Here at The Aloha Monkey Tattoo Shop, we know there are a lot of questions asked every day by those that aren’t elbows deep in the tattooing world, and we have a few good tattoo tips that we would like to share. Whether you have more tattoos than bare skin or it’s your first time into a shop, there are some important things that everyone getting tattooed should keep in mind. We asked our artists and our owner, Josh Arment, what 5 things your artists wish you knew before getting your tattoo, and these are their answers.
Tattooing is its own unique art form that much like every other art form has its best techniques for the specific medium. There are certain things that can be done, but probably shouldn’t. We are organic, carbon beings and tattoo ink is carbon based so that it can exist along with our skin and last for a lifetime. So, it needs to be used correctly so you don’t end up with something that looks akin to a sharpie bleeding into paper towel down the road.
When we say, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.,” we are talking about the fact that there are techniques in tattooing that are the way they are to make sure they stay looking good for years to come and everything jives with our carbon makeup as it should. You can totally tattoo whatever image you want, but when your artist suggests a change to the design, it’s more often than not for a good reason.
Tattoo artists don’t expect you to know everything there is to know about tattooing. Just like a mechanic isn’t going to expect you to know everything about cars and how to build them. But, we’re experienced enough to give you guidance on what’s best for your tattoo. For over 25 years, The Aloha Monkey Tattoo has focused on taking on artists that are passionate about what they do, take the time to hone their skills, and can create the best tattooing experience possible for every client that walks through the door. Artists like that are the best to get your work done with because they truly care about your experience and the quality/longevity of your tattoo.
It has taken years of practice and training for good tattoo artists to fine tune their craft, so every outline and shading technique used is intentional for the medium to create the best results. Not all art makes a good tattoo. So, one of the best tattoo tips is that if you come to an artist with a design and they tell you a few modifications should be made for the best results, trust their experience.
The age old question of “How much is xyz?” comes up all too often in the tattoo world. It’s normal for individuals to be cost conscious; however, there are a few things to keep in mind before you ask the question or say that a tattoo is too expensive.
Tattoos are a luxury item. Your skin is finite in the amount that you have and therefore, you want something of quality considering a tattoo is going to be there for as long as you live. Tattoos are also something that can never be taken from you. It’s a way to express yourself every single day with a piece of art that is unique to you. And you are priceless, therefore, tattooed skin of yours is too.
Another thing to keep in mind when setting up a tattoo session is making sure that your only focus is on the experience of the artist and not the price of the piece. You could easily go to the cheapest artist in the world, but you get what you pay for. Which brings us back to one of our most important tattoo tips - “Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good.” You and your skin are worth more than risking a bad experience just for a lower price.
When getting a tattoo, not all artists are in it for the passion of creating incredible art for their clients with quality in mind. This is why research is so important and checking to make sure that your artist is dedicated to tattooing. Tattooing is not a part-time job, it’s a full-time passion and your artist should feel that way about what they are doing.
Though this could be tied into paying for the experience of the tattooer, we thought it deserved its own highlight. The tattooer you pick plays a big role in the peace of mind that you are in someone’s chair that truly cares about what they are doing for their clients. It’s usually pretty easy to tell the ones who have dedicated their lives to tattooing from the ones that are just in it for the paycheck.
You’ll also want to make sure that the artist you are going for is familiar with the type of tattoo you are getting. Not every artist has perfected every genre. You may have someone that is incredible with American Traditional tattoos, but doesn’t do realism for a detailed idea that you have. So, you would want to find someone that is comfortable with the style and design that you are looking for. Most tattoo artists will tell you if they are uncomfortable with the art you are asking for and if you are with a good artist, they may even give you a good recommendation for someone who would be a better fit. A good artist won’t take on something they aren’t 100% sure they can execute.
Just do a little bit of research and see if you can find a few referrals or reviews on your artist. And if you get a bad vibe from them, trust your gut… It’s usually right.
You know those pages of tattoos that artists post to social media or frame in their shop? They are called flash and they are actually meant to be tattooed! Artists spend a lot of time on flash and create them to not only showcase their work but as works available for tattooing.
Flash designs are historically a distillation of every part of life, passion, love , patriotism, satire, romance, bravado, desire, seduction etc.
The origin of flash was to set up shop somewhere with your pre-drawn designs to catch the eye of potential clients. Whether it was to get the exact image or possibly adding to a tattoo idea, they would have you out of there with new ink “in a flash.” So, yes! Get those flash designs if you like them.
One of the tattoo tips that isn’t talked about nearly enough is finding a reputable tattoo shop. Not all shops are created equal and you should do more than just Google something like, “tattoo walk ins near me.” Do some research.
A good analogy to use for this is, if you hire a contractor to remodel your bathroom and handle your plumbing, you are most likely going to ask if they are licensed, insured, have experience, and check some reviews to make sure they are trustworthy. If the contractor that pulls up is completely unorganized, has an over abundance of reviews talking about bad experiences or corner cutting workmanship, and doesn’t have the right certifications, you would show them the door. Why wouldn’t you do the same research for a tattoo shop?
You always want to make sure that they care about the clients walking through the door, they have their certifications, and they keep a clean and orderly shop. There are a lot of people in the world that think they will open up a shop and everything will be smooth sailing. However, there is a certain level of passion that needs to be met or exceeded to create a real space that is going to be safe for anyone that walks into it.
“Stay in your body.” This may seem trivial, but tattooing is a difficult art form because it’s one of the only mediums where your canvas can move. So, staying present for your tattoo is important to make sure you get the best tattoo and experience possible.
We get it. Some sessions are long and you want to check your phone or tell your friends that you’re getting some sick new ink. However, every time you move to grab your phone, your whole body moves which can create a more difficult time for your artist. Be present and be in your body. Getting a tattoo is a whole experience that you should be there for. So, no FaceTiming, try not to fidget, and if you want to look at it once in a while, let your artist know so that you don’t shift your body when they aren’t ready for it. If you need a break to send a couple texts or make a call, tell your artist.
The biggest tattoo tip take away from all of this should be to do your research. Here at The Aloha Monkey Tattoo, we strive to provide the best possible tattooing experience and hope that others are doing the same, but checking to make sure your artist and shop care about you is so important. The Aloha Monkey Tattoo has been a staple business in tattooing for over 25 years and are truly passionate about the tattoo industry. So, the next time you are thinking about booking a tattoo session, keep these things in mind and enjoy being in the moment when that needle starts buzzing.
In recent years, microblading has quickly gained traction in the beauty world and is booming with people looking for a low maintenance option to keep their brows looking amazing. So, let’s go through some microblading FAQ to help you discover more about the process and why so many people are making the switch.
Eric Perfect sits down to talk with Aloha Monkey Tattoo’s own tattoo superstar Josh Arment!
- So we're just showing you some of the gems here at the Aloha Monkey. This is an original Ed Hardy painting. Believe I got it in 2005. It is on red amate paper, so the paper's the red, and then Ed did a series of these where he did different silhouettes, and inside the silhouette he drew or he painted quite a bit of different imagery inside each silhouette, so he did one that was fudo, he did this native one, he did a cowboy, and so it was a series on this handmade amate paper, and I got to see this in 2001, when I got my chest done, it was in the San Francisco Museum and so I got to see that along with the other ones, and by the time I got my hands on it in 2005, it was the last one left, Chris Trevino got the rest of them, good on you, Chris. But yeah, it's just an amazing piece, and I was fortunate enough to be able to seize it. Hung in my house for quite a few years, and then when we moved into the big shop, I brought it over here, because it was the perfect centerpiece for this big room that we got, so it's one of my favorite pieces.
- So, this is our flash, one of our flash walls here in the shop, and it is all Mike Malone stuff. This is mostly from his 1999 set where he, if, whoever bought the first, I forget how many sheets, er, the first however many sets you got an original with it. And, a flash is just super interesting and it's something that's always spoken to me cause it's just, like Ed put it so well, it's just a distillation of everything in life. Drama, to sex, to love, uh, bravado, faith. And so, Malone being one of the best designers of flash, he would always come up with really interesting sheets. They always said something, they had some type of wording. There was always something on these sheets that was for everybody, you know? Uh, not each sheet was like, for men only. I mean, there was always some little, cute rose, or, you know. But it got people looking around. It wasn't like a single sheet of tigers, or a single sheet of bats. It was like, it was just a spread out idea source. And so it just got you visually looking through the whole shop. And that's what I really like about it. It's all done in watercolor, you know? So, now-a-days people come in, they say they want a watercolor tattoo, and it's like, I know what they're referring to. They want that smeared outside the line business, but, these were all done in watercolor. And, uh, that's traditionally how all flash was painted, and still is. So, this is a great wall.
- This is a Battle Royale depiction based off an Ed Hardy Battle Royale that he did. But this piece was created by me that same summer that Richard was staying with me in 2009 Uzzy was coming through to do a guest spot. And so me and Uzzy were gonna work on this Battle Royale and just have a little painting party but Richard comes in and hates the way that we're doing the snake and so he just kinda over takes it. And so that's what was wrong with our entire snake drawing and so eventually he took out the snake Uzzy took out the eagle, and I took out the dragon. But it was fun, little collaboration between us three.
The mission of the Last Sparrow Tattoo Forum is to help preserve the craft of GOOD tattooing and to serve as an educational resource for those who want to learn the difference between good and bad tattoos. There are more bad than good tattoo artists out there, so it is more important than ever to do your research before getting tattooed.
Be sure to watch our LST Tattoo Artist Interview Videos, connect with other tattoo fans in the Tattoo Forum, browse through thousands of tattoo pictures in the Tattoo Picture Gallery, follow your favorite Member Blog, or read some Tattoo Shop Reviews.
Tara has years of experience piercing, and her enthusiasm for the trade shines through in all aspects of her conduct. Her bedside manner and knowledge provides the best experience for clients of all ages. Tara's passion for education leaves all of her clientele with the knowledge needed to properly care for their new piercing and ensures a successful healing process. Whether you've had numerous piercings or if it's your first -Tara's expertise will put any client at ease. Stop by and meet her, you're guaranteed to leave with a smile and hopefully something sparkly!
Josh Arment: Hey, I'm Josh Arment. Thank you for coming to The Aloha Monkey and getting your tattoo. I appreciate it. I might not be the person that tattooed you, but I'd just like to give you my two cents on how to take care of your tattoo. Attached to this email is going to be a PDF. It's going to spell it out all for you, but what I'm going to provide you right now is a little bit more in depth.
So basically your band is just going to come off in like three to four hours. You're going to take it off. You're going to wash it real good with soap and hot water. When you wash it, I just want you to use a skin to skin contact. I don't want you to use a wash cloth, no sponges, nothing abrasive, but just good skin to skin contact and don't feel like you have to ginger around with it. You can actually push on it and get the lymph off. The lymph is the white blood cells that are trying to create a scab. We don't want scabs here. Scabs equal bad healing tattoos.
So, you use the hot water. It's going to sting, It's going to be like sunburn. Soap; the soap, I would say, like a antibacterial soap, like a Dial, a Palmolive, some kind of dish soap is a really good soap. I like to use liquid soaps. So, you're going to wash it real good with soap and hot water. Press on it and then you're going to blot it dry. Something with a clean towel or paper towel, not something you've used in your house all week. You get a nice fresh hand towel out or a paper towel. You're going to blot it dry. You don't want to scrub it again; no abrasive contact with the tattoo.
Then what I want you to do is put a thin coat of Aquaphor or A&D ointment on it. Now what that's going to do, and when I say thin, I mean super thin, like you don't want to look like John Candy at the beach with a bunch of sunblock on the top. You want to have it rubbed into the skin. We're looking for a matte finish, not a gloss finish.
So when you rub that into the tattoo, I want you to make sure that it doesn't have a reflective nature or any kind of sheen to it. It's got to be worked into the skin and then what I would like you to do is, if you're going to be wearing clothing around this thing or sleeping on this thing, I personally, this won't be in the PDF, but I personally like to see somebody wash it, put the Aquaphor or the A&D on it, and then put Saran Wrap on it.
Now the Saran Wrap is kind of a situation that keeps it from sticking to your sheets, keeps it from sticking to your articles of clothing. You know, you're a business person, you're trying to go into the work the next day. So what I recommend is having a nice layer of Saran Wrap over that tattoo and just ignore it while you're at work. When you get home from work, then you're going to take the Saran Wrap off. You know, you've got like your evening time, you want to take the Saran Wrap off, wash it immediately with soap and hot water, and then just let it air dry throughout the evening. Maybe you're washing it like every two hours as you start to see it sweat almost like an upper eyebrow or like your upper lip sweats during exercise, when you see it to start sweat like that, I want you to wash it again; soap and hot water. That's the lymph coming to the top and that's what we don't want. We don't want the scab.
So you're going to kind of monitor it that way throughout the evening and then right before bed, you're going to wash it one last time with soap and hot water. Again, skin to skin contact, and then you're going to wrap it in Saran Wrap.
Now here's the deal about the Saran Wrap. If you just wrap it in Saran Wrap, you're creating a bacterial situation. It's like a hot bed for infection. You don't want that. What you do want is to wash it and then put the Saran Wrap on it. Then you're creating a clean environment where it's not going to stick to your clothing. It's not going to stick to your sheets. Another thing just to know about tattoos is that you don't want to touch something and then touch the tattoo. Most people are like trying to pull lint off of it. No, your hand is touched. Your belt is touched, your jeans, that's bacteria. You don't want to have that happen. So the only contact you make with it, touching the tattoo, is when you're washing it.
So in the morning, when you get up in the morning, after the Saran Wrap evening, you take the Saran Wrap off, you immediately wash it. It's going to have a bunch of ink in there. You're not losing your tattoo. It's going to be fine. The ink is just the excess that's coming out of you and let it go; like wash it off. It's going to look like a black mess, but wash that off. When you're washing it, the hot water opens the pores, so you don't want to use cold water. If it does feel swollen, it's around an elbow or something, you might ice it over the Saran Wrap, but you don't want to just make contact with it with any cold nature substance at all; no water, no ice, no nothing. Everything that you touch it with should be hot because that's going to open the pores up and create the ability to let it release.
After about three days of that, washing, Saran Wrap, washing, Saran Wrap, then you can just have your tattoo out and air-dry. Now most people are going to tell you to use like a Lubriderm substance or some kind of lotion. I personally don't believe in toxic lotions. I would use a coconut oil. Coconut oil is amazing because it's antibacterial and it absorbs into the skin. Most lotions sit on the surface of the skin and so I want you to use the coconut oil because it's going to go into your skin. It's going to draw the ink inward. You can use coconut oil through the duration of the tattoo, through two weeks of it, and it'll just be the the number one lubricant that you use.
We thank you again for coming to The Aloha Monkey. We hope you enjoyed your tattoo experience and we look forward to seeing you again. Thanks.
