In my never ending search for everything tattoos Google brought me to Margaret Cho’s blog. She’s a comedian / had a tv show on ABC in the 90s… since 2005 she’s been getting a bunch of tattoos from some of the biggest celebrity tattoo artists Don Ed Hardy the tattoo artist / clothes salesman & Kat Von D the spinoff tattoo tv show girl.

Chris O’Donnel	Don Ed Hardy
Kat Von D	Barnaby
Andrew Moore

The OC Business Journal had an article about the Orange County based company Tattoo Potion that sells there product to over 200 tattoo studios and tanning salons. The company only has 5 employees and sells their product for $10-20.
There product line includes

• Tattoo Potion number 7: Introducing Tattoo Potion number 7, an everyday use lotion designed to enhance the look and longevity of your tattoo,
• Tattoo Potion # 9 Aftercare:
  * All Natural. * Vitamins A, D, E. * Anti-oxidant properties. * Non-comedogenic. * Non-greasy. * Anti-irritand(hypoallergenic) * Water based * Medium viscosity. * Fragrance Free. * White color.

Between Tattoo Potion making $15 million and Paul Wall’s product the tattoo accessory industry is cashing in.

“Clean Slate participants need only pay a $50 fee for the process thanks to a $19,500 grant from Kaiser Santa Rosa, and funding from Social Advocates for Youth, the county human services department, and Measure O public safety sales tax dollars.”

According to this article, it seems like most of the money is being funded by private sources however with tattoos costing up to 10x the cost of the actual tattoo $20,000 won’t last to long if this program becomes popular. The article mentioned how many of the tattoos are done in juvenile hall with 1 story explaining that they used melted down checkers and a smuggled needle to make the tattoo. If the program is successful locally, may be you’d see a California state initiative that gave tax credits in exchange for gang tattoo removals…

Victor Thompson, the guy who got the Patriots Helmet tattoo the week before the Patriot’s lost the Super Bowl, is back with a money making idea. So Victor’s new idea is this… he will sell one square inch on his body to get tattooed for $200… anything goes. Victor’s website is here with his email address… tattmetoo.com

According to this local news site… “The Laconia man wants to have the Super Bowl champion Vince Lombardi trophy tattooed on the top of his head along with the years New England won the title. The plan would have his entire skull filled in with silver before Patriots minicamp — the summer training period that allows fans to visit Foxboro and view practice. Thompson said he is hoping for the opportunity to come in contact with Brady at minicamp so he might sign his forehead with a permanent marker — an autograph he would take back to Laconia to be turned into a permanent tattoo.”

The original helmet tattoo that got Victor is 15 minutes of fame…

With tattoos skyrocketing growth in popularity people were bound to associate themselves with odd characters and brands for attention… but apparently one man thought Microsoft’s Zune was the greatest product ever and has gotten 3 Zune Tattoos…. after 3 tattoos he says he’s done and so drisgruntled with the Zune that he’s going to get the tattoos covered up. Why the fuck would someone get a Zune Tattoo you ask?? Most nerds have a hate for Microsoft and a love for Apple there tons of ipod tattoos out there 1, 2… funny both ipod tattoos aren’t American so may be it’s an ironic overseas hipster thing to get the ipod tattoo… who knows

… so is Zune the new counter culture? When billion dollar companies can argue over who is more hip and trendy it makes me want to vomit…. but in all seriousness the reaction one man’s Zune tattoos has gotten shows you how low the barrier for entertainment actually is online.

The tattooed Zune guy speaks below…
“I am done. I have had the Zune since day 1 and have noticed little improvement. I have tried my best to support them every step of the way but the recent Xbox Live announcement at E3 made me lose it. To not include Zune Marketplace or the ability to load videos from Xbox Live to your Zune made me finally give up. I am in the works of figuring the best way to get a new tattoo to cover the logo on my arm. Thanks for all the harsh comments and you will see very little of me anymore.” via

Lal Hardy, a tattoo artist has been tattooing his friends finger nails for over 20 years, however with the recent growth spurt in tattooing he says more and more people are asking for the finger nail tattoos. The nail tattoo will actually last as long as the nail and the actual tattooing per nail takes 5-15 minutes. Hardy is quoted as saying “I select who I want to do them on because sometimes people get too demanding, they think you can create Botticelli’s Venus on a thumbnail.” According to Google Lal Hardy works in London, Engladn at New Wave Tattoo.

[via]

Two posts appearing from the same woman on craigslist (it’s probably fake but it’s still funny)

Post 1: Dirty Tat
I’m walking through Macy’s and guess what I run into – two fithy Tat women. They have six kids! Sick inkers seem to only do drug and reproduce!! Dirty tat people are like cockroaches! I turned and walked out. I can’t believe Macy’s of all places would allow these dirty people in their store!

Post 2: Red Wings Suck (California)
I love the Red Wings and I was so happy to see them win the cup this year – I even went to the parade, but didn’t stay because, guess who was there…….that’s right, a bunch of those filthy ink pigs!! Sometimes I get emails from ink pigs who say I can’t judge them – guess what, sick ink fuck – it’s not just me. EVERYBODY judges you for your stupidity!!

Found via

Chicago Sun Times has done an interview with a laser tattoo removal person (expert?).
Standard quetions & answers for most of the interview… removal for drunken, relationship, parent puhing the removal, bride to be or changing tastes…

Interesting tidbits

• dolphins are removed the most (by this particular peron)
• cost start at $150
• 50% of people blame alcohol

This article is a perfect follow up to the Chicago Time one, about Women getting tattoos removed more than men. Approximately 6% of tattoo users eventually get them removed, which is not as high as I thought… I imagine a larger percentage of people just get them covered up with a new tattoo.

Interesting disparity in the article…”About two-thirds of them were women. And many said their tattoos had caused them embarrassment, drawn negative comments and created problems when choosing clothing to cover them up. A similar study a decade ago found that more men than women sought tattoo removal, the researchers said.”

Funny spin on the whole topic of woman getting tattoos removed from the UK’s Sun
“NHS primary care trusts will only fund tattoo removal if doctors agree the patient is at risk of psychological damage. Two years ago, sex-swap sailor Tanya Bainbridge, from Manchester, was granted free NHS treatment for her tattoos. Miss Bainbridge, born Brian and a father of nine children by three different women, was given the free treatment because she claimed her tattoos made her feel ‘unladylike’.”

Follow up to this… So besides the neck tattoos the deputy also tattooed his knuckles and hands… basically it’s just a reminder that tattoos can affect your career, so choose wisely… Picture from the SunCoast News

From the news story “Simpson served his suspension June 9, 12, and 13. As part of his punishment he was told that until the tattoos are removed, he can’t be given any assignments where the public is involved; he cannot bid for any particular shifts; and he cannot wear a Pinellas sheriff’s uniform that can be viewed by the public, and that includes while he is commuting to and from work. Simpson violated a general policy that says deputies can’t engage in any conduct that is contrary to “good order and discipline.” In addition, there is a policy that says tattoos are supposed to be covered. So, if a deputy has a tattoo on his forearm, he is required to wear a long-sleeve shirt to cover it up, regardless of the weather.”

Paul Wall a rapper and his Dad released a product called Tattoo Detox, that in their words (from the press release) “Paul Wall, famous rapper and jeweler, is known for his tattoos. Paul’s father, Michael, is a long time user of alternative health methods. Through Michael’s research into toxicity, he discovered that tattoo ink is not regulated, so there are thousands of formulas that include lead, arsenic, beryllium, cobalt, nickel and other heavy metal toxins.”

In a nutshell they are saying Paul Wall’s Dad who uses alternative health methods is selling his own method because tattoos aren’t FDA regulated… ironically Tattoo Detox isn’t FDA regulated… this is the disclaimer at the bottom of the TattooDetox.com website “Tattoo Detox products and the information on this site and in product labeling and packaging have NOT been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, so therefore, is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a health care professional. Tattoo Detox products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease or medical condition. Tattoo Detox makes no medical claims and makes no statements of validation. Tattoo Detox can not answer any medical questions so we ask you please not to ask. Click here for product frequently asked questions. Customer testimonials reflect the individual’s results and experiences only and are not verified or endorsed by Tattoo Detox or Grills by Paul Wall, LLC. Actual results may very among users.”

I’m not one to rip on the alt health crowd, so to each their own, but if you really have a health problem related to your tattoo SEE A DOCTOR!!

Some fun facts about the product:
Q: Do I have to use this forever?
A: No, once your body detoxifies, you will no longer need Tattoo Detox. However, we do recommend that you start taking Tattoo Detox again each time you get a new tattoo.

Q: Are there any side effects I should watch out for?
A: No, but if your body detoxifies to quickly you may feel “flu like” symptoms. In that case, simply reduce the dosage until you start to feel better.

Who the hell is Paul Wall: