Convicted Rapist Charged with Tattooing Minor
As if you didn’t have enough reasons not to get tattooed by someone not working out of a professional studio, here’s another - what do they have to hide? Not only did a teen boy risk serious sanitation issues getting tattooed in some guy’s camper, but he put himself in personal danger because he obviously knew nothing about the man. There are reasons that people like this tattoo out of their homes and not a licensed shop; people should be asking themselves, “Why?”

More This Week:

New Tattoo Policy Requires Firefighters to Cover Up

Illinois Man Charged with Tattoo Minors

“[Got] my tattoo 3 days ago, healing process is fine but today I’ve noticed that around some edges and corners ink has staind my skin almost as if it has smudged. Will it come off? I love my tattoo but hate the smudging.” - Anitavirtual

Question: “I am due to get a new half sleeve tattoo tomorrow morning but am playing golf on Sunday and Monday; am I ok to still play or shall I delay the tattoo? I am right handed and it’s my right arm.”

Answer: If you’re just going to play for fun and aren’t terribly concerned about form, go ahead and get the tattoo. It won’t hurt it as long as you’re careful.

But if you’re playing in a competition or professionally, then I would say wait. Your swing arm needs full range of motion and the tattoo is going to be sore and tight. The follow through is going to tug and burn and shorten your range of motion.

Bikers Cause More Problems Down Under

Outlaw biker gangs, known in Australia as “bikies,” have been causing their fare share of trouble in the tattoo industry lately. One shop has been fighting for its very survival while enduring multiple attacks since November of 2007. Now, the bikies are taking their own fights to the tattoo studios. One gang member shot another inside Naked Gun II in Windsor on Monday. He was taken to the hospital to have the bullet dislodged from his knee.

“I’m posting on [behalf] of a friend, who might be having minor sugery soon. We’ve planned tattoos at a local tattoo convention this weekend! We’re both majorly excited and ready! But something came up this weekend and now she has to have a minor surgery. Currently it’s not scheduled, but it could be coming up soon. This isn’t her first tattoo. Any side effects, from getting tattoo before surgery? Since it really isn’t a matter of major blood loss or near the surgery site…any ideas?” -tattooedtaurus

Several new events have been added to the calendar for both this year and next. I’m always impressed when an event is so well organized that they know the dates and location over a year in advance. This calendar features everything from small events (like motorcycle rides and shows) to larger events like International tattoo conventions.

If you have an event that you feel would be of interest to this community, please be sure to submit it via the form at the bottom of the calendar page.

Question: “Are there any sunblocks that are to harsh or harmful to the pigment of color tattoos? I use a spray sunblock that has an SPF of 70 and the brand name is Aveeno.
Also, Are there any sunblocks that you would stay away from that could possibly hurt colors?” - Michael

Answer: Sunscreen/sunblock is extremely important for both your tattoos and the rest of your skin! Once your tattoo has healed - meaning that any scabs are gone and your body has grown a protective layer of skin over the ink - lotions, ointments, and sunscreens applied to the surface of the skin cannot harm the tattoo itself. Quite the opposite when it comes to sunscreen, because it is the only thing that can protect your tattoo from fading due to sun exposure.

The level of SPF required to effectively protect your skin and ink is still debatable, though. Vincent Iannelli, M.D. explains this: “Does a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 provide twice the protection as one that has an SPF of 15? No, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 provides protection against 93% of UVB rays, while one with an SPF of 30 provides 97% protection…Many experts question whether using a sunscreen with an SPF above 30 provides much more protection, since you are already blocking 97% of UVB rays.”

That being said, if wearing an SPF 70 sunblock makes you feel safer, it certainly won’t do any harm. Aveeno is a great product and I would trust it to protect me and my family.

Read More: Tattoos & Tanning - What Are the Risks?

“I’m thinking of moving to Chicago this summer, and will be out there next week for a few days, looking for a job, as I dont want to move without one. I havent been there since I was a kid, so I dont know anyone there that tattoos. I’ve been tattooing for 13 years, and have pics on myspace (www.myspace.com/bigjoshtattoo) so if anyone knows of a good shop looking for a good tattooer, any help would be appreciated!” - Big Josh

New World Record

Oliver Peck - former husband of Kat Von D - from Dallas, Texas has inked his way into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most tattoos in a single day. He set the record on Friday the 13th and tattooed the number 13 on 415 very lucky customers that day.

More News This Week:

Teens Get Infections From Unlicensed Tattoo Artist

Colorado Springs Tattoo Shop Sold Drugs and Guns

Five-year-old Brit Girl Tattoos Father

While surfing channels the other day, I came across E!’s True Hollywood Story. The show was about rocker wives and one of the women they interviewed was Mitzi Martin, wife of Josh Todd from Buckcherry.

Mitzi was explaining that while she and Todd were dating, her father sat Josh down and said, “I have to be honest; I don’t like the tattoos.” Now, Josh could have told his future father-in-law that his opinion didn’t matter or made some sarcastic remark, but he didn’t. His response? “You know, one day you won’t even see them.” That honest but respectful response won over Mitzi’s father and the entire family.

I love that comment! And he’s absolutely right. After you get to know someone, you look past anything exterior and it’s almost as if those things fade away and all you see is the person underneath. Kudos, Josh!