As soon as you leave the tattoo artist’s salon his or her work is completed and you have to take over responsibility for the care of your tattoo.  If this is a first tattoo you will naturally feel a little nervous but by following his/her advice you should not have any problems.  The aim is for the tattoo to heal completely with a result that pleases you and will give you pleasure for a long time to come. Simple Rules to Follow Your new tattoo will be bandaged when you first leave and you may be advised to leave it on for a few hours.  When the big moment comes to remove it, it’s best to be prepared with warm, (not hot water), a soft cloth and maybe a trusted friend!  And importantly you should be in a hygienic room. Gently wet the bandage with the warm water as this will help the bandage to be removed without any friction.  Once it is removed, carefully wash the tattooed area with soapy water, rinse and pat dry with the soft cloth.  Some tattoo artists recommend allowing the tattoo to be exposed for a few minutes before applying any ointment. Healing the Tattoo Your tattoo artist will have supplied or advised you on the necessary products to care for your tattoo.  Usually you will need an anti bacterial lotion which should be applied immediately, for example, Tattoo Goo, or Helix Gold.  You will apply this morning and night to keep the skin moistened to assist healing. It could be that you have been advised not to have a tattoo during the hottest part of the year, especially if you live in a hot climate.  The reason for this is simple as heat and intense light will cause you discomfort.  Salt water and sand getting onto your tattoo is bad news too as it will sting so keep away from the sea!  In fact, keeping water away from the tattoo for at least three or four days is essential. Resuming a Normal Hygiene Routine Taking a shower or having a bath for the first few days may be a little tricky as it’s best not to wet the tattoo too much.  You should inspect your tattoo as you continue to clean it with warm, soapy water and if there is discomfort or excessive irritation, consult your tattoo artist or seek medical advice.  Scabbing will begin within three or four days and when it does it’s essential not to pick or scratch the scabs!  If you do it can result in ink removal and cause more irritation.  At this stage the tattoo will look cloudy.  This is called ‘onion skin’ and is a perfectly normal part of the healing process.  As the skin returns to normal, the tattoo will become clear and bright. Shaving a New Tattoo The golden rule is not to shave until the skin is completely healed and you are confident that a razor will do no harm.  The cleaning and creaming procedure will be the same as for a hairless area. Following the above, simple routine will ensure a satisfying end result and you will be able to display your latest work of art within a short time.  Enjoy!

Used as a form of expression for centuries, man has tattooed his skin to signify life changing transitions, status and wealth and of course has used ink of many types to make a strike for individualism.  Originally it was plant dyes that were used and above all of the products that were used there were two that rose to the fore as being excellent as skin staining pigmentations, one was indigo and the other Henna. Henna Derived from the plant Lawsonia Inermia henna is commonly found in regions of North Africa, Egypt, areas of the Middle East and of course India.  The leaves of the plant are dried and ground up then mixed with carrier oil or binding agent to make excellent dyes in shades that vary from pale woody browns to the deepest, richest reds.  Over the centuries a variety of uses have been found for henna.  It has been found to be an excellent hair dye, nail tint, mild astringent and even has a use as a sedative.  However it is better known for its prolific use in body art around the world. History Evidence of henna tattooing has been found to date back more than five thousand years.  Henna tattooing was a practice that was thoroughly embraced by the ancient Egyptians.  Having gained a reputation throughout history as being quite a vain culture, they found ways of using henna to enhance their natural features to make themselves more attractive.  It was used to alter their hair colour, stain the skin and nails and mixed with other pigments to form designs for the body. Different Cultures The process of receiving a henna tattoo is believed to have spiritual significance, connecting the body with the soul and the universal energies that surround it.  For the Indian Bride however the process of receiving her henna tattoo’s or Mehndi show that she is to be idolised and revered.  Once they are in place she is not permitted to take part in any work until the designs have disappeared from her skin. In the poorer countries of the world henna was and is still used as a safe and inexpensive method of body adornment.  Again in the Middle East it is brides who receive the delicate henna work on their skin and countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq consider the application of henna to provide good luck to its wearer. Pregnant women in Morocco have henna designs pained around their ankles as forms of protection, with families having their own sacred designs that are passed down through the generations.  The henna designs that are seen in Africa are more geometrical that designs seen elsewhere, nothing like the flowing ornate designs used in other cultures. Though Celtic designs are quite complicated with intricate knot work they too can be perfected by a henna professional, and look stunning when completed.  Modern artists draw on cultures from all over the world to provide the perfect henna tattoo for their clients adding a subtle twist of their own to make their designs truly unique.

Many tattoo artists have their own unique pigment blend that they use regularly, made to an exact recipe that they keep a closely guarded secret.  In reality the majority of dyes on the market today contain traditional vegetable dyes along with metal salts and plastics.  One of the newest dye adaptations is a UV reactive agent that makes the tattoo react to black light, plus inks that absorb light then release it for a glow in the dark effect for an added artistic dimension. Pigments and Carriers It would be very unwise to attempt a tattoo with pigment alone as a carrier assists in keeping the pigments balanced and fluid during application.  There are five main carriers that are used, either on their own or as a mixture; these are purified water, witch hazel, ethyl alcohol, glycerine and propylene glycol.  This is what each artist uses to develop a recipe blend that works the best for them and goes on to use throughout the majority of their career. Henna is possibly the most widely used pigment.  Derived from the Lawsonia Inermis plant it provides a natural and intense level of colour.  Henna is very safe to use as allergic reactions to it are very rare.  Used mainly for temporary tattoos and hair colouring henna is a very practical and harmless pigment. Some pigments can cause severe allergic reactions, especially across the yellow and red range of colours.  Red inks often contain mercury or other heavy metals such as iron oxide or cadmium; it is the addition of these metals to the inks that give them their permanence.  It is also the addition of these metals that is responsible for the majority of reactions.  Reactions can range from scarring and eczema to lifelong mercury sensitivity, including any existing tooth fillings.  Other colours also contain heavy metals like antimony, cobalt nickel, lead, arsenic and chromium, all of which can lead to reactions in the skin.  A huge variety of pigments are available readymade, called pre-dispersed inks, which remove the need to mix carriers and individually dry pigments to create inks. Safety With a vast colour palette available to artists there is literally nothing from nature than cannot be recreated on a living canvas.  There are over fifty different shades and pigments available with more being regularly added to the list.  However, though readily accessible there is very little available in the way of governance that regulates their supply and use.  In fact you would be hard pressed to find a product that has been licensed for injection into the skin as tattooing pigment is not regulated as closely as pigments used in the general cosmetics and beauty industry.  If you are considering having a tattoo, and have had any form of allergic reaction to any chemical based products in the past, you would be wise to check with your chosen tattoo artist to check just what ingredients are in the inks he or she will be using before you start.