Newsgroups: rec.arts.bodyart,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: rec.arts.bodyart: Tattoo FAQ 1/9--Introduction
Followup-To: rec.arts.bodyart
Reply-to: stan AT cosmo.pasadena.ca.us
Approved: news-answers-request AT MIT.Edu
Expires: May 15, 2007
Summary: This posting contains a bibliography of various sources

available on the topic of tattoos. Anyone who wishes to read/post
to the RAB newsgroup, or obtain tattoos should read this first.

Archive-name: bodyart/tattoo-faq/part1
Last-modified: April 20, 2007
Posting-frequency: Monthly

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This FAQ is maintained by Stan Schwarz <stan-rabfaq AT cosmo.pasadena.ca.us>

If you are reading this file using a web browser, and the file you are
looking at is from www.cis.ohio-state.edu, click on the other archive
sites to access the FAQs instead. Ohio State's site is no longer
maintained, and continues to provide outdated versions of FAQs.

You can retrieve a copy of the FAQ via anonymous ftp from the MIT FTP
server: <ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/bodyart>.

The FAQs are also available on thw World Wide Web at
<http://www.1134.org/tattoofaq>.

This is Part 1 of the rec.arts.bodyart non-piercing FAQ file that is
posted on a monthly basis (in the latter half of the month) and includes
information about everything but piercing that might concern bodyart. If
you would like to know what rec.arts.bodyart is as a newsgroup, read the
separate posting entitled: "What is rec.arts.bodyart?", posted twice a
month.

All of the Tattoo FAQs and Alternative Bodyart FAQ are formatted to be
html-friendly. That means that most news readers will allow you to jump
to the next subject by pressing ^G (control-g).

The rec.arts.bodyart Tattoo FAQ is broken up into 9 parts:
1/9--Introduction <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
2/9--Getting a tattoo
3/9--Sanitation
4/9--Conventions
5/9--Artist list
6/9--Care of new tattoos
7/9--General care/removal
8/9--Misc. info
9/9--Bibliography

There is also a short, separate FAQ on alternative bodyart, which
includes brandings and cuttings.

PURPOSE OF THIS FAQ:

This FAQ serves to disseminate information on the most frequently asked
questions about the basics of tattoos and tattooing. If you are
interested in learning more about the rec.arts.bodyart newsgroup itself,
read the "What is rec.arts.bodyart" file that I post twice a month.

While bodyart has been around for thousands of years, it is currently
experiencing an almost unprecedented popularity in the US and in Europe.
However, the general population of developed countries still regard it
with some disdain, especially against those who have A LOT of any type
bodyart. The purpose of this FAQ is not to raise these issues or to
change such views, but to educate those who are interested in learning
more about tattoos. Regardless of motive, tattooing is a very personal
choice. Information in this FAQ should help you make a wiser decision
about getting inked, since the reversing process is not easy.

I have tried to include the contributor's name and email address where
possible, both for accountability reasons and for obtaining further
information. Contributions, while welcome, may not always be added
depending on whether they fit into the purpose of this FAQ.

COPYRIGHT AND DISSEMINATION

Under the Berne Convention, this document is Copyright (c) 1997 by Lani
Teshima-Miller, all rights reserved. Permission is granted for it to be
reproduced electronically on any system connected to the various
networks which make up the Internet, Usenet, and FidoNet so long as it
is reproduced in its entirety, unedited, and with this copyright notice
intact. Web sites are included. Individual copies may also be printed
for personal use.

This document was produced for free redistribution. If you paid money
for it, not only did you do so unnecessarily, but none of the money went
to the person who did the work of producing the documents.

Sharing the files on an individual basis: You may copy, archive (ftp and
web pages) and disseminate the entire set of FAQs electronically and in
print on an individual, non-commercial basis. If you must break up the
sections, break them up in the format already separated for you. Do not
create your own sections. Do not add your own information in the FAQ.

Sharing the files through a BBS: If you maintain a BBS and wish to have
these files available, please include a notice of how to obtain the most
recent copy of the FAQs.

Creating your own html pages for WWW: Add whatever you want to your
pages, as long as you leave my FAQs intact. Note that the "official" web
page I list in the FAQ is: http://www.1134.org/tattoo-faq.

Which is the FAQ maintainer's URL. Individuals who wish only to link to the
FAQs may select http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bodyart/.

While you are allowed individual copies of the FAQ, that does NOT mean
my FAQ is in the public domain. To quote Jeffrey Knapp, "Lately,
spaghetti publishers have taken to exploiting FAQs and lists, often
publishing them without obtaining written permission. This is an abuse
of copyright laws, and threatens the continued viability of the FAQ
system which benefits us all."

All of my FAQs may be cited as: Teshima-Miller, Lani (1997)
"rec.arts.bodyart _______* Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)" Usenet
rec.arts.bodyart, available via World Wide Web: www.faqs.org//faqs/bodyart/,
~180 pages *I maintain all of the tattoo files, "Alternate Bodyart"
file, "Welcome & Netiquette" file, and the Purple Pages Directory.

You MUST obtain prior permission from me before you make the FAQs
available commercially, including reproducing/distribution in any
electronic or print format that is not a pointer to the archives (e.g.
CD-ROM, diskettes). I usually give permission as long as I get a copy of
your product.

You need not obtain special permission to quote parts of this FAQ for
academic research purposes (although you must cite this FAQ).

If you are not sure how to cite electronic information, a must-have is
_Electronic Style: A Guide to Citing Electronic Information_ by Xia Li
and Nancy B. Crane (Westport, 1993). It will tell you how to properly
cite FAQs, posts, private email as well as FTPs, etc.

*IF YOU ARE A MEDIA REPORTER OR JOURNALIST, you are explicitly requested
to email me prior to using material in, or quoting from this FAQ. I will
respond to you personally and will often provide you with additional
quotable sound bites if you wish.*

I will gladly accept submissions from artists interested in discussing
technique, style, or the reasons they got into the field.

This FAQ was originally compiled by Paul Davies (Synthetic Man) at
pdavies AT alchemy.chem.utoronto.ca, with contributions from various
people. The rights and responsibilities to maintain this FAQ was passed
on to Lani Teshima-Miller in Summer 1993, and has since grown in size
by at least 350%. It was passed to Stan Schwarz in 1998.

If you would like to offer suggestions, ideas or submissions, please
email me at <stan-rabfaq AT cosmo.pasadena.ca.us>

If I have any advice for those who decide to get inked, it is: To shop
around, to ask a lot of questions, to not fret about the cost too much,
to always ask to look at the artists' sample photos, and to get
something that's custom, significant and meaningful. That thing's gonna
be with you for a looong time. Oh--and "Think Ink!"

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The 9 parts of the Tattoo FAQ files of rec.arts.bodyart, and the
information provided in each:

1/9--Introduction

2/9--Getting a tattoo: Does it hurt? Should I get one at all?
WHY do I want one? Religious (Christian) arguments A
temporary alternative? Where do I find a good artist, and what should
I look for in a tattoo artist? How to look around in the shop
Asking to see their portfolio What to look for in their portfolio
What kinds of questions to ask What sorts of things to look
for in a shop How much does it cost to get a tattoo? How should I
act once I get in that chair? Where on my body should I get a tattoo?

3/9--Sanitation: Can I get infectious diseases from tattoo needles?
What to look for in a sanitary shop environment. Can I get AIDS from
tattooing? Can my tattoos get infected? How to look for
sterilization Are there any medical conditions that will preclude me
from getting a tattoo? What is the Alliance of Professional
Tattooists?

4/9--Conventions: When and where are upcoming conventions? Tattoo
Conventions: What are they all about? What types of conventions are
available? Why would I want to attend? What's the format?
What's the atmosphere? What kind of tattoo contests are there? Can
I actually get a tattoo at a convention? What else can I find at
these conventions?

5/9--Artist list Who is a good/bad tattoo artist near me? US West
Coast. US Midwest. US Southeast. US East Coast. Canada.
EUROPE/UK. EUROPE/POLAND. ASIA/Japan

6/9--Care of new tattoos: General advice from a medical doctor. What
are some bad things for my new tattoo? Sauna or steamroom.
Sunlight. Preparation-H. How do I care for my new tattoo?.
Suggested Method #1: The Minimal Moisturizer Method. Suggested Method
#2: The Pat-with-Listerine Method. Suggested Method #3: The
Wait-24-Hours-to-Take-Off-Dressing Method. Suggested Method #4: The
Coconut-Oil-Itch-Relief Method. Suggested Method #5: The Huck
Spalding Method. Suggested Method #6: The Noxzema Method

7/9--General care/removal

How does weight gain/loss affect a tattoo?How does lifting
weights affect a tattoo? How does pregnancy affect a tattoo near the
abdomen? Can a tattoo be removed? Get it reworked--cover-up.
Get it reworked--touch-up. Get it removed--Tissue Expansion. Get
it removed--Sal Abration. Get it removed--Staged Excision. Get
it removed--medical lasers. Innovative Government Incentive Program
for Tattoo Removal. One person's decision toward tattoo removal

8/9--Misc. info: Are there glow-in-the-dark tattoos? Where can I
get a Japanese "irezumi" tattoo? When did tattooing start? How
does a modern tattoo machine work? How long do I have to wait before I
can donate blood? Tattoos and allergies. Tattoos and MRI. How do I
become a tattoo artist?

9/9--Bibliography: Are there references about tattoos I could look up?
Tattoos in movies and videos. Newspaper articles about tattoos/bodyart.
Magazine and journal articles about tattoos/bodyart. Books about
tattoos/bodyart (reviews where available). Tattoo organizations.
Resource material for custom tattoo design ideas. Current tattoo
magazines in print

The one-part Alternative Bodyart FAQ has the following: What is
branding and how is it done? What is scarring? What are cuttings?

WHAT TO EXPECT IN UPCOMING REVISIONS

--List of artists (ongoing)
--What kind of colors are available? What are the inks made of? What is
it about red ink that causes allergic reactions in some?
--Where can I get good ideas for designs? Part of a
bibliography. Note: In part 9 there is an extensive bibliography on
Celtic design resources by tattooist Pat Fish.
--How is"traditional" tattooing done without the tattoo machine?
--What is the history behind Japanese tattoos? How is it done?
--What Polynesian islands were into tattooing?
--What tat magazines can I look at for examples of artists' works?
--Are there any tattoo museums I could visit?

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This ends "rec.arts.bodyart: Tattoo FAQ 1/9--Introduction." This should
be followed by "rec.arts.bodyart: Tattoo FAQ 2/9--Getting a tattoo." --