So, you’re in Thailand, and you’re planning to get a tattoo in Phuket – a well-kept secret (not anymore after this) of the southern country, with miles of beautiful sandy beaches, rainforests and sights. The question of many: where do I start?
Before answering that, read on about the precautions and warnings of having one. On the other hand, you can start by researching Thailand and the city of Phuket. Make sure to memorize any cultural dos and don’ts and take note of any available parlors there.
Many may seem daunted to get one from any other place than their own motherland, but you’ll find it’s not as difficult as it may seem. In truth it’s just simply just how much you’ve researched about your chosen tattoo parlor that your experience solely lies on. But with so many though, how will you ever find the right one?
Luckily, you’ve stumbled across this article. This is every tattoo-aspiring greenhorn’s (or veteran’s) digest to all things tattoo in Phuket. Avoid mistakes and save yourself some of the untoward long-term results from your journey.
On Choosing The Perfect Tattoo Parlor
I’m sure all of us have studied thoroughly before a quiz one way or another. The reason being we wanted to avoid any mistakes and get a high grade for our self-gratification. It’s the same with finding a tattoo artist or parlor that suits you. Doing an in-depth research will not only save you from wasting time asking too many questions, but it will give you a bird’s eye view of the parlor and their services as a whole. Especially when you’re in a foreign land, where rules are still unknown and the language a little too hard to grasp.
- Research about the parlor or artist beforehand
Most, if not all, of us have tried researching the restaurant we were going to eat in. Why do we do this? For one, we want to see if we can afford all the fancy stuff it offers, and second, we want to make sure it’s credible.
The same can be said when you research about your chosen artist/parlor ahead of time. One addition to the stated reasons above unique to this case would be seeing if the establishment can make your desired tattoo come true. It won’t hurt to be cautious.
- Make sure it is licensed
This is a big “duh” for most of us, but surprisingly not everyone checks the credibility of any of their services. Be sure never to skip this rule. In doing so, you will expose yourself to unwanted risks, like permanent scarring and having a low-quality tattoo… forever. Yes, you can remove it via laser removal, but do you really want to waste money and time? If not, only let licensed professionals and a credible parlor handle your tattoo.
- Make sure the tattoo artist is someone you can work with
Need we say more? You wouldn’t want to disagree with them at every turn during a consultation. Much worse, you don’t want to leave the parlor with unfinished work because both of you don’t see eye to eye. There can be other causes, such as language barriers, but tattoo parlors with sites like https://inkedmachine.com assure you their staff are English-speaking, and the establishment itself is Australian-owned. It is highly recommended to always pick an amiable artist that you can hold a conversation with, to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Prioritize good hygienic practices
If license assurance is the silver rule, this is the golden one. Though both rules seem the same, good hygiene focuses on your bodily safety. If the shop you chose has a good site, offers great service, and seems to have good feedback, chances are it’s clean, tidy, and hygienic. But nothing beats seeing the shop for yourself.
Observe how they give service. Do they take the needle and equipment directly from a sealed package? Do they have gloves on when they handle customers? Ignoring this rule will give you the worst results, as bad hygiene will expose you to unwanted diseases, like skin infections, Hepatitis B and C, and in severe cases, HIV.
After-Care Tips (For The Newbies)
So you followed the tips above, right? You made sure professionals handled your tattoo, picked a clean parlor, etc., and finally got your first tattoo. It’s stinging, aching, and absolutely worth it. What happens now? Of course, you make sure your cool tattoo stays like that for years to come with a little TLC and avoid any after-session infections.
1. Listen and follow your tattoo artist’s advice – Mostly, they will introduce an ointment to follow-up with the session or advise you to come over for some touch-ups. Whatever they say, you can never go wrong by following it. After all, they’re professionals.
2. Moisturize frequently – One mistake a first-timer makes is not moisturizing enough, or over moisturizing. Applying a thin layer of unscented lotion packed with vitamin A&D will not only help with the healing process but keep your skin from tearing for another potential cut around the tattoo. Vitamin A helps in wound healing as well as a lot of other good benefits for your skin. Vitamin D does the same but provides a photoprotection from UV sun rays.
3. Avoid direct sunlight – Speaking of UV rays, avoid exposing your tattoos to direct sunlight, especially in the first 6 weeks. If unavoidable, use ample sunscreen all over your tattoo to avoid blistering. Think of it as a fresh wound that’ll worsen if sunburn were to occur. Phuket is a sunny place, so consider skipping on swimming their clear blue waters just until your tattoo is done healing.
4. Clean it regularly – Just as your tattoo artist observed proper hygiene, so should you. Not that you should use sterile technique. Having clean hands when cleaning your tattoo should do. Use a mild soap and some water twice a day, once after you wake up and just before you go to bed. Do not use alcohol instead of the ones mentioned above, as it may cause reddening and inflammation than do good.
When getting a tattoo, the rules apply wherever you may go. The only thing you should really look out for is respect for the culture and their own set of policies. Remember to enjoy Phuket, Thailand and enjoy their artistry on your skin, life’s too short to skip on it with doubts about your location.
