A bunch of ScienceOnline 2012 attendees will be spending the Friday afternoon of the conference on The ScienceOnline2012 Science of Ink Tour, graciously hosted by the Dogstar Tattoo Company and featuring a lecture by Carl Zimmer on the science of tattoos
Some of the participants in this tour will also be coming back with brand new ink, which means they will want to pack accordingly.
1. Your copy of Science Ink for autographing. There are likely to be copies of the book available for purchase on the tour, but lots of you inked-up scientists already have one. Sure, maybe Carl Zimmer will have a chance to inscribe your book for you. The real action, though, is going to be finding conference-goers whose tattoos are featured in Science Ink and getting them to sign the the pictures of their tattoos.
2. Ointment to apply to your new tattoo. A new tattoo needs a thin layer of ointment twice a day. While some prefer a concoction called “Tattoo Goo” that is reputed to smell like hippies, my tattoo artist recommends Aquaphor, which you may be able to find in a 0.35-ounce tube that is conveniently sized for travel.
3. Antibacterial liquid soap. New tattoos also need to be washed twice a day (before you apply the ointment), preferably with a liquid soap that contains an antibacterial agent like Triclosan. (The store brand at most national drugstore chains will have such an option.) Bringing a conference-sized supply in a 1-ounce travel container will probably get you through.
Not pictured: Artwork to show your tattoo artist. When you’re getting inked, a picture is worth a thousand words. Print that puppy out, full-sized if at all possible.
Not pictured: Cash for your tattoo. Most tattoo parlors are cash-only. If you want the body art, be sure to bring the legal tender.
4. A clean washcloth. Even if you’re sticking to the temporary tattoos at the conference, hygiene matters. Always apply them with a clean washcloth, and try not to use brackish water.
My tattoo artist suggested Vitamin A&D ointment, which comes in nice big tubes and which I found to be pretty nice.
Big tubes are a problem if you’re flying, though. I have a 3-ounce tube of Aquaphor in the medicine cabinet at home, but it would take up more than it’s share of room in my quart sized zipper bag — and would be way more ointment than even a big tattoo would require over the course of 3 days.
In short: being able to find your preferred ointment in an appropriate size for your situation is helpful.
Oh yes, definitely. The larger tubes are better to have for when you get home, I had to apply ointment for 2 weeks or so.
How did you get the ointment on the middle of your back?
LOL. I can disjoint both my shoulders at will, is how. I can reach the middle of my back without a problem. Otherwise you need a housemate.
I’ll have some Vitamin A & D ointment to share if people need it.
Didn’t I donate enough to Donor’s Choose a while back requesting no more permanent art work on my daughter’s body? PLEASE!
–Your Loving Mother.
Yes I believe you did. No more tats for Dr Ethics!!!!