English Tattoos Gaining Popularity in China

Tattoos featuring Chinese or Japanese characters have been popular long enough in America to become nearly as trite as the tramp stamp. Some recent news articles have been reporting that a similar trend is emerging in China, where English language tattoos are enjoying a new surge in popularity.

While tattoos have been a part of Chinese culture for millenia, tattoo parlors have been mostly taboo under the Communist regime. Nevertheless, tattoo parlors have been popping up in China in recent years, and although their legality may be questionable they are slowly finding their place in modern China. Even though tattoos still bear the stigma of criminal association, more and more younger people are becoming interested in tattoos because many of their favorite Western sports and celebrity figures are tattooed.

What is most surprising of all is the latest trend that Chinese tattoo artists are reporting. Tattoo parlors are seeing more and more clients seeking tattoos in the English language. Not surprisingly, it is the younger crowd that seeks the English language and Western-influenced tattoos, while older clients prefer to stick to traditional themes like tigers and dragons.

The attraction to English language tattoos is easy to understand. In the Western world, a good Kanji tattoo has an air of the exotic. To the Eastern world, an English language tattoo can present the same mystique.

Tattoo Aftercare Tips

Aftercare Tips

• Remove bandage after 2 hours (do not rebandage).
• Wash tattoo with your hand (make sure hand is clean) using warm, soapy water. Rinse with cold water. Don't over soak your tattoo. Keep out of the direct spray of the shower. Pat dry, do not rub with towel.
• For 3 to 5 days or until tattoo is healed, apply Vitamin A&D Ointment or Bacitracin or Zinc Oxide Ointment 3 to 4 times daily after washing tattoo. Keep tattoo moist. If allergic to these ointments, use a water based lotion such as Curel.
• Tattoo will flake. do not pick at the flakes or you may pull the color out. Try not to let clothing rub on your tattoo while it is healing.
• NO swimming or suntanning until healed. Apply a high SPF sunblock to tattoo after healed to prevent fading.

Tips Before You Get A Tattoo

You may have the steps to healing a tattoo down to a science but there are some things you need to consider before getting a new tattoo as well. There are steps that must be taken in order to give your new tattoo the best chance of healing properly and looking its best.

If You're Sick, Reschedule

If you feel run down or under the weather in any way, it's a good idea to reschedule your tattoo appointment. When you are sick your natural immune system is not performing at it's peak. Adding the undue stress of a new tattoo to the list of things the immune system needs to deal with is not good for your general health or the healing of a new tattoo.

If you are feeling sick your best bet is to put your new tattoo on hold until your bug has completely subsided.

Don't Get Tattooed If You're Pregnant

Most tattoo shops will not tattoo you if they know you're pregnant. The reason for this isn't that your body can't take the tattoo but it will cause unneeded trauma to the unborn baby which could easily cause complications. A woman's body also goes through many physical changes during and after pregnancy which could potentially affect the look of a new tattoo.

It's Not Good To Be Drunk

Not only is it a bad idea to drink the day of your new tattoo, you'll want to quit a few days before in order to assure that your blood is not thinned out. Alchohol is a natural blood thinner and besides bleeding more, it will take your new tattoo longer to heal with a build up of alchohol in the body.

It's also a good idea to avoid using asprin or pain relievers for a few days before your new tattoo, which also thins out the blood.

Load Up On Vitamin C

Vitamin C will not only make you healthier, it will also benifit your new tattoo. Vitamin C will give your body more energy allowing it to heal quickly.

If you don't like orange juice, a muti-vitamin will do you good.