You’ve heard of Miley Cyrus right?  Originally famous for her Disney Channel show Hannah Montana she is now a “much loved” actress and pop singer in the US.  Well apparently she’s gone and got herself into a bit of controversy due to a tattoo she’s had inked on her middle finger.  Although the tat is said to have been completed back in August last year it is only recently that the 19 year old Disney star has really commented on her tattoo and received a bit of backlash. Gay Rights Miley’s tattoo is said to be in support of gay marriage which she is strongly for.  In fact in a recent interview she told Glamour Magazine that it makes her feel “sick to her stomach” that same sex couples can be completely in love but yet are not allowed to show that love to their friends and family in the same way that heterosexual couples are – via marriage.  Although Miley herself hasn’t actually “come out” as a lesbian, many people have questioned her sexuality in the past. Controversy The criticism for Miley’s tattoo has mainly come from Christian groups who strongly oppose gay marriage.  Miley herself has said that she has received much hate mail and comments in recent weeks asking her what happened as she used to be “such a good Christian girl”.  Miley proudly stood up to her haters, telling them that she IS a Christian and that Christianity is about love.  She dismissed the threats saying that although she has received them she finds them out of order.  Miley has publically said that she does not understand why things need to get so heated “Can’t I have a debate about a sensitive topic without it growing into a threat”? Miley also asked other groups to consider their way of thinking towards gay marriage.  She said that her dad “who is a true man’s man and is as straight as they come” is all for gay marriage and loves her gay friends.  She claims that there is no difference between racism and sexism and says that every United States citizen should be allowed to have the same liberties and civil rights. Is it Personal? Miley’s tattoo has received a lot of criticism as well as a lot of praise, but did she have the tattoo done for personal reasons?  Whilst Miley hasn’t shed any light on the subject herself she has been linked with a few girls in recent years including back in 2008 when photos of her and a friend “almost kissing” were leaked from her private MySpace account.  Miley’s comment at the time was that it was “no big deal” but it does make us wonder whether her recent tattoo is more personal than she is letting on. Either way we think she’s been a great role model and we totally respect her confident stance on such a controversial topic.  She has stuck firmly to her values and been brave enough to share them with the world.  Go Miley!

Here we go again… English pop and R&B recording artist, Cheryl Cole married England and Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole in 2006.  The marriage, marred by reports of Ashley’s infidelity, ended in September of 2010.  During their marriage, Cheryl acquired a rather large tattoo on the back of her neck with the words “Mrs. C”.  Since reports of her husband’s extramarital follies, Cheryl has publicly voiced that she desires to have the inked tribute to her ex-husband removed from her neck. All Talk No Action Cole has been talking about removing the tattoo for an exceedingly long time now.  Really, it is old news that keeps getting circulated to the top again.  The removal process involves laser treatment to have the ink removed from her neck.  Some are saying that she may opt to have the tattoo redesigned instead of having a “full” removal.  Friends and insiders report that Cheryl does regret ever having the tattoo and now understands the true meaning of permanency.  Although she understands that the laser treatments are painful and time consuming, Cheryl reports that she wants no memory of her cheating ex left behind as a painful reminder of what she went through.  We will believe the removal when we see it.  Seems like if she truly wanted it gone it would have been gone by now. Schedule Gap… Are You Kidding? We all know that Cole has a busy schedule, what with her new album set for release in March and a budding film career.  Perhaps the tattoo removal has not yet made it to the top of the priority list for this popular princess.  There are also rumors of this singer, actress and model launching her very own talk show.  Sources state that removal is slated for the first gap in her schedule.  We don’t see a gap coming any time soon for this ever so popular gal, who has also been working with Simon Cowell on a potentially new talent show. Moving On Since the split from Ashley, Cole has made the rounds but has not yet settled down into anything long-term.  Insiders state that Cole wants to focus on her career, not her love life.  Cheryl has supposedly dated a 25-year-old ‘Dancing with the Stars’ pro who helped her through her divorce.  Reports also linked Cole to Black Eyed Peas buddy Will.i.am, her co-judge on X Factor, Simon Cowell and singer Taio Cruz. Her latest sweetheart appears to be 21-year-old Patrizio Pigliapoco who is the driving force behind Cole’s American success.  The two have become close since Cole has spent a considerable amount of the time in the states working on her next new solo project. There have been many late night recording sessions with Patrizio in Los Angeles and the two are said to have become inseparable. Patrizio has commented that he sees no way that any man could ever cheat on Cole, as she is so incredibly beautiful and awesomely talented. So While it appears as though there is no evidence of a reunion with ex Ashley Cole, Cheryl is not exactly speeding to remove his mark from her neck.  Perhaps it is a sign of something to come, or maybe just a time factor?  We will have to wait and see.

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!