15 replies to this topic

[cyborgdreamer]

I'm thinking of getting a tattoo, but as an immortalist I don't want to take any undue risks with my life. Assuming I take all possible precautions to find a safe, sterile facility, can I be reasonably certain that I won't get a bloodborne infection from the needle?

[mitkat]

I'm thinking of getting a tattoo, but as an immortalist I don't want to take any undue risks with my life. Assuming I take all possible precautions to find a safe, sterile facility, can I be reasonably certain that I won't get a bloodborne infection from the needle?

You can be guaranteed to find a very acceptable tattoo shop in any major city. Many shops boast about having the cleanest, most sterile, shop in the area and any serious body modification professional will make a point of showing you that they are using brand new, autoclaved needle/equipment/ink on you, and you watch them dispose of it in a hazardous waste container when you're all done. The risks of having contaminated equipment used are pretty much zero as long as you don't go to a dive to get it done. Doing a little bit of research will find you a quality shop in no time depending on how big a city you live in...the industry is self-policing, very observant and thoroughly interested in hygienic practises...their livelihood depends on it!

As for the tattoos themselves, there isn't much threat to your longevity as long as it's done properly. Allergies to the ink is the most common problem that arises, and it doesn't arise that often. Keloids apparently have formed in some people, however I've yet to see one personally or online. The recent trend in using UV inks, tattoos fairly invisible during the day but that glow under black light, which look really cool, is most likely too cool to be safe and is being used pretty much totally untested. You have to ask for these specifically however and many artists I know refuse to use them.

Being an immortalist, I don't believe you have much to fear from tattooing whatsoever. Finding a clean shop is easy and that eliminates >99.9% of the risk. Like I said, I've never heard of anything even remotely negative anecdotally, I'm not captain tattoo or anything but I have many, many friends whose worst problem has been getting stupid looking tatttoos If you want some good reads on tattoo experiences (complete with glowing experiences as well as a few horror stories) check out bmezine.

The risks are greatly exaggerated in the media and medical community. If this is from ignorance or just stereotyping, possibly both, I dunno. Whenever I've had blood taken (donating and testing), they always cringe when they see I have tattoos and piercings and ask heaps of questions about them. Most nurses seem to assume that all body mods are done in a dirty alleyway somewhere where everyone's got hepatitis... Couldn't be farther from the truth! Hope this helps

Edited by mitkat, 10 July 2008 - 08:40 PM.

[cyborgdreamer]

Thanks, mitkat. That's very reasuring.

[Mia K.]

I'm thinking of getting a tattoo, but as an immortalist

cyborgdreamer,

As you are an Immortalist be certain that you really, really like any tattoo you decide upon!

Cheers,
Mia

Edited by Mia K., 11 July 2008 - 01:15 AM.

[niner]

...assume that all body mods are done in a dirty alleyway somewhere where everyone's got hepatitis...

Some people feel that in order to be authentic, body mods should be done in a dirty alleyway somewhere where everyone's got hepatitis. Extra points if the tattoo artist doesn't speak English, is a dwarf, or a hunchback.

[mitkat]

...assume that all body mods are done in a dirty alleyway somewhere where everyone's got hepatitis...

Some people feel that in order to be authentic, body mods should be done in a dirty alleyway somewhere where everyone's got hepatitis. Extra points if the tattoo artist doesn't speak English, is a dwarf, or a hunchback.

haha, superb lolz all round

[Ben]

Tattoos are awesome. Remember ten years ago when you were going through that stage that, through meditation, you manage to bring its memory to your mind and relive it with a shudder of embarrassment?

Well... tattoos are the coolest because ten years from now you wont have to think at all to remember an embarrassing part of your life. All you will need to do is just look down at your arm and depression and anxiety will be yours. So go for it, immortalist or not immortalist, you're worth it.

[mitkat]

Tattoos are awesome. Remember ten years ago when you were going through that stage that, through meditation, you manage to bring its memory to your mind and relive it with a shudder of embarrassment?

Well... tattoos are the coolest because ten years from now you wont have to think at all to remember an embarrassing part of your life. All you will need to do is just look down at your arm and depression and anxiety will be yours. So go for it, immortalist or not immortalist, you're worth it.

Awww Ben! So cynical, so pessimistic! Do you need a hug?

[cyborgdreamer]

Tattoos are awesome. Remember ten years ago when you were going through that stage that, through meditation, you manage to bring its memory to your mind and relive it with a shudder of embarrassment?

Well... tattoos are the coolest because ten years from now you wont have to think at all to remember an embarrassing part of your life. All you will need to do is just look down at your arm and depression and anxiety will be yours. So go for it, immortalist or not immortalist, you're worth it.

Trust me, I'm not that impulsive. I thought of the design about a year ago but I waited to make sure I wouldn't change my mind.

[lunarsolarpower]

Another thing to keep in mind if it's something you want to keep and enjoy for many decades is to place it where the effects of aging (wrinkles and sagging skin) will be minimal. Perhaps the ankles meet this description?

[cyborgdreamer]

Another thing to keep in mind if it's something you want to keep and enjoy for many decades is to place it where the effects of aging (wrinkles and sagging skin) will be minimal. Perhaps the ankles meet this description?

That's true. Does the side of your shoulder tend to sag much?

[Ben]

Tattoos are awesome. Remember ten years ago when you were going through that stage that, through meditation, you manage to bring its memory to your mind and relive it with a shudder of embarrassment?

Well... tattoos are the coolest because ten years from now you wont have to think at all to remember an embarrassing part of your life. All you will need to do is just look down at your arm and depression and anxiety will be yours. So go for it, immortalist or not immortalist, you're worth it.

Awww Ben! So cynical, so pessimistic! Do you need a hug?

Yes I bloody well do! So there!

[Ghostrider]

Why take any risk? I don't like the idea of having ink injected into my skin. But if you want a tattoo, I think I read somewhere about 5-10 year tattoos, which fade after 5-10 years so it's not so permanent.

[Mixter]

Tattooing of small areas is ok I guess, just get anything like that done hyper sterile by certified people.

Anything beyond small-scale tattoos is crazy though and a mutilation. Here's how far it goes,
something to avoid unless if you want a nice high threescore hsCRP:

WARNING DISTURBING http://www.forwardon...1ee146288f8e6dc WARNING DISTURBING

[Ben]

Tattooing of small areas is ok I guess, just get anything like that done hyper sterile by certified people.

Anything beyond small-scale tattoos is crazy though and a mutilation. Here's how far it goes,
something to avoid unless if you want a nice high threescore hsCRP:

WARNING DISTURBING http://www.forwardon...1ee146288f8e6dc WARNING DISTURBING

Wow he really botched that job. Even I can draw better bamboo shoots than that.

How disgusting is all the dead skin piled up after the proc.?

[mitkat]

Looks like someone's discovering the ancient art of branding and cutting!