Looking for a tattoo studio you can trust?

If you want something stylish that suits your personality, then Sunset is the right Auckland tattoo studio for you!

Tattoos are a great way to express your individuality. We understand this and we realise how important tattoos can be to people, especially if it’s your first one. Here at Sunset Studios, we are passionate about skin art and we love to work closely with our clients. If you come to our Auckland tattoo studio, you’ll get exactly what you want.

Those who have already taken the plunge know: once a tattoo is under your skin, there’s no turning back! You don’t want to end up with a tattoo that you might regret. So before we start our work, we make sure you are 100% satisfied with the design. You can trust us – our advice is honest and professional. This might be a big moment for you, or it could just be another day. Either way, we want you to feel as relaxed as possible, so you can really enjoy the experience. Our Auckland tattoo studio is comfortable, quiet and friendly.

And of course, we also meticulously follow all health and safety regulations. Our tattoo studio is spotlessly clean; pop in and you’ll see for yourself! If you have an idea for a tattoo, bring it in and let us work from that. Alternatively, if you have absolutely no idea what you want, but know you want something, we can create a design for you from scratch. Whatever works for you! We suggest you have a look at our online gallery before you drop in.  

So if you’re looking for a professional and hygienic tattoo studio in Auckland, call us today, or drop by for a chat in person. Our friendly, helpful and professional staff will be happy to answer all your questions. 

A great video on the history of tattoos

Now be warned people, even though this is a TED Talk educational video, not everything in this is 100% accurate. It’s still fun though.  Have a watch of it, and afterwards, if you’re nit-picky like us, take a look at all the things wrong with it. :)

Ok, it was a nice wee five minutes, but not entirely accurate. Apart from mis-pronouncing Maori (she’s American, we’ll give her a break), here’s a few of the things that were wrong with the video…

“Stories of Cook’s findings” couldn’t have sparked “a craze in Victorian English high society”. Captain James Cook said around the world a hundred years before the Victorian age! And of course, he didn’t have ‘soldiers’, he had sailors. And while we’re on the Victorians…

The Victorian tattoo fad among elites was hardly “behind closed doors”. The Victorian peoples were quite open about their tattoos, which were written about in a variety of newspapers and journals at the time. Although they weren’t so popular that the Queen herself had one. There isn’t a single shred of evidence for Queen Victoria having a tattoo, let alone a tiger fighting a snake. Ironically, there is definitive evidence of King George V having a kick-ass dragon tattoo covering his back which he picked up on his travels to the Far East!

So there you go. Some interesting facts with a wee sprinkle of bullshit thrown in for good measure. Just like Stuff.co.nz!

Tattoos and pregnancy

There are two common questions revolving around tattoos and pregnancy. One; Should I get a tattoo while pregnant, and two; what will happen to my tattoos when I become pregnant. It’s a bit of a grey area, but we’ll try our best to answer them here.

Can I get a tattoo whilst pregnant?

Well, that’s not really the right question. Of course you CAN get a tattoo, but SHOULD you get a tattoo is more pertinent. While there is no solid scientific evidence to say what happens, the overwhelming consensus is that pregnant women should avoid getting a tattoo. There’s always a worry of Hepatitis or HIV, and while in reality this is practically impossible, the concern never truly goes away. The main reason not to get a tattoo while pregnant is the chemicals in the ink. We know they may not have an effect on an adult, but we can’t tell for sure what effects they may have on a wee foetus. And when dealing with unborn children, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Any expectant mother will have no problem waiting a few months to a new tattoo.

What will happen to my tattoos during pregnancy?

Ladies, that tattoo across your abdomen may look cool now, but if you’re planning on having kids, you can expect to it change dramatically in the process. Your skin is going to change so much while pregnant, it will have an irreversible impact on the ink, which not even retouching will correct. Distortion and discolouration are the two big aspects you should know about, although there are precautions you can take. Moisturise regularly to improve the skin’s elasticity, making sure whatever oils or creams you use are safe for the baby.

At the end of the day, every woman is different, and each person’s skin will react differently to pregnancy. Those who are blessed with good skin might not even notice a difference in their tattoos a few weeks after giving birth. Others may have stretch marks that turn that portrait of Jesus into Sloth from the Goonies. Either way, you’re probably going to be too busy changing dirty nappies to worry about it!

Most common questions people with tattoos are asked.

If you’re big into your ink, then you’ll know that people asking you about your tattoos is nothing new. Some are genuinely interested, others use it as a passive-aggressive way to show their disapproval. Check out some of the most common questions those with tattoos are asked, and the most common responses.

Did they hurt?

Well, yes, probably. Being stabbed repeatedly tends to hurt. But here’s the thing- pain is subjective. What makes someone wail like a Banshee might not even be noticed by someone else. And where you get a tattoo is also a big factor in how painful it is. Where the skin is thin tends to hurt more than the meatier part of the body.

What do they mean?

It’s a tough question to answer, because people without tattoos expect them to have some sort of deep and personal meaning. The problem is, if they do, then it’s personal, and if they don’t, then the person asking the question thinks you’re an idiot. Some tattoos can represent an important time in a person’s life, or a loved one that’s maybe passed away. Other tattoos may be the result of a drunken night out. Either way, if feel yourself wanting to ask someone this question, it’s probably best you think carefully first.

Do you regret them?

Nine times out of ten the answer will be no. Obviously, there’s always one or two decisions in our youth that we look back on with incredulity. Some people get tattoos of their significant other, only to find out their significant other wasn’t that significant. Others were just too young to know what they wanted tattooed or why. These cases tend to be the exception, rather than the rule, so overall, no, people don’t regret them.

If you have any questions about tattoos, give the team at Sunset Studio a call. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Just don’t ask us what our tattoos mean.

Tattoo aftercare

The process of getting a tattoo doesn’t end when you walk out the door of our studio. There’s aftercare that need to be adhered to, both for health reasons and to get the most out of your new ink! Follow these simple instructions after getting a tattoo, and it will still look awesome years from now.

Now the person you should listen to the most is your tattoo artist. Do what they tell you and you’ll be fine. These are just basic tips for aftercare…

1)    Leave your bandage on for at least a couple of hours after getting your tattoo. It’s there for a reason- to stop the bleeding and compact the wound, so leave it on.

2)    And yes, it is a wound, so don’t get it infected!! Never touch it without cleaning your hands first, and clean it with soft, non-scented anti-bacterial soap, at least 3 times per day.

3)    Keep it hydrated. This doesn’t mean splashing water on it when you wake up. For the first few days apply ointment. These can be bought from us or from any good chemist, but use sparingly, don’t cut off the air to your skin.

4)    For the first couple of weeks, try not to agitate the healing process by wearing tight clothes that will rub against your tattoo. If it’s on your back, learn to sleep on your front.

5)    Avoid swimming pools, spas or hot tubs. Again, this is a great way to get an infection. Try to avoid any activity that make you sweat, and don’t expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight.

6)    And last, but not least, don’t pick at it!

So there you go, stick to these basic rules and you’ll be fine. For long term care, always use sun screen (which you should be using anyway), and keep your tattoo moisturised.