Archive for February, 2010

i have a small black tat on my hand.

By way of laser on average it will cost $200-$500 per session.

The business of tattoo removal continues to grow each year. This is because many of those that have tattoos are now beginning to regret them and or are not allowed to have visible tattoos at their place of employment. However, if one wants to get rid of their tattoo, what options do they have? Laser Treatments? Surgery? Topical Treatments?

The first option most people think of is to use a high-powered laser to directly target the pigments in the tattoo until the tattoo is removed. Unfortunately this process is extremely expensive as well as painful. When you try to remove a tattoo via laser treatments, it will require multiple visits depending on the size of the tattoo. These treatments can easily run into the thousands of dollars sometimes costing upwards of $10,000 to thoroughly remove an intricate tattoo. Additionally, most people that use a laser treatment to remove a tattoo complain that it was more painful than having the original tattoo done in the first place.

Another option to have a tattoo removed is having it surgically removed through Dermabrasion techniques. This process is essentially having the skin removed via sand paper until the new skin eventually replaces the tattooed skin. As with laser treatments, this process is expensive and obviously extremely painful which is why it is not recommended and not used by many people.

Finally, there is the alternative option of using a topical tattoo remover like Tat-Med. For the purposes of this article, I will examine both the strengths as well as the weaknesses of Tat-Med.

To begin, it is important to examine the ingredients used in TatMed. The most obvious ingredients are Alpha Arbutin and Kojic Acid. Alpha Arbutin is arguably the most important ingredient used today in skin lightening treatments such as tattoo removal gels. This is because this specific ingredient has been proven to be effective while at the same time remaining safe to use on the skin. In addition, Kojic Acid has also been proven to be effective and is not as harsh as the name makes it sound.

In fact, Kojic Acid is so safe it is also used on fruits to prevent them from changing color once they are cut. These are the two most important ingredients used in TatMed and are also what help distinguish it from the rest of the other tattoo removal products available. This is because although a few other treatments do rely on these ingredients some tattoo removal products use the potentially harmful TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid). While TCA is recommended by some skin care professionals, there are risks of using a chemical peel at home. If something were to go wrong, you would be extremely limited in terms of receiving immediate medical care.

On the negative side, the ingredients used in tattoo removal creams and gels like Tat-Med may take longer to see results than using a laser to remove the unwanted tattoo.

In conclusion, based on the effectiveness of the ingredients used in Tat-Med, I believe that Tat-Med can fade and help erase unwanted tattoos without risking one’s health.

John Sate
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/tatmed-review-can-it-fade-and-help-erase-tattoos-1112997.html

The business of tattoo removal continues to grow each year. This is because many of those that have tattoos are now beginning to regret them and or are not allowed to have visible tattoos at their place of employment. However, if one wants to get rid of their tattoo, what options do they have? Laser Treatments? Surgery? Topical Treatments?

The first option most people think of is to use a high-powered laser to directly target the pigments in the tattoo until the tattoo is removed. Unfortunately this process is extremely expensive as well as painful. When you try to remove a tattoo via laser treatments, it will require multiple visits depending on the size of the tattoo. These treatments can easily run into the thousands of dollars sometimes costing upwards of $10,000 to thoroughly remove an intricate tattoo. Additionally, most people that use a laser treatment to remove a tattoo complain that it was more painful than having the original tattoo done in the first place.

Another option to have a tattoo removed is having it surgically removed through Dermabrasion techniques. This process is essentially having the skin removed via sand paper until the new skin eventually replaces the tattooed skin. As with laser treatments, this process is expensive and obviously extremely painful which is why it is not recommended and not used by many people.

Finally, there is the alternative option of using a topical tattoo remover like Tat-Med. For the purposes of this article, I will examine both the strengths as well as the weaknesses of Tat-Med.

To begin, it is important to examine the ingredients used in TatMed. The most obvious ingredients are Alpha Arbutin and Kojic Acid. Alpha Arbutin is arguably the most important ingredient used today in skin lightening treatments such as tattoo removal gels. This is because this specific ingredient has been proven to be effective while at the same time remaining safe to use on the skin. In addition, Kojic Acid has also been proven to be effective and is not as harsh as the name makes it sound.

In fact, Kojic Acid is so safe it is also used on fruits to prevent them from changing color once they are cut. These are the two most important ingredients used in TatMed and are also what help distinguish it from the rest of the other tattoo removal products available. This is because although a few other treatments do rely on these ingredients some tattoo removal products use the potentially harmful TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid). While TCA is recommended by some skin care professionals, there are risks of using a chemical peel at home. If something were to go wrong, you would be extremely limited in terms of receiving immediate medical care.

On the negative side, the ingredients used in tattoo removal creams and gels like Tat-Med may take longer to see results than using a laser to remove the unwanted tattoo.

In conclusion, based on the effectiveness of the ingredients used in Tat-Med, I believe that Tat-Med can fade and help erase unwanted tattoos without risking one’s health.

John Sate
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/tatmed-review-can-it-fade-and-help-erase-tattoos-1112997.html

Tattoos are a life long commitment and there is no simple tattoo eraser. Although if things go seriously wrong, you can get laser removal – it is painful and expensive. It is your responsibility to get the results you desire and thus you should do your homework in order to get a tattoo that is perfect for you.

Here are 6 things to consider when getting your tattoo:

1. Avoid spur of the moment tattoos.

Sometimes it is great to be impulsive, but tattoos are permanent – it is something you shouldn’t take lightly. Quick decisions can lead to a lifetime of regret and that poorly thought out tattoo design you convinced yourself you loved, will stare back at you for a lifetime. So thus you should avoid getting one in hast.

2. Pressure.

This leads on from point one. Don’t get a tattoo under pressure. When going to get one, you should really have your design ready or have some idea of the type of tattoo you want. You don’t want to go into a tattoo parlour and feel under pressure for selecting one. You will only leave with a tattoo you are mildly satisfied with and over time will wish you never got! This includes allowing your friends to pressure you into a decision.
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3. Choosing your design.

Do not take this step lightly. Make sure this is your choice and no one elses and don’t compromise on your tattoo design. It should be something you absolutely love and are completely satisfied with – afterall it will be on you for a very long time.

Don’t go straight to a tattoo parlour and select a design from their selection – you don’t have to do this and this may make you feel under pressure with picking one. Selecting a tattoo online will free you from this pressure. Once you have your design you can print off and show your tattooist, who will appreciate you being prepared.

4. Testing out your design.

Not only is the design important, but size can also be a major factor. You don’t want the perfect design but wishing you had gotten it slightly bigger/smaller. It does happen. Also what about location? You may not be able to pick this without first seeing it on. There are online services that offer stencils, where you can try out your design first. These are well worth looking into, because you don’t want to make a huge mistake

5. Picking your tattoo artist.

You should try and pick an artist you feel comfortable with and trust. There are many talented artists out there but some may only work with stencils, as opposed to free hand. If you can’t provide a stencil (although there are many services online where you can), you may want to try and find someone who can draw your design free hand from a picture.

6. On the day.

Make sure you do not drink alcohol 24 hours before and are well rested. Make sure you eat a good breakfast/lunch so you aren’t hungry. You want to be relaxed and comfortable during the process. You want your tattooist to be able to concentrate on your tattoo and on doing a good job. If you tense up or complain about the pain it is likely to have a negative effect on your tattoo – so try to remain calm and relaxed. You want to make sure it comes out perfect!

Kelly Crawford
http://www.articlesbase.com/shopping-articles/tattoo-designs-getting-the-perfect-tattoo-325286.html

Choosing a tattoo is difficult. If it isn’t, you have not done your homework. Too often, newcomers will stroll into their local tattoo parlor, pick up a few books or checkout the artwork on the walls, and thirty minutes later sit down in the chair for their session.

This is crazy! Call it short-sighted, or having too much faith in tattoo removal technology (dubious odds, at best), but for something that will be on your body for your entire life, you really need to take a few steps back, slow down, and take your time making a design choice. Here are a few steps that you should consider taking so that you don’t end up with a visible reminder of your bad decision.

Choose your location first: where you get your tattoo often has an impact on the style that you choose. For example, a tattoo that looks good on your lower back likely has a far different style than one that will be placed on your shoulder. Start with the location.

Next choose your design: first narrow down your selection into a style of tattoo that you like, and then narrow it further by finding several designs within that style that appeal to you.

Test drive your design: get some professional transfer paper — this is the paper that tattoo artists use to transfer designs from their books to your skin. Trace the design onto the transfer paper, optionally using a lightbox for assistance. Then have a friend transfer the design onto your skin and fill it in with fine-tipped permanent markers in the appropriate colors. It doesn’t have to be perfect — you just want to make sure the size, style, and colors agree with you.

Sleep on it: now just take your time, continue observing your test tattoo, and trying on different designs. You can see, with a high degree of accuracy and realism, what that tattoo is going to look like on your skin. If you don’t like, just scrub really hard and try again with a clean canvas! Eventually you’ll find a perfect design.

Additionally, if your tattoo will include a lettering style, don’t limit yourself to what you see in the parlor’s books. There are literally thousands of freeware fonts that you can download and install on your computer. You can use a graphics program (even a free one like gimp) to add the lettering to your tattoo design of choice, and then transfer it to your skin with the rest of the test tattoo. Like the design, you’ll eventually find a font that is perfect for your new tattoo.

To some, this sounds like a lot of work, and that’s true. But this tattoo will be with you for a lifetime, so you will want to do your research. Use a tattoo finder to locate a great design, browse through the many free fonts available online, and test drive all of the promising tattoo designs before you ink them permanently. Your effort will be rewarded many fold in the years to come.

Ben Swank

Getting the first tattoo can be a very hard decision for a lot of people. For some people just deciding what design to get is the problem while others may struggle with deciding what colors, size or where to place the tattoo. After all the other decisions have been made, please take some time to pick the right tattoo parlor for you. There are some different things to know about tattoos. 

Most people understand the tattoo ink has been developed to last a life time. The style and design of the tattoo should not be made on a whim. If this is your first tattoo, please make sure this is something you will be comfortable about and proud of for the rest of your life. Never get a tattoo thinking that it can be removed later with the laser tattoo removal process, you should not consider even having the tattoo applied if you are thinking this. Certain colors will also have different meaning for different people to choose. 

A good tattoo parlor can make almost any design that you can think of. Most of the tattoo artists think of the skin like a blank piece of canvas waiting to be developed. But do keep it realistic, the tattoo artist can only do so much. For example, the lower back tattoos can not be placed on your little finger. While the placement of the tattoo is important to you, take the time to consider the loved ones around you. The idea of tattoos today is not as taboo as it was several years back but there are still some people that may be offended by them. Will your job allow you to show the tattoo or will it have to be covered up? Location is important in more ways then one. 

Once the size, style, location and design of the tattoo has been decided, now it is time to find your tattoo parlor. You should take some time in choosing your tattoo parlor. Getting a tattoo is a very personal experience and you need to feel comfortable with the tattoo artist and with the tattoo parlor. If this is your first tattoo, take plenty of time to find a parlor that you feel good in. It is always a good idea to talk with the tattoo artist and make sure you are both in agreement with the work that is to be done. Tattoo safety is very important in todays society. If the tattoo artist is opposed to your ides, that the time to listen. The tattoo artist is the professional and is the one who works with the equipment and the pallet or the skin and knows better then the average person why something should not be done. Listen and learn is a good idea in this situation. If the tattoo artist is not comfortable with the design or placement of the tattoo, you may want to either reconsider the tattoo or the artist. This is the work of the artist and it will be seen for years and they want you to be proud of it;

Debra Atkins
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/things-to-know-about-tattoos-716016.html

Tattoo of zodiac symbols seem to be the most popular choice for those looking to etch their body for the first time. Yes…apart from being the most widely used body art piece, astrological signs are also regarded by many as dowdy and boring due to the abundance of generic looking symbols easily available in cyberspace. I have to respectfully disagree with the former as tattoo of zodiac symbols are very personal as they make great representation of who you are and furthermore, they are time tested thus will never go out of style. However, I do agree that most of them are extremely bland looking and hence, in dire need of some tweaking to bring out bring out the “oomph factor”.

If you hate the idea of etching your body permanently with clip-art designs, it’s high time you stop browsing those generic tattoo sites, and make a decision. You can either get a common zodiac symbol like everybody else or take control and get original creations that will make you gleam with pride. So here are few ways to spice up the symbol of your choice:

Combine your zodiac symbol with a realistic custom design. If you’re a Scorpio for instance, merge the typical symbol with a highly detailed rendition of a scorpion.

Combine western and Chinese zodiac. You can come up with some nifty designs by fusing western and Chinese zodiac together – to quote an example, my tattoo artist was born under the sign of the lion and dragon respectively. He has an amazingly cool tattoo of a Chinese dragon and a lion facing one another with a large star in between them. But this fusion thing won’t work for everyone I’m afraid and to quote another example, my western astrological sign is Pisces while my Chinese one is a pig. So, what options does that leave me (*sigh*)?

Check out online tattoo databases. At online databases, you can come across lot of unique tattoo of zodiac symbols. They are what I call the “little-known places” to acquire gorgeous designs that simply can’t be found in those generic tattoo sites.

Combine two different zodiac symbols. Instead of getting a significant other’s name on your body, why not opt for his or her horoscope instead? Not only it’ll make for a great looking tattoo design, it’ll also save you the horror of spending your hard-earned bucks on cover-ups or removal surgery in case things don’t work out between the both of you.

Break out the pencil and paper and start doodling. Doing a series of rough doodles can really get the creative juice flowing and before you know it – you’d have come with up a bunch of sleek modifications to spice up any tattoo of zodiac symbols that you see on the Web.

Joser Kovacs
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/tattoo-of-zodiac-symbols-how-to-spice-them-up-743345.html

I have a black outline on the inside of my wrist and was wondering if people could tell me what has worked for them for tattoo removal. Not really looking into laser; something under $250. What about those creams? Wrecking balm? Chemical peals? Scars?

A Laser might be pretty inexpensive for just an outline. The Laser is the only thing that really seems to work well. I would try to find a Doctor in your area to remove it.

I am super shocked about this, apparently there is a new way for you to get rid of an unwanted tattoo. And it does not included going to several laser removal sessions. I have just read an article claiming that there is a cream that can be injecting into your tattoo and it will literally push out the ink to the surface of your skin and will leave your skin scar free and have no evidence of a tattoo every being there.

Supposedly, there are some cosmetic surgeons that say they can get rid of the ink by injecting your skin with a cream which softens the ink and pushes it to the surface. And within six to eight weeks after a scab falls off the ink from your tattoo falls off with it and you are left with non noticeable tattoo free skin.

Some experts claim that this new procedure has been used here in the United States and that it is much cheaper and a lot less painful than the laser removal option and it also has little to no scarring compared to laser removal.

This new treatment is currently being done in London. Stuart Harrison, director of Oxford Skin Clinics, said: “This works by using the body’s natural processes. The reason the tattoo stays there is that a coating is put around the link to protect it from the body’s immune response.

“But this cream makes the ink identifiable to the body so that it realises the ink is there and starts rejecting it and healing itself.”

Sturwart also added how the process feels,

“It is uncomfortable rather than painful, but it is less painful than having the tattoo itself and certainly a lot less painful than having laser treatment.

So if you have any unwanted tattoos on your body maybe you should look into this procedure.

Your Tattoo Friend

Ashley

Ashley Ford
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/a-less-painful-way-to-get-rid-of-tattoos-693179.html

While the popularity of tattoos, with a vast variety of messages, seems to be on a steady increase, there are still some very important safety considerations which cannot be ignored.

Especially in the warmer months of the year, many experience and have questions about raised and itchy tattoos. Most people who suffer with this condition typically describe the discomfort being occasional rather than consistent, or sometimes either. There may actually be one of several different causes and it is important for proper treatment to find the precise cause..

Let’s consider some of the most common causes and then examine possible courses of treatment.

The tattoo ink being the source of an allergic reaction comes to mind immediately, but is not a likely causative factor. While there are occasions where allergic reactions to ink occur, the reaction could be immediate, a week later, or years from the original tattoo application. Red and yellow inks seem to be the most likely colors to cause an allergic reaction.

Changes in the body chemistry due to illness and/or aging may adversely affect areas that once were originally benign. Ink allergies will be itchy and raised only in spots of the particular color. With the ink allergies, the irritation is more common, not peaking and waning. For mild irritations, topical ointments may help to relieve symptoms, but a prescription drug or even tattoo removal is recommended for more severe cases.

Weather is most often the cause of the consistent, yet possibly mild, irritation. It may only be noticeable during the summer months. Seasonal increases in temperature and humidity may cause swelling of a tattoo, and thus, some itching and irritation.

As the swelling proceeds, there’s a slight stretching of the skin, causing an itchy sensation. If your tattoo has had a long time to heal, it won’t likely be damaged by scratching, but best to avoid any mechanical irritation. For relief of itching and irritating symptoms, use topical creams, ice packs or cool water for relief.

The overall health of your body can affect your tattoo site, as well. Increases in blood pressure, adrenaline, or changes in body temperature – will render some affect on the tattoo site. Always try to pay attention to any irritations or skin injuries at or near the tattoo site. Many folks who suffer with eczema may have irritation problems with their tattoo, as well.

Some skin conditions are so minor that symptoms are not apparent until a reaction forms at the more sensitive skin, the tattoo site.

Of course, also be careful about the placement and design compatibility. I often joke about seeing a tattooed on dragon turn into a green zebra over time. Ink can smudge and stretch as your body changes.

If your tattoo ever gets smudged or you decide that you no longer want it, it’s important to know your options for tattoo removal. Unfortunately, removal methods are harsh, painful, and usually result in scarring. You can avoid this by following the pointers we outline shortly, when we talk about trust.

Research, research, research! You can’t do enough. It’s like thinking about your first mortgage. Buying a house is a big thing, but it is not exactly permanently modifying your body. But you looked at every loan facility under the sun to find the perfect one for you. Same for the parlor you will be going to for your tattoo.

Jane Sumerset
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/tattoo-problems-pitfalls-and-tips-673513.html