Generally speaking, tattoos are very personal and can become a whole lot more personal by getting a tattoo with ashes. If you’ve lost someone you’ve loved than a great way to keep them in your memory forever is by using their cremation ashes in a tattoo.
It’s a beautiful way to honor a past souls existence while celebrating their life. If you’re a sentimental person and love profanity then a tattoo with ashes is something you should look into getting.
How is a tattoo with ashes done?
The process of getting a tattoo with ashes is interesting. There are a few things that need to be done before getting started. All these steps are taken in order to get the ashes properly incorporated in the tattoo ink.
- The ashes go through a sieve in order to remove any dust, particles and any other large lumps. This step is very important because the ashes need to be extremely even and consistent. The last thing your tattoo artist will want is a few inconsistent pieces of ash that may interfere with the inks consistency.
- After the ashes have been sifted they need to be properly sterilized. The sterilization process is simple; the ashes are placed on a tray and baked. The reason that this needs to be done is to ensure that the ashes do not cause any infections etc.
- Next, the tattoo artist takes the ashes and puts in a tiny amount to mix in the ink. Note that not a lot is taken, a small amount is sufficient. Too much ash can ruin the ink and the tattoo might look poor in quality.
Does getting a tattoo with ashes hurt?
Getting a tattoo with ashes isn’t supposed to hurt any more than a regular tattoo. The exact same amount of pressure is placed on the skin and the process is the same. Remember that tattoos in certain areas of the body are more sensitive and do hurt more. This should not be mistaken and blamed on the ashes.
Pain for everyone differs because everyone has a different level of tolerance. Certain people might find tattoo pain excruciating while others find it a walk in the park. However, tattoos with ashes should definitely not be more painful; they should feel the same as normal tattoos.
How to look after a new tattoo that’s made with ashes?
Looking after a tattoo is essential if you want it to last a long time without fading. To look after a tattoo with ashes here’s what you should be doing:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your new tattoo.
- Take off the bandage as instructed by your tattoo artist (after the prescribed time).
- Wash the area that has been tattooed with an anti-bacterial wash and warm water. This will help remove blood and other ink that might have leaked.
- Blot the area dry with a soft paper towel; make sure not to rub because this can lead to major skin irritation.
- Apply your favorite tattoo lotion that is scent free with built-in anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Avoid petroleum-based products because they prevent the skin from breathing and healing.
What are some of the risks?
There have not been any studies done to give a proper answer on just how safe it is to get a tattoo with ash. Chances of getting an infection are as likely as they would be with a regular tattoo.
If the ashes weren’t handled in a very cleanly manner before mixing it with the ink, then you would want to avoid using it. This can increase your chances of getting a bacterial infection which might be a health risk.
Can any tattoo artist do this tattoo?
Sure, all tattoo artists can do these tattoos, but certain tattoo artists might be completely against ash tattoos. This is mainly because of the uncertainty of the possible risks that there can be.
Other tattoos artists will gladly do ash tattoos because they haven’t encountered any problems. This is basically a preference that tattoo artists can choose.
What to consider before getting a tattoo with ashes
Before choosing to get a tattoo with ashes to do enough research and find a tattoo artist with a lot of experience. Speak to them and ask them as many questions before making the commitment of getting an ash tattoo.