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Article: Misconceptions about tattoos: separating fact from fiction

Misconceptions about tattoos: separating fact from fiction

Common Tattoo Misconceptions

A selection of clichés and beliefs that are unfortunately still heard very often!

Here is a list of 48 common misconceptions and beliefs that are too often heard about tattooing. Some concern pain, others aging, healing, work, or even choosing a tattoo artist. Let's get to some Q&A that should help dispel these misconceptions :)

Pain and Sensation

1

A tattoo always hurts a lot

No, getting a tattoo is always a bit painful, but it doesn't "hurt a lot"; it's largely bearable for the vast majority of tattooed individuals. The pain experienced depends on many parameters that are unique to each person.

2

The pain is the same for everyone

No, tattoo pain is unique to each individual, even if some placements are generally more painful for the majority. One person might experience a lot of pain on their wrist, while another might not feel much in that same spot. There's only one way to know: dive in!

3

You get used to the pain over time with more tattoos

Unfortunately, no! You know what to expect in terms of sensation, but that doesn't immunize you against the pain. Once again, pain assessment is something very personal.

4

Rib tattoos are the most painful for everyone

Yes, without making broad generalizations, certain areas like the ribs, knees, stomach, and elbows are quite painful for a large majority of people. There will always be someone who falls asleep during a large rib tattoo, but that's rather an exception.

Aging, Ink, and Sun Exposure

5

Tattoos always age poorly

No: a tattoo does age, yes, but not necessarily poorly! A tattoo that ages poorly over time might have been poorly applied, or done too small with too many details, or too exposed to the sun, or not cared for during healing... etc. The reasons can be numerous. The lines of a tattoo will always thicken slightly over the years and with skin renewal, but this is simply normal aging of the skin and thus the tattoo.

6

Tattoos turn green over time

No, at least not for tattoos made with quality ink approved by the European Union and compliant with French regulations. Those old green/blue tattoos you might see on beaches in the summer were often done with poor quality ink long before regulations were put in place over 20 years ago.

7

Tattoos don't move with the body

Oh yes they do, and fortunately, the tattoo adapts to our body and its evolution! In case of weight loss or gain, the skin will adapt, and the tattoo will do the same. There will only be a negative effect on the tattoo in case of very significant and sudden weight loss or gain.

8

Fine line tattoos don't change over time

Yes, they will change just as much as others. This applies to all tattoos regardless of style: lines will always thicken slightly over time and with passing years; it's completely normal.

9

Thick line tattoos age poorly

No, because regardless of the thickness of a tattoo's lines, what ensures good aging is good application, proper healing, and very moderate sun exposure, for example.

10

Colors don't last as well as black

This is a persistent misconception that we'd really like to get rid of once and for all! Color inks that comply with regulations are just as high-quality and last as well over time as black ink.

11

Colored tattoos are more dangerous for the skin

This is another no: whether it's colored ink or black ink, as long as they comply with regulations, there's no direct or indirect danger to the skin.

12

White tattoos last well over time and always stay white

Unfortunately no, a tattoo made solely with white ink will tend to yellow over time, and it will be quite difficult to distinguish on the skin depending on your skin tone. However, white touches are added to some large tattoos to create contrast or enhance a detail, which ages well in this case because it's mixed with and surrounded by other shades.

13

Black tattoos always remove better with laser

Not necessarily. Regardless of whether a tattoo is black or colored, there are other more important criteria that determine whether a tattoo removes better with laser or not. The quality and composition of the ink used are very important factors, as is the longevity of the tattoo or how it was applied.

14

Tattoos in the sun disappear quickly

No, a tattoo won't disappear in the sun, but it risks being damaged along with your skin in the process. The best thing is not to expose your tattoo to the sun at all, or to protect it with SPF 50. The consequences of too much sun exposure on an unprotected tattoo are that the lines can thicken more over time, the ink can diffuse around the lines under the skin in a halo, the ink will also become greyer than black, and the contrasts will fade.

15

Tattoos don't need sun protection

You should always protect your tattoos from the sun, with clothing or with SPF 50.

44

UV ink tattoos are safe

UV ink tattoos are not recognized as harmless, as they can cause allergic reactions or other complications. There is still too little data on this type of ink at the moment. In France, UV inks are not prohibited in principle, but they are if their composition does not comply with the European REACH regulation applicable to tattoo inks.

Health, Pregnancy, and Physical Activity

17

Tattoos prevent you from getting an MRI

No, tattoos absolutely do not prevent you from getting an MRI! This misconception is very old because it dates from the time when some inks used for tattooing still contained heavy metals, which has not been the case in France for at least fifty years.

18

Tattoos prevent you from exercising

Yes and no! We recommend not exercising for 3 days after getting a tattoo, but this can depend on the sport itself and the location of the tattoo. Allowing a few days of healing before resuming exercise is more than advisable for a good tattoo result.

Work, Social Perception, and General Misconceptions

20

You can't work with visible tattoos

Studies in recent years tend to show that the statement "you can't work with visible tattoos" is false in an absolute sense, but that there is still a real image barrier, especially for face/neck tattoos and depending on the country and profession.

21

Tattoos are only for young people

In 2023, 30% of 25-49 year olds were tattooed, and even if those over 65 represent less than 5% of tattooed people, they are increasingly present among our clientele.

22

Tattoos are a phase that passes

Today, more than one in five French people has at least one tattoo, which proves that tattooing is not just a fleeting trend.

23

You always regret your tattoos

In 2023 in the USA, according to the Pew Research Center, 24% of tattooed people say they regret at least one of their tattoos, meaning 76% regret none.

24

A tattoo is always an impulsive act

No, that's far from the case for all tattooed people! The majority take the time to think and build their tattoo project, taking the time to do graphic research and find the artist who can sublimate their ideas. There will always be some impulsivity, but this more concerns small tattoos that symbolize a memory, a friendship, or a specific moment.

25

Tattoos must always have a meaning

No, a tattoo can simply be aesthetic and without any particular meaning or symbolism.

26

The more expensive a tattoo, the more beautiful it is

No, however, a cheap tattoo is much more likely to be poorly executed!

Choosing Your Tattoo Artist and Project

27

All tattoo artists work the same way

No, not at all; each artist has their own way of doing things and their own unique experience. Some artists are faster than others, but this doesn't necessarily affect the quality of the tattoo produced.

28

A good tattoo artist can do everything

No, some artists specialize only in their own field. A black and white realism specialist might not be able to offer you a watercolor design with many colors, but that doesn't prevent them from being excellent in their preferred domain. Some artists are versatile and can excel in different styles, but only after a long career and with much experience.

29

Tattoo artists always copy designs

No, a tattoo artist will always prefer to tattoo their own designs rather than copy someone else's. When it comes to very common designs, like typography for example, then it will be more about reproduction than creation, of course.

30

You just need to bring a photo to get the same tattoo

No, we will ask you for reference images and photos of what you want to get a clear idea of your tattoo desire, not to make an exact copy.

31

Small tattoos age better

No more and no less than large tattoos, as long as the healing goes well and the size/detail ratio is respected.

32

Smaller is better

Not necessarily. The smaller a tattoo is, the fewer details it will have to age well over time. There's no problem with getting a small tattoo, but it will need to be quite minimalist in detail.

33

Tattoos must be perfectly symmetrical

No human body is perfectly symmetrical and perfectly straight. We can aim for maximum symmetry in a tattoo, but it will never be as perfect as on a sheet of paper.

Placement and Body Areas

34

Finger tattoos hold up well

No, not really. This is one of the body parts where tattoos tend not to hold up very well or age over time. You'll need to opt for simple, less detailed designs to achieve a good result over time.

35

Hand tattoos are forbidden everywhere

No, that's completely false. In the majority of jobs and according to the Defender of Rights' Framework Decision No. 2019-205, there is no general national prohibition of hand tattoos.

36

Foot tattoos hold up well

Yes and no. No problem for the top of the foot, but we avoid the sides and back of the foot because with constant friction from shoes and socks against the skin, the aging of the tattoo over time can be a bit unpredictable, tending to fade or bleed.

37

Tattoos can be done anywhere without consequence

Of course not: we strongly advise against getting a tattoo from someone who is not a professional, whose job it is not, and who does not offer premises with strict hygiene standards. For this reason, we strongly advise against using a "home tattoo artist" because it always means poor execution under bad conditions, and in the worst cases, infection.

38

You can get tattooed anywhere for your first tattoo

Yes, you can start with a small piece or a large piece, on the forearm or on the ribs; it's up to each person to decide what they want and what they are capable of doing.

45

You can't tattoo over a scar

You can tattoo over a scar, but it will depend on the scar itself and its relief, and not before at least 3 years of skin stabilization/healing.

49

Tattoos on dark skin don't hold up

That's false: on dark skin, tattoos hold up very well; it's mainly the rendering and certain colors that can vary.

Healing and Care

39

You can't get tattooed in the summer

That's false, you can absolutely get tattooed in the summer; you just need to be careful to avoid sun exposure for the first month, but a simple T-shirt or clothing can be enough.

40

You should avoid washing after a tattoo

No, you should not avoid washing after a tattoo! You just need to use a pH-neutral soap in the shower and not scratch the small scabs that form during the first few days of healing. However, you should avoid any submerged baths of the tattooed area, so no baths or swimming pools, but you can shower normally without any worries.

41

You should let the tattoo "breathe" without protection

Yes and no! We recommend keeping the protective cling film for a few hours after the session, but then it's better to let it air dry. However, it's preferable to protect your tattoo if you work in a dirty, humid, or dusty environment during the first few days.

42

Scabs should be removed to heal better

Absolutely not! You must not touch the healing scabs that may appear during the first week of healing, as this risks seriously damaging the tattoo underneath. They will fall off naturally during the healing process.

43

You need to apply a lot of cream to heal faster

No, the amount of cream or balm you apply will not change how quickly your tattoo heals. On the contrary, smothering the skin with too much cream/balm risks having negative consequences for your tattoo, such as inflammation, redness, itching, and small pimples.

46

Tattoos are easy to care for

Yes, once the healing phase is over, you just need to be careful about sun exposure. You can also moisturize your tattoo regularly with a balm or cream, but this is not mandatory and will depend on your skin type.

47

All skin reacts the same way

No, every body is different and every skin does not react the same way to tattooing. This will depend on your skin type, your health and lifestyle, your age... and many other parameters.

48

A touch-up means the tattoo is a failure

Not at all. A touch-up can be done between 1 and 3 months after the tattoo date and often only serves to retrace a line or detail that didn't hold up well during healing. This happens regularly and is completely normal, which is why the touch-up is free.


A question or a tattoo project?

Contact the shop to discuss your project, request a quote, or find us easily in Lille.

Kawaii Place Piercing/Tattoo
38 rue des Postes, 59000 Lille


 

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