Why Some Tattoos Can't Be Guarenteed

When you make the (not insignificant) investment in a tattoo, you want some assurance that your tattoo artist will be "responsible" for the quality of your tattoo. Most of that you can clock early on in the process. But some things don't (and shouldn't) come with a guarantee.

How To Tell If You're Going To Get A Good Tattoo In Lubbock

I watch with despair as many folks go for the lowest bidder when getting a tattoo. And then I see them pop back up on Facebook groups, asking how to get the tattoo fixed. Something, something.." you get what you pay for" there. However, a hefty price tag doesn't necessarily denote quality either.

Look at art portfolios. Every reputable artist should have several photos of their work for you to look at. Are the lines straight and clean? Is the shading good? Are the proportions correct? Does the placement make sense? Is this the style you're looking for?

Only Ever Get A Tattoo At A Licensed Shop. Garage tattoos have a nasty reputation for a reason, and you could end up with a nasty infection.

Don't Like The Drawing or The Placement? Speak Up! Yes, you should trust your artist's judgement to an extent, but if you don't like something or it feels off, you have to advocate (politely) for yourself.

Follow the Aftercare Instructions. Every reputable artist will give you aftercare instructions (its actually the law). Follow them and don't do anything nasty with your open tattoo- like brush it up against the trash can or cat box. And never, ever, go swimming with an open tattoo, it can kill you.

The Tattoos That Can't Be Guaranteed

Most tattoo artists will NOT guarantee tattoos on hands, fingers, and feet. It's not from a lack of skill or quality, but the nature of those body parts, and how we use them daily. Hands and feet shed skin cells at a much faster rate than the rest of the body because we make contact with/ use them constantly. This means that the life of your hand and foot tattoos is seriously diminished compared to other parts of the body. The ink can, and oftentimes will, fall out quickly.

This isn't me telling you not to get these tattoos (I have a foot one myself); however, it is me telling you to budget for touch-ups, or to at least be understanding when they fade quickly. You can improve your chances by following the aftercare instructions and visiting a reputable artist, of course.