Author: aggelos pavlos kaimaras

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Red Flags: 5 Signs You Should Run Away From a Tattoo Studio

You’ve found the design, you’ve found the shop, but something doesn’t feel right? Your instincts are probably right. Hygiene in tattooing is not a luxury, it’s a matter of health. Before you sit down in the chair, check out these 5 warning signs (Red Flags)

  • No Gloves = No Tattoo: The artist must wear new gloves before touching anything (tools, ink, or you). If they pick up their phone and then touch you without changing gloves, leave.
  • The “Mysterious” Needle: The needle must be sealed in sterile packaging and opened IN FRONT OF YOU. If the needle is already on the machine when you enter, do not do this.
  • Dirty Space: If you see dust on the shelves, discarded papers on the floor, or stains on the chair, imagine what is happening with the tools you cannot see.
  • Pressure: A professional respects your concerns. If they pressure you to do something you don’t want to do or tell you, “Come on, it doesn’t hurt,” that’s a sign of disrespect.
  • No portfolio: If they don’t have photos of their own work (healed) or if the photos appear to have been downloaded from Google, they are hiding something.

At SkinForge, all verified artists strictly adhere to hygiene protocols. Don’t gamble with your health for a few euros less.

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Aftercare 101: The first 24 hours with your new ink

The Membrane

Keep the film that the artist put on for 2-3 hours (or as long as they told you). It protects the wound from germs in the air until the pores close.

Washing

Wash your hands thoroughly. Then wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap. Do not rub! Use gentle movements with your fingers to remove any moisture.

Drying & Cream

Dry the tattoo with kitchen paper (NOT a towel, as it contains germs). Once it is completely dry, apply a very thin layer of special cream (e.g. Bepanthol or special tattoo cream). The skin must be able to breathe.

The big NO’s

  • NO scratching: It will itch as it heals. Never scratch it, you will ruin the design. Slap it lightly if you can’t stand it.
  • NO sun: The sun is the enemy of tattoos.
  • NO sea/swimming pool: For at least 15-20 days, the tattoo must not get wet.
  • NO petroleum jelly: Petroleum jelly clogs pores and prevents the skin from breathing.
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How to choose a design you will never regret

Tattoos are permanent (and laser removal is painful and expensive). Before you book an appointment for that design you saw on Pinterest, ask yourself the following questions.

Pinterest vs Reality

It’s great for inspiration, but BEWARE: Don’t copy other people’s designs. Firstly, it’s rude to the artist, and secondly, the design was made for someone else’s body. Use it as a reference and ask the artist to design something unique for you.

Meaning or Aesthetics?

Many people think that every tattoo must have a deep meaning. Wrong. It’s okay to get something just because it’s beautiful (aesthetic). As long as you like it.

The Test of Time

Print out the design you want and stick it on your mirror or save it as a file on your phone. Look at it every day for a month. If after 30 days you haven’t gotten bored of it, then you’re ready to go for it.

Location matters

The same design looks different on the wrist and different on the back. Think about whether you want it to be visible all the time (e.g., neck, hands) or whether you want it to be easily concealed for professional reasons.