Getting people's name tattooed on you - Yay or nea?

Don’t get us wrong, we’re a tattoo studio; we’re all or tattoos… but sometimes you need to think about what you’re getting.

Should I get my partner’s name tattooed?

No.

Simple as that. No, don’t do it, don’t ever, no, no, no.

Now, we’re not saying that the person you are with is going to break up with you, but there’s always that possibility.

No matter, how in love you are now, you don’t know what will happen in the future, and ask anyone who’s been around for a bit, no relationship is guaranteed.

This advice applies to everyone, but especially if you’re under 25. Statistically, if you’re under 25, you will be with someone different 10 years from now, so having your ex’s name on your arm might be problematic.

You can love someone and be committed to them without having to get a tattoo. Not getting someone’s name doesn’t make you love them less, it just might help your future self. And don’t always assume that the object of your desires wants you to get a tattoo of their name. They might be freaked out by the idea!

There is an exception to the rule

There is one exception to the rule when getting someone’s name tattooed on you - a tattoo in memory of someone special in your life who has passed away.

It's very unlikely you'd have any reason to change your feelings about them once they're gone, and it’s a loving way to show that you will not forget someone from your past.

The only people still alive you don’t have to worry about are your children. You will always love them no matter what and getting a tattoo with their names is a great way to show how much you care.

Just think carefully before getting someone’s name tattooed on you. Tattoo removal is complex and painful - just like love!

When is the best time of year to get a tattoo?

You may think it’s a silly questions, but what is the best time of year to get a tattoo?

Most would think it’s during the summer when it’s hot enough to strip off a little and show off your new ink, but you’d be wrong.

Why autumn/winter is the best time of year for a tattoo

Ok, so what’s wrong with summer? Well, for one, it’s hot as hell. Sitting for a tattoo is uncomfortable at the best of times, nevermind in sweltering heat.

Next, you’ve got the issue of the sun itself. Tattoos need time to heal, and you MUST keep them out of direct sunlight during this time. The idea of showing off your new tattoo to everyone at the beach is a nice one, but completely impractical.

On top of that, the healing process isn’t exactly a beautiful one. Even if you want to wear a short shirt in summer, your new tattoo won’t be pretty to look at yet, with all the scabbing and peeling.

Winter is coming

Hitting autumn and heading into winter is the best time to get a tattoo.

It’s not as warm, so you can cover up a little and protect your new ink, giving it time to heal. It also means people don’t have to see the “ugly” stages of your tattoo’s healing process.

Winter is also a slower time for most tattoo studios, so you won’t have to wait weeks for an appointment, or, even better, you might even be able to walk straight in.

The best part if, by the time your tattoo has completely healed, it’s already Spring and the sun is starting to come out again. Summer is just around the corner, and now is the time to show off your new ink!

Tattoos and an MRI scan - is there anything to worry about?

Some of us will be unfortunate enough to need an MRI at some point in our lives. We say unfortunate because if you need an MRI, that means something has gone very wrong somewhere.

If you do need one and have a tattoo, you may have heard some rumours about how the 2 things can interact with one another. But are these just rumours or is there a real possibility that an MRI can affect a tattoo?

What’s an MRI?

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and it’s the magnetic part that we’re worried about.

The force is so strong that even the “weakest” machine used is 10,000 times the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field. Small metal objects like paper clips or keys can become deadly projectiles when pulled through the air.

So what’s this have to do with tattoos? Well, back in the day, tattoo ink was completely unregulated, and could contain pretty much anything - even metal.

I have metal in my tattoo?!

No, you don’t. Well, probably not.

Because tattoo ink was unregulated (and still is to a high degree), any tattoos over, say 25 years old may contain some metallic fragments, or if you got your tattoo in some dodgy studio in Thailand you might be a little bit worried.

Some MRI patients who have had tattoos that dated back far enough have reported pain during MRI scans, ranging from slight to severe.

There are a few reasons this could be. One theory is that the magnetic force pulls on the metallic fragments so violently that it causes a burning sensation in the location of the tattoo, while another is that the pain is caused by built up friction between the particles.

Even if there is no pain at all, these fragments can cause distortions (called artifacts) in the results, rendering them useless.

How do I know if my tattoo has metal in it?

Honestly, you can't. But if you got your ink within the past 20 years of from a reputable studio, you can be pretty sure it's safe.

Even if you got a tattoo over 25 years ago, it doesn’t mean the ink contains metal. And even if it did, that doesn't always mean you'll have a problem with an MRI. There’s always alternatives to an MRI scan, people with pacemakers and metal implants also can’t use them, so chat to your doctor if you’re worried.

Why you should probably avoid black henna tattoos

For anyone not wanting to commit to the permanence of a real tattoo, a henna tattoo is a great way to test the water.

Henna tattoos usually last between 2 -4 weeks, gradually fading as time passes, leaving no permanent marks.

But beware! Black Henna is something else entirely, and can damage your skin, leaving you permanently scarred.

What is Henna?

The Henna tattoo dye is created from a substance which comes from the lawsonia Inermis plant. Historically, henna was used in the Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent, Near and Middle East, Carthage, other parts of North Africa and the Horn of Africa.

The plant is crushed into a powder which is turned into a paste. This paste is then added to the skin in a pattern, left until it hardens, then washed off.

Natural henna dye leaves behind a burnt orange or brown stain which will begin to fade after about a week.

What is Black Henna?

Many people don’t like the orange/brown stain real henna leaves, and want a more “realistic” tattoo, and that’s where black henna comes in.

Black henna, or kali mehndi as it’s sometimes known, is henna that that has been mixed with paraphenylenediamine (PPD for short) a transdermal toxin which is mainly used as a hair dye.

In some cases this so-called henna doesn't even contain any henna at all, and PPD was never intended to be use in tattoos. When it mixes with oxygen it can cause severe allergic reactions, chemically burning the skin and leaving the victim (usually a teenager) with permanent scars.

PPD is also associated with bladder and blood cancers, liver failure, and fetal harm. It is currently illegal for use on skin in many countries.

Come see us for a real tattoo

Henna tattoos are fine if you want to try out a design or see how you feel about having a tattoo, but for the real thing, come see us here at Sunset Studio.

We have the experience and the staff to give you a beautiful, safe tattoo in our hygienic Auckland studio.

Give us a call today, pop in, or drop us an email with any questions you may have.

8 of the best tattoo ideas for backpackers

Backpacking of one of life’s great joys and privileges, and for those who do spent time travelling to far off places getting into adventures, it’s nice to get a memento of that care-free time.

Here are some tattoo ideas for backpackers to consider if they want to take something special home.

A map of the world

This is a great idea if you want to spend years travelling the world, instead of simply a gap year. Fill in the countries you make it to, and have it as a reminder that there’s still plenty to see and do!

Leaving on a jet plane

A minimalist tattoo of your adventures can be summed up in one simple image; a plane.

A compass

A long-held symbol of travel, a compass is a great way to remember who you are at heart, and always find your way home.

Passport stamps

Collecting passport stamps is a great way to show which counties you’ve been to, but also a fantastic permanent reminder of your international adventures!

Landmarks

Instantly recognisable, world-famous landmarks look great visually, and if done like above, can really be a classy reminder of your backpacking days.

Wanderlust

Wanderlust is a borrowing from German, and means a strong desire or longing to travel. If many people, once they get a taste of backpacking, it’s hard to stop, so this little word perfectly sums it up.

The Globe

What image is better to sum up a world traveller than the world? Globe tattoos can come in lots of different variations, from this gorgeous watercolour tattoo through to solid black silhouettes.

New Zealand backpackers

Of course, we couldn’t leave Aotearoa off the map! New Zealand gets thousands of backpackers every year, with many of them wanting to take a piece of our beautiful country home with them. If you would like a stunning tattoo of New Zealand, please come and see us here at Sunset.