The Marines have already placed a ban on anyone new coming in with large, visible tattoos, but a new revision to the ban adds yet a new restriction against those grandfathered in under the new clause. Marines already serving with sleeve or large, visible pieces of ink may not serve as recruiters or as guards at U.S. Embassy locations. Citing concern over the “image” portrayed, the military branch officials have decided that large tattoos don’t give the right impression. (Article)

Question: I got my tattoo about two weeks ago and it felt healed, so I thought I could go swimming. Then about a few days after I started swimming, it became bright red and kind of blotchy and it itches alot. Now my mom told me to keep cleaning it regularly, stop swimming and put A&D cream on it, but I was wondering if there was anything else I could do to speed up the process of it to heal?

Answer: I think your mom’s advice is right on the money for right now. I don’t
think it sounds infected – just really irritated. Signs of infection are a
red halo around the tattoo, feeling hot to the touch, oozing puss
(especially yellow or green in color) and emanating a foul smell. Watch
for those signs and go to the doctor if it manifests any of those
symptoms, because it can go as far as being life threatening if you let it
get really bad. In the meantime, just do what your mom suggested and
hopefully you’ll be in the clear in a few days.

For those who don’t know, tattoo artist Johnny Jackson and his wife Annette (Inkaholik – Houston, TX) were in a severe car accident, being hit head on by an 18 wheeler. Like most of us, they are self-employed, so this auction will help with medical costs and living expenses until they recover. Any and all donations would be appreciated. If you can’t donate, go check out the forum posts anyway – you never know there may be something you fall in love with and want to “bid” on!!

Here’s the instructions on how to donate:

Auction will start Today and will end October 1st giving us a good 2 weeks for people to donate items to auction off and people to place bids.

Now for the fun part, everyone that wants to donate an item in the auction simply as to start a thread in this section including the item or thing to auction. Paintings, Antics, Toys, Games… Tattoo Time, all is welcome in this auction.

On October 1st auction will end and all the winning bids will have to be paid via paypal. I will be holding the funds into a specific account and upon reception of the item by the person who won the auction the money will be transfered to Johnny’s paypal account.

Let’s rally together and help out Mr. and Mrs Johnny Jackson, our thoughts and prayers are going to both of them wishing then a quick recovery.
AND here’s the link to go to do it: Help Out Johnny Jackson and Mizuzinkaholik