Working Over Someone Else's Tattooing
This has been a message board topic and here is some good info reprinted from that with permission:
I have some very important issues I address with clients who come to me that have been tattooed by someone else.
1. Do we know the pigment line, if so, do we know the color?
Yes, we have had problems with pigments gone bad in this industry but fortunately that is behind us (at least I haven't heard it still being a big issue.) There is always a chance, though, of what someone else put in there is not going to "be happy" with a touch up of any kind of pigment. The client must be made aware of that, and that you are not responsible for adverse outcome.
2. Shape.
Almost always the shape is different from what I would have recommended. I am a very skinny brow tattooer. I want to be able to adjust an asymmetry when, after 10 or more years, they just don't fall the same on the face. With a thinner brow, I have had that ability to do so - makes me AND my client very happy. So they know that I will not be able to make my usual down-the-road alterations of shape for them as easily as if they came to me with virgin brows.
Also, DON'T think you are going to just reshape bad brows for them and leave them with TWO TAILS because they will not be "noticeable" - and YES that is what is happening because I see double tails in here all the time! If you are not able to adjust them, send them to someone who can remove as much of the brow as possible (consider the same for bad lips, eyes, etc.) A light shadow of a remaining tail or scar from a removal is far better to work with than just a "faded" version of the original tattoo.
3. Time = Money
So many of us feel sorry for these clients that come to us because they are unhappy with their work. Even if they were happy with their previous work, we may not be. They don't want to pay the full price and we feel guilty charging it. Get over it!! It may take us more time to fix them than if we had a fresh canvas to start with, so I will NEVER give a cut. In fact, this is about the only time I have ever charged for a touch up of any kind within the first 6 months or so.
4. Previous technique/outcomes/unrealistic expectations.
If someone did hair strokes using multiple colors and some are very light and faded chalky, do you think that will be easy to cover? I get those all the time and the "hairs" are all over the place to make them "natural" - a mess to fix!
Often with the unskilled machine user, there is a very good chance you will be looking at previously overworked skin and the color is going to always look bad for you if you are tattooing into "pockets o' pigment" they are calling eyebrows! Always point out to the client right away where you notice scar tissue and abnormal reaction to your tattooing!
I have some very important issues I address with clients who come to me that have been tattooed by someone else.
1. Do we know the pigment line, if so, do we know the color?
Yes, we have had problems with pigments gone bad in this industry but fortunately that is behind us (at least I haven't heard it still being a big issue.) There is always a chance, though, of what someone else put in there is not going to "be happy" with a touch up of any kind of pigment. The client must be made aware of that, and that you are not responsible for adverse outcome.
2. Shape.
Almost always the shape is different from what I would have recommended. I am a very skinny brow tattooer. I want to be able to adjust an asymmetry when, after 10 or more years, they just don't fall the same on the face. With a thinner brow, I have had that ability to do so - makes me AND my client very happy. So they know that I will not be able to make my usual down-the-road alterations of shape for them as easily as if they came to me with virgin brows.
Also, DON'T think you are going to just reshape bad brows for them and leave them with TWO TAILS because they will not be "noticeable" - and YES that is what is happening because I see double tails in here all the time! If you are not able to adjust them, send them to someone who can remove as much of the brow as possible (consider the same for bad lips, eyes, etc.) A light shadow of a remaining tail or scar from a removal is far better to work with than just a "faded" version of the original tattoo.
3. Time = Money
So many of us feel sorry for these clients that come to us because they are unhappy with their work. Even if they were happy with their previous work, we may not be. They don't want to pay the full price and we feel guilty charging it. Get over it!! It may take us more time to fix them than if we had a fresh canvas to start with, so I will NEVER give a cut. In fact, this is about the only time I have ever charged for a touch up of any kind within the first 6 months or so.
4. Previous technique/outcomes/unrealistic expectations.
If someone did hair strokes using multiple colors and some are very light and faded chalky, do you think that will be easy to cover? I get those all the time and the "hairs" are all over the place to make them "natural" - a mess to fix!
Often with the unskilled machine user, there is a very good chance you will be looking at previously overworked skin and the color is going to always look bad for you if you are tattooing into "pockets o' pigment" they are calling eyebrows! Always point out to the client right away where you notice scar tissue and abnormal reaction to your tattooing!
posted by katiecee | 7:05 PM
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