Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo

140 The Tattoo Relationship
Following the application and bandaging of the tattoo the recipient
is routinely instructed on how to care for the new acquisition
during the healing process. Commonly, the client is given a set of
written instructions (often printed on the back of the tattooist's
business card) in addition to verbal advice on hygiene. While
there is some variation in aftercare instructions, the extent of the
client's adherence has significant impact on the quality of the final
product. Recipients who disregard or haphazardly follow hygiene
instructions are routinely defined as problematic by
tattooists. Tattoos that become infected or heal improperly will
typically loose color or have spotty outlines. Consequently, the
"bad" client who fails to comply with aftercare instructions impedes
the tattooist's work.
[Quotes from fieldnotesJ as I come in Ray is finishing up doing
some work on a young latino guy who has a classic spread
eagle design on his right forearm. Apparently this is the
second time the guy has come in for a recoloring. As he
finished the bandaging Ray gives the kid the standard card
with aftercare instructions and says with some heat, "Now
keep it clean. Leave the bandage on for 24 hours-that's this
time tomorrow. Don't get it wet; don't put anything on it." "Not
even Bacitracin?" the guy asks. "NOTHING! Don't fuck with it!
When the scab comes off you can do anything you want with it,
but I don't want to have to do this again."
Much of the legal and medical concern with tattooing centers on
problems of infection or the communication of certain diseases
due to improper or sloppy sterilization procedures (see Goldstein,
1979). Even if they themselves rigidly exercise hygienic caution,
tattooists whose clients develop infections run the risk of encountering
legal problems or coming into conflict with local health authorities.
Further, clients who are dissatisfied with the quality of
their tattoo-even if they, rather than the tattooist, are at faultmay
not return for additional work or recommend the studio to
associates who desire tattoos. Because satisfied clients are repeat
customers and the major source of new business, most tattooists
will recolor or reline a piece that is flawed due to improper healing.
This service is typically prOVided free of charge and can affect