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420kush · Tattoo lover Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

Hi guys,

New to these forums. Just had my first tattoo done and had some questions. First, my tattoo is 6x7 modified yin-yang (border is vine/leafy and has flames coming up and around it) on the center of my back. I have only gotten the outline so far. When my artist first started he started at the bottom and when he would put the needle in it would cause me to flinch and obviously that is really bad for him. It hurt like hell but the flinching I think was more due to the sensitivity of that area for me than the pain itself. It was really bad on my spine (felt like a drill going in) but on the sides it was not too bad and didnt make me flinch. Basically my question is, is there is anything I can do to keep myself from flinching when I go back to get the coloring done. This may seem like an odd question, but I simply could not stop myself it was like a muscle spasm type flinch. He said if I keep flinching he won't be able to do the color. I have already paid for it 500$ and I am not about to waste my money by not getting the color done. He said that numbing cream is bad for the ink or something and I don't know if he would even let me use it if I wanted. I know alcohol/painkillers are bad because it thins ur blood, but if I can't figure out a better way to stop flinching I am going to go in drunk, numb on oxy, or do several strike outs and hope I pass out or am numb while he does it. If it was just the pain I would sit through it but I can't control the flinching except by staying rigid and unrelaxed and even that doesnt work on most of the spine. I don't think the artist is doing anything wrong but that is always a possibility I suppose. Thanks in advanced for the responses.

Mark

rowdy · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject: numb

hi mark i dont know why your tattooist says numbing cream damages the ink ,i know dozens of people who use it including myself and i can guarantee you no damage has been done to the tattoo,s.ask your artist to explain why his brand does damage .If he wont give you a good answer then just ask him to be a little more patient with you .if he knows you're gonna twitch then he can anticipate this and work with you. Dont get drunk if he smells alcohol he will throw you out for sure. good luck mate.

420kush · Tattoo lover Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks Rowdy. Hopefully they will allow me to use the numbing cream if it doesn't really damage the tattoo. To be honest I am not sure what exactly he said it does but I am guessing it is deffinetly better than something that thins ur blood. Hopefully if he is against it he will at least let me put it on the lower part of my back which seemed to mainly be causing the flinching because I will be quite annoyed if I can't get it colored after paying for it already. By the way do you know how long the cream is supposed to last? Thanks!

rowdy · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject: hi

hi mate it comes in a tiny tube and you spread it on the area wait for about 15,mins and your skin should take on a slight red tinge,then the numbing effect will last for about 30,mins depending on the person i spose. I used it twice on my neck and the effect was fantastic although when it wears off watch out because thats when the pain starts . good luck to you mate i really hope you can get this sorted .

420kush · Tattoo lover Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks Rowdy, you have been of great assistance. That sounds good hopefully I can use that and it will last long enough for him to at least color the more sensative areas like over the spine and lower back