On Tattoo School...

     There's a lot of buzz going around the industry about the documentary series called 'Tattoo School', ranging from simple rants, to a full-blown industry boycott of The Learning Channel.  While there are plenty of elements to what we've seen on this show (and others, like L.A., or Miami Ink) that illuminate many questionable factors, such as lax aseptic technique, poor customer service, or a rushed approach to technical application.  This is an opportunity for the prospective tattoo client, and the budding tattoo apprentice to gain valuable insight into seeking an experienced professional, and putting forth the effort in learning the craft with patience, and dedication.
      "Rome was not built in a day." "Diligence is the mother of all good fortune." "A minute to learn, a lifetime to master." And, "If something if worth doing, it's worth doing right." are words to consider in the case of something like 'Tattoo School'.  This is especially relevant, considering a traditional Tattoo, or Piercing apprenticeship runs for a year or more.

       There are many in the industry who lambaste the the very notion of Tattoo School, or even programs like New York Ink.  What is unfortunate is that instead of seeing these programs for the grimoire that is presented, many consider these entertainment-based programs to be failed representations of the 'real' industry.  Yet like any grimoire; these shows demonstrate largely what to not do, and for those intent on being on the other side of the needle, what to avoid.
     

Taking care in consideration

   Getting a new piece of body art is no easy prospect, be it a piercing, tattoo, or some other modification; the options, fear of pain, and cost can be daunting for anyone.  At Chameleon; we always encourage our customers not only to take careful consideration into what it is they want to have done, whether it is as simple as an earlobe piercing, or as elaborate as a full-back tattoo.
   Often, the most challenging part of the body art  process is choosing what to get.  The internet provides a wealth of graphic resources, which can be especially helpful for those considering getting a tattoo, though it can also be a boon to those seeking more exotic body modifications, and piercings not ordinarily found. Though as happens quite frequently for those who 'click' with a prospective or previous artist, references of this nature can be rendered surplus to requirement.
   In these turbulent economic times; the average consumer must take a very close look at cost and value in all areas of their day-to-day spending.  An important factor that is often overlooked in favor of low-price, is value,  whether or not the short term savings is outweighed by long-term satisfaction is as important as any other factor of your body art experience.

Welcome to Chameleon Life!

   Here at Chameleon Ink we're always striving to stay at the forefront of the Industry, when it comes to Professional Tattoos and Body-piercing we've led the way since 1996 and now, years into the advent of the blog-sphere we've advanced to yet another corner of the internet!
   Chameleon Life is all about bringing you hand-picked awesomeness from every facet of the Body Art and Body Modification lifestyle.
   For our first post; we're taking a look at Piercing aftercare products and technique, which are the best? Which are the worst? Aftercare is a subject of much contention, with lots of folks divided on which works best, and what not to do.
    The first this you have to remember when it comes to aftercare, is that whatever you're doing to take care of this wound you need to be consistent.  Flip-flopping between regimens and products will offer little else but complications and slows down your overall progress.

     A good piercing aftercare routine (for non-oral body piercings, repeated 2 - 3 times daily) should consist of:
              1. Soaking your piercing with an isotonic (A fantastic term, that in relation to piercing aftercare, means that it more or less matches your own body's salinity.) saline solution, or a home-made soak (8oz warm Distilled water, to an 8th of a teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt, mixed in a clean disposable cup.) to loosen and soften secretions. A good soak-time is about five to ten minutes long.
              2. Wiping these softened secretions away with a cotton-swab, hypo-allergenic anti-bacterial soap may be used to facilitate the removal, and act as an active sanitizer.  Take care not to use too much pressure, or over-zealously scrub, this can cause more hassle than it's worth.
              3. Rinsing your piercing thoroughly with warm after soaking and swabbing.  It's very important to remove any saline from your skin, if there is a sufficient amount of it left; the salt will recrystallize on the surface of your skin, drying it out in the process.  When the skin around a piercing is dry; it takes much longer to heal than healthy skin.
        Lastly, drying... Air-drying your piercing is important to note, as it is the least-traumatic method available, though it can be a bit time consuming if you have places to be.  Using a fresh paper towel to pat your piercing dry is an excellent alternative, just be sure to be gentle in doing so.
   
     In addition to the above; keeping your piercing safe from trauma is crucial to uneventful healing, as well as being careful to not touch your piercing if you haven't just washed your hands with soap and warm water.  Being consistent with your aftercare will provide you with the best results possible, remember that most piercings  take at least four months to heal completely.  A question that is often asked is, 'How long should I keep up with my aftercare?'  While there are the occasional exceptions; a good rule to follow when it comes to estimating how long you're going to be committing to an aftercare routine, is to take the average time it takes for a given piercing to heal, and plan to maintain an aftercare regimen for two thirds of that period. You'll definitely want to maintain your piercing regularly even after this initial routine, but frequency is less of a concern. Yet keeping your piercing safe and clean will always be of great importance if you plan on keeping it for as long as possible.

     Folks concerned with Oral piercings should know that if an oral piercing has an external opening; the same aftercare mentioned above is recommended, with the addition of rinsing with diluted alcohol-free / sugar-free mouthwash and water after meals, non-water beverages, and using tobacco products. Oral sex should be avoided for at least 4 weeks, and should always be hygienic.