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In May 2022, Virgin Atlantic became the first UK airline (and one of few worldwide) to allow cabin crew to display their tattoos, marking a shift in workplace values and tolerance of tattooed employees.

For thousands of years, cultures around the world have celebrated the art of tattooing. But in recent history — specifically in the Western workplace — they’re considered taboo. Even though around 40% of the US workforce has a tattoo, many companies have policies that require employees to hide their ink, and only 12% of people report feeling comfortable enough to show them off.

But are tattoos becoming more accepted in professional environments? Or will some industries never get with the times?

Join Lamar Street Tattoo Club as we examine the taboos surrounding office ink and the most favorable industries for every tattoo lover out there.

Have attitudes towards tattoos really changed?

Tattoos are much more accepted than they were ten years ago. As societal rules and norms have become more relaxed, workplace values have (thankfully) followed. The increased tolerance of casual attire, piercings, and tattoos comes primarily from the recent influx of Millennials and Gen Z in the workplace.

 As workforce age demographics continue to shift, the younger generations’ “laid-back” attitudes toward body art and appearances will continue to filter into professional environments. 

Most Gen Z members are truly digital natives, hence the name ‘Zoomers’ (get it? Because they zoom the internet? Okay, I’m done, moving on). They were raised on technology and probably don’t remember a life without it. Zoomers share their entire lives online, but no matter how much it may annoy you, it does have some pros. The more tattoos and body art people see, the more it becomes normalized in our society. The more tattoos are normalized, the more they’re generally accepted. See? Everyone wins.

I Wouldn’t Hide My Tattoos For Anyone… Where Can I Work?

Whether you don’t want to hide your tattoos or you only want to work for someone who values your individuality and creative freedom, you have some options.

Employers are free to decide their tattoo policy, as there are no laws against tattoos in the workplace or tattoo-based workplace discrimination. Whether or not a company allows tattoos sometimes depends on the industry, but it varies from place to place.

If you have tattoos you can’t (or won’t) cover, here are your best bets:

• Creative jobs, including graphic design, hair styling, and anything in the arts

• Skilled labor and contracting jobs like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work

• Public safety occupations like firefighters, paramedics, and police officers

• Restaurant and service industry jobs

• Most remote positions

Many people have culturally significant body art that is part of their core identity. And while it may be challenging to find a position with visible tattoos, their cultural or ethnic importance is not something you should have to compromise. Before applying to an open position, read employee reviews about the company to ensure they prioritize diversity and value the need to represent your culture openly.

The Cover-Up

If you don’t mind covering up your ink for the workday — and don’t want to wait for the times to change — your employment options are pretty much unlimited. 

But as mentioned above, every company is different, and studying a company’s tattoo policy before going to an interview or starting a new job is always a safe bet. If you feel like your visible tattoos are hurting your chances of securing a job you’re passionate about, you always have the option of removal.

Trusted Tattoo Removal (and Expert Application) at Lamar Street Tattoo Club

Want to celebrate your new job with another tattoo? Need to get an old one removed before your search? Either way, count on expert execution at Lamar Street Tattoo Club.

From consultation to aftercare, we ensure a clean, professional experience. We don’t compromise on our work, and neither should you.

Visit Lamar Street Tattoo Club and see why we’re voted the number-one tattoo shop in Dallas. Send us a message, or book your complimentary consultation today!

Due to social media, fine-line tattoos have grown in popularity over the past few years. Online interest in fine-line tattoos grew around 90% this year alone, with over 44 thousand monthly searches.

But before booking your next fine-line tattoo appointment, Lamar Street Tattoo Club has a few things you should consider.

Only Schedule Your Appointment With an Artist Who Specializes in Fine-line Designs

Fine-line tattoos take a lot of practice to master since the needles artists use are very small. With small groups of needles and single needles, all imperfections show, so try to find an artist specializing in this kind of work.

Look through their social media or website and see if they’ve done fine-line tattoos similar to what you’re looking for. If you like a specific artist’s work but want to see more examples, reach out to them!

Each tattooing style has a different skill set, so finding an artist specializing in fine-line tattoos is the safest option.

Look Through Your Tattoo Artist’s Healed Designs

When choosing a fine-line artist, one of the most important things to consider is how their healed work looks.

Fine-line tattoos can fade quickly and sometimes look different after the healing process, so it’s always good to get an idea of how your artist’s work ages.

It’s also a great way to set your expectations for your fine-line tattoo — a tattoo never looks as crisp and vibrant as it does the day you get it.

Consider the Tattoo’s Placement (Obvious? Yes. Important? Also Yes.)

The placement of your fine-line tattoo is a critical factor in how it will heal. It’s best to choose an area that doesn’t move a lot or see too much sun to help your tattoo last as long as possible.

The inner forearms, upper ribs, and upper thighs are good spots for fine-line tattoos because they mostly stay out of the sun and don’t bend. Wrists, feet, hands, and thighs move a lot and often rub against clothing, affecting the healing process.

However, it’s always best to consult with your tattoo artist beforehand. They can help you find the best placement for your fine-line tattoo based on size, color(s), and design.

Come to Terms With the Fact That Your Tattoo May Require Touchups

Always check with your artist about their touch-up policy in case they need to fix the tattoo after the healing process is complete.

Touch-ups aren’t always necessary with fine-line tattoos but know that it’s possible due to the style’s delicate nature.

If you’re traveling to get your tattoo, consider that it may need a refresh in the future. Most tattooers don’t touch up other artists’ work, so you’ll have to return to your original artist.

Schedule Your Fine-Line Tattoo Consultation at Lamar Street Tattoo Club

At Lamar Street Tattoo Club, we have a higher standard of tattooing. You can always expect comprehensive consultations, professional execution, and body art that stands the test of time.

From consultation to aftercare, we provide a unique, unparalleled experience. We don’t compromise on the quality or cleanliness of our work, and you shouldn’t either.

Visit Lamar Street Tattoo Club today and see why we’ve been voted the number-one tattoo shop in Dallas, Texas! Send us a message, or book a complimentary consultation at our shop today.

For over 5,000 years, humans around the globe have used tattoos as a form of self-expression. And though tattoo equipment and safety standards have changed a lot since the first tattoo, the reasons people continue to get them really haven’t.

If you’re a tattoo-lover like us, you may be curious about the ancient art of tattooing and how much it differs from today. So, we put together a brief history detailing the contrast between outdated and modern-day tattooing practices.

Ancient (and Slightly Frightening) Tattoo Equipment

In ancient Samoa, minimal tattoo designs were created on the skin using a thick needle and wooden mallet. They would tap the needle into the skin repeatedly until the design was deep enough for the pigment to stay in the skin’s lower layers after it healed. After the “drawing” process, the pigments — made from soot — were rubbed into the open wound.

In ancient Egypt, they pressed bronze tools with wide points deep into the skin, and in pre-Columbian South America, it was common to use sharp sticks. Both created their pigments from plants, soot, and other natural materials available in their environment.

Tattoo removal was also impossible. So, if you really wanted your blurry, misshapen tattoo removed in 500 BC, you were out of luck. Unless you took the chance of removing it yourself in ways we probably shouldn’t discuss in this blog.

Okay, so maybe the word ‘equipment’ is too generous when describing some of the tools they used near the beginning of time. But over the next couple thousand years, tattoo artists’ tools drastically improved for tattoo lovers — and haters.

Modern-Day Tattoo Equipment — No Mallet Required

Today, artists use automatic tattoo machines with small, fine needles that move extremely fast, minimizing pain and skin damage. These tiny needles’ accuracy and continuous in-and-out motion allow for a deeper, more concentrated color and improve the ink’s look and contrast against your skin.

With a more precise tool, modern-day tattoo artists can draw clean lines and detailed works of art that come in nearly any style — from watercolor landscapes to bold, American Traditional pin-ups.

Tattoo artists also use specialized, skin-safe inks now. These inks are designed to be in contact with your skin and permeate deep into its layers to stay there forever. Unless, of course, you decide to go the laser tattoo removal route.

Tattoo Safety Standards Before There Were Safety Standards

Now the only thing that might be more frightening than the tattoo equipment they used in ancient times was their aftercare and sanitation process — or lack thereof.

Picture this: it’s 830 BCE, and you’re sitting with your pals around a fire. You’re eating something you grew yourselves when one of your friends says they want a tattoo. So what do you do? Get a sharpened stick and some soot, create a basic design by poking or drawing deep into their skin with the stick, then rub some soot in it.

Sounds sanitary, right? In ancient times, they didn’t know how to prevent infection, and sterilizing tools wasn’t common practice. As a result, some horrible complications likely stemmed from untreated, infected tattoos — like staph infections, septic shock, and toxic shock syndrome.

Tattoo aftercare didn’t exist, either. People in ancient cultures cared for them as best they could, using water and homemade salves. But with no bandages, no Optiscrub, and no ointment, we can assume there were some complications.

It’s safe to say that (most) tattoo artists’ sanitation standards have vastly improved since ancient times.

Tattoo Safety Standards After Someone Discovered the Magic of Science

Thankfully, we now know what it takes to have a clean, healthy tattoo that heals beautifully. But it’s important to remember that tattoo aftercare is just as important as the application.

Sanitized tools and workspaces are commonplace, and we recommend washing your tattoo with antibacterial soap — our favorite is Optiscrub — to prevent any infection that could cause long-term damage.

After washing, apply a small dab of organic, petroleum-free, vegan ointment or moisturizers like cocoa butter, coconut oil, or shea butter. Make sure it’s a thin layer, and only put on enough to fully rub into the skin.

More is not always better!

If you want your tattoo to look bright and bold for years to come, check out our complete Tattoo Aftercare guide on our blog!

Honoring Tattoo Tradition, Embracing Modern Aftercare

Lamar Street Tattoo Club and our elite tattoo artists in Dallas will help you find the best artist for your tattoo, whether you’re looking for something old-school or new-school. If you’re interested in working with the top tattoo artists at the top tattoo shop in Dallas, send us a submission form! Along with a high-quality tattoo, you’ll receive the highest level of tattoo aftercare when you choose Lamar Street Tattoo Club. Contact us, and we’ll get back to you with a consultation, appointment time, and tattoo artist recommendation!

Walk-ins Always Welcome, Appointments Preferred.

Lamar Street Tattoo Club usually writes about the other side of the needle, but tattooing skills and techniques, especially in outlining, are essential. This is why we’ve put together everything you possibly need to know about it! We also go over safety and some of the most common questions you, clients, or new and aspiring tattoo artists may be wondering.

Tattoo Outlining

Outlining the basic shape of a tattoo is the first step after creating a stencil and transferring it. There are many different-sized needles and various colors you can use for your initial outlining. 

Often, you will start with a thin line and add layers with each pass until the line is the thickness needed. It is important to consider the design features, overall image, size, location, ink color, thickness, and technique you’ll use before you begin your outline. After all, it’s only permanent.

How to Outline a Tattoo

Step 1: Prep the Skin

Before you really begin, you must prep the skin for the tattoo. Shave the area and add a sterile lubricant or antiseptic spray; then, and only then, should you add the stencil if you will be using one.

Step 2: Prep the Machine

Now that the skin and stencil are ready, you can get started….after you make sure you have the ink prepped and the machine ready. Turn the machine off, and lightly place or dip the tip into the ink cap. Remember, you’ll have to refill, with more dips, often. Test your machine on a paper towel to test the ink and fix any band issues if it spills or spurts.

Step 3: Hold The Machine Correctly

If you want the correct lines, then you need the correct form. Hold the gun at a slight angle, like a pencil, and keep the machine forward or sideways; this helps the needle stay at the bottom of the tube with the ink and will make for a more solid line.

Step 4: Begin the First Line

It’s often best to start at the bottom of the tattoo or wherever will have the most gravity pulling. This is because gravity makes things go down…like blood, sweat, and, yes, ink. If these areas run down onto other parts of your stencil, it can smudge and slow or distort the process.

Press the needle and pull your hand along the line to make your first line. Move the tattoo gun with your fingers, keeping your hand posted in place as you first begin. This will help you apply even and consistent pressure, making your lines even and consistent too.

Tight skin tattoos better, so be sure to pull the area tight as you work. When the needle hits the skin, the sound will be quieter, this is called ‘chocking down,’ so if you don’t hear the change, the machine is probably too fast and should be slowed.

Step 5: Repeat Step 4

Tattooing is basically a bunch of tiny dots very close together, making a line. The faster you go, the further apart those dots become, causing gaps or inconsistencies and needing more passes. Go slow. Take your time. Do it right.

As you finish each line, pull the needle up and away, take pressure off the footswitch, and turn the machine off. You can now wipe away any excess ink or blood with a paper towel so you can see the lines better, continue this process until all the outlining is complete.

Step 6: Finishing Your Outline

After you finish, clean it up and ensure there aren’t any areas that need to be touched up. Fixing any outline mistakes is easier now before color or additional details are added, so go over everything closely and carefully.

Remember To Put Safety First, Second, & Third

Safety both before, during, and after the tattoo process is just as important, if not more, than your outlining skills. An amazing tattoo doesn’t matter if it gets infected. A great image doesn’t matter if it isn’t cared for properly after the fact. And no tattoo is worth getting a bloodborne pathogen.

Make sure you and your shop take the correct precautions to protect your clients and yourself.

• Follow OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standards
• Make sure your customers are of legal age unless you enjoy legal drama
• Alcohol thins the blood, don’t tattoo the intoxicated as it could cause excessive bleeding
• Ask clients to sign a consent form and explain the process to them
• Properly dispose of all needles and keep your space clean
• Keep your shop stocked with everything you need for safety and to maintain a sterile work environment
  • Disposable gloves
  • Skin Cleansers
  • Antibacterial soap
  • Antiseptic Wipes
  • Disinfectants
  • Sharps Box

Call or Visit to Get Your Appointment Booked at Lamar Street Tattoo Club

Send us a submission form if you want to work with the best tattoo artists and the most renowned tattoo shop in Dallas (with the best aftercare to keep your tattoo looking fresh for longer). Contact us, and we’ll get back to you with a consultation, appointment time, and tattoo artist recommendations if you don’t know who you want.

Walk-ins Always Welcome, Appointments Preferred.

Every Dallas tattoo shop may have slightly different policies for booking tattoo appointments, rescheduling, canceling, deposits, no-shows, and more – but of course, ours are the best, like our tattoo artists, tattoo shop, and tattoos in general. Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about our booking, deposit, and paying process.

1. General Tattoo Appointment Deposit Information

All new tattoo appointments require a $100 deposit (unless prior arrangements have been made with your artist). Your deposit will be applied to the total cost of your tattoo or the final session if your tattoo requires multiple sessions (multi-session piece).

*Deposits cannot be transferred for use by another person.

2. Rescheduling Your Tattoo Appointment

• If you need to reschedule an appointment, we require at least 48 hours notice, or you will forfeit your deposit.
• If an attempt to reschedule falls within the 48-hour period, you will be required to furnish a new deposit to make a new appointment.
• If you provide at least 48 hours notice to reschedule, your tattooer will transfer your deposit to your new appointment time.
• The rescheduled tattoo appointment date must be chosen within the next 7 days and must fall within the next 90 days.
• Only two reschedules are permitted for your appointment. Once the second rescheduling has occurred, that date/time is firm and cannot be moved/rescheduled again without forfeiting your deposit – so make sure you schedule them seriously.

*Of course, in rare cases, like severe inclement weather, call to let your tattooer know you can’t make your appointment. If you notify your tattooer before your appointment, they’ll transfer your deposit to a new appointment date.

3. Cancellation/No-Call/No-Show Policies

Fool Us Once: You forfeit your deposit if you do not show up for your appointment (no-call/no-show). If you no-call/no-show, you will be required to pay two deposits to reschedule a new appointment.

Fool Us Twice: If you no-call/no-show twice, you will be required to pay for your tattoo up front, in person, in cash to schedule another appointment. After all, we were there – just you weren’t. And now we don’t trust you as much.

4. Additional Information

• Gift Certificates – If you use a gift certificate for a deposit and do not provide proper notice to reschedule (see above), or do not show up for your appointment, the value of your gift certificate will be reduced by $100. If the value of the gift certificate is below $200, additional funds will be necessary to make a new appointment, as you’ll need another $100 deposit off the card. Gift certificates are non-refundable and cannot be changed for cash.
• Late Arrival – tattoos take time – so if you are more than 15 minutes late, your appointment may need to be rescheduled so your tattooer will not run late for the appointments after yours. If your appointment has to be rescheduled due to your own late arrival (over 15 minutes), you will forfeit your deposit and be required to leave another deposit before you can schedule a new tattoo appointment.
• ID Is Not Optional – You must bring a state or federal photo ID every time you come in for any tattoo. If you arrive for a tattoo appointment without proper ID, you will not get tattooed and will forfeit your deposit money. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, state-issued non-driver ID card, military ID, or passport.

*Your school ID or other less official IDs do not count.

*ALL RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DISCRETION OF YOUR ARTIST*

Call, Message, or Visit to Get Your Tattoo Appointment Booked at the Best Tattoo Shop in Dallas!

Lamar Street Tattoo Club and our skilled tattoo artists in Dallas know what we’re doing, and we know how to make everything run smoothly for your new tattoo. So come in, call, or message us and we’ll give you all the details and answer any questions you have!

Send us a submission form if you are interested in working with the best tattoo artists and the most renowned tattoo shop in Dallas. Contact us, and we’ll get back to you with a consultation, appointment time, and tattoo artist recommendations if you don’t know who you want.

Walk-ins Always Welcome, Appointments Preferred.

Unless you want your new tattoo to look worn-in, faded, fuzzy, uneven, and overall shitty, you have to take care of it right from the very beginning.

Proper tattoo aftercare is JUST AS important as its application, and since you probably chose a great tattoo artist from a great Dallas tattoo shop (probably us), we’re guessing you want your tattoo to look great too.

Follow these steps to keep your tattoo looking crisp, clear, and bold:

1. Don’t Mess with Your Saniderm Bandage

Leave the Saniderm bandage on for 48 to 72 hours. Period. We have found that this is the optimal time for most people based on the climate here in Dallas, TX.

Your tattoo will weep lymph, blood, ink, and other bodily fluids, which will collect under the bandage. This is normal! Don’t be alarmed. These fluids may affect the adhesion of Saniderm though, so if it comes off before the 48 hours is up, begin your follow-up care as directed.

If you cannot tolerate adhesives, we will work with you and use other methods.

2. Take Your Saniderm Bandage Off (Properly)

The best way to remove your bandage is with heat and hot water. If you can get sweaty before taking a shower, all the better. Peel up a corner of the bandage and peel it over and across itself, NOT AWAY from the skin. Do not lift straight up and pull, as this will cause damage to your tattoo and the surrounding skin.

Wash your tattooed area in HOT water (as HOT as you can stand without hurting yourself, of course). This will cause slight discomfort but will not damage the tattoo.

Wash with Optiscrub using just the pads of your fingers (no nails, sponges, washcloths, loofahs, soft brushes, etc.) for a MINIMUM of 30 seconds. If you are not washing for at least 30 seconds, you are not killing the germs.

Optiscrub is a lotion-based, anti-microbial soap that won’t dry your skin out like Dial – while still killing germs. This process can help remove the elements that create thick scabs and will make for proper healing of your new tattoo.

3. Dry Your Tattoo (Properly)

Pat the tattooed area dry. Do not wipe the tattoo. Only wipe the wet areas around the tattoo with a dry paper towel. And for the love of God, DO NOT use the same towel you dried your ass with. Treat your tattoo like a wound – because, well, it kind of is.

4.Moisturize (Properly)

Once your tattoo is uncovered, clean, and dry apply a small dab of an organic, petroleum-free, vegan ointment or moisturizer like cocoa butter, coconut oil, or shea butter. Be gentle. Be sparing.

Only apply a thin layer of the ointment – meaning, only use what you can (gently) rub in. We recommend working the ointment between your fingers for a moment to warm it up prior to applying as this will make it easier to spread with less pressure.

More is not better here. A thick layer is bad. You are not buttering toast.

For the first week after getting your new tattoo, apply the ointment 3 times daily after washing. In the second week, you can taper down to 1-2 times per day. This is incredibly important for your tattoo aftercare, so don’t skip applications.

Also, Here Are Some Common Sense Things That Stand to Be Said…

• Keeping the tattoo OUT of direct sunlight (this includes tanning beds) is important during your tattoo healing process.
• You and others will be tempted to touch your new tattoo. DO NOT touch your tattoo except to clean it. Definitely don’t let other people touch it. Ew, it’s a wound.
• DO NOT pick or scratch your tattoo (obviously) as this may cause scarring.
• Try to keep tight clothes off of your healing tattoo as much as possible. Socks, bra straps, tight pants, etc. can cause discomfort and poor healing.
• DO NOT submerge your healing tattoo in water including, but not limited to, bathtubs, toilets, pools, ponds, swamps, lakes, seas, fjords, and oceans.
• Drink water. It’s good for healing, your skin, tattoo…and just health in general. In fact, drink water right now. Go.

We Know Our Stuff | Take Care of Your Tattoo from Lamar Street Tattoo Club

Lamar Street Tattoo Club and our elite tattoo artists in Dallas know what we’re doing, and we know how to care for what we’ve done too. Send us a submission form if you are interested in working with the top tattoo artists and tattoo shop in Dallas. Along with getting the best tattoo quality, you’ll also get the highest level of tattoo aftercare when you choose Lamar Street Tattoo Club. Contact us and we’ll get back to you with a consultation, appointment time, and tattoo artist recommendation!

Walk-ins Always Welcome, Appointments Preferred.