those who are willing to judge someone based solely on the fact that they have tattoos, here's something to consider: The only difference between tattooed people and not-tattooed people is, tattooed people don't care if you're not tattooed.

Don't care too much for tattos myself, but I must say that this young man - a grandson of a famous pilot from Battle of Britain (Albert "Zulu" Lewis) - has a special tribute to his granddad, by having his plane on his arm.
And a nice piece of art too - with the poppies and clouds.