Tattoos

Reasons for getting a tattoo vary from one person to another. Some of them are deep, personal reasons that are even kept hidden sometimes, while others prefer to stand out and express themselves. Whatever the reason maybe, the best ones are usually those that are carefully thought out and well planned.

Unfortunately, there are some people who acquire a tattoo on impulse and regret the hasty decision later on. These are the ones who made the decision under the influence of alcohol or other substance, a bet, or in commemoration of a partner who they later do not have the same feeling for.  Even celebrities make this foolish decision, only to suffer the painful and expensive process of tattoo removal afterward. It is very rare that someone making these quick decisions stick with their tattoos for a lifetime. They usually grow out of the euphoric feeling their tattoos give and end up hating them, leading to a cover up tattoo or a tattoo removal procedure.

On the other hand, some people spend their days in the glory of their well-planned tattoos. These are the ones who came prepared and ready for the consequences of their actions. They had planned well and they were certain of what they wanted from the beginning. Getting a tattoo is a big decision and it is not something one should take lightly. Tattoos are used as distinguished symbols, either identifying you as a part of a group or setting you apart from the rest of the world.

Included in this group are the ones who got tattoo just because they like having one. For this group of people, it doesn’t matter if they get inked by something they like just as long as they get one. Sometimes, getting a tattoo from a popular tattoo artist is reason enough for these people or seeing an artwork on someone else’s skin, for that matter. However, the beauty of a tattoo depends on the eye of the person who has it and what experience it provides for them.

Tattoo design is a form of self-expression so it really matters how you choose your designs and the colors to go with it. This should be something meaningful in your life or something that will remind you of who you are every time you lay your eyes on it. It could be something you feel strongly for and you stand by it no matter what, even for years to come. Tattoos can represent dates and times of your life that you wish not to forget.  A tattoo is something that you should do for your own personal reasons and not because someone told you so.

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The tattoo decision making process challenges people since it involves a decision that will literally mark your body for life. This same challenge compels people to submit themselves to the ever daunting tattooing process and dare themselves to live up with the consequences of their actions whether the outcome is good or bad.

In reality, the hardest obstacle to a first timer would be the one to make or break the experience; that is the tattooing process itself. This is the point when there is no turning back. The tattoo gun which consists of the ink holder, ink tube and the needle, will inject the ink to the deep layer of the skin called the dermis.

It is always recommended that you do your research first to ensure that you will end up with a design you will be able to live with for a long time. Your research should include your design, the tattoo artist, the cost, and the tattoo parlor where it will all happen. You should establish a good connection with your artist so that  you are able to express your concerns, needs and expectations prior to the tattooing itself. Discuss your design and maintain an open mind for suggestions made by your artist. Bear in mind that this person knows what looks best on your skin so his or her advice is valuable. On the other hand, if you don’t have a design in mind, don’t hesitate to ask your artist for assistance. Make decisions with your tattoo artist regarding the color and size of your chosen design.

Once a design is agreed upon, your artist will make a stencil of the tattoo. This is, more or less what your tattoo should look like. If you don’t have any problems with it, the stencil will be traced directly to your skin and the tattooing process using the tattoo gun should begin from here. The client will be asked to sit still for the whole duration of the procedure which can be rather uncomfortable when your design takes time to complete. Small and simple designs are easily accomplished in an hour or less but larger, intricately designed artwork will require huge amounts of time and could even take several sessions to complete.

Prices depend on many factors such as the location of the tattoo studio, the service rendered, difficulty of the design and color variations. Generally, tattoo parlors charge $40-$150 per hour and more but sometimes the artist will set a flat-rate or fixed-price for the whole process. Instructions for care are given by the artist after tattooing.

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Tattoos have been around for a long time now and are definitely a hotter topic than they’ve ever been. They are becoming increasingly popular among all walks of life, especially now that the society is not too restrictive and judgmental toward people who have tattoos. Years ago, you seldom saw women and celebrities with tattoos and those who sport them are considered thugs and bad guys. Fortunately, we broke free from those stereotypes for the most part and tattoos are something that can be acquired by anybody who wants them without too much risk of being judged.

Nobody can really pinpoint when and where skin art started; it seems that it has been around ever since time began. The methods, techniques and designs evolved,  but the concept of tattooing has been around for ages. In fact, a mummy known as Oetzi was found in 1991 sporting a tattoo consisting of lines. The mummy has an estimated age of at least 5300 years old. Due to the location of his markings, researchers suspected that they were used for medicinal purposes, the same concept used for acupuncture where needles are used to alleviate joint aches and pains. Aside from Oetzi, there have been other discoveries of mummies with tattoos. Tattoos back when then they were used to mark tribes, symbolize social status, as well as decorative purposes.

Of all cultures, it was the Egyptians who have the most extensive tradition that supports tattooing and even ancient Egyptian women had them. Their designs are more intricate and complex which consist of lines and dots in various parts of the body. They were thought to be ritual markings that every one had to undergo.

Tattoos also found their way into the circus arena. People who attended the circus found it interesting to see circus performers flaunting their collected skin art from all over the world. Some of the most popular performers are best known for the tattoos they have added over the years and it is impossible to forget the ones with full body tattoos.

If you study the history close enough, you will find pictures of ancient personalities who proudly show their tattoos; men and women alike. They are usually representations of important things such as status and tradition.

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There have been horror stories about people getting diseases from unsanitary tattoo studio practices. Much of it comes from unhygienic practice of using contaminated needles and other illegal tattoo studio operations. This claim has a grain of truth to it but unfortunately, these reports are often overstated and exaggerated. People get tattoos every day and it is not always that someone falls into the wrong hands of tattoo studios that are unsanitary and operating illegally.

Of course, the dangers of getting a tattoo are there but if you did your research beforehand, you will avoid any issues. It pays to talk to the tattoo artist first and express your concerns about the process. Ask for referrals from your friends and take time to scope out the tattoo studio prior to the tattooing procedure. Make sure the studio is practicing the necessary sanitary procedures such as sterilizing equipments and disposal of used needles every time they do a tattoo.

In reality, it is very rare that you get diseases from legitimate tattoo shops because they are regulated and regularly inspected by the organizations they belong to, particularly the APT or Alliance for Professional Tattooists and by local agencies governing them. Infection can arise after getting a tattoo but is much more likely under unconventional circumstances such as doing them in prison or when you settled for a cheap but unregistered tattoo artist. Unsanitary practices can cause Hepatitis C which is transmitted through infected needles. It was reported by the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that transmission of communicable diseases can be prevented if sanitation is maintained. On the other hand, the FDA or Food and Drug Administration states that colored ink are not approved for use although there were no reported cases of problems arising from its application.

Don’t confuse infection from unsanitary procedures with minor skin reactions though. Irritation is common with tattoos and they are usually caused by the ink used for the tattooing process but is never a major side effect. These reactions are as common as those you get from using cosmetics that are not welcomed by your skin too well. Tattoo infections usually occur when the person did not follow the cleaning and caring procedures during the healing period and rarely from a licensed tattoo parlor.

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You’ve considered the pros and cons that come with the lifelong commitment of having a permanent mark on your body, as well as the implications of the procedures you will have to go through if and when the need for tattoo removal arises. Now that you’ve decided to take the plunge and get a tattoo, the next step is to find the perfect tattoo artist to make your vision happen.

To find the perfect tattoo artist for you, you will need to do some research by asking friends and family for referrals. This way, you will have an idea how it’s done and their experiences during and after the tattooing process. Inquire about the cleanliness of the tattoo studio and if their planned designs turned out to be as exactly what they wanted it to be. If a particular tattoo artist is talented, experienced, and reputable, their name will come up.

You can also join online tattoo forums and chat rooms to get names of artists that you can contact. If possible, get their studio addresses and personally visit them so you can see the area they work in and take a peek at their portfolio in person. Ask any and all questions you might have and more importantly, check out if their studio follows the necessary sanitary procedures. Most tattoo parlors are more than willing to show you around to ensure safety and cleanliness of the place. If, upon your visit, you witnessed something that bothers you then it is best to take your business elsewhere.

More often than not, tattoo artists are friendly, accommodating people, especially if you are interested in their craft and how they work. If you feel uncomfortable with the artist, it’s a good idea to just move on and find another one. You must be comfortable working with the artist to make your vision come to life in a tattoo design that you are happy with for the rest of your life. Communication is the key to a perfect tattoo that will leave you satisfied for years to come.

Also, do take note that every tattoo studio has their own expertise when it comes to design and color. It is common practice of every tattoo artist to take pictures of their work and include them in their portfolio. Some of them mastered the art of color mixing while others are greatly noted for black-and-gray shadings and renditions. Then there is the tribal design and pin-ups and other specialties like portraits.  If you already have a design in mind, be sure you are in the right place by checking the studio’s portfolio and making sure that they have the right artist to do the design for you. Remember, once it’s inked, there’s no turning back.

Your satisfaction greatly depends on the tattoo artist’s capabilities and how well he tattooed the design for you. If you overlooked important things during your initial meetings, it could lead to undesirable results which unfortunately, you will have to live with for the rest of your life. Tattoo is permanent, which is why it should be carefully thought of and well-planned.

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Getting a tattoo can be daunting, especially if you think of the long and painful process you must go through in order to complete a well-made work of art. This thought alone frightens many from getting their own tattoos, therefore they discourage people around them from receiving one as well. Often, the decision against one is made based on the fact that the tattooing process seems painful and the instruments used for the process can quite scary to some.

For a normal person to overcome this feeling, she must familiarize herself with the procedure first and what’s involved in it’s entirety. Basically, the concept of tattooing is applying permanent ink to the skin by injection.

Our skin consists of two layers, namely the dermis and epidermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. This is the exposed part of the skin that we can touch and feel. Underneath it is the deeper layer called dermis; one cannot touch or feel it. In a tattooing process, the ink is injected straight into the dermis or the deeper layer and not on the surface or the epidermis. This is because the epidermis sheds cells regularly and the dermis won’t. In order for the tattoo to be permanent, it must be applied to a place that will not shed or peel so it is applied to the dermis. Tattoos have been done this way since the beginning, only the instruments have changed over the years. Today, the machines that are used for tattooing provide both better precision for the artist and less pain for the one who is being tattooed.

Tattooing is basically images that are formed by creating series of dots. By strategically spacing them apart, an artist can make the concentration either darker or lighter, depending on the demands of the design. The tattoo gun itself consists of three parts: the ink, the tube connecting the ink to the needle and of course, the needle. The needle injects the ink to the dermis. After a procedure is done, the needle is disposed of and the equipment is sterilized properly. This is done for each and every client that comes in for a tattoo to keep everyone safe from diseases and is strictly enforced.

Clients are encouraged to choose their own colors to go with their design but you can let your artist choose for you if you are having trouble choosing one. After you have chosen your colors, design and location of the tattoo, the procedure is ready to begin. The duration of the whole tattooing process depends on the size and complexity of the design.

It is normal to feel tolerable pain during the process but one will have to sit still and not move for the entire length of the procedure so that there are no mistakes made by a quick movement and slip of the tattoo gun. Pain depends on your own tolerance for pain; worse if you are afraid of needles but not at all bad as one might expect.

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The long established connection between tattoos and people engaging in illegal activities earned the art of tattooing a bad name but it’s not the only thing that has been haunting tattoos since it’s creation. There have been many myths and unjustified criticisms that come with getting a tattoo. For years,  those who underwent tattooing learned to accept the stigma associated with tattoos,  but the question of whether tattooing is an addiction remains clouded and heavily debated.

There has been a persistent connotation that getting a tattoo could cause an addictive reaction in someone. Maybe because this theory is based on the fact that one tattoo may never be enough for some. A lot of people who experienced one tattoo often find themselves getting another one or making multiple trips to tattoo studios for more but that doesn’t warrant the claim of tattoos being an addiction.

Everyone who has a tattoo  has their own reasons for getting one and like any other decision a person can make in his or her lifetime, it solely depends on what he thinks is right for him. Tattoo represents art; it can also be commemorative for some. It represents and defines the person’s character and separates him from the rest. Nothing has ever been proven that getting inked happens due to a craving or longing for it.

This fallacy is based on two factors and both of them give tattooing bad name to the art and to the individuals who decided to get a tattoo. The first factor is that a person who sports a tattoo gets addicted to it and would often acquire another one to satisfy the craving while the other one is the misconception that the process itself is addicting; so strong that it compels a person to come back for more. Of course, there is no scientific basis to support this claim and it is completely based on malicious intent of the person making the claim.

A tattoo gives the one you has it a certain high and feeling that is something that is hard to explain unless you experience it yourself. That is why, a client who is very satisfied with his tattoo is most likely to get another one from the same shop; but again that doesn’t mean this person is addicted to pain. Addiction by definition is when a person loses his self-control over a thing that possesses them. It is when you are completely dependent on something beyond your control and someone gets a tattoo because he wants to not because he needs to.

It is unfair to associate tattoos with addiction since there is no real basis to the claim and it’s usually made by people who can’t come to terms with why someone who tattoo their entire body. Just because they wouldn’t do it, doesn’t mean it’s a problem.

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When you get a tattoo, you should know that it’s forever. That is why compulsive teenagers are encouraged to stay away from getting inked, and first timers are advised to think of it many times over before finally getting one. Tattoos stay with you permanently and they don’t go away easily like henna would. Moreover, tattoo removal is expensive and it will require several sessions before it fades away. In some cases it can not be completely removed.

There are several ways to remove a tattoo from your skin. The first one is skin grafting, Like the name implies, skin grafting involves removing a patch of skin and transplanting it to the location of the unwanted tattoo. This surgical procedure is usually for damaged skin, such as skin burns, to provide temporary covering for the wound. In cases of tattoo removal, it’s purpose is to cover the tattoo. The procedure is likely to leave a scar since it is an unnatural thing for your skin to go through. On the other hand, you can opt for excision, which means the tattooed skin will be excised from the location. Of course, this will lead to scarring as well. Another procedure that could remove a tattoo is the dermabrasion. Dermabrasion, in a nutshell, is a method performed only by licensed dermatologists that will peel the skin by surgically scraping the layers, one by one, over a series of sessions. Dermabrasion usually alters the skin’s texture and color, so although your tattoo will be gone, you will still have a mark.

Nowadays, the most popular method of removing a tattoo is with the use of lasers. Laser treatments will require several sessions. How many sessions will depend on the size and color of the tattoo. Laser removal is expensive, not to mention, quite painful. However, it can be very effective after numerous sessions. A less painful procedure for removing a tattoo is the IPL or Intense Pulsed Light Therapy. It was said that this is, by far, the most effective procedure in tattoo removal but unfortunately, the most expensive as well.

Although there have been creams and ointments appear on the market that claim effective tattoo removal, the concept of tattooing itself will tell you that it is quite impossible to simply erase permanent ink by merely applying something over it. These creams will not do anything to your unwanted tattoo but moisturize it unless the component is a chemical peel which uses acid since that will remove layers of the skin to some degree. It will not obliterate the tattoo absolutely though.

If you are having doubts about getting a tattoo, then the best you can do is not to get one at all until you are 100% sure. The same goes for those people who are not intending to keep the tattoo forever.  You will have to choose between painful, gruesome procedure or painful, expensive methods to get a tattoo removed. Still, there are some people who are simply not happy with their current design and won’t mind getting a cover tattoo to go on top of the unwanted design. A creative, strategic tattoo artist can do the job for you, so that’s always an option as well.

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