Tattoos are nothing new. In fact, it's long been believed that tattooing was practiced as early as 2000 BC by the Egyptians. More recent evidence suggests that tattoos may have been used many thousands of years earlier than that.
What Is a Tattoo?
A tattoo is a puncture wound made by a needle deep into the dermis layer of your skin and filled with ink.
What Makes a Tattoo Permanent?
Unlike the outer layer of skin (the epidermis) the dermis doesn't slough off renew itself, so the tattoo remains.If you're considering a tattoo, remember that it's a permanent body decoration. You can't get rid of tattoos like a hairdo or haircolor you've grown bored with.
How Do I Choose a Tattoo Parlor?
When getting a tattoo, it's important to choose a safe, sanitary, licensed tattoo shop. Look for:
- A clean facility
- Use of an autoclave (high temperature steam) for sanitizing equipment
- A licensed tattoo practitioner
- Observance of the Universal Precautions recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Adminstration when dealing with body fluids (blood).
Are Tattoos Dangerous?
A tattoo is a wound, and puts you at risk for infections and disease, so make sure your immunizations are up to date, especially those for hepatitis and tetanus. If you have a medical condition (heart disease, allergies, pregnancy, etc.) check with your doctor before getting a tattoo.
After you get your tattoo, call your doctor if you see any signs of infection, including redness or tenderness continued bleeding, pus, or changes in skin color around the tattoo.
Where Can I Get a Tattoo in Portland and Souther Maine?
Here are some of the Portland area's tattoo shops. Being listed here does not constitute an endorsement. Before using any tattoo shop, check them out thoroughly.
Blacksheep Tattoo
61 Gray Rd
Rt. 100
Gray, Maine 04039
(207) 657-6363[
http://www.angelfire.com/biz2/bsheeptat/index.html
Bombshell Tattoo
574 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 775-4411
Ink Factory
688 Congress St
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 871-9101
Just Good Tattoos
142 High St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 879-1452
Old Port Tattoo Company
365 Fore St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 828-6377
Pins & Needles Tattoo & Body
259 Saint John St
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 774-8282
Portland Tattoo Shop
633 Forest Ave
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 772-4662
Sanctuary Tattoo
31 Forest Ave
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 828-8866
http://www.sanctuarytattoo.com
Wil Scherer
31 Forest Avenue
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 828-8866
Tsunami Tattoo
9 Union St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 756-6766
http://tsunamitattoo.com/
Mad Hatter's Tattoo Studio
50 Old Orchard St
Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
http://members.aol.com/RobFAM10/Sponsoredby.html
Creative Arts Tattooing
184 Songo School Rd
Naples, ME
Brew's Tattoo
141 State Rd
Kittery, ME
(207)439-1900
http://www.angelfire.com/nh/BrewsTattoo/
Atlantic Tattoo Company
1 High Street
Kennebunk, ME
(207) 967-1987
http://www.atlantictattoocompany.com/
Brave Souls Studio
8 Main St
Gorham, ME
Millennium Tattoo & Body Piercing
114 Main St
Biddeford, ME
Where Can I Get More Information About Tattoos?
For more information about tattoos, see About.com's Tattoo site.
Submit a Photo of Your Tattoo and Have it Posted to the Portland Web Site
Do you have a tattoo that was done here in Maine? You can add it to the Maine Online Tattoo Studio (under construction) by submitting a photo of it in an email to portlandme.guide@about.com and including your name and email address and the name and location of the tattoo parlor that did the tattoo. I reserve the right to decide which photos will be posted to the Web site.