Cuticle Tattoos 101

Yet another tattoo trend we can credit Rihanna for bringing into popularity. The Queen of Cool first sported cuticle tattoos back in 2013, and since then they have taken over Instagram. These tiny tattoos are just the latest in tattoo trends.

Location
The name says a lot, but cuticle tattoos aren’t actually on the cuticle. Rather, they’re placed around the nail. People usually opt to stick close to the nail but some people have taken to extending the design up the fingers and even across the whole hand. One choice people interested in these tattoos have to make it how many fingers they want to be done. Some get a few, some get only one hand, and others get them all done. It’s all up to you!

Pain
Here’s the bad news- the hands hurt to get tattoos. That pain only increases for that area on the finger. Hands and fingers are mostly bone and skin, with very little fat to cushion. The area near the nail is even more bony and sensitive. Ever gotten a hangnail? Imagine that pain times a thousand.

Time
Since most cuticle tattoos are small and have simple designs, the process can be done quickly. Make sure that you find an artist skilled in small tattoos though so that they don’t make any mistakes and can work in the small area.

Design
There is no single design for cuticle tattoos. Some popular designs are geometric shapes, lines, dots, and henna-style designs. Due to the small space simpler designs tend to work best.

Aftercare
It’s super important to follow all aftercare instructions. Since your hands usually come in contact with germs and objects first, it’s important that you keep your new ink clean and dry.

Conclusion
Cuticle tattoos act like jewelry, elevating whatever outfit one is wearing. They can hurt though, and it’s pretty costly for a small tattoo. Some people are opting for alternatives like temporary tattoos or nail art to get the design. If you want to book an appointment please contact us today!

10 Historical Figures You Didn’t Know Had Tattoos

Tattoos have been around for a long time. While they remained taboo in the Western world until recently, quite a few powerful political leaders had hidden ink of their own. So next time someone shames you for your tattoos, inform them about these 10 historical figures that had tattoos of their own.

Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the 7^th president of the United States. He’s mostly remembered for his controversial campaign to kill and relocate Native Americans. As if that wasn’t enough, he ironically had a tattoo of a giant tomahawk on his inner thigh. Yeah, a tomahawk, a weapon, and toll closely associated with the culture he tried to destroy.

James K. Polk
Another president with another hidden tattoo. James Polk spent most of his presidency buying up land for the US. We can also credit him with starting the Chinese character tattoo craze. President Polk had a tattoo of a Chinese character, which translates to “eager”. It could have been worse!

Teddy Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt was the 26^th President of the US and had such a great run as president that his face even made it up on Mount Rushmore. What Mount Rushmore didn’t capture was his ink. Roosevelt reportedly had the Roosevelt family crest tattooed on his chest. We would expect nothing less from a man like him.

John Wilkes Booth
John Wilkes Booth wasn’t a president, but you probably learned about him in history class. He was a 26-year-old actor that shot and assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. They say actors have big egos, and we believe it after learning that Booth had his own initials tattooed on his hand.

Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison invited a ton of things, but did you know he also had a hand in creating the first tattoo machine? He was the one that created the first electric pen, which Samuel O’Reilly then used to develop the first tattoo machine. Edison was so intrigued that he ended up with 5 cryptic dots on his forearm.

Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was a fantastic leader for Britain during WW2. Many would be surprised to know that he had a tattoo, a classic anchor on his forearm. His mother probably didn’t mind, seeing as she had a tattoo of a snake on her wrist that she hid with jewelry.

Czar Nicholas II
He’s known as the last emperor of Imperial Russia, but Czar Nicholas also had some ink. In 1891 he traveled to Japan to try to improve Russo-Japanese relations. He came back with a little souvenir- a colorful dragon tattoo on his arm. That’s one way to mend a relationship.

George Orwell
The famed author of classics like, 1984, no only used ink to get his words across but also to mark his body. While serving as a policeman in Burma in his youth, Orwell for a blue dot on each knuckle, the dots were supposed to protect the wearer from harm.

King Frederick IX of Denmark
King Frederick led Denmark for 25 years, and he was known for being a badass. His number of tattoos only reinforced this. His ink covered his arms and chest and he acquired them during his time as a sailor.

R.H. Macy
You might not know the name, but you sure know his legacy. R.H. Macy was the founder of Macy’s department store. You probably know the red star logo, but did you know it was inspired from R.H. Macy’s own tattoo? He had a red star on his forearm that he got in his youth when he was a sailor.

Want some cool ink? Contact us to set up an appointment today.

Day of Tattoo Preparations

To make sure you have the most enjoyable time possible and the best quality work, be sure to follow these preparation tips before heading to your Toronto tattoo shop. Being prepared on the day of getting your tattoo is extremely important.

Tip 1: Eat a big meal before

This will make sure you are energized, awake, and full. You don’t want your stomach growling and distracting your tattoo artist to you?

Tip 2: Drink lots of water

Your body gets put under stress when you’re getting a tattoo. Make sure it’s at full fighting power by staying hydrated.

Tip 3: Avoid alcohol

Alcohol acts like a blood thinner. It will also impact your ability to follow directs and make good judgment. Don’t wake up with both a hangover and a tattoo you regret. Don’t drink alcohol for at least 24 hours before getting inked.

Tip 4: Don’t take any painkillers

Painkillers like aspirin are actually blood thinners. Avoid taking them at least 48 hours before. Thinner blood means more bleeding during the process.

Tip 5: Pack snacks, water, and cash

If you’re getting a large tattoo expect to be there for a while. Pack snack and water to keep you going. Also remember to bring cash to tip your tattoo artist for their time and talent.

Tip 6: Wear comfortable clothing

You might want to look cute for your post-tattoo Instagram picture, but trust us, wear comfortable clothing. You’re going to be sitting for a while so you want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible.

Tip 7: Stretch

Sitting in the same position for a long time will take its toll. Stretch beforehand to get your body ready. Even the most comfortable position will start to hurt after holding it still for a long time.

Tip 8: Stay calm and relaxed

Staying calm and relaxed is extremely important. When you’re anxious, your tattoo artist is anxious. Not only will stress make your muscle tense up but you’ll begin to fidget. Bring along something to distract you from what’s going on, like a good or a game.

Tip 9: Set aside extra time

Not even the most experienced tattoo artist can tell you exactly when your tattoo will be finished. Always set aside more time than you think you’ll nee. You don’t want your tattoo to be rushed- trust us.

Tip 10: Bring along company

Most people love to bring along company for getting tattoos. Bring someone that will help distract you from the pain. Make sure they’re supportive, encouraging, and calm.

Make getting a new tattoo as simple as possible by following these day of preparation tips.