It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2003 10:33:54 GMT

I guess I will add to this thread... I have always wanted a tatoo and at 52 I finally got one. I thought about it for a long time and finally decided that I would get one that looks like a toe ring as I have worn a toe ring on my 2nd left toe for many years. Instead of having to take it off when I swim or when it would interfere with closed shoes...I have it on ALL the time. Hey, it worked for me and I love it. It is very fine and artistic and deep purple - my favorite color! So ...if you want one ....go for it and the pain is not that bad, even in a bony area such as the toe:D

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2003 06:38:04 GMT

To apigman: 1) I've actually had another child since having the tatoo done. I've talked to a couple different artists about "adding" another name plate and have decided against it. Unfortunately, like any personalized art work, matching the exact colors would be almost impossible. The colors were custom mixed for this tatoo and I'm convinced any additions or changes to it would just look like a "crappy" addition on a house. So I've designed a completely different tatoo for my daughter that will go above the arm band. I'm planning on having it done this spring, before she turns two. She'll never remember a time when she wasn't on Dad's arm, like the rest of the kids. Plus her's will be extra special ! 2) You're pretty much correct that they're permanent. I leave the door open slightly due to laser removal procedures that are currently available. However I admit this is splitting hairs and that for all intents and purposes tatoos are permanent. 3) Not the "classiest" thing to have on your body. Well lets just chalk that up to a complete difference of opinion. Twenty or thirty years ago I think there was a tremendous bias against tatoos and those who wore them, but I'm not convinced that bias still exists on a mass market level. Sure there will always be those around who think listening to rock music will rot your brain, or that crossing your eyes will make them stick, but as far as being classy or not - it's all in the eye of the beholder. I happen to be an attorney, most of my friends are "professionals" - doctors, attorneys, bankers, accountants, computer analyists, etc. You'd probably be suprised at the percentage that have tatoos. 4) Tatoo's being "addictive". I've never heard that before, but I would be more apt to believe that someone with multiple tatoos probably feels very secure about themselves, feels comfortable with who they are and how they look and probably takes great pride in displaying the artwork they've decided to permanently place on their body. 5) "The skin is a beautiful thing, why cover it up?" Taking your sky example, the sky isn't just blue. Look at the sunrises, sunsets, puffy white clouds, dark storm clouds and lightning. They're a tapestry of colors and images. Why should I have to live with a boring blue sky everyday of my life when I can have all the other? Same thing with tatoos. It's my skin and I think it's beautiful, even more beautiful (especially to me) with my tatoos on it. And when it comes right down to it, isn't that all that really matters? What "I" think of "my" body? To be completely honest I quit carring what anyone else thought about me, my body and/or my tatoos long ago. I know who and what I am. I'm not out to impress anyone. Why do I need to worry myself with what other people think is "classy" or wonder if people at the pool will look at me wierd if I have a tatoo? For me life isn't a popularity contest, so take me as I am or go find someone who cares about your opinion. Personally I firmly believe that everyone's entitled to their opinion as long as it doesn't interfer with someone else holding and exercising a different opinion. In this case your opinion is just as valid as mine. I don't imagine your opinion will ever change and I doubt mine will either. But at the same time, I won't be holding you down trying to give you a tatoo, so don't try to hold others down if they decided to get one.....or more.

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2003 16:03:38 GMT

To Wisdom: What happens if you have another child, does that mean you'll go get another link to go on the armband? b/c I was thinking that would be pretty unfair to a new member of the family if they didn't have a seperate wooden link with their name on it like the others. On the Tattoo subject: I know the original thread poster asked nothing about thoughts on tattoos in general but this thread has just added to the list of "reasons why I'll never get a tatto" in my head. 1st they're permenant, 2nd they're not considered the classiest thing one can have on the body, 3rd there's a chance you might get tired of seeing the same picture imprinted on your skin the rest of your life,4th its permenant, 5th its permenant, and oh yeah, did I mention its permenant I probley have a biased opinion though because everytime I see my brother he has a new tattoo and I like to look at someones skin not a bunch of pictures on their skin just like I want to see the sky when I go outside not a bunch of signs that cluter it and take up space besides the human skin is a beautiful thing why cover it up. I think tattoos are adictive, I think my brother has like atleast five now I've lost count. If you are going to get a tattoo though the two things you should definatly never get one of are names and music bands. In conclusion I just had to give my opinion I couldn't stand it any longer and that opinion is tattoos suck!

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2003 15:56:29 GMT

Originally posted by lapswimmr There are "Tempory tattoos" that last a while then wear off and you don't have to worry about needles ect. I have seen them at the beach. Wearing temporary tatoos at big meets is kind of a tradition on my team. They take about thirty seconds to apply, with a wet towel, and wear off in about 3 - 5 days. But they can be wiped off in few seconds with rubbing alcohol (less expensive than laser surgery :) ). Much more comfortable than being stuck with a needle a few thousand times and not a lifetime commitment.:)

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2003 12:54:36 GMT

Gosh, a lot of you folks have a great deal more brass then I will ever have....When I was in the Marines, I was the ONLY guy in my squad that did not have USMC tattooed on the left upper arm ....I simply did not have the brass... Good luck...

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2003 07:29:51 GMT

Oh come on !!! It's not like getting stuck with a needle a few thousand times is really all THAT bad. It's just going into the skin, it's not even making it to the muscle and it hardly bleeds......well not very much anyway. Plus, the pain stops when the tatooing is over, its not like it continues to hurt forever.

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Sat, 18 Jan 2003 14:38:08 GMT

There are "Tempory tattoos" that last a while then wear off and you don't have to worry about needles ect. I have seen them at the beach.

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2003 17:12:47 GMT

I was looking forward to getting stuck by a needle thousands of times too. Yikes...that really did burst my bubble. I'm not sure if I wanna risk not being in the pool for a while...never took that into consideration. So does anyone know how it turns out if you are in constant contact with pool water and sunlight? Thanks for making me reconsider probably a big oops....I never know, I might get it done before I go on a vacation! I'll be looking forward to a response Dave

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2003 17:10:16 GMT

(a lttle "Star-Wars" pun) Here's the real deal, straight scoop. Find the picture you want "stuck" on your body forever that you know your friends and family will love and you will never tire of. Put it on a piece of fabric, SSTTTrrrrrrETCHHH it out and put it on your mirror where you will see it every day. Do the picture in purple-blue, which is what it will become. Then..........go for it, I guess !

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2003 15:52:38 GMT

Dave, If you swim outdoors a lot, I'm not sure you would want to go to the time, money, pain and effort of getting a tatoo. Tatoo's do fine in pool water, once they've healed (see note above), but the sun just kills them. I have an armband tatoo that is a vine with wooden signs hanging on it with each of my kids names and dates of birth. I've had the tatoo for about 5 years and it looks as good today as it did the month after I got it. BUT I followed the rules precisely, stayed out of the pool for two weeks, used the ointment, used moisturizing lotion, didn't pick at any scabs or peeling skin, etc. If the area that you're going to get your tatoo is going to be in the sun, Just Say No. Trust me, after you go through that much pain you don't want it to get messed up because you went back in the water too early or because you're in the sun all the time. As far as pain goes, the front of the arm was no problem, it felt like someone was dragging a very low voltage electrical wire across it. But OH MY GOD, when he rounded the back of the arm and around the inside of the arm - holy crap I thought I was being tortured. But in hindsight it was worth it for me. I really like my tatoo, I designed it myself and my kids love it. they actually get me to show it to their friends, LOL.

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2003 13:54:18 GMT

There is a product on the market that I have used on cuts and scrapes that I have found to be quite effective in the water. I think it is called New Skin. It is a liquid bandaide. I don't know if that might be an option for you. I don't think I would use it immediately after getting the tattoo, but perhaps you could reduce your time out of the water to just a week or a few days.

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2003 11:50:32 GMT

Even lasers may not remove tatoos completely. A teammate of mine had one removed that way, but the process left a white discoloration where the tatoo had been -- I don't know if it fades over time. This would be particularly noticible in people with dark or olive complexions. In any event laser surgery is a lot more expensive that the original tatoo. Something to consider before doing something you might regret later.

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2003 08:20:50 GMT

Me and my friend work at the Y and teach swim lessons almost every day and my friend got a tatoo. Her's was tie dye looking, it was really cool. She got into the water the next day. She put Vasselin on it every time she got in and out of the water, for about a week. It seemed to be fine. It still looks good. I don't know that is just what she did?

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Guppigirl — Fri, 17 Jan 2003 05:57:54 GMT

Hi, When I was in college, I really wanted a tattoo. (Sometimes I still do!) But then I thought about getting older and having a faded ugly tattoo on my sagging body and reconsidered. A friend of mine joked and said "Why don't you get a tattoo of a puffer fish on your rear end. That way when you gain weight, the puffer fish will get bigger, and bigger." Ha ha. But nowadays, I think tattoos can be removed by laser so maybe it's not such a commitment. I haven't heard a lot about how well that works. Best of luck! -GG

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2003 11:12:52 GMT

I don't know of any rule on point, but I've seen lots of tatoos at Masters meets (including temporary tatoos, which I've worn with no objection). As far as I know there's no rule against it.

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2003 08:55:50 GMT

If you get a tatoo you will have to stay out of the pool for a couple of weeks. When a tatoo is done, you are using a needle to push different colored inks into your skin tissue. Notice I said "pushed", not injected. This is not like getting a shot where the syringe is filled with fluid and jabbed in your arm. The tatoo needle is much like a regular sewing needle and is solid. The needle is dipped in the the ink, like an old feather pen and the the ink is "appied" to the tatoo area. Having stated that, the process of getting a tatoo is basically getting stuck with a short needle a few thousand times. Which leaves a bunch of tiny holes in your skin. If you get this area wet during the healing process, you will literally wash out the ink, thereby ruining your tatoo. You can still lightly wash the area after a couple days, but you have to leave the area pretty much alone, except for applying the antibiotic ointment the first week and moisturizing lotion for a few weeks after that. Besides the time out of the pool, another consideration is that tatoos DO NOT do well in SUNLIGHT. The brighter and more vibrant the colors the worse they will fade in sunlight. If you do most of your swimming in an outdoor pool and the tatoo is in an uncovered portion of your body - it's going to fade, even with the use of powerful sunscreen. I have tatoos, do all of my training swimming indoors, but swim open water courses. When I swim open water I just put on TONS of sunscreen, etc and hope for the best.

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

Former Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2003 07:00:33 GMT

Don't know about Master's but I know there are quite a few tattoos in USAS.

RE: It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

aquageek — Thu, 16 Jan 2003 03:12:40 GMT

I'm glad you brought this up because I have been contemplating getting a tattoo for years. Besides being a big chicken and my wife's "are you some kind of freak" comments, I have resisted getting one because I hear you have to stay out of the pool for a couple of weeks. Is this true? Does anyone know or care?