Tattoo help

[Gloria27]

just a small FYI:

Any tattoo can make your immune system ramp up, if you have skin sensitivities and allergies it means there's a chance of skin reactions at the site. Your tattoo might flare up at times, yes, it's a thing. I don't think everybody gets this but I've seen it online tho' it was the case with the heavier inked tattoos.

Second picture is very good for a portrait.

 

[missy]

just a small FYI:

Any tattoo can make your immune system ramp up, if you have skin sensitivities and allergies it means there's a chance of skin reactions at the site. Your tattoo might flare up at times, yes, it's a thing. I don't think everybody gets this but I've seen it online tho' it was the case with the heavier inked tattoos.

Second picture is very good for a portrait.

Thanks Gloria. You bring up an excellent point and is part of the reason I never got one before. I am rethinking this. Thanks for your input

 

[missy]

Maybe I have not been paying attention to enough threads (!) -- hope this is benign like a contracture, etc., and wishing you the best.

I love the first picture -- so iconic and meme-like with private meaning. I envision a small, simple outline and little circles for the eyes -- like on the inside of a wrist. Would not do this one big, of course.

One DD has lots of tattoos (all "line-y" and black/gray as is the style in our part of the world). We have toyed around with the idea of a family tattoo that started as a joke and the kids are pressuring us now.

Thanks Alex. Appreciate your input. Yes, it is for a benign condition though if you speak to people dealing with this (me included) it feels nothing like a benign condition. My dupuytren's contracture/dupuytren's disease. Unfortunately people have had to get amputated fingers with their DD. Sometimes surgery doesn't even work and it is a progressive disease meaning it often recurs after surgical procedures.

I had needle apeneuorotomy three weeks ago to correct a 38 degree contracture (and recurrence of contracture after getting NA is over 60 percent within five years) and now I am doing radiation to hopefully slow the progression of this disease. I have it in both hands. The oncologist will only do one hand at a time. So it's five treatments on one hand. Three months wait. Then five more treatments on the same hand. Then we start with the left hand all over again. So a total of 20 days of radiation spread out over the year. It slows the progression for some but others say there is no real evidence. But there is no cure for dupuytren's so I am doing what I can and hoping for the best. I got the little tattoos yesterday on my right hand. Bled for a long time but the technician said that is par for the course with fingers.

Thanks for sharing about your DD's tattoo and lol yes family tattoo is a great idea. I keep telling Greg he needs to tattoo Greg loves Missy across his chest. For some reason he is reluctant

 

[missy]

Missy, i know how much you love dear Gracie and how much you miss her

so although im really glad i never got one, i understand why you want it
i have heard the ankle is very painful
i like the wrist idea but the wrist is bonny

this is purly a cultural thing so i dont mean to upset everyone, in NZ tattoos are very popular especially with the young
i think it often looks a bit silly on young caucasian woman -just my opinion

as has been said, go about it like its a jewellery project but one that you can never take off and one you cannot change

i always think of this add when i think of getting a tattoo

Gracie was a beauty
she will live in your heart forever

i am sure what ever you choose will end up being beautiful and truly a lovely heart felt tribute to Gracie

Thanks Nicky. It's francesca not gracie but no worries. Just wanted to let you know. Gracie is with us still TG. Francesca was the most beautiful soul. I have had many furry family members and I have loved all of them so much. Francesca was very special and I won't say I loved her more but she was my heart kitty. And she died too young. That's what makes it all so panful for me. If she had lived a nice long life the grief while it would have been deep it would have abated more so by now. But as I wrote above she will always always be in my heart and not a day goes by I do not think of her and miss her

 

[missy]

I hope your health improves and wish you the best.

Pretend you are commissioning a jewelry project where a mistake would be difficult but not impossible to fix.

Tattoos are a matter of taste, good ones take time to do, good artists have a waiting list, there is some upkeep, some people prefer color and some prefer colorless, if you do not like something about the design you need to speak up or it will bug you forever, tattoo shrinkage is real, people will judge you based on your tattoos or lack thereof, there are off-the-shelf tattoos (flash) and there are custom tattoos, there are objective quality standards but those standards matter differently to different people, there are trendy tattoos and classic tattoos (and just because something is trendy does not mean you will not enjoy it in the future), people upgrade, sometimes an artist makes a mistake, there are myths, there are frauds, there are rarely bargains, some tattoos are meaningless fun, some are a rite of passage, some are extremely sentimental. The best ones will almost certainly be expensive.

From personal experience, you may regret getting it some place you cannot look at it.

Aw thanks. I am relatively healthy. It's for my Dupuytren's which is unfortunately moderate to severe. I have nodules and chords in both hands wanting to contract my fingers. And I very stubbornly am fighting to keep them straight. I don't give in easily lol.

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it and will take it all into account

 

[missy]

Simple line drawings are very effective IMO

Oh this is beautiful Begonia. Thank you!

 

[missy]

How about just her green eyes?

Her green eyes were spectacular. Thanks Nala for the suggestion. I am leaning towards a line drawing but still at the very early stages and not sure I will do it but am giving it much thought. Whatever I do won't be impulsive. I'm not an impulsive person except for bling LOL

 

[missy]

Yes - I'd search in the area(s) you are okay with going to (the city of course has so many options), and then check out the IG accounts of people you want to check out more thoroughly. Make sure they have done and have plenty of examples of the kind of tattoo you are thinking of. You don't have to know what they are called necessarily, although you could do a quick search on tattoo styles so you have an idea if you want fine-line, realistic, etc. Most will indicate on the tattoo shop's website at least what styles they work in, but the best way to get a feel is to see the photos of real work they've done - both what you like but also if they generally do work you think looks good.

On IG or on the shop website they'll let you know how to get in touch. Sometimes artists will post that their books are closed - lots of good artists are in huge demand and you'd have to wait for the time their books are open and hope to get a slot. Others say they will evaluate requests at any time. They always specify how they want to get the request (an email, a request on their website, a DM, etc). If you don't have a good interaction with them via the request then it's fine (although disappointing) to move on - you want to feel good about the person who will be making these permanent marks.

I put in a request about 6 months ago and basically never heard back - still not sure if they didn't like my idea/weren't interested, or were too busy. I put another in just last week and got an "absolutely I'd love to do this for you" within a day.

Wow I am glad you heard back quickly from the last person you contacted. Who knows why some do not reply. At the very least I feel a polite no sorry but thank you is in order from anyone you contact. Good luck moving ahead and I look forward to seeing what you get if you decide to share with PSers.

 

[missy]

That's beautiful! She's in your heart, on your clothes, and soon will be inked on you forever.

I hope your radiation goes well. I'll hold good thoughts for you.

Thank you! And you are 100% correct. She will always be with me in my heart no matter what I decide.

 

[missy]

I would probably begin by looking for the artist I wanted to work with and go from there. Many of the best have long wait lists. Most have IG accounts showing their work now.

Thanks. Good advice. Luckily I am not in a rush in any way shape or form and I will be taking my time making any decisions about this. Appreciate your input

 

[missy]

The tattoos used for radiation become almost non-existent. It is, of course, your decision. I think I almost notice those with pristine skin more now than I do those with tattoos. I guess I just don’t get the whole idea of self expression in permanent markings on the skin. However, once again, personal choice and you do what is right for you.

Well they still use tattoos for RT for Dupuytren's at the oncology hospital I am going to and in fact got three small tattoos yesterday on my right hand. Thanks for your thoughts and I agree. It is a very personal choice that can be complicated by many factors. Including one's health. I do not want to aggravate my immune system so I will be doing more research about this. I remember my derm (years ago) was adamantly steadfast against tattoos of any kind. The memory is coming back to me now about his POV. I am seeing him in January and I take his advice very seriously as he is a brilliant physician. We shall see what his thoughts are but my guess is they have not changed

 

[Avondale]

I do not want to aggravate my immune system so I will be doing more research about this. I remember my derm (years ago) was adamantly steadfast against tattoos of any kind.

Kurzgesagt have a wonderful video on the matter that explains the biological processes behind tattoos. You work in the medical field iirc, so you might already know all this but I'm posting it anyway, it's just too good.

 

[Gloria27]

Thanks Gloria. You bring up an excellent point and is part of the reason I never got one before. I am rethinking this. Thanks for your input

Same here, I am very sensitive, my body rejects everything.

So sorry to hear about your health issues. Sending you all the best vibes and healing prayers.

How about some cat jewellery?

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1655717799/personalized-silverbrass-cat-pendant?ref=user_profile&frs=1

This could be made as a bracelet so you can look at it.

I keep editing 'cause I'm very bad at communicating with words sometimes.

 

[missy]

Sharing a very long poem I wrote in 2019 after our beloved beautiful Francesca died. It’s very long. Feel free to skip. It’s not good as I’m not a poet. But it’s from the heart

Spoiler

As I hold my darling little girl
I know that soon it's the end of our world

Francesca our baby and sweet little dear
She is leaving us soon and will not be here

No more love from our girl
no more meowy purrs

no more cuddling at night
No more hugging you near

It was all so right
Now it’s a waking nightmare

When she is gone
Our world will be forlorn

only gray skies will remain
There will be no more sun

How is this happening
This world really stinks

taking our daughter
Our sassy sweet minx

It’s a nightmare come true
Unbelievable and cruel

How can this be
Not our dear sweet Frankie

She just turned 10 but 2 months ago
Now she has cancer and it won't let go

Lymphoma so unrelenting
Taking her very essence of being

My girl full of life, so loving, so adoring
Bringing us joy every single moment of her being

Now cancer is robbing us and stealing her away
We will never be happy another day

Sassy little frankie
The apple of our eye
Sweet like sugar
Now she will die

Her life way too short in length
Though quality we shared
and from that we will gain strength
Remembering her so dear

But our grief will be so strong
Until we are reunited once more
The pain will be always be there
Missing our francesca our sweet little dear

Before her time she is going away
sharing with us no more sunshiney days
That is what hurts and stings so bad
Losing her like this makes us so sad
It outweighs the anger and fills us with despair
Holding onto her tight while she is still here

Everywhere I go I see my dear little girl
The pain is so deep I can hardly breathe
The pain so strong for Greg and for me
But mainly the hurt is for our dear Frankie
like we’ve all been sucker punched
Huge understatement that it sucks

She deserved to be here longer with us
to pamper and adore her and cause quite the fuss
We love her so much words cannot express
How much we love francesca
our sweet little princess

Dear Frankie hang on please feel well as long as you can
We don't want to be selfish but we need you with us little ma'am
When the time is right we will know
And that is the time we will let you go

Until then let us love and comfort you
And when we can no more
we will end your suffering
For you we so much adore
We will give you eternal peace
from this life filled with strife
Though there was a time it was oh so all right
Being with you nothing compared
You sweet little baby our Francesca dear

Soon at Rainbow Bridge you will be
with all of our past beloved furry babies
All the little boys and you our sweet little lady

Billy and Butch and Buster too
and lots of cousins will be there to join you
Apache and Oscar,
Jessie and Harley
Simon and Gunther
and so many others

So sweet and beautiful
Life is so cruel

And I cannot forget
my dearest grandma
We too will be reunited
Oh how I miss her

One day Daddy and I will also be there
To join all of you, my sweet Frankie dear

And reunited we will be
once again forever happy

Life is cruel and often unkind
But we will be together
forever
another time

We love you sweet Francesca
our dearest little girl
We always have
you’re so much of our world

Please know in our hearts you will always be
Our sweetest sassy dearest little Frankie

 

[MissGotRocks]

Well they still use tattoos for RT for Dupuytren's at the oncology hospital I am going to and in fact got three small tattoos yesterday on my right hand. Thanks for your thoughts and I agree. It is a very personal choice that can be complicated by many factors. Including one's health. I do not want to aggravate my immune system so I will be doing more research about this. I remember my derm (years ago) was adamantly steadfast against tattoos of any kind. The memory is coming back to me now about his POV. I am seeing him in January and I take his advice very seriously as he is a brilliant physician. We shall see what his thoughts are but my guess is they have not changed

No, I am not saying they don't use tattoos but the tattoos on a couple of my friends who underwent radiation treatment are now barely visible. I certainly understand your health concerns in relation to a tattoo. However, while I am sure there is some risk involved, many have tattoos seemingly without any problem. I just think they are not something of my generation and nothing that interests me. However, to each his own and I wish you all the best in making the decision for yourself.

 

[missy]

No, I am not saying they don't use tattoos but the tattoos on a couple of my friends who underwent radiation treatment are now barely visible. I certainly understand your health concerns in relation to a tattoo. However, while I am sure there is some risk involved, many have tattoos seemingly without any problem. I just think they are not something of my generation and nothing that interests me. However, to each his own and I wish you all the best in making the decision for yourself.

Absolutely! They told me it would fade in time. It’s a big nothing tbh. These tattoos I mean. Not sure if my generation (Gen X) got tattoos because I was never tuned in to trends. I just know I have no tattoos or rather didn’t before yesterday. My dh has informed me he won’t be tattooing anything on his body in solidarity. Even “Greg loves Missy” across his chest

 

[Begonia]

Oh this is beautiful Begonia. Thank you!

The simple line (the line is one line that continues) could incorporate an F or even her whole name somewhere, altho I think just the catto is more elegant. You know it's her.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Absolutely! They told me it would fade in time. It’s a big nothing tbh. These tattoos I mean. Not sure if my generation (Gen X) got tattoos because I was never tuned in to trends. I just know I have no tattoos or rather didn’t before yesterday. My dh has informed me he won’t be tattooing anything on his body in solidarity. Even “Greg loves Missy” across his chest

I just remember some of my uncles with tattoos of their service branch tattooed on their arms. Over time, they were green and spread and faded. I guess they were like a badge of honor. I am sure the materials and colors used today are much improved - although clearly some of the artists are better than others. I think much of that negative connotation stuck with me. As much as I love diamonds, I can take them off and not have them as permanent fixtures on my body. I guess the permanence of them sticks in my craw as well - like what if I wouldn’t like them in a few years or if they sagged in places I could never dream of? Lol! We all bring different experiences and thoughts to things and I surely realize that everyone doesn’t see them through my lens. I guess Greg and I are in the same mindset - will not be memorializing anything or anyone on this skin - not even in solidarity! Ha! You are wise to seek out opinions and experiences with this; an informed decision is always the best decision!

 

[LilAlex]

I had needle apeneuorotomy three weeks ago to correct a 38 degree contracture

I'm sorry to hear that. Did not mean to imply that "benign" = "good" but maybe I did and that's not correct. I hope this goes well! Sounds like you are getting top-notch attentive care.

Spouse had the collagenase (?; some enzyme) injections a year or two ago for a thankfully localized "post-traumatic" variant that had slowly (then rapidly) progressed over 40+ years after a workplace accident in her ridiculously unsafe manual-labor job at the time. OSHA is real -- would never happen today.

I picture you with a tiny, private tattoo. I swear every model on IG or elsewhere seems to have a couple 1" tattoos of cryptic significance on their arms/shoulders. They do seem to be addictive so if that's your phenotype...

 

[Mayk]

I sent you a private IG message with ann example of fine line artist. Here is an example.

 

[missy]

I'm sorry to hear that. Did not mean to imply that "benign" = "good" but maybe I did and that's not correct. I hope this goes well! Sounds like you are getting top-notch attentive care.

Spouse had the collagenase (?; some enzyme) injections a year or two ago for a thankfully localized "post-traumatic" variant that had slowly (then rapidly) progressed over 40+ years after a workplace accident in her ridiculously unsafe manual-labor job at the time. OSHA is real -- would never happen today.

I picture you with a tiny, private tattoo. I swear every model on IG or elsewhere seems to have a couple 1" tattoos of cryptic significance on their arms/shoulders. They do seem to be addictive so if that's your phenotype...

Thanks Alex. I don't have an addictive personality so I am safe there. Unless you count kitties lol
Glad the collagenase injections went well for your wife. You're talking about Xiaflex right? They have been banned in other countries and only done in the USA. I did research on them and I would never get those as they can be indiscriminate as to what they dissolve. Just a heads up in case your wife ever needs treatment again. NA is much less painful and invasive. I like your idea of a private tattoo because that makes it even more special IMO. Between me, my dh and Francesca. Thank you!

 

[missy]

I sent you a private IG message with ann example of fine line artist. Here is an example.

Beautiful! Thank you!

 

[Gloria27]

Got some info for you:

EU REACH compliant inks are the least allergenic and the colour black is the least allergenic, said a friend who is a tattoo artist.

USA inks seem to be unregulated.

My tattooist friend favourite inks are: "eternal, fusion, empire inks, intenze, radiant and dynamic (for blacks)"


UK dermatologists always say, don't buy cosmetics that are produced outside the European Union, they are not regulated, I guess this can apply to inks?

Maybe this is something worth doing some research into. I can't recommend anything, I have zero tattoos, zero experience with this subject.

 

[Rebel Rebel]

How about trying a temporary tattoo for now? There are many companies where you can upload photo(s) for custom ones. One company that's popular is Inkbox, but tbh, I haven't tried them and have no affiliation.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thanks Nicky. It's francesca not gracie but no worries. Just wanted to let you know. Gracie is with us still TG. Francesca was the most beautiful soul. I have had many furry family members and I have loved all of them so much. Francesca was very special and I won't say I loved her more but she was my heart kitty. And she died too young. That's what makes it all so panful for me. If she had lived a nice long life the grief while it would have been deep it would have abated more so by now. But as I wrote above she will always always be in my heart and not a day goes by I do not think of her and miss her

opps oh im so sorry about that
long live Gracie
sorry about that dear Francesca, i do remember now
maybe i got muddled becaase Gracie is eaiser to spell

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thanks Nicky. It's francesca not gracie but no worries. Just wanted to let you know. Gracie is with us still TG. Francesca was the most beautiful soul. I have had many furry family members and I have loved all of them so much. Francesca was very special and I won't say I loved her more but she was my heart kitty. And she died too young. That's what makes it all so panful for me. If she had lived a nice long life the grief while it would have been deep it would have abated more so by now. But as I wrote above she will always always be in my heart and not a day goes by I do not think of her and miss her

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

@missy people who say pets are just animals have no idea (re: the negativity shown towards Queen Camilla when the news reported the loss of her beloved dog).

I still miss my first dog everyday!

DK

i felt sorry for the Queen
i may have cried some tears for Bluebell

 

[seaurchin]

I have one tattoo, my husband's name and a rose. It was a surprise for him on an anniversary and hilarious now because I don't think he liked it. He tried to act like he did, knowing what I went through for his special "surprise." But the color drained from his face.

(Later, he told me he had been worried that I'd expect him to get one with my name on it, in return).

It was an experience. My tatted tough gal pal took me to what was apparently a biker tattoo parlor and a few of the guys who hung around there gathered around to watch. The tat was near an "intimate area" so my friend shooed them all out the door. Which is good because I'm pretty sure my husband would have liked that surprise even less haha. As you see, I was pretty dumb about it but it worked out okay.

This was about 30 years ago, when tats were still largely considered unprofessional. (I don't know if that's still true or not). So I got it where it wouldn't show in regular clothes (pelvic region).

Later on, I got a tummy tuck and the rose was beheaded! So I had it done over again and I don't like it as much as the first one. The second one is, to me, a little too large. I liked the smaller, more delicate one better. That's a trend I've noticed, that women's tats used to be more small and dainty, like a tiny butterfly or anchor on the ankle, that kind of thing. Now they tend to be larger and less "cute," which I don't care for. So my suggestion is to keep it small but of course that's just personal preference. A smaller tat would also be less needling and less ink, though.

I also have cosmetic tattoos: lips, eyebrows and eyeliner, if those count. They fade pretty quickly and have to be redone every couple/few years. I usually go in on whatever leftover pain meds I can find in the medicine cabinet because I'm a giant baby. But I'm careful to not let it show because I've heard they are not allowed to tat people who appear to be under the influence. Or maybe you could get a prescription for pain or anti-anxiety meds for it, if needed. I can't wait to see what you get (if you get it).

 

[VapidLapid]

I have Murry tattooed on my chest. Tattoos dont age well, and older skin (I just turned 64) doesnt take too well. How about having a sculpture made that you can stick in between the louvres of the blinds?