Finding The Right Tattoo Artist

    

The most important thing you can do before getting a tattoo is to take the time to find the right studio and artist. Many people just decide on a whim that they want to get a tattoo and enter the nearest studio without much thought about what they are doing. Some get lucky and walk away with a great tattoo, while others are not so fortunate. Getting a new tattoo is exciting, and when you finally decide this is what you want, it is hard to wait. But this is not something to be rushed into. If you really want a tattoo that you are going to be happy with, it's going to take some time. 

     Shop around. You’re probably familiar with Instagram, the most commonly used social media platform for tattooing! Start by searching there. After all, tattoo artists tend to use Instagram as their portfolio nowadays as it’s the easiest and fastest way to showcase their work and what they’re capable of. You’ll quickly get an idea of an artist’s style from their social media pages and will know whether or not that’s what you’re after. You’ll also be able to see their following, and well-established, trusted tattooists tend to have a higher one.

    Once you’ve found an artist you like, get in touch with them through social media or call the studio. Start by explaining what it is you want and give as much detail as possible. Talk about the size, style and where on your body you would like the tattoo to be. When the artist responds, you’ll get a good idea of whether they’re going to be right for you. They’ll either love your idea and build on it or they’ll be completely honest and say they don’t think it’s quite their thing.

    You don't have to be an artist to be able to tell quality work from a bad job. Whether you get a chance to view pictures in an artist's portfolio or see a live example, really look closely at the work. It's easy to be swayed by pretty pictures. Don't get caught up in this trap. Look closely at the lines. They should be smooth, not jumpy, jagged, or shaky. Colors should be bold and filled in completely with no blank areas. Circles should look like circles, not ovals. Be objective.

    Your friends can be a great resource to you as well. If they have had a good experience they will probably recommend their artist. And if they've had a bad experience, they can warn you not to make the same mistake and what to avoid. Don't be afraid to ask around. If you see someone walking down the street with a great tattoo, don't be afraid to ask them where they got it. Most people love to talk about their tattoos.

Dangers Of At Home Tattoos

    

    More than a few first tattoo stories begin in someone’s basement and end with a very DIY-looking piece that later on is looking less appearing than tattoos that are done at a reputable tattoo studio. The dangers of home tattoos are incredibly real. What separates a home tattoo experience from one at a studio is the studio itself. Your average tattoo studio takes a slew of safety and sanitary precautions. For example, all the surfaces in the shop are covered to ensure that they’re nonporous to avoid infection transmission, and all equipment is sterilized and re-sterilized or disposed of. Basically, every single decision is made in order to prevent the contamination of anything in a given workspace.

    There’s never enough light in a home setting. There are usually kid and pet germs, cooking, sleeping, and other life habits happening around the tattoo area, thus contaminating it. With cheap tattoo supplies being sold on Amazon and, self-taught tattooers offering how-to tips on social media platforms, it’s no wonder that people get the idea that they can get a tattoo at home without running into any major issues. Most reputable tattoo supply retailers require that their customers be licensed in order to purchase their products.

    Naturally, with the discrepancies in cleanliness and professionalism associated with at-home tattooing come increased risks of bacteria and infection. Without professional grade equipment and cleaning supplies, there’s no guarantee that the area or tools used will be totally sanitary. Proper aftercare is also imperative to a healthy tattoo and an inexperienced tattooer, rather than a professional artist, probably won’t be able to offer adequate aftercare instructions. 

    Studios usually don’t allow children or pets, and tend to be very focused and calm environments with little to no interruptions. It’s also common for studios to need a license or permit of their workspace in order to function as a legal tattoo shop. With any tattoo, make sure that you  research the artist. Even if you find that they’re a licensed, professional artist, think twice before seeing them outside of a studio setting. Rather than going with the first person who says they’ll tattoo you or whoever suggests it as a cool thing to try, find your artist through research and trusted recommendations.

Why Google Reviews Are Important To Businesses?

     

    What is one of the first things you do when you're looking to purchase something or getting services that are offered? A lot of people always look at reviews. If a place has a 5 star rating or close to based on 1000 reviews, many people are more likely to seek their services. Reviews are important for the credibility of the businesses. Potential clients and customers will Google your business name to check you out, or scope out to see what products and services you offer, which will display all of the reviews. There are several reasons as to why you should check the reviews and ratings of the business that peaks your interest. 

    There’s no need for a slick marketing campaign with Google Reviews. Simply ask your customers to take some time to fill out a review. The best part is that with Google My Business, you are able to make it easy for them and provide them a direct link. Google Reviews increase your online exposure. Since Google is trying to provide people with the best results for their search query, online reviews are a strong indicator as to whether people like your business. Number of reviews also play a role. Both Google and potential customers like to see businesses with 40+ reviews or at least more reviews than your competitor. 

    Google Reviews are a good way to better understand what you are doing right and/or wrong as a business. Reviews help you see what areas are doing well and what needs improvement. Not all reviews are fair, but they always can provide information and insight on how your business can improve. One hesitation that businesses often have when asking for online reviews is the fear of negative comments. A negative review is not always a bad thing. When a business actively replies to negative reviews in a professional way and tries to resolve the situation, it shows prospective customers that you care. A mixture of bad reviews and good reviews can actually increase conversions – it makes your online presence more realistic and transparent. Google Reviews are important and your online reputation is dependent on them.

Best Time Of Year To Get A Tattoo

  Regardless of which season you decide to get a new tattoo, being prepared ahead of time is a critical part of the tattoo healing process.  It is normal to want to show off your tattoo after you get it. What season is the best for getting a tattoo you may ask? Each season has pros and cons as to why you should or should not get a tattoo. 

    Winter is a pretty good season to get a tattoo, as long as you’re not spending too much time outdoors. Cold temperatures slow blood flow and cause poor circulation, taking the body much longer to regenerate skin cells. If you get tattooed in the winter, the artwork will be completely healed by the time summer sets in. This will be the best time to show of the piece of art. Compared to the hotter summer months, winter will generally be a slow season for most people. Since fewer people will not get tattoos during this season, the studios will not be as busy. The result will be shorter waiting time and undivided attention from the artist.

    Spring has become quite popular time to get a tattoo. Warm temperatures get people excited about summer as well as showing off their tattoos and bikini bodies. This is also the time when people receive their tax returns so they have extra money to spend, which causes a spike in visits to the tattoo shops which makes it harder to get in and you would need to wait a little bit longer as well. Spring is usually the rainiest of the seasons, which can be harmful to a fresh tattoo if you spend too much time outdoors. Allowing rain to enter your wound site can delay tattoo healing and even put you at risk for developing an infection

    If you plan on getting a tattoo during summer, there are higher chances of infections when the fresh tattoo is exposed to the sun and other elements like sand and salty water. Spending too much time in the sun is easily one of the worst things you can do to your tattoo. UV rays cause skin cells to become damaged or die and can lead to skin cancer. When skin cells become damaged, the skin loses elasticity and becomes rugged. This will eventually alter your tattoo’s crisp lines and colors, leaving you with a dull and faded tattoo. If you are going to get tattooed in summer, take extra precautions to keep your tattoo clean and protected. Be prepared to ditch the pool parties and stay inside until your tattoo is fully healed. 

    Fall is the best time of year to get tattooed. The weather is more agreeable and closely resembles indoor temps, making it the least threatening season to heal wounds. Since the fall season runs from September to December, getting tattooed during these months can be extra fun and festive. Tattoo shops often offer special discounts for the holidays. You may be able to score a sizeable new piece at a discounted price for Halloween or Black Friday.