Tattoos abroad - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

mangojuice · 05-07-2006, 11:00 AM

So I am getting the itch to get a new tattoo...but leave soon for Europe and Don't really have the time before my trip to get one. Is it absolutely insane to consider getting one over there? I would, of course, wait till the end so that I wouldn't have to worry about sun exposure and the like, considering that it would most likely be on an arm...I was wondering if anyone had decided to commemorate their trip with scarring their bodies for life (so utterly addictive. sorry mom)

Meg

**beergal** · 05-07-2006, 11:22 AM

friends of mine had them done when we lived in budapest. Just make sure you go to a reputable shop, clean needles etc

Prices vary for each country but here in the UK expect to pay £20 upwards

**lauren313** · 05-07-2006, 11:36 AM

Someone asked about this recently, and I'll give you the same advice I gave him, and also some advice I've seen other people give, and I'm sure other people will come along with their own ideas!

I personally wouldn't get a tattoo done abroad. This is for a number of reasons...

First, do you speak the language well enough to be able to successfully convey EXACTLY what it is you want tattooed on you? If you can't convey this correctly, if they start to do something you don't like, how will you let them know what to do instead? (Of course, this isn't an issue if you're in the UK).

Hygiene standards: Not all countries have the same level of hygiene as the US or the UK. You might find that their equipment is not up to scratch, but not feel confident enough to tell them this. You could end up with an infected tattoo.

Touch-ups: If the colour starts to fade, or become blotchy, lots of studios will re-touch them for you for free. If you get it donw abroad, you're not going to be able to take advantage of free touch-ups.

If your tattoo is done somewhere that might get rubbed by your clothing or your pack, even if it's done right at the end, you'll end up doing some damage to it, and being rather uncomfortable.

Actually finding a reputable studio. Unless you get recommendations from someone, you might be at a bit of a loss as to where to get done.

Basically, you said you don't have the time to get one before you go. If you're going to be waiting until the very end of your trip anyway, perhaps you could wait just a few extra days until you get home? Of course, this isn't going to work if you want a tat to specifically commemorate your trip!

I sound like a complete preacher here, don't I? I'm so sorry if I sound like I'm going on and on, I just think it's important to think things through! If you do decide to get one done, and happen to be in London and want a tat there, PM me, and I'll give you the names of some places either I've had good experiences with, or have heard good things about!

**voyd** · 05-07-2006, 01:40 PM

^ Agreed, unless you're getting a fairly simple, no-frills flash piece in an English-speaking area. That's actually what I did - as I got my first tatt ever in A-dam. And it thankfully turned out good, no problems.

I did check out their portfolio and the shop itself first. And I did get it at the end of my trip, so I didn't have to go a full 2 weeks avoiding the sun and keeping it slabbed up with lotion...

**blinkchick2134** · 05-07-2006, 03:09 PM

When I was in Spain I really wanted to get a tattoo. However, all the shops I checked out nobody spoke english and I don't know enough Spanish to describe what I wanted (even though it wasn't complex at all).

If you, or your dad, knows enough of a language I say go for it. If not I say wait or at least make sure the shop you choose is awesome!

thresheld · 05-07-2006, 03:13 PM

I'm really glad someone posted about this! I was rather curious, myself. I may be getting some simple tattoos while abroad, but I'll certainly be careful.

**bellelass** · 05-07-2006, 04:15 PM

1- Make sure its clean! It should look quite a lot like a doctor's office. Also watch them to see how the needles are handled. If you've had one before you know what it should look like. They should take a clean needle from a sealed package to use on you, and a new needle for every color. I guess its ok if they've been sterilised, but thats kind of sketch and I think I would just go to a place that uses packaged, new needles.

2- Check out what they've done in the past. Usually parlours will have albums full of actual things they've done in the shop, in addition to the flash drawings up on the walls and in the portfolios.

3- If possible, go with a local friend. I almost got a little thing done in Byron Bay; I went with my boyfriend who is from the area and had his work done at the same place. Decided against it because I wanted to be able to swim....

4- Unless you want a piece of flash (just a little som-something you can always point to and say yeah man I got that in Prague), have your design already worked out. That said, I would suggest just getting a little one. No full sleeves or anything. Its just easier to take care of. If you've already had a tat and you know how to take care of it, pack the lotion with you. I cant remember the name of the stuff Ive used, but I can dig it up and let you know. Also, its a good idea if you dont know how to take care of it to go to a place here in the states and ask. Usually the people who work in places like that are more than happy to tell you everything you need to know. Such lovely people really.

5- Make sure you have travel insurance, just in case there's any sort of infection or anything. I dont know how common it is, but I know that its hard to maintain usual standards of hygeine while on the road. If you have any problems at all, you need to have a safety net.

Post pics! Personally, I think a tat is a really neat thing to pick up on a trip.

mangojuice · 05-07-2006, 07:36 PM

Hey, thanks for all the advice. If I do decide to get one it will be in Germany or Prague...But thats a big 'if'...I could always just go to the place that I know and trust when I come back home...We'll see I guess. I would definitely have something already drawn, no explaining needed. I (or my friend/brother) have drawn all of the ones I have so far...so I wouldnt get something 'off the wall' or something I couldnt sketch out. I guess I will just have to see,
Meg

astro25e · 05-07-2006, 09:24 PM

Interestig thing, the tatto artist i go to does the healing process differently. its called a dry heal and its supposed to work a lot better and be easier to take care of. when you initially get the tattoo, they put whatever the ointment is and have it completely covered until the next day when you take a shower like normal. clean the tattoo last with just regular soap and make sure its all the way rinsed, then pat it dry with a paper towel. do that once a day for as long as it takes, but it's usually healed in like a week or 2. it's super easy and i wonder if other people have done it that way. my artist said she used to do it the old wash three times a day and keep it covered, but says this way works better for more people. she's always booked, so i assume it works well for people other than myself and my roommates who have all gone to her.

Anyone have tattoos that used the dry heal?

**lauren313** · 05-08-2006, 02:35 AM

For mine, I've always kept them covered for the first 24 hours with the clingfilm they put over it. Then wash the gunk off with very simple soap, and water as hot as I can manage. Then pat dry and keep it uncovered for the whole time. Once the scabs formed, I had to keep them out of water, and apply cream a couple of times a day (something simple like E45). Anyway, that always worked for me!

PLUSCREW · 05-22-2006, 01:20 AM

while tour guiding through europe a couple of summers ago me and one of my passengers decided to pay a visit to the tatoo parlour in prague. we asked the guy on recpetion who had a few and spoke excellent english an he directed us to one just off the old town square. inside was beautifully clean and tidy. the guys wore surgical gloves and spoke enough english to explain the care of the tat and gave us a note with the name of the disinfectant spray to buy from the chemist. i got my tongue pierced and my mate got her ankle done, a cool tribal thing up the left leg. i ended up on my next visit to prague getting my belly button done, but i wouldnt reccommend that to anyone with backpacks that do up around the waist. i had to take it out 6 months later as the rubbing caused it to continually be red and sore.

not nice.
so ask where you are staying and always check it out before committing to the needle.
ciao for now
Katy