So you've given the idea of getting a tattoo a lot of thought.  You've got a pretty good idea of what you want, where you want it, and you're convinced you'll still want it 20 years down the road.  Yet you can't help but wonder.... is it really safe?

Deciding to get a tattoo these days should indeed raise the question of safety.   What risk, if any, are involved?  How are those risks minimized or eliminated?   What should I, as a client, look for in a studio and what questions should I be asking?

If you are thinking of getting a body piercing, you are bound to have questions. Here you will find answers about procedures, safety and aftercare of this popular art form.

How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?

You must be at least 18 years of age with Government issued ID (drivers license, passport, military ID etc.) to get a tattoo.

Does it hurt to be tattooed?
Yes, it does hurt to be tattooed, the pain is not severe, but it is very uncomfortable, the pain is generally handled well by most people, as it is not an excruciating pain but more of an irritating pain. The tattoo will feel like a bad sunburn after it is complete and will feel that way for about 5 to 7 days. After the tattoo is completely healed it will not hurt at all.

Are tattoo’s permanent?
Yes, tattoos are permanent, they can be lightened by laser treatment, but the laser treatment hurts significantly more than the application of the tattoo, and is very expensive. So you should make sure that the design you have chosen is one that you are willing to live with for the rest of your life. The urban legend that there are 5 year tattoo's etc, are totally false.

Will the color fade?
The color on your tattoo will fade if it is not properly taken care of as it heals, or if it exposed to the sun or tanning beds. Proper care of your tattoo is vital to its appearance and healing. Exposure to the sun will fade the color just as it fades the paint on a car that sits in the sun.

How safe is it to get tattooed?
In this day and age tattoos are completely safe if done in a clean environment by a professional with sterile instruments.  There have never been any cases of AIDS reported due to tattoos. Hepatitis can be contracted through dirty needles in tattooing, but this can be completely avoided by going to a professional who practices sterile/aseptic techniques and never re-uses needles or inks.

Can you help me pick out a design?
YES! We will be happy to assist you in picking out a design that is right for you, and if we cant find one that is already drawn up, we will be happy to create one specifically for you. Just let us know what you want and we will draw it up for you. A non-refundable deposit is required.  Please keep in mind that if you do not like the design we have drawn, or wish to get tattooed at a later date, the drawings must remain with us. All pre-drawn pictures and custom drawn pictures are the property of Atlantic Tattoo Company and will not be given or sold to the public. 

Are the needles clean and new?
At Atlantic Tattoo Company, your needles are new, never ever re-used, and destroyed in front of you after your tattoo is complete. Your needles will be new, and sterile every time you get tattooed. The state of Maine Health Department has relatively strict rules regarding tattoo studios. Used needles may harbor infectious bacteria from previous clients, and the needles will get dull after one or two uses. This is not an acceptable practice at Atlantic Tattoo Company, and is not practiced in our studio. Needle re-use is unprofessional, a risk to our clients, and not to mention downright disgusting! Tattoo studios are not required to disclose this information to you, the client, it is vital that you ask your artist if your tattoo needles are new or used, not just sterile, NEW! If your artist skirts the question or tries to convince you that your needles are clean and sterile, ask again if they are NEW, if they can not answer you with a positive "yes they are new and destroyed in front of you after your tattoo is applied" get out of that studio FAST! Find a reputable studio that does not re-use their needles, your health is not worth the few extra dollars you may save!

How do I take care of a new tattoo?
Your artist will go over the care of your tattoo with you and tell you the proper ointment you should use, you will also receive written care instructions. It is very important that you follow these instructions exactly as they are laid out, this will ensure proper healing and minimal complications. We can not guarantee the successful healing of your tattoo if care instructions are not followed correctly. We are always here to answer your questions regarding healing, whether or not you are applying the right amount of ointment, should it be doing this, should it be doing that, etc. 95% of complications are due to over moisturizing, taking care of your tattoo a little to well can cause damage also so please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you are unsure about the proper healing of your tattoo.

Do I need to make an appointment?
It is a very good idea to make an appointment to get a tattoo. There are several reasons for this. First, this gives your artist time to draw up the design that you want so that he/she is not rushed when you walk through the door. Second, we can allow enough time to complete your tattoo without being rushed. Third, nothing is worse than getting all excited about getting a new tattoo or driving from New York for 3 hours and walking through the door and being told that we are booked up for the evening! No one likes this! So make your appointments in advance.

Can you numb the area to be tattooed?
No, for several reasons we cannot numb the area to be tattooed, we are not licensed to inject a local anesthetic, this may only be done by a licensed physician.

How long does it take a tattoo to heal?
Initial healing of a tattoo is about 5 to 10 days, complete healing of a tattoo is 45 days, this is how long it takes for skin to regenerate itself after being damaged.

What about infection?
If your tattoo was done under the cleanest possible circumstances with sterile instruments, sterile ink, and by a gloved artist, the after care of your tattoo is up to you. The risk of infection is minimal to none if your tattoo is properly taken care of and is not exposed to dirt, pet hair, swimming pools, lake or ocean water, hot tubs, dirty clothes, dirty bed linens, etc. It is important that you keep your tattoo clean at all times while it is healing. 

How does the tattoo machine work?
The machine is hooked up to a power supply that regulates the amount of electrical current going to the machine. The needle is attached to a needle bar that is inserted into a tube and then attached to the machine itself. The electrical current makes the needles move back and forth at a high rate of speed moving in and out of the tube. This movement is turned on and off by a foot pedal on the floor, the whole process is similar to a sewing machine, with the needle moving only when the foot switch is depressed. The needle pushes the ink into the skin about 1/16th of an inch below the surface of the skin. The skin heals up over the ink leaving a permanent mark in the skin.

Can I get my new tattoo wet?
For best results in healing your new tattoo, you should not get it wet at all.  If you are using a product like Tattoo Goo which is a beeswax formula, it should be applied before you shower.  Using the beeswax formula the water will just run off.  You should never soak your new tattoo in any kind of water.  Lake and ocean water are teeming with bacteria and could cause an infection.  Swimming pool water has chlorine in it which has a bleaching effect on a new tattoo.  Need we say more?

How do I prepare for a tattoo?
First, and most important, you should not be under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. Alcohol works against a tattoo in several ways: First it impairs your judgment and you may pick out a tattoo that is silly or not at all what you really want. Second, alcohol thins your blood and makes you bleed more, therefore pushing ink that we are trying to get into your skin, out of your skin. Third, alcohol can make you flinch or twitch, and we can not tattoo on someone who is moving around. Drugs are a bad combination with tattoos, they can be a fatal combination in fact, and the adrenaline rush in your body can react with some drugs and can cause respiratory and cardiac failure. Some drugs, such as marijuana can cause the pain of a tattoo to be intensified and can be extremely painful. A sober person is the easiest to tattoo, and a sober person can handle a tattoo much better than a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is a good idea to eat a full meal 2-3 hours prior to being tattooed

Can I suntan my tattoo?
NO! Never ever should you expose your tattoo to the harmful rays of the sun! You wouldn’t put the Mona Lisa in the sun would you? This tattoo is going to be with you for the rest of your life, take care of it! The sun will fade your tattoo even after it is healed, always use a SPF 25 or higher sun block, not sun screen, sun block is the only thing that will block the rays of the sun. Not to mention that the sun is bad for you anyway!

Will my tattoo scar?
Your tattoo should not scar if it is properly taken care of and it is not picked at! The scab that peels off needs to come off in its own time with no assistance from you. If you do pick at the peeling skin your tattoo will most likely have spots in it with no ink or it will scar. There are a few exceptions to this rule. Keloids are an excessive amount of scar tissue that builds up where skin has been damaged. You are either prone to keloids or you aren’t. If you are, you probably know this by now and should alert your artist prior to being tattooed, special precautions will be taken as to minimize scaring. Keloids are hereditary and are predominately found in dark, olive or African American skin. If you are not sure if you are prone to this skin condition, please discuss it with your artist.

Can I exercise with a new tattoo?
Exercise should be avoided while your tattoo is healing, the pulling and stretching of the skin is not good for a healing tattoo, 10 days should be a sufficient amount of healing time.

Can I swim with a new tattoo?
No, swimming should be avoided for at least two weeks after the application of your tattoo, or until all the scabs are gone. 

How do I prepare for a piercing?
If you have any health issues which might impact your ability to heal, please consult with your doctor before you get a piercing. Eat about an hour before you get pierced, this will help with any dizziness or queasy feeling that may occur. Please avoid alcohol or mind altering drugs before being pierced.

Does it hurt to get pierced?
Yes, but for less than a second, and significantly less than most people anticipate. We are often told "that didn’t hurt nearly as bad as I thought it would." We are constantly refining our techniques to make the experience as comfortable as humanly possible. The actual piercing and insertion of the jewelry takes only a few seconds, with the piercing only taking about 1/2 second.

Can you numb the area to be pierced?
No, only a licensed physician can inject a local anesthetic.  Topical anesthetics do not provide a significant amount of "numbness" and are not effective.

Will it hurt after it’s healed?
The tenderness present with a new piercing usually diminishes rapidly during the healing period. Healed piercings often bring people a great deal of physical pleasure in addition to the aesthetic appeal.

How long does it take to heal?
Healing times vary from piercing to piercing and person to person and can be affected by the aftercare the piercing receives. Touching a healing piercing with dirty hands, contact with body fluids, rough treatment, and use of cleaning agents which are inappropriate or to which one is sensitive can cause problems and significantly lengthen healing time. Following our aftercare instructions will minimize healing time and risk of problems.
The approximate healing times are listed below:
Eyebrow 6-8 weeks Lip 6-8 weeks
Nose 4-6 weeks Ear Lobes 4-6 weeks
Ear Cartilage 2-3 months Nipple 8-10 weeks
Navel 9-12 months

What are the chances of getting an infection?
If you are pierced at Atlantic Tattoo Company, and follow our aftercare instructions faithfully, the chances of an infection are virtually nonexistent. We take extreme care to assure that all piercings are performed in an appropriately clean environment using sterile equipment. After that, its up to you. We will never discourage you from consulting you physician if you believe you have an infection. There are however, many conditions that are not infections, and may be mistaken as such. They include reaction to the metal or, more commonly, to the cleaning agents you’re using. If you want, we are happy to consult with you and suggest possible approaches based on our experience as professional piercers. The percentage of people who get infections in our piercings is extremely small, and these are usually the result of inappropriate aftercare practices. Remember, dirty hands on your piercing can cause a great deal of problems, from irritation to infection, so do not touch your piercing unless you have thoroughly washed your hands with an antibacterial soap.

When can I take the jewelry out and not loose the hole?
There are two stages to healing. The initial stage seals the piercing and thus reduces the chances of infection dramatically. The second stage is longer and is the time it takes for the piercing to "toughen up and season." During and after the latter stage jewelry can be removed for varying lengths of time. The piercing will begin to shrink as soon as you remove the jewelry. How long it takes to shrink to a degree that you cannot reinsert the jewelry varies. Never force jewelry into a piercing which has shrunk, you may damage tissue that is already healed. We will be happy to reinsert your jewelry for you. 

Do you use a piercing gun?
A professional piercer would never use a piercing gun to pierce anything. There are many reasons for this, the primary being that piercing guns cannot be properly sterilized between uses.  The jewelry design is inappropriate, even for lobes, as the post is too short to allow for swelling and proper cleaning, and the backing can trap infectious matter close to the piercing. While many people imagine that being pierced with a gun would hurt less than being pierced with a needle, this is not so. With a gun, the earring stud is blunt and is forced through the tissue with hand pressure applied by the person doing the piercing. With a professional piercer, your piercing is done with a medical grade razor sharp needle that slides through the skin with little pressure at all, therefore there is minimal pain. There is no tearing of the tissue as there is with a gun and healing is much faster.

Will I set off the metal detector?
Probably not unless you have a large concentration of piercings in one area of your body, or if your piercing is of a very thick gauge.

How will exercise and sweat affect a new piercing?
For most people this does not cause a problem. While your own urine and sweat are technically sterile to your own body, it’s a very good idea to clean the piercing after you workout. Wearing clean, absorbent clothing with a minimum of dyes can be helpful.

What about swimming pools and hot tubs?
Pools, hot tubs, and natural bodies of water are teeming with potentially harmful organisms. For the first month of healing, the cell walls inside the piercing are simply not strong enough to defend your body against an invader. A product called Clean Seals or Water Block bandages are available at most pharmacies and drug stores, these are waterproof bandages that will keep out all water and bacteria, these are highly recommended if you plan on swimming in the first month of your healing period.

Do navel piercings usually grow out?
Of the more usual piercings, navels have a bit greater tendency to grow out than others. Placement and jewelry selection has a lot to do with success, so you can increase you chances of a successful piercing by having it done by a skilled professional. Be sure to follow proper aftercare and minimize as much as possible the irritation caused by clothing which is tight or restrictive and/or which has belts and waistbands.

How many piercings can I get done in one session?
Three piercings in one appointment is not uncommon. Having many more than that can be a bit too stressful for your body to cope with and can prolong your healing time.

Can I lose sensation in the pierced area?
There are many "wives tales" regarding piercings, that you can paralyze your face if you pierce your ear in the wrong spot, etc these are totally untrue.  If you could be paralized from piercing your tongue or eyebrow, then every time someone bit their tongue, or bumped their eyebrow the would paralize their face! The nerves that control your face etc, are very well protected and any knowledgeable piercer would never attempt a piercing that would possibly damage nerves.

Besides Atlantic Tattoo Company where else can I get pierced?
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people cashing in on the popularity of body piercing. These typically range from street corner kids with a dirty needle and flea market hucksters with a ear piercing gun and limited experience. You can make sure that you will have a good piercing experience by asking lots of questions, find out how experienced your piercer is, how long they have been doing piercings. If they need someone else to guide them through the piercing it is probably not a good idea to let that person poke a sharp object through your skin. View the piercing room, ask to see the sterilizer, which should be an autoclave or chemclave, not a dry heat sterilizer, which is not as effective against killing all micro-organisms. Ask if your needles and jewelry are new and sterile. If there is no sharps container in sight, leave, fast! Your needle should be disposed of immediately after use in a red, orange, or tan  medical grade sharps container that has a biohazard symbol on it, not a metal container with a lid or a plastic container, this is a red flag that needles are being reused. A lot of shops soak their needles in a solution and then repackage them to use again, they may also re-use jewelry, if they are willing to buy your old jewelry the chances of you getting a used piece of jewelry put in you are greatly increased. At Atlantic Tattoo Company you are going to get a new needle every time all the time, new jewelry every time all the time. We do not buy back jewelry under any circumstance, if we take a piece of jewelry out due to a metal reaction we will replace it with a piece of jewelry and destroy the piece that was removed. Once jewelry is in you it is never ever put in anyone else. 

Will the piercing bleed?
When a piercing is done a hole is made in your body and it is not uncommon for a few drops of blood to escape. However your piercing should never ever have a steady stream of blood coming from it, this is usually a sign that a vein has been pierced or nicked, and any piercer who is knowledgeable knows how to avoid even coming close to hitting a vein. If your friend tells you they bled for an excessively long time afterwards, especially in the tongue, the piercing was probably done by an unskilled piercer and you should avoid that piercer at all costs. Piercings on the face such as the eyebrow, and on the stomach (navel) may be pulled during the night when you sleep and may bleed some, this may be remedied by putting a band aid over your piercing while you sleep to keep the jewelry still while you sleep. There has never been an incident in which a person has bled excessively at Atlantic Tattoo Company in the years we have been open. Our piercers are very qualified and highly knowledgeable about the human body.

How does a nipple piercing affect breast feeding a baby?
Since the nipple secretes milk through a system of hundreds of ducts, which are not blocked by a nipple piercing, a healed piercing should not interfere. A piercing in the process of healing would be problematic. We strongly suggest that the mother remove her jewelry while feeding her baby.

What metals are safe for initial piercing jewelry?
Implantation grade stainless steel (316L minimum), and niobium. Atlantic Tattoo Company goes to great lengths to assure that all of the jewelry available to you is the best in the industry. 

Why can’t I have a smaller ring?
Sometimes, what you imagine would look best will not work best. Your preferences in look and play aside, the size needs to be tailored to your body’s individual structure, and most importantly, what will be the most comfortable and promote care free healing.

If you have additional questions or need assistance with any tattoo or piercing related matters, please feel free to contact us, we are more than willing to assist you! (207) 985-4054