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Inside Fireside: Mentality, Pain Management, and the Art of Client Care with Kurt Jacobson
Inside Fireside: Mentality, Pain Management, and the Art of Client Care with Kurt Jacobson
Welcome back to our Fireside series! In this final installment with the talented Kurt Jacobson, tattoo artist and Fireside guest, we dive deep into the crucial aspects of client care during tattoo sessions. From multi-day tattoo conventions to mastering the mindset, this episode covers the strategies artists can use to help clients manage pain and discomfort.
Mastering Mentality: It's All About the Mindset
Kurt opens the discussion by highlighting the importance of mentality in tattooing. For both the client and the artist, having the right mental framework can make all the difference. Tattoo sessions—especially those that last several hours or even days—are not just about physical endurance; they are also a mental game. Clients often reach a point where they want to quit, and Kurt believes it’s the artist's role to help them push through.
“You have to communicate honestly with yourself and with your client,” Kurt explains. It’s not just about soothing words but guiding clients to understand that the impossible can become possible through proper mindset management. He shares that his approach is to help clients recognize their own internal language and how it shapes their capacity to endure.
The Power of Touch: Gentle Guidance Through Pain
Another key element in managing long tattoo sessions is how the artist interacts with the client physically. Kurt emphasizes contact and how being mindful of how you touch your clients can reduce discomfort. He encourages using fingertip stretching instead of whole-hand stretching to minimize unnecessary pressure on inflamed skin.
"The more gentle I am, the more my client will be okay with me touching them, and the less they'll resist, which helps reduce fatigue over time," Kurt shares. This is especially important during long, multi-day tattooing sessions where discomfort can accumulate and wear clients down.
Positioning and Comfort: Small Adjustments, Big Relief
Beyond mental and physical touch, Kurt also stresses the importance of positioning for the client's comfort. Sitting in one position for long periods can lead to body fatigue. However, with small adjustments—like those we make on long flights or car rides—discomfort can be managed.
"I use pillows and blankets like they're going out of style," Kurt jokes, but in truth, these small adjustments can make a huge difference in helping clients stay comfortable. Even slight changes in positioning, supported by a well-placed pillow, can alleviate tension and extend a client’s endurance.
Lidocaine Use: Finding the Balance
A popular topic during this episode was the use of lidocaine in tattoo sessions. Kurt explains his cautious approach to using lidocaine, emphasizing that it’s not about making clients completely numb but maintaining their current pain level.
"I apply lidocaine sparingly," Kurt explains, "the goal isn’t to bring the pain level down to zero, but to keep clients at the same level they're already at." He warns against overusing lidocaine, which can lead to increased tolerance and make it difficult for clients to handle subsequent sessions.
Closing Thoughts: Encouraging but Never Pandering
Kurt wraps up the conversation by sharing his philosophy on guiding clients through tough moments. Being encouraging but not pandering is key. It’s about balancing the support you give without sugarcoating the experience.
Tattooing is hard—mentally, physically, and emotionally. But with the right preparation, communication, and attention to client care, both artist and client can emerge from the experience stronger.
Thank you to Kurt for taking the time to share his wisdom with us in this series. Be sure to check out the previous episodes if you haven’t already, and stay tuned for more insightful conversations with industry experts.
The Art of Competition Tattooing Kurt Jacobsen
The Art of Pain Management in Competition Tattooing: Insights from Kurt Jacobsen
In the world of tattooing, especially in the high-pressure environment of competitions, mastering the art of pain management is just as crucial as the tattooing itself. In a recent episode of the Fireside Tattoo Network, Kurt Jacobsen delved into the intricacies of competition tattooing, offering invaluable insights that go beyond the competition floor and into everyday tattoo practice.
Understanding Client Pain Tolerance
One of the key takeaways from Kurt's discussion is the importance of managing client comfort levels proactively. Tattooing, particularly in a competitive setting, requires clients to sit for extended periods, often enduring significant discomfort. As Kurt emphasizes, the artist's role extends beyond just applying ink to skin; it's about ensuring the client can endure the process without crossing their pain threshold.
Honest Communication: The Foundation of Effective Pain Management
Kurt highlights that the cornerstone of managing a client’s pain is honest communication. While this might seem straightforward, it’s often more challenging than it appears. Clients, not wanting to appear weak, might downplay their discomfort. It's the artist's job to create an environment where clients feel comfortable expressing their pain levels honestly. This involves humanizing yourself as an artist and consistently checking in with your client—not just asking if they’re okay but also observing their body language to gauge their true level of discomfort.
Efficiency in Tattooing: Less Trauma, Better Results
Efficiency is not just about speed; it’s about minimizing trauma to the skin. Kurt discusses the concept of “efficiency of holes,” which refers to the importance of using the right amount of needlework to achieve the desired effect without overworking the skin. For instance, he talks about stipple shading as a technique that allows for quick and true results with less trauma, which is essential in competition settings where the skin needs to hold up under intense and prolonged sessions.
The Critical Role of Proactive Pain Management
Proactive pain management is another critical aspect Kurt brings to light. He explains that once a client’s pain level crosses a certain threshold, it becomes exponentially harder for them to continue. Therefore, artists should never wait for signs of discomfort before taking action. Instead, they should be proactive, making adjustments to the tattooing process before the client reaches their pain limit. This could involve taking breaks, changing tattooing techniques, or simply adjusting the client’s position.
Client Care Beyond the Tattoo Session
Finally, Kurt touches on the importance of client care outside of the tattoo session. Ensuring that clients get adequate rest and nutrition before and after their tattoo sessions can make a significant difference in their ability to endure long tattoo sessions. He advises clients to prepare as if they’re going on a day trip—packing snacks, staying hydrated, and prioritizing sleep—especially when they’re undergoing multi-day tattoo sessions.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned tattoo artist or just starting in the industry, these insights from Kurt Jacobsen are invaluable. By focusing on honest communication, efficient techniques, proactive pain management, and holistic client care, you can improve not only the quality of your work but also the experience for your clients. In the end, it’s about creating art that not only looks incredible but is achieved through a process that respects and cares for the client’s well-being.