Celtic Themed Tattoos

**Colin** · 5th May 06, 10:09 AM

Any reputable shop is cleaner than most homes and hospitals. They replace almost all parts of the tattoo gun , needles, covering of the wires, etc with each new person. Anything to avoid cross contamination. As for giving blood, do what I just did. Donate a month before the tattoo appointment. You can't donate for a year after the fact.

I won't lie, it can hurt at times, but it is not nearly as bad as most people think. So I could have bought that 5 yard kilt I wanted, or i could have bought the dog I have really been wanting, but instead I got something I drew up that will last a lifetime.

**Mike1** · 5th May 06, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

How about a bit of arm twisting from you inked up guys? Am I being a weenie?

No, you're simply being concerned. The thing to do is visit a reputable shop and have them show you the lengths they go through to ensure there is no cross-contamination.

As for the amount of pain, I think that really depends on where the tattoo is being placed and the individual's ability to tolerate pain. I fell asleep while the artist was filling in color on mine. About 30 minutes after he was finished, it felt like I had been sunburned. After 24 hours, there was no more discomfort.

Colin, it looks good. How long was the sitting?

**Caradoc** · 5th May 06, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Colin

Any reputable shop is cleaner than most homes and hospitals. They replace almost all parts of the tattoo gun , needles, covering of the wires, etc with each new person.

This is true. A friend of mine does web work for Blue Dragon Tattoo in Phoenix, AZ.

They've got an online gallery just for Celtic work. Probably don't want to surf some of their site from your place of employment.

**Colin** · 5th May 06, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Mike1

No, you're simply being concerned. The thing to do is visit a reputable shop and have them show you the lengths they go through to ensure there is no cross-contamination.

As for the amount of pain, I think that really depends on where the tattoo is being placed and the individual's ability to tolerate pain. I fell asleep while the artist was filling in color on mine. About 30 minutes after he was finished, it felt like I had been sunburned. After 24 hours, there was no more discomfort.

Colin, it looks good. How long was the sitting?

Mike, the total sitting was just under 3 hours.

You aren't kidding about pain depending on location. I have done the inside of both arms as well as my upper back. The top of the arm was almost non existant. I too closed my eyes for about 15 minutes this time around. That humming makes a guy sleepy.

**Kilted Taper** · 5th May 06, 10:57 AM

Colin- Looks good. My wife and I are getting a similar knot done. Me on my inside forearm, her most likely on the back of the kneck. Considerably smaller than what you have!

KT, you asked about the sgian....I have acutally not gotten any questions about it. I thought I would. At the Celtic music fest in PA a few months ago I got several compliments, but they already knew what it was. And it's actaully low enough that if I do have hose on it can't be seen.

**Kilted KT** · 5th May 06, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

I've been thinking a lot about a Celtic tat lately; my wife has even dropped some hints of encouragement, but quite frankly I'm terrified of Hepatitis C (and I really enjoy donating blood).

That Danish tat site is unbelieveable!!!

How about a bit of arm twisting from you inked up guys? Am I being a weenie?

just keep in mind that the closer the skin is to the bone ( like the ankle, for instance) the more it will probably hurt. I've got two tats ( on on each upper arm), and they didn't hurt much. Just depends on your tolerance for pain and the location of the tat.

**Riverkilt** · 5th May 06, 12:10 PM

Yup, the not donating blood for a year is a downside of the tats...but I finally decided to take some time for me. Went back to donating after the year.

A tattoo shop that uses new or sterilized needles and little ink cups shouldn't be a problem if the artist gloves up too.

The pain is soooooo exquisite....but in the rough spots I found the cortizone cream applied before the work helped...think the shops offer similar creams.

Glad I only had to do my sternum one time....and dang, there are some nerves in the fleshy part of my back that respond like the thin skin over bones..

Ron

**bangkok kilt** · 5th May 06, 12:22 PM

Great tats guys. I too am thinking about getting one here soon. Hopefully I'm going to get it done before I leave Turkey. We'll see how the finances go.