TATTOOS HAVE BEEN A RIGHT OF PASSAGE FOR MANY YEARS
Many cultures in the world have used tattoos, body modification, and scarification as a means for a right of passage. Both males and females had their different rituals. There were multiple reasons for these to occur. Often, a right of passage was a coming of age, such as becoming a man or for a woman, being able to have children. Enduring the pain meant you were ready for your new role in your society.
Other former rights of passage, in all forms of body modification, was in regards to battle or a hunt. Being victorious in battle could earn you certain marks. The more you were successful, the more marks you got. It was to show your peers and enemies you were fierce and someone to respect. To bring down a dangerous or large animal also earned you different marks, showing your prowess as a hunter.
Some cultures that exist today still practice these forms of body modification, and can be found on nearly every continent. It's most commonly seen in African tribal cultures, but it's just as prevalent in many other parts of the world. Traditional rights of passage have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.
In today's society, most of the advanced cultures don't generally view tattoos as a right of passage. This is particularly true if someone uses numbing agents or get put under anesthesia (yes, it happens) to get their tattoos. They are missing out on part of the experience, and they're looking for the payoff without the price. The pain involved with getting a tattoo is part of what makes it a right of passage.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
THE USA IS UNFORTUNATELY LACKING IN REGULATIONS FOR TATTOOS
Many in the country view regulations as a negative. This may be true for some things, but when it comes to health and safety, they are kind of important. The tattoo industry has virtually no consumer protection in America. Fortunately, Lucky Bamboo Tattoo holds itself to a much higher standard than the industry norm.
What's even stranger still, there are some elements in the tattooing world that push back against any sort of regulation presented. Why wouldn't they want the health and safety of their client put into consideration? It's almost suspicious. Are they trying to cut corners to increase their profit margins? Low quality materials are certainly cheaper, so that would make sense. Oddly, you'll even hear about so-called well known artists fighting against regulations of any kind. What are they afraid of?
Another thing that has many in the industry confused in the topic of permits vs having a license. A permit is just a permit. You fill out a form, pay the fee, and boom...you are a tattoo artist. No verification, no proof of education or skill, nothing. This is a massive disservice to clients. Any unqualified person can simply open a tattoo shop and start working. A license is different. You need proof of your skill and education as a tattoo artist before you can work. Most states do not require a license to become a tattoo artist. Watch our video by clicking the button to learn more about this.
Something else that seriously needs some regulations are materials, inks in particular. Literally anybody can make their own brand of ink and immediately put it on the market. There is nothing stopping them. Who knows the sanitary conditions, if any, were used in the creation and manufacturing of these inks? What's in them? Do they contain materials known to be unsafe? There is absolutely no way to know. There are tattoo artists out there that will actually buy these random inks to save money, and that puts their clients at risk.
Every artist at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo uses EU regulated inks, which are among the strictest in the world in regards to consumer safety and regulations. All the materials used in our studio are top of the line, from the machines, inks, needles, etc. The owner, who's also the head tattoo artist of the studio, does not allow the usage of cheap stuff. No exceptions. Any artist that works under the Lucky Bamboo Tattoo name must adhere to these standards.
This is part of the reason why cheap tattoos are cheap. Combine unskilled scratcher artists with low quality materials, and you get cheap poorly done tattoos. As said in the industry, "Cheap tattoos aren't good, and good tattoos aren't cheap."
All clients, and all serious tattoo artists should welcome regulations regarding licensing and the overseeing of the safety of materials. It's in the best interest for both parties, and people should accept these regulations with open arms. The health and safety of the client should be top priority for a tattoo artist.
Rest assured, regardless of how the United States chooses what or what not to regulate, Lucky Bamboo Tattoo always has and always will adhere to top of the line standards. Our artists will not compromise our clients over cost. As artists proud of their work, they want to make sure all of their clients are happy, and will be able to continue to enjoy their art for many years to come.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment or a consult with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
A consult is sometimes necessary for your tattoo ideas, but not always. Sometimes, very often actually, you can get a quote from an artist without the need to meet with them first. However, if your piece is more complicated, a cover up, or you just feel more comfortable meeting with your artist before they plan out your tattoo, a consultation is there to help you out.
Consultations at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo are free.
HOW TO PREPARE AND WHAT TO EXPECT
When you come in for your consult, come with your ideas and an open mind, and come with an expectation that you may be booking after your meeting with the artist. With the expectation, that means, be prepared to put down the ADF (Artist Design Fee), which acts as a deposit which is held until your last appointment (if multiple sessions are booked, otherwise your ADF pays for your upcoming appointment).
Give your artist your ideas and input for the piece you want, and it's even fine to show reference images. Don't expect the artist to do an exact copy of any images you provide. You really don't want that anyway, if you think about it. Why would you want a tattoo that someone else already has? One of the benefits of going to a custom studio, like Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, is the prospect of getting a one-of-a-kind piece designed just for you. Watch our video about the importance of giving artistic freedom by clicking the button below!
It's not the best idea to bring a bunch of people with you for your meeting appointment. We see quite often, when this happens, the people with you may be distracting or possibly even confuse you by throwing their own ideas out there. It's much better for you to meet with your artist by yourself so that the both of you can stay focused and discuss exactly what you are looking to get. The exception to this is if multiple people are getting a consult on a matching piece. Even then, it's good to plan out with your crew what you are all looking to get, and have a main spokesperson to talk with the artist during the session.
After you and the artist have come up with a game plan, they will give you a quote for time, and how much of an ADF that needs to be put down in order to book. For smaller tattoos or single session tattoos, your ADF will likely be for the entire amount of your tattoo. For larger pieces with multiple sessions, your ADF will be a portion of the cost of the tattoo. To full understand how our ADF works, please read our article by clicking the button below.
If you end up booking, and especially if you have multiple sessions scheduled, a very helpful tool for you to use is the Lucky Bamboo Tattoo app, which is available on both Apple and Android! You can find direct links to both below!
The app will keep track of your appointments, any changes to your appointments, alert you when your artist has a sudden opening, offers exclusive promotions, access to new pictures in our gallery and more!
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment or a consult with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
Like other forms of the creative arts, an illustrator has to metaphorically travel many miles on the path before they can become a tattoo artist. Many steps are involved. Some obstacles. Commitment. Determination.
When someone begins the path towards a career as a tattoo artist, one of the first things they'll need is an innate skill for creating unique works of art. Something that catches the eye and that others love to look at. You need to put yourself out there and ask for brutally honest opinions. Sometimes someone may think they're a great artist, but they may be sadly very wrong. The only way to really know is to rely on direct honesty and be open to the truth. Sometimes the truth is very difficult to accept.
Once a person establishes whether they are a good or bad illustrator, next they need education regardless of the answer. If you are a bad artist, it's possible to become good through education and a mentor. If after working hard during this process, and you are still getting mixed or bad reviews, it just may not be the vocation for you. If you were already good, education will only make you better by learning techniques and skills you may not have had before.
After you've honed your skill through practice and education, now is the time to start translating that into tattooing. Drawing and tattooing are NOT the same. They are completely different skill sets. Though nearly all established veteran tattoo artists won't consider taking on an apprentice without producing some sort of skill in tattooing, such as practice on fake skins, some may. It's better to invest in a decent machine, buy some fake skins and inks, and study the actual skills needed to tattoo.
Some of the most basic skills are hand speed, needle depth, angle, voltage (machine speed) vs hand speed, and so on. A prospective tattoo artist will likely spend many hours practicing doing lines, over and over and over. If you can't master the most basic of actions, you simply won't make it as a tattoo artist. After you learn the fundamentals, then you'll need to produce "completed" tattoos on fake skins. You'll need these for your portfolio for your potential mentor to look over.
If a person has demonstrated that they indeed have artistic skill, some art education, and the basics of tattooing, they may be ready to look for an apprenticeship. Before you move forward, you will need to have a comprehensive portfolio of completed works of art, including your practice skins. If you are deemed ready and get your chance to become an apprentice, don't expect to be tattooing for quite a while. Likely during this time, you will be learning. You will also be setting up and breaking down for tattoo sessions. This is done so that these necessary sanitary practices become second nature.
Only after you have proven to be ready to your mentor will you be ready to do your first in studio tattoo. It will most likely be monitored by the mentor to make sure you are doing everything correctly. This will probably be the standard for your first several tattoo sessions, or until your mentor is comfortable leaving you on your own.
The last major stage would be to establish yourself in the tattooing community. A new artist needs to spend a good amount of time self promoting so that they can build a client base. It will take some time before a new artists schedule starts to fill up, so patience and determination are very important if they want to make it.
With all that has been mentioned, why would anybody want to become a tattoo artist?
SO WHY BECOME A TATTOO ARTIST?
Well, once you are established and have a good reputation, a tattoo artist can make a rather comfortable living. The tattoo artist can be the rare exception to the "starving artist" trope, if they're good. The same can't be said of most other art forms, such as music and painting. It's far more difficult to make any money in other forms of art. A tattoo artist has a much greater chance at becoming successful in their chosen industry.
It's easier to be able to establish a family, buy a home, pay for vacations, retire younger, etc if you make decent money and know how to properly manage it. Some tattooers also venture into other investments or businesses, which just furthers their ability to take care of their families.
Since most real tattoo artists love the process, they get to do what they love for a living. That's everyone's dream, isn't it? Nobody wants to wake up each morning and dreading going to work. That's not to say that there are days that tattooers don't feel that way, it's human nature. However, in the most part, they don't dread going to work, and quite a bit of the time, look forward to it. Being passionate about seeing a work of art come to fruition on their client is a blessing.
Leaving a legacy is also a good reason. Their artwork will live on, even after both the artist and the client have passed on through images shared. It helps if an artist self publishes books showing off completed tattoos. These books will remain after we are gone.
Through all the hardships on the road to becoming a tattoo artist, the benefit outweigh the negatives. If you have skill, patience, passion, and determination, the life of a tattoo artist can be really nice.
If you'd like to read more about the life of a tattoo artist, click on the button below to read our article!
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
MANDALA TATTOOS ARE BEAUTIFUL WITH A RICH HISTORY OF THE STYLE
The mandala design style has been around for quite a long time in human history, approximately 2000 years, actually. Traveling Buddhist monks helped spread the design and its meaning around Asia over the years. In modern times, the mandala tattoo is very popular in many different crowds. They're not exclusive to any single group.
IN THE BEGINNING
Like previously mentioned, in the first century BCE, the mandalas were essentially created by Buddhist monks. There's no definitive 'for certain' who exactly was the first person to create one was. However, it is very often credited to the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama of Nepal.
As the monks transversed Asia, along with sharing their wisdom and religious dogma, they also shared many other things, including their mandalas. People were immediately mesmerized by the ornate beauty of these designs, their intricacy, the endless possibilities for variation, and the deeper meaning besides just the art that it was.
Monks didn't adorn the design as a tattoo, but rather painted on paper (which was invented in China) and on cloth. Soon, the artwork began appearing on other artwork, including pottery and tile work. Not long after, the symbol became just as important in Hindu as it was for Buddhism. As time moved on, it made its way into popularity into China and Japan. To this day, from Tibet to Japan, the mandalas maintain their importance in Asian cultures.
DEEPER MEANING
Besides just being beautiful art, mandalas have a much deeper meaning and purpose. There are three layers to the meaning behind mandalas: the outer, the inner, and the secret. The outer is a representation of the universe. The inner is enlightenment. The secret is the balance of both the body and the mind.
There are various images commonly found in a mandala. First, is the center point, the beginning where you start your focus. Surrounding the center often starts with either a circle or square of geometric patterns. These patterns delve into deeper meanings with their symbolism. Some of the more commonly used are explained below.
Sun: The sun represents energy, life, and the universe, and is found very often in a mandala.
Triangle: When pointing up, triangles can represent energy and movement, and when pointing down, they can represent the seeking knowledge, creativity, and inspiration.
Bell: Bells can represent the clarity of emptying of the mind to allow the passage of wisdom.
Lotus flower: One of the more sacred symbols in Buddhism and Hinduism, the lotus often stands for balance and mankind's enlightenment and spiritual awakening.
Eight Spoked Wheel: With a wheel being a circle, it represents the universe in its perfection. The eight spokes represent the eightfold path of Buddhism which lead to reincarnation and freedom.
TYPES OF MANDALAS
There are multiple types of mandalas, and each have their own different meanings. There are many, so we'll share just a few of the more dominant ones seen in this ancient society.
Kalachakra Mandalas
The Kalachakra is used for meditative reasons and means "The Cycle of Time". Monks would meditate on the Kalachakra mandala, ritualizing the qualities of their diety as a means to become a diety themselves. This mandala is used in a way to turn regular minds into an enlightened healing mind.
Teaching Mandalas
Another popular type is called theTeaching mandalas. Teaching mandalas are largely symbolic and all aspects of the mandala represent different tenets of Buddhism. During a monks monastic education and learning, they often create their teaching mandalas.
Mantra Mandalas
Mantra mandalas are supernatural in nature, focusing on the deities and the powers and abilities of these otherworldly beings. Focusing on a mantra mandala, a monk can invoke their deity during a deep meditative state and be blessed with their power.
Healing Mandalas
Healing mandalas are created to focus on meditating towards a deeper sense of wisdom, concentrating and getting balance and aligning the energies of the body, mind, and soul.
MANDALAS ARE BEAUTIFUL
Besides all the spiritual and religious connotations, mandalas are just a beautiful work of art with endless design possibilities. They also make a great subject for a tattoo!
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
As time changes, so do trends. Tattoo designs and styles come and go, but not forever. Something that was really popular in the 40s may have died out, but often there's a resurgence of interest. Sort of like the high-waist "mom jeans" of the 80s making a comeback in recent years. So, what should we look out for in 2024 for tattoo trends?
WHAT'S THE BUZZ IN WHAT'S GOING TO BE POPULAR?
There are many designs in the tattoo industry that there's a certain buzz going on. There are tattoos people are talking about getting done once their holiday spending has subsided and tax refunds start to roll in. Here are some of the more talked about, searched for, and discussed tattoo trends.
FULL SLEEVE TATTOOS
Sleeve Tattoo by Christina
Although always popular, sleeve tattoos seemed to be having an uptick in interest. People that weren't interested before are not showing signs it's something they're looking to get done. A full sleeve tattoo can be of any style and topic. There really is no limitation. It will take your artist more time to conceive, design, and draw out a sleeve tattoo, but the results are worth the wait. This one trends more than any other.
FLORAL TATTOOS
Floral Tattoo by Leah
Another staple in the tattoo industry, the trends of floral tattoos continue every year. It doesn't look like a design that will ever go away, and with good reason. There are so many things you can do with a floral tattoo regarding style and design. A good artist will probably create several hundred unique floral tattoos over their career, and in the thousands for those who specialize in the subject. If you take into consideration of how many tattoo artists there are globally, that's millions of unique floral designs.
COLORFUL/VIBRANT/WATERCOLOR TATTOOS
Colorful Tattoo by Jared
Before we get into it, no, black & grey tattoos aren't going anywhere. They will be popular forever. B&G is well loved internationally and it's a given to be popular. With that said, there is a bunch of internet chatter and in-studio discussions with clients that makes it appear there are trends happening in the desire for extremely colorful and vibrant pieces. These differ from typical tattoos with color and are more like color tattoos on steroids.
SMALL/MINIMALIST/SIMPLE TATTOOS
Small Bee by Vitalii
People more and more are recognizing the simplistic beauty of a small and/or minimalist tattoo. A tattoo doesn't have to be grandiose and take 30 hours to be impressive. A very well done small and simple tattoo can also have a degree of impact simply due to its innate beauty. They are the epitome of "less is more" if done perfectly.
FINE LINE/UNSHADED TATTOOS
Fine Line Tattoo by Leah
Fine line tattoos have been popular for a while now, but there seems to be a larger interest as it trends in this coming year. Finely detailed tattoos with little or no shading seem to becoming more popular each year, and it appears to be really focused in the majority with women. Men do enjoy this style as well, but the ratio is much smaller than with the female tattoo crowd. They are also a popular choice for people that are looking at getting their first tattoo, which would indicate it's also age related to a certain degree.
MEMORIAL TATTOOS
Pet Memorial Tattoo by Christina
Memorial tattoos have been around for a very long time, and they will always have a place in the tattoo industry. As time goes by, more people seem to be inclined to get a memorial tattoo for someone they loved and lost or for a lost pet. These kinds of tattoos span all age groups, and surprisingly, it's the older crowd that dominates the request for one of these tattoos. Older people that have never had a tattoo before in their entire life are starting to book memorial tattoos.
There's nothing wrong with Harry Potter or enjoying the books/films. However, it's had its day in the tattoo world, mostly with either "Always" or the Deathly Hollows logo (or sometimes the two designed into one tattoo together). So many of these designs have been done over the years, there are actually some artists that flat out refuse to do any more of them. Fortunately for those artists, the request for HP tattoos have dropped quite a bit, and it looks to continue that way into 2024.
IGNORANT STYLE TATTOOS
There will always be a special place in the hearts of many who enjoy this bizarre trendy tattoo style. If you're not familiar, they're cartoonish style tattoos that often have some sort of stance on society usually done in a humorous way. They're easy to identify because they are generally and purposefully done to look like they were drawn by a child. Some artists absolutely hate that these even exist. It's a trend that lasted a few years, but it looks like it's nearing its end in 2024.
AMERICAN TRADITIONAL
Sad as it may seem, it looks like American Traditional style continues its downswing. Once very popular, particularly in America, these classic tattoos just aren't resonating with the younger crowd like they used to. There will always be people out there getting the traditional style, and most tattoo artists have a certain degree of love, if for nothing more than nostalgia, for American Traditional tattoos. Unfortunately for those that still love it, the style continues to fall further down the line for requested tattoos outside a shop that only does flash.
FOREIGN WORD LETTERING
Let's face it, quite a few of us have something like this done. A few decades back, it was "cool" to have some Chinese or Japanese characters tattooed on you that meant something like 'strength' or 'power'. Not so much these days. There doesn't seem to be any upcoming interest in these tattoos by practically anybody. Roman numerals and Norse runes are still trending, but Asian characters have all but died off for tattoo requests.
TRENDS COME AND GO, BUT HERE'S TO 2024!
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
SHOCKER, WE KNOW! WHO KNEW THAT TATTOOS WERE PERMANENT?
It's weird that we have to say this, but yes, tattoos are permanent. It sounds strange to even say it out loud, and that this concept even needs to be explained. Fortunately, most people understand what they are getting into. Others, well they need a little help.
It's not that they don't know that tattoos are permanent, it's more of a reflection on their understanding that WHAT they are getting is permanent. Only an incredibly uninformed person doesn't know tattoos are not going to just wash off. We're more so making commentary on their decisions.
WHY EXPLAINING THIS IS SO IMPORTANT
It breaks down to a few points of interest. Content, quality, and the future. Each of these things should be considered before you get your tattoo(s) and why they're important to think about.
CONTENT
The content of your tattoo is what your tattoo is about or what it's saying. Sometimes content, or subject, tells a story of where you are in life, where you were, or where you are going. Sometimes the subject isn't as deep or meaningful as all that. You may wake up one day and decide to get an image of a piece of toast for a tattoo, for no other reason than you were craving toast. This is why content is important when choosing to put something permanent on your body.
Sure, that toast tattoo may be fun, original and odd enough to be cool, but is it something you see yourself wanting on your body years down the road? Is it something you feel you'll probably want to get covered up some day? If so, maybe you should put a little more thought into your tattoo.
What about the Olde English script "Sublime" tattoo across your neck that you got in the nineties when you just barely turned 18? Was that the best decision? Getting a "job killer" tattoo at a young age should be seriously considered before proceeding. Wait until you have an established career where it won't matter and you can freely express yourself. In this case, your extreme love of the band Sublime. By the way, there is nothing wrong with loving Sublime.
This brings us to the dreaded name tattoos. One of the most common cover-up requests is for names of past boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses. A lot of people will advise against these tattoos for the obvious reasons. There are only a real handful of name tattoos that are completely safe, and that's your kids, siblings, parents and grandparents. Other people, you should be absolutely sure that it won't turn into a regret tattoo.
QUALITY
When getting a tattoo, quality is key. If you are going to put permanent marks on your body, most people want them to be a good quality. Of course, quality=cost. No quality tattoo is going to be cheap, unless you get really lucky. Tattoos are one of those luxuries that you shouldn't skimp on the price. It's permanent and a cover-up will probably end up costing you more than if you got a good tattoo in the first place.
Many of us, if not most of us that have tattoos, are guilty of getting a scratch and poke tattoo that either a friend of yours did at a party, or you did yourself. It's very common. We might have not been considering the permanence of tattoos while we were doing it. Maybe we were young, or drunk, or whatever, but one way or another, we simply weren't going into it with a clear mind.
Even if you plan on a very simplistic tattoo as your idea, you still want it to come out good and of a good quality. There's a difference between a smiley face tattoo with good, even lines with a perfect circle and a smiley face tattoo that's roughly done, uneven lines and egg-shaped. Quality is important no matter what design you are going for, whether simple or elaborate.
THE FUTURE
The future can play a role in the importance of tattoos being permanent. When you are young, you may not be considering what lies ahead. You may have dreams of becoming a successful musician, actor, sports figure, or whatever. You may be thinking your tattoos won't matter in that case. Even if you happen to break into one of these careers, sometimes your tattoos do matter. This is especially true for actors. Many actors have gotten passed up for jobs because of visible tattoos.
Realistically, most people won't land a record deal or a professional basketball contract. It's a sad fact of life. Very high paying entertainment gigs are incredibly difficult to fall into. You'll most likely end up working in some other field, which still may be high paying (like a doctor, or lawyer). Consider what tattoos you are getting and where on your body you are getting them when thinking about your future self.
Not a lot of people have a law degree with "THUG LIFE" tattooed across their knuckles, and if they do, they probably don't have too many clients and may be stuck working as a low paid public defender. You don't see too many General Practitioner doctors with face and neck tattoos.
When considering your tattoos, also consider what lies ahead in your future. You don't want to hinder yourself and add any unnecessary roadblocks to make things more difficult than they have to be. If your career aspirations won't be affected by the prospect of tattoos, great! There's nothing wrong expressing yourself with tattoos as long as they don't become a shackle.
TATTOOS ALLOW US TO EXPRESS OURSELVES CREATIVELY
Despite all that has been previously said, there is nothing wrong with using tattoos as a means to express yourself. Tattoos are a beautiful art form that have been around for thousands of years and have been expressed by nearly every culture and on nearly every continent on the planet.
Unlike other forms of art, tattoos are worn on the body at all times. Being permanent, they are a part of us until we die. This is why certain things should be considered when you are planning on your tattoos. You want a good design that will age well along with you, you want it done with a degree of quality and you want it go along with your future plans without it becoming a burden.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
In the world of tattooing, artists are the forefront of creation and execution of a good, well done tattoo. Not all artists are created equal. Not by a long shot. Some are great, some are good, and some are flat out terrible. It may sound harsh and judgmental, but it's simply a fact. Not everyone is cut out to be a tattoo artist. If it were that easy, more people would do it.
WHAT MAKES AN ARTIST BAD OR GOOD?
There are many things that can contribute to how good or bad an artist is. As a client, you'll want to learn if your potential artist is one to avoid. Not only do you want your tattoo to come out as good or better than you expect, but you also want your overall experience to be a good one. Here are some of the things that determine if someone is a good tattoo artist or a bad one.
ART EDUCATION
A person isn't necessarily a "bad" artist if they don't have any formal art education. Some people out there are very good artists just through personal practice. However, a tattoo artist with a real art education does have an edge and some advantages. They learn many skills that you generally don't just pick up on your own, regardless of how good you might be. Various techniques and abilities need to be learned from an experienced teacher and observed to make sure they are being done correctly.
SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
There are more than one type of person out there that does tattoos. Some are artists that studied, practiced and had an apprenticeship. Then, there are those that bought a tattoo machine online and randomly decided that they are a tattoo artist. An unskilled and untrained person doing tattoos is not a tattoo artist, they are a 'scratcher'. Scratchers are the cause of the vast majority of complications, blow outs, and the reason someone needs a cover-up. Avoid scratchers.
Another important factor is knowledge. Not just knowledge of what to do, but also what NOT to do. This pertains to both the whole of the tattooing process, but also about sanitary and cleanliness practices. If your artist has not gone through and maintained a Bloodborne Pathogens certification, you need a new artist. Knowing how to keep your work area clean, sanitized and safe are very important. Knowing how to avoid cross-contamination are very important. Knowledge is important. A good artist has this knowledge through training and practice.
TEMPERAMENT
An artists temperament can play a key role on how good of a tattoo artist they are. If a person has a generally crappy attitude, they're a bummer to be around. This is extra true regarding your tattoo artist. Who wants to sit for hours with some grump while they mope and scribble on you angrily? A good artist, regardless of what is going on in their personal life, will put all that on the back burner and focus on their work. A real artist is a professional and doesn't bring their personal problems to the studio.
PATIENCE
A good artist will always be patient. Not just with clients, but also with themself and the process. Sure, everybody can get frustrated now and then when a piece of art they're working on isn't coming out as they envisioned. The good artist approaches this with patience and just keeps working on the drawing until it comes out right. The bad artist throws their hands up in the air and just gives up on that piece and starts from scratch.
Sometimes, it's the client that can be frustrating. It happens. The good artists will keep moving forward with a good attitude until the project is finished. Bad artists might simply rush the tattoo to get it over with, leaving their client with poor work. Even if it's a piece the artist isn't thrilled about, if they're good, they'll still put their all into it because regardless of how they feel about the concept, they'll still want it to come out as well as the client expects.
KEEPING IT PROFESSIONAL
Most of us get to deal with listening to the problems of our family and friends. Who wants to sit and listen to their tattoo artist complain for hours about their troubles? That may sound heartless, but people want a certain experience while getting their tattoo. Listening to someone complain isn't that experience. We all have problems, we don't want to hear about other peoples while we are trying to enjoy ourselves.
KEEPING IT PROFESSIONAL II
Unfortunately, there are quite a few so-called artists that are also very inappropriate towards their clients, to the degree of sexual harassment. If you have an artist that is saying things that make you feel uncomfortable or that you're actually in danger, that is most definitely a bad artist. Sometimes those types get a reputation because of it, and not the good kind. If you hear time and time again about a situation where a particular artist was out of hand, you may want to avoid that person.
Don't be too quick to judge, however, off of one online review. Sometimes people just make things up for whatever malicious reason they have. Look at an artists reviews as a whole. If someone has a ton of great reviews, but one that seems a bit fishy, you can generally get a good feel for someone by just meeting them in person. Perhaps book a consultation with that artist and see for yourself.
The previous applies to both men and women because both can be guilty of harassment. Not only verbal, but also physical. If you are in a session, and your artist is making contact frequently somewhere where no tattooing is occurring and there's no reason for any touching there, say something. Make sure they know that it's not welcome. Too many shy people have told them over time that it's "okay" to do that by keeping quiet. Don't let them think that way.
RELIABILITY
Any good artist will be reliable. They'll be completely prepared with your art, they'll be set up and ready to go once your session is supposed to start. Sometimes unforeseen complications can happen, such as your artist is very sick. In that event, it's best to reschedule for both your personal health and for the sake of your tattoo. If you artist is really under the weather, you won't get their best work. It's worth waiting to get it done once they are well. It can be frustrating, but it's for the best.
A bad artist will often be late to work, not be prepared with your art at all, take 30 min of your session time setting up, and so on. Again, sometimes things happen, and some of the previous things occur even to the best artist, but this would be an anomaly. If they're generally reliable, then that means they fall into the category of a good artist. It's when it's constant to the point of expected that they'll be late or unprepared is when they're bad at what they do.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE/CONSTANT SMOKE BREAKS
If your artist has to get a little stoned or have a few drinks before or during your tattoo, this is definitely not a professional and is a bad artist. There's nothing wrong with people partaking now and then, and having a few drinks, but not while you're tattooing, or doing any job, really.
If your artist can't go a few hours tattooing without taking a smoke break, maybe it's time for them to quit (smoking or tattooing). Smoking isn't a necessity and it can be put off for at least 2 hours, in the very least. Nobody has to go smoke every 15 minutes, artists or clients. True nicotine addiction cravings don't really take place for about 6-8 hours after the last drag. Surely a person can go a couple of hours without needing a butt.
TO SUMMARIZE
A good artist will be educated, skilled, knowledgable, professional, prepared, and reliable. A bad artist will be the opposite.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
WHAT MAKES A PERSON A GOOD CLIENT OR A BAD CLIENT?
Leah Working On One of Her Amazing Regular Clients
In the world of business, there are good customers and there are bad customers. This is no different in the tattoo industry. You gotta take the bad with the good, unfortunately, but you can avoid being one of the bad ones. No tattoo artist wants to think to themself, "Oh no, not this guy again." And hopefully, no client wants that thought of them, either.
WHAT MAKES A PERSON A "BAD CLIENT" IN THE TATTOO WORLD?
There are many factors that can lead to a person being on this list of dreaded customers. Pretty much all of which can easily be avoided or corrected with just a little conscientious thought and consideration. Being self-aware helps, as well.
UNRELIABILE LARRY
One major factor to be considered a "bad client" is being flaky regarding your appointments. If you are constantly trying to reschedule or even cancel your appointments, this is right up top. Appointments are made for the reason of the artist and the studio aren't making any money as it's difficult to fill those spots at the last minute.
If your artist is planning on you being there on a certain date/time, they've already planned out their drawing schedule and were counting on you being there for the planned time. It's one of the reasons cancelling or moving your appointment last minute is an ADF forfeiture. The solution is to just manage your time better and show up to your appointments.
THE CONTROL FREAK
Another factor separating the good vs the bad is control. If a client needs 100% control and say over the tattoo design, you are tying the creative hands of your artist, and maybe your idea just won't work as envisioned. Trust is essential when getting a tattoo, which means is solely based on selecting the right artist. There needs to be some degree of artistic freedom for your artist to do their best work.
There are few exceptions to this, such as a memorial piece that you need an exact copy of handwriting, or you want an exact copy of a kids drawing. Things like that. Otherwise, loosen up, trust your artist, and don't be a control freak.
SMOKEY THE BEAR
Someone that needs to take an excessive amount of smoke breaks, for example, every 15 minutes, that person is a pain in the ass. Taking breaks is fine, and expected, but if your artist has to constantly stop so you can run out side for a puff, you are not only delaying their time, but you are interrupting their flow/creative process. Put the shoe on the other foot, imagine how you'd feel if your artist was taking a smoke break every 15 minutes? Sadly, that scenario is very real in some other shops. Hold your smoke breaks to no more than once every two hours, but ideally longer.
If you are in for a full day session, you will get an hour lunch and your artist will be willing to take a couple of breaks outside that. They need a quick break now and then too, which is normal. Just don't go overboard. Having to stop and restart, waiting 5 min in between, adds up, and you will lose time with your artist that you paid for.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Body control. Yes, lack of body control can make a person a bad client. If you are unable to keep still or you're constantly fidgeting, you are not only going to annoy your artist, but you will probably mess up your own tattoo. If you are experience extra discomfort during part of your tattoo, it's ok to let your artist know, but do your best to try and muscle through it. If you jump or pull away, that nice little line your artist was just doing will now be a crooked, jagged mess.
MISTER POPULAR
Having people come in to be with you during your tattoo is fine, as long as they are over the age of 18. When this becomes a problem is if you bring too many, or have too many show up during the tattoo process and need to be escorted back to the artists room. The more people you have with you, the louder and more distracting it will get.
Your artist needs to also be comfortable and focused. If you are coming in and getting a tattoo, and you bring the whole bridal shower with you, that's a problem. It will be crowded, loud and distracting. Just bring one, or two maximum. Getting a tattoo doesn't have to be a family get-together.
THE OPERA SINGER
Excessive vocalization can also be a bad thing. Yeah, tattoos can hurt and you should expect that. However, if you are literally wailing during your tattoo, you need to rethink if you can handle it. Wailing, yelling out or whatever can distract not just your artist, but every artist in the building. It may also make other clients concerned. Instead of crying out, just suck it up and deal with it. There is literally no reason for loud vocalizations during a tattoo. The vast majority of spots on the body are not very painful at all.
THE KAREN
Threatening your artist and demanding a discount or you will have another person finish up a tattoo that has already been started in order to get it done cheaper, makes you a very bad client. First off, it's very insulting to the artist to essentially steal the work they created for you. Second, what makes you think another artist can see the vision behind the tattoo and can successfully finish it as intended? It's like taking a half finished Rembrandt and asking your middle school art teacher to finish it up.
THE TOWEL THROWER
Consistently "tapping out" from your appointments can get a little old. If you are scheduled for a 6 hour, and you tap out after 4, and this happens on all your appointments, three things will happen. You will annoy your artist, you will fall behind on your artists plan for your tattoo, and you will still be obligated to pay for the full appointment regardless how much time you had remaining for that day.
If you are unsure if you can commit to long sessions like that, discuss it beforehand with your artist and book out appointments that are more suited for your needs. It's better to plan it this way so that your artist isn't caught off guard with your needing to leave. If you can only do 2 hour sessions, that's fine. However, if you are planning a large piece that the artist needs to tattoo the initial layout, you may need to be there longer for that first session. Just discuss it with your artist.
THE SHY WHINER
Coy complainers. These are the folks that will say they like the tattoo design their artist prepared for them, say how much they love their tattoo after it's done and then go and leave a bad review because in reality, they weren't 100% happy with the tattoo and were just too coy to say something before their artist started the tattoo. This is nearly always based on size or placement.
If you wanted it smaller or bigger, SAY SOMETHING TO YOUR ARTIST BEFORE YOU START. It's really not that hard, and it's not a big deal to the artist at all. Resizing a design is probably the easiest change they can make. The same goes for tattoo placement. If you aren't thrilled how it's placed, say so. The artist can change it. Just be aware of logic, if you have them changing size and placement a bunch of times, you will eat into your tattoo time.
HOPEFULLY THAT LITTLE BIT OF INFO CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND ON HOW TO AVOID BEING ONE OF THE BAD CLIENTS, AND WHY.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
Neotribal cybersiglism is one of the newest tattoo styles in the tattoo industry. It's most often done in black ink, rarely ever any colors. It's characterized by fine lines and points with a semi-biomechanical flow. Often you'll see some influences of the great artist H.R. Giger, the designer for the original ALIEN movie by Ridley Scott. Frankly, they look badass.
Just as the name implies, neotribal literally means "new tribal". Unfortunately during the 90's, everyone and their dog was getting a "tribal" tattoo. None of those tattoos were technically tribal in the least. Tribal would be Polynesian, Maori or something like that. What we all saw in the 90s style was its own thing, black pointy tattoos that resembled barbed wire in a way. Quite a few people now regret getting those tattoos, and due to how dark they were, they can be a little hard to cover. Not impossible, but tricky in some circumstances.
The main problem with the 90s tribal style was that they pretty much looked all the same. They weren't anything special and everyone had one. For men, it was commonly an upper arm band. For women, the lower back, commonly known as a "tramp stamp".
The great thing about neotribal cybersigilism is that there is so much potential for variety. The only limitation is the imagination of your artist. You could get something as basic as a small 2 inch bat all the way up to a full back piece. Even the stylization of neotribal can vary greatly. It's still so new that only one of our artists has done one so far, but we expect to book more as more people become aware of the style.
OTHER NEWER STYLES WE'RE EAGER TO DO MORE OF
With all the creative artists out there, sometimes some new styles just stand out and deserve recognition. Unfortunately, some people out there that are ready to get a new tattoo may be unaware of some of these great new styles.
One of those styles is what's know as patch style. It's a tattoo that literally looks like a realistic embroidered patch. It was created by artist Duda Lozano out of São Paulo, Brazil. Now, artists around the world are honing their craft so that they, too, can make these types of tattoos. Our own Leah recently finished a beautiful example of this type of work, which is pictured below.
Patch Style Tattoo by Leah
Another one of these innovative styles is sticker style. The sticker style, much like the patch style, replicates an actual sticker. Some artists are so good at this, it's incredibly hard to tell that it's a tattoo and not an actual sticker. The creator of this style is Sergey Shanko, a realism artist. However, the undisputed master of this art is Luke Cormier. Sergey is originally from Russia, but currently lives in New York and is often on the road.
If you are looking to get a new tattoo, and get something a lot of people haven't seen before, book one of this fantastic new styles with one of our artists! We have many great and talented artists that are looking forward to doing more of these styles, so call, text or come in to book a consult or a tattoo today!
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
In tattooing, there are big mistakes, and there are small mistakes. In reality, you don't want to be any part of either. Even a small mishap can lead to bigger problems.
One big mistake is showing up on an empty stomach. It has nothing to do with how tough you are, or how tolerant to pain you are. The simple biological fact is this; getting a tattoo causes your body to produce adrenaline. Adrenaline burns sugar. A sudden drop in sugar is a leading cause to passing out, or at least feeling woozy.
The vast majority of anyone getting a tattoo that ends up having one of those reactions is simply due to low blood sugar, because they didn't eat anything substantial before their appointment. The easiest way to avoid this issue is to just eat, and even bring something with you to snack on, especially if you have a longer session.
Another mistake, which falls in line with the first topic, is not being hydrated. Not having enough fluids in you can cause you to feel queasy, and not just during a tattoo session. Very often, if you are feeling queasy, just drink some water and nearly always you start to feel better immediately. Besides that, dehydrated skin isn't as elastic and not the best to tattoo on.
Having healthy skin is important, not only for when you get your tattoo, but afterwards as well. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your tattoo appointments. Drinking plenty of water also makes your skin more youthful!
Fortunately, most reputable studios will not tattoo someone who is clearly inebriated. Not only is it now illegal in most (if not all) states to tattoo someone who's under the influence, but it's also very immoral and it says a lot about a shop that will still do it.
That being said, getting drunk before you go to ATTEMPT to get your tattoo is a huge mistake. If you had a deposit, you will lose it. So, simply put, stay sober for your tattoo, and it's advised to not get plastered right afterwards since alcohol thins the blood and will possibly delay the healing process.
Another big mistake people can make is to grossly miscalculate how much time and money a quality tattoo will be. If you get a consult and are quoted 24 hours for a sleeve, and you book all those appointments, but then you don't budget for the whole 24 hours, you may find yourself in a bit of a situation when trying to settle up with the studio and your artist.
Some people may get that quote and think to themselves "There's no way it will take 24 hours, 10 at most", but they still book it thinking they know more than the professional artist who's been doing this for years, they'll be in for a big surprise. Most of the time, a quote is very accurate.
If you don't listen to your artists advice regarding aftercare, that can be a rather huge mistake. It doesn't matter how many tattoos you got in the past, and were perfectly fine using gauze and petroleum jelly, the newest products on the market are there for a reason. Your artist will advise you exactly what you need to do and how to do it. What to use and what not to use. Listen to your artist if you want to have the best possible aftercare outcome.
Speaking of listening to your artist, it's wise to heed any recommendation regarding your tattoo ideas. You may ask for a very detailed tattoo, but only want it one inch in size. Your artist may recommend going a little bigger to retain detail, or simplify the idea. Or, you may want something done way too big for the location you want it tattooed, and your artist may advise you that it will look wrong, or not as you imagine.
Remember, your artist has likely been doing this for a long time, they know what they're talking about and have your best interests in mind. The same goes for them recommending a followup. It's not about money, it's about your tattoo coming out the best it possibly can be. You're wearing their art, and they want to be proud of it, just as much as you do.
IN SUMMARY
Eat something before you come in for your tattoo.
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, preferably water or a sports drink before, during, and after getting your tattoo.
Don't come in under the influence, especially alcohol. You will definitely get turned away.
Budget time and money for how long your tattoo will take and how much it will be.
Listen to your artist regarding design and aftercare.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLACK & GREY VS COLOR TATTOOS?
Black & Grey Roses by Leah
Full Color Roses by Jared
Black & grey or color. It's a questions for the ages. Ok, not really, but it is a topic often discussed amongst tattoo artists and enthusiasts alike. Some people definitely prefer black & grey tattoos over color tattoos, and vice versa. There's even debate from the black & grey vs straight up black.
Basically, it all boils down to personal preference. One isn't definitively better than the other with one exception, longevity. It's just a fact that black/grey tattoos last longer over time. Yes, they can fade out a bit to more of a scale of dark grey to grey. But, color tattoos definitely lose their luster faster over time and would require more frequent touchups to make them look good. Some colors fade faster than others. If you go to a low quality tattoo establishment, it's likely they also use low quality inks, which will just make your tattoo fade that much faster.
Black & grey tattoos can achieve a certain level of depth that is difficult with color. However, color can achieve certain effects that are impossible to pull off with just black/grey. Can you get a monochromatic watercolor tattoo? Sure, but it won't look very good. Watercolor should be done with color to make it stand out. Dark, deep three-dimensional geometric tattoos just don't look right in color. It can be done, but it's missing something that only black can provide.
Watercolor by Leah
Obviously blackwork tattoos are strictly that. Sometimes you can add a very minuscule amount of color, perhaps in an eye or something, but too much added color will take away the impact of a great blackwork tattoo. Darkart tattoos also fall be these same rules. Darkart can display more color than blackwork, but still, you want to keep it at a level that won't ruin the effect that the darkart piece is trying to achieve. There are some very colorful and fantastic darkart pieces out there, but the ones that really shine through are the ones true to the darkness.
Darkart Piece by Jared
Floral pieces often look the best when done in color. Of course there are some fantastic black & grey floral pieces, and they certainly have a place in the tattoo world. If you are looking to have something more realistic and striking, a colorful and detailed floral piece is the way to go. A monochromatic floral tattoo is generally for esthetics and to keep a theme.
Colorful Floral by Rob
As a generality, anything being done to look photo-realistic or fairly realistic would look best done in full color. You can get some awesome realism done with black/grey, for sure. But, for true realism, color looks best unless the original subject matter is typically in black & grey/monochromatic, such as a replication of a marble statue. Often an artist will incorporate opaques and whites, and sometimes some very faint hues of pinks and yellows to get the absolute full realistic effect with minimal color.
Marble Realism by Jared Preslar
When it truly gets down to it, it's 100% preference. Both black/grey and color tattoos have their strengths and certainly have a place in the tattoo world. Certain styles may be better in one method or another, that's a given, but that doesn't mean either dominates overall. Each had much to contribute and nobody should say they'll strictly stay away from a certain color type, because you never know. You may be surprised at what your artist can create for you, and it may be better than what you imagined. Don't limit yourself. Your only limitation is your own imagination.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
Pain is a part of the tattooing process. It's a right of passage, and it's part of the experience. It shouldn't be something to be feared in the least. The vast majority of people, after their first tattoo, express that it wasn't nearly as bad at they expected. It's very true. We often get into our own heads just to find out it was all for nothing. Concentrate on the beautiful work of art you will be getting instead.
PAIN MANAGEMENT AND CESSATION
When it comes to pain, there are various tricks to help, and without the aid of chemicals! First and foremost, it is recommended to avoid using numbing creams. There is a chance that your tattoo will become distorted after healing, due to the way the skin reacts while it's chemically numb. Also, if you apply the cream too close to the time of your tattoo, it may not be numb yet. Alternately, if you apply it too early, there's a good chance it will wear off too soon.
One of the more common ways to aid in pain is simply breathing exercises. Keeping your breathing steady and focused helps take your mind off the pain. They teach this to expecting mothers in lamaze classes. It's a surprisingly effective method.
Having a stress ball around to squeeze can also help. Again, it's mostly a way to focus your attention in a different direction, but it works. A steady motion of squeezing the ball and releasing it helps you keep a rhythm, which keeps you occupied.
Another great way to help with pain cessation is to just bring along company. Having a friend with you to chat, make you laugh, exchange stories, etc is a successful and fun way to keep your mind elsewhere, and it helps pass the time faster.
One more great way is to just bring a tablet and watch a movie or browse social media. Again, it's a distraction and keeps your mind elsewhere. Like bringing a friend along, It's also a great way to make the time fly, especially if it's a movie that you love, no matter how many times you've seen it.
As you can see, the easiest and most common way to help is to keep your focus on something else and be distracted. If you sat and just watched the tattoo being applied, you are literally focusing on what you shouldn't be if you're trying to make the experience less uncomfortable.
Just remember, the pain is temporary, the beautiful art is forever.
Watch our video about numbing creams by clicking the link below!
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
It's important to reflect on the sacrifices our soldiers have given since the Revolutionary War. Average Americans have always risen to the challenge time and time again since before its official founding. During the Revolutionary, Spanish/American, and Civil wars, men who had never even touched a gun in their life, took up arms to defend their country.
EARLY MANKIND
Tattoos and war have been connected for thousands of years. Warriors from all kinds of cultures around the world have historical evidence to tattoos or war paint given before or after a battle, and sometime both. Tattoos and war paint were used as a means of intimidation, and to make the warrior to appear more fierce. The Norse were known to darken around their eyes to look menacing, but it's unknown if they were permanent tattoos, paint, or even soot.
It's well documented that Native Americans often donned war paint, and even painted their horses in anticipation for a battle or for a hunt. Although not as common as just using paint, Native American tribes did practice permanent tattoos and body modification. Permanent ink was usually linked to an achievement, often attributed to glory against a powerful foe. It was a big deal if a warrior took down a chief. Not something to be taken lightly.
COLONIAL AMERICA
Colonial era British navy men often got tattoos representing what regiment and ship they were assigned to. Everyone from the common seaman, petty officers, and all the way to an Admiral would have tattoos, as they weren't class based, but more of a camaraderie. It wasn't unheard of to also have your family crest as a tattoo.
Early colonial Americans would sometimes get tattoos of their name and where they live in the colonies due to the common event that they would essentially be kidnapped and conscripted into the British Navy, and their tattoo was the only proof they could provide that they weren't actually British citizens or navy deserters.
WARS OF THE 20TH CENTURY
Starting around WWI, and although not nearly as common as during WWII, US military, particularly in the navy, would often get tattoos as keepsakes and in remembrance of the places they've been during their wartime travels. Like the early British navy, it didn't matter the rank or class, everyone got tattoos. The most common style seen was what is now called, American Traditional. Back then, it was just your standard tattoo. Nearly everyone who had a grandfather survive WWII can remember their grandfathers tattoos. Thick lined, faded, sometimes you barely make out what it was. Maybe an anchor? A hula dancer?
Unfortunately, during WWII, there was some well known forced tattoos. In an unfortunate time for Germany, Jewish prisoners were all tattooed on the forearm/wrist a serial number for cataloging and tracking. They were essentially branded like animals. This wasn't condoned by the vast majority of Germans, of course, but it still happened.
If you didn't turn a blind eye to the atrocities of the war, the ones in power could mark you as a Jewish sympathizer and you could be executed. However, there was a substantial underground resistance that attempted multiple times to take out Hitler and his higher-ups, but without success. They were eventually discovered and executed as traitors. The most famous of these attempts was an elaborate scheme known as "Operation Valkyrie."
The practice of getting tattoos while in the military continued on to the Vietnam War. A different type of tattoo appeared during this "police action". Unlike during WWII, a lot of the tattoos no longer appeared to be of a docile subject matter, like a hula dancer (although a fairly racist term towards the Japanese in the form of a tattoo was common in WWII). The tattoos appeared more geared towards violence and glory. Skulls, the ace of spades, anti-asian sentiments, images of machines of war (such as tanks and helicopters), and so on.
MODERN MILITARY
In today's US military, the tattoos have become often symbolic. US flags, eagles, ;IGY6 (I got your six), tributes to past military, branch emblem, etc. It seems more based off of pride and appreciation, and less about glory and death. It's a great move forward in the right direction. Death and destruction should not be glorified.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
