The tattoo studio “Message caché”

EN FRANÇAIS

Fashion designer & Tattoo artist

Ah-Young, the owner of the “I Saved The Fish” brand, has always had a fascination for tattooing. Having grown up in a culture where tattoos always had a negative stigma (such as belonging to a gang), she decided to begin embroidering her illustrations on the parts of her body she dreamt of tattooing.

In 2019, her close friend shared her know-how of “handpoke”, an ancestral technique that she learned during her trip in New Zealand. Very quickly Ah-Young felt in love with this traditional art and the ritual of engraving a story on the skin.

"Every drawing, every line, every stroke and every inch of tattooed skin is never by chance. It’s a ritual, an important story. ”

The art of tattooing connected to Fashion

“The upside of your embroidery reveals your hidden message”

One thread lead to another and she boldly decided to begin the art of handpoke tattooing in order marry embroidery and tattoos. She created her alphabet “Message Caché” (Hidden Message): the text is only legible on the inside of a piece fabric when read in a mirror. On the exterior, the word or sentence is a sequence of linear and graphic symbols.

These symbols are the coded message then tattooed on the customer who secretly keeps its significance with the artist.

HANDPOKE / STICK AND POKE

Handpoking is the art of tattooing without a machine but rather a hand held dotting technique using a specialized needle dipped in traditional tattoo ink. The artist’s hand controls the speed, depth and strength of the incision and makes for a much less aggressive process on the skin. The experience is much different than that of a machine powered one. Slightly less painful, the tattoo however requires more time to create.

Creation / Collaboration

Exchange your inspirations with Ah-Young. She will follow your ideas/inspirations to illustrate you a unique tattoo.

Rules and conditions

- The prohibition of tattooing on a minor, without the written consent of a parent or legal guardian

- Prohibition of tattooing an artist's drawing without his authorization

- Prohibition to copy another drawing

- The tattoo ink used is vegan, it is tested and certified to comply with EU standards (EU Resolution ResAP (2008) 1).

- The tattoo needles used are for single use and sterile.

- The spaces and tools are cleaned and disinfected.

To prepare well before your tattoo

- Think carefully about your tattoo. Engrave your skin is a strong act

- The pain depends on your ability to endure the act of tattooing, the duration of the tattoo and the location. However, handpoke is less painful than a machine

- Do not drink alcohol the day before and the day of the tattoo (alcohol increases the bleeding phenomenon and impairs scarring)

- No smoking (cannabis, other drugs.) Smoking is allowed.

- Do not use an anesthetic patch (not very effective and limits the penetration of ink into the skin ... which means a longer and more painful session!)

- Do not take aspirin or blood thinning tablets

- Avoid exposing yourself to the sun before the tattoo session (burnt skin could make tattooing difficult)

- Do not come on an empty stomach (or provide a snack)

- As far as possible, come as much rested as possible

After the session

- Right after the tattoo the bandage for 24 hours. (Unless it takes off). 24 hours after the session, wash with a neutral PH soap or an antiseptic soap, massaging gently with your hand then rinse with room temperature (to remove residues of blood, ink).

- To dry: tap with a clean towel or paper towel

- Apply a THIN LAYER of healing cream, For about 3-4 weeks (until complete healing)

- Wash the tattoo every day using the method mentioned above

- Apply a thin layer of the healing cream 2 times a day

- Do not cover your tattoo with bandage for more than an hour (risk of infection). Just use to protect against dust.

- Leave your tattoo outdoors as much as possible. Wear cotton clothes

- During the healing of your skin will peel, avoid scratching

- Avoid exposure to the sun and the sea

- Avoid intense sports

- Do not go to the sauna, jacuzzi, bath and swimming pool

To take care of your tattoo

- Before any exposure to the sun protect it with sunscreen index 50.

- Your tattoo lives with your skin so think hydrate it to keep the colors and contrasts