Tattoo You

A Brief History of Tattoos

2011-07-03T22:17:00.000+01:00

Tattooing has been a part of human society for thousands of years and can be found among ancient and native cultures throughout the world. The earliest tattoo to date was found on the famous "Iceman" mummy. Estimated to have lived around 3300 BC and discovered in 1991 in the northern Italian Alps, the mummy revealed approximately 57 tattoos on its ankles, back of the knees and lower back. It is believed that these tattoos were for medicinal purposes, possibly a form of ancient acupuncture.

Tattoos have also been found on Egyptian mummies (though only female) and are evidenced in many cultures worldwide, including Greek, Ainu, Mayan, Aztec, Norse and Saxon. Tattooing in Asia is thousands of years old.

Polynesians have one of the richest tattooing cultures in the world. The word tattoo comes from Tahitian word "tatu" which means "to mark something." The history of the tattoo in the Polynesian culture reaches back over two thousand years, and Polynesian tattoos are considered among the most detailed and complex. For Polynesians, tattooing is considered spiritual and sometimes can cover the entire body. Even today, the tradition of tattooing by hand is considered almost sacred by Polynesians, and the craft is passed from father to son, much like serving an apprenticeship.

The Hawaiian culture is renowned for its tattoos. In the Hawaiian society, traditional tattoo art, known as kakau, is performed not only for the purposes of individualism and ornamentation but also to guard one's spirit, health and well-being. Hawaiian tattoos are typically intricate, mimicking elements of nature such as leaves, reeds, plants, and certain creatures of nature such as lizards, tortoises, butterflies or fish.

Around 1000 AD, Polynesian settlers found their way to New Zealand and became known as the Maori. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Maori had developed their culture significantly. One notable aspect of their culture was the development and use of the tattoo, which was called the moko. In this culture, the tattoo or moko, was used to depict societal status, tribal affiliation and ancestry. Known for the full face tattoo, the Maori tattooing was actually performed by carving and chiseling the skin. Being master carvers of wood, the Maori used their skill to create intricate designs in their skin too. The tradition of tattooing or carving also expanded to the lower torso, extending from the waist to the knees.

All Polynesian peoples have a common thread when it comes to tattoos. They believe that a person's spirit or life force can be represented in their tattoo and thus it has a tremendous significance among their society.

Regardless of purpose, tattoos have played an important role in ritual and tradition. As described above, the motivation for having a tattoo can stem from a variety of reasons. Over time, society's elite such as royalty and czars have had tattoos to distinguish themselves from the rest of their social order. In a negative sense, some cultures have used tattoos for just the opposite purpose -to distinguish an element of their society for the purpose of discrimination or segregation.

Regardless of the reason or the society, there can be no dispute that the tattoo has a place in history. This is also true in American society, where the tattoo has evolved tremendously. It was in the United States that the first electric tattoo gun was developed, based upon the technology and principles of Thomas Edison. It was this tattoo gun that revolutionized the art of tattooing by making the process simpler for artists and also for those getting tattoos.

Prior to the seventies, the tattoo was considered the mark of bikers, sailors, freaks, and carnival ride operators and was held in disdain by most of American society (except for Hawaiians). While in the 1940's during World War II many in the service got a tattoo, the process of getting a tattoo was considered an "underground" activity subject to health concerns, and considered dangerous by many. However, in the seventies, tattooing started to take on a new significance during a time when the American society was undergoing many cultural changes. These cultural changes, included the development and increased popularity of civil rights, as well as gay and lesbian, peace advocate and women's lib groups. The peace sign and the marijuana leaf became very popular in the late sixties and seventies as a sign of counter-culture beliefs as tattooing started to creep into the middle class of American society. Today, tattooing is more popular than ever with some claiming that as many as a third of Americans under the age of forty have a tattoo. With this popularity, the tattoo parlor has largely evolved to become a safer, more acceptable place in society and even tattooists are now being considered among the ranks of American artists, more and more having an education in art and/or health.

Alan Mischler is an Internet Marketer and a Business Consultant. He has a wife and three daughters and his wife and oldest daughter have tattoos. While he does not have a tattoo himself, he is interested in learning more about tattoos, their origin, history and safety aspects. His blog is dedicated to learning more about tattoos from the "layman's" perspective.

Everything Tattoo
History Of Tattoos

Want a Tattoo?

2011-07-01T23:47:00.000+01:00

Before taking the step to have a permanent tattoo affixed to your body, you must first do some thorough thinking. Take into consideration that any tattoo will be with you for the rest of your life and is VERY expensive and painful to remove. Choose the location of the tattoo on your body very carefully. It may be a good idea to wear a non-permanent tattoo for a while to make sure that the tattoo you're getting is exactly the right size and design you want.

Tattoos are reasonably painful to get, but you may stop the tattooist at any time during the procedure, until you feel ready to go on again. Some people feel pain more acutely than others. Most people feel inclined to get another tattoo soon - which is an indication of the bear ability of the pain. Large tattoos are done over a period of time, to give the wearer time to rest after each session. And yes, when the tattooist perforates the skin, there will be moderate bleeding. It is a good idea to be well rested before your first tattoo!

Expensive or Cheap? Good tattoos are expensive BUT nothing looks worse that a botched up tattoo. My advice is to choose a professional artist at a tattoo parlour, pay the extra amount and make sure that you get quality that will last a lifetime. Your tattoo artist should use a transfer sheet to transfer the image onto your body before starting to add on the colours...

Hygiene? Going hand in hand with choosing a professional tattooist, is making sure that your tattoo is done with all the hygienic safety precautions in place. A professional tattooist will show and explain to you all the safety precautions that are taken. It is a good idea to shop around beforehand to be able to cut out dodgy tattooists. See our article about safety precautions.

Aftercare Aftercare should be prescribed to eliminate infection of the wounds and allow proper healing. In some countries underage tattooing is not allowed and special permission has to be given to tattoo mentally incapable people. It is advised to make use of well trained and professional tattoo artists and precaution must be taken by the client to make sure that tattooing is done only under the most hygienic circumstances. The responsibility ultimately lies with the client to make sure that all the safety precautions are adhered to. Click here for link to tattooing equipment for sale There are no hard and fast rules concerning immediate aftercare of a tattoo. It is advised though, to keep it as sterile as possible while it heals. Specially developed tattoo ointments are recommended, but there is consensus that gentle cleaning with soap and water is recommended. gentle anti bacterial ointment can be applied if the special tattoo ointments are not available.

Care must be taken not to use too much water for rinsing, though as this could also wash out tattoo inks or soften scabs before they naturally fall off. If a tattoo gets infected, the chances of distortion of the image are very good due to the formation of scar tissue and the loss of pigments. Two of the tattoo taboos are to remove scabs before the skin sheds them naturally and exposure to the sun is not advised. Tattoos frequently exposed to the sun will also have to be redone or touched up sooner then those not exposed - so stay out the sun - even after your tattoo has healed! Picking off scabs will remove the ink as well before it has set in and the sun tends to bleach tattoo inks. A tattoo looks at it's best when the maximum ink remains imbedded in the skin.

Keeping a tattoo moisturised for the first two months after the first week of initial healing will keep your tattoo looking better for longer as the tattood area tends to become very dry during this stage. Keeping it moisturised will aso prevent scabbing and scarring. Allergic reactions to tattoo inks have been reported, but is very rare. It is recommended that a small patch of skin is subjected to the ink, before attempting a tattoo, especially facial tattoos, such as make-up tattoos. A program was introduced in Canada to legalize Prison tattooing. Inmates are trained and equipped with the right instruments to do tattooing properly - eliminating the chances of infection and disease spreading.

The History of tattoo's

Tattoos are hot, modern day body art and fashion accessories. Tattoos have been around for ages and still are a cultural icon Everyone wears them, from the celebs to the everyday moms and dads. Ladies, especially, have become very aware of the appeal that a well placed tattoo can have lower back tattoos, small and secret little tattoos, flower tattoos and many more, are meant to surprise and please and decorate and so it does too, otherwise it wouldn't have been that popular!

Tattoos dating back to the second millennium before Christ have been noted on mummies as body decoration. Tattooing has been an ongoing practice since about ten thousand years ago in Japan as evidence shows. Different ancient traditions and cultures have been identified by the types of tattoos that they made use of.

Tattoos have been a popular form of body art for thousands of years in Europe and Asia. With the spread of Christianity in Europe and the effort to convert tribal people with traditional cultures that involved ritual tattooing, to Western religions and cultures, the use of tattoos almost completely disappeared in Europe for a while, because it was considered a pagan practice. Europeans to see tattoos again after it had lost its popularity for so many years, were Captain Cook and his sailors when they visited the Marquesas Islands in the 18th Century. Captain Cook described the tattoos as markings and said that the Polynesians called it "Tataw". The sailors who were on the journey with him reinstated the art in Europe, where it soon was reinstated as a popular form of body-art. Sailors, especially, were associated with tattoos At the time tattooing was a common custom outside of Europe and until today tattooing is a tradition amongst indigenous peoples around the world.

Tattoos' Cultural Status Tattoos are mostly used to enhance the wearer but also have symbolic and traditional meanings that sometimes have nothing to do with adorning the wearer. The symbolism of tattoos differ in diverse cultures but mostly are symbols of status, religion, protection, fertility etc. In many tribal cultures the coming of age initiation process involves tattooing to mark the wearer as an adult and usually signifies that the wearer then has a certain sexual independence. Tattoos were also utilized, until recent times, by authorities to mark convicts and slaves. The holocaust victims of the Second World War were all bearers of tattoos that were used for identification purposes. Even animals were and still are tattooed for identification purposes, such as thoroughbred racehorses.

Today tattoos are mostly used for decorative or cosmetic purposes. In modern society tattoos still have meanings and there is a strong awareness of the cultural meanings of the different symbols, such as religious, magical, protective iconic, memorial, and of course the ever popular sentimental love and sex symbols. Mystical value is also given to certain animal, flower, insect and iconic symbols to symbolize the status of the wearer's cultural mind-set. Tattoos are often used to signify that the wearer associates with particular cultural or religious groups. The armed forces banned tattooing for a long time, but tattooing was and still is practiced discreetly amongst soldiers and sailors to indicate battles fought, killings made, in memory of lost loved ones, etc. Military tattoos have gained popularity amongst non-military wearers as well and is established as a tattoo category by itself. Criminal gangs use identifying tattoos to symbolize their gang's significance and reputation. Prisoners wear tattoos to indicate their social standing in prison.

A prisoner with a tear tattoo is to be feared, because it signifies that the wearer has killed some-one, with a tear tattoo for each killing. The association of tattoos with criminality and brutality have given them a negative connotation in many societies. Women who wear tattoos are sometimes labeled as people with low moral values and especially lower-back tattoos have been named "tramp-stamps". In modern society, the connotation has worn thin, though, and it has become perfectly acceptable and a fashion accessory in modern western cultures for women to wear tattoos. Ethic groups and sub-cultures also use identifying tattoos as symbols for their beliefs. Icons with very explicit cultural meanings are sometimes misinterpreted and used for the decorative value, such as Chinese and Japanese symbols that are tattooed on uninformed Westerners. The aesthetical value of Eastern tattoos make them a very popular tattoo category. Tattoos are made by perforating the skin, or even allowing for a small cut to be made into the epidermis of the skin and then inserting pigments into the perforation or cut.

Enhancing the body with tattoos is a fine and difficult art and in modern times the professional tattooist will advise and make sure that the tattoo you get is an accessory that you will be happy with for the rest of your life.

It is a bad idea to have a tattoo done under pressure. Make sure that you know exactly what you want to have done, beforehand!

Tattoos might become an embarrassment if not done properly or professionally, therefore make sure that you know exactly how it should be done, where to put the tattoo, what size you want and if your homework is done properly you will have the perfect tattoo!

The pain factor is something that first timers are wary of, but although everybody has a different pain tolerance, it is not unbearable and most people come back for a second tattoo - in fact, it is said that tattooing is addictive!

Professional aftercare is very important to make sure a tattoo is safe, heals properly and stays as beautiful as it was from the start.

Permanent Make-up

Cosmetic tattooing is a very popular way of wearing permanent make-up. Permanent make-up is mostly used to enhance the outlines of the eyes - eyeliner and the eyebrows. Eyebrows are sometimes lost due to illness, age, chemotherapy, etc and permanent make-up is usually the perfect solution to such a problem. Permanent make-up is also used on the eyelids, lip-outlines and on lips and on the skin to hide skin discoloration. It is also used to enhance or restore the breast's areola after breast surgery. Permanent make-up is also recommended and useful to people who have difficulty in applying make-up due to hand tremors, etc.

Many people also find it useful when allergic reaction prevents the use of conventional make-up. In many countries, only highly professional and trained people, such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons perform these type of procedures. The initial results of permanent make-up are a bit pronounced and looks hard and and obvious, but soon fades to a more natural look in a few weeks time. The application process is painful, especially to the more tender facial areas and a local anesthetic may be needed to ease the discomfort. The process seldomly can be done in a single sitting, which adds to the discomfort factor. Permanent make-up pigments fade away under continual exposure to harsh sunlight and after about ten years or so, will need to be touched up with regular make-up. How is it Done?

Traditionally tattoos were made by cutting designs or making small perforations in the upper layer of the skin following the desired design lines and surfaces and rubbing pigments into the wounds. Sharpened sticks, metal needles and other sharpened objects were used for this process. Mostly this process was done without proper precautions or aftercare, often resulting in painful infection and distortion of the original designs. Today specially designed tattoo machines are used with multiple needles. The machines are designed to make multiple perforations very quickly, that perfects shading and sharp lines can be made more distinctive. Tattoo machines make the process quicker and gives the artist more control over the desired results.

Modern pigments also allow for more colors to be applied and the results are precise and colorful and allow for shading- and color bleeding nuances which results in beautifully rendered art works. The customer determines the design and placement of the design by having a stencil placed over the chosen area. The complexity and size of the tattoo design ultimately determines the time it takes to tattoo. It could take from less than an hour to many days to complete a tattoo. Tattoo needles are not used repeatedly either, eliminating cross infection and AIDS and are discarded after use. Hygienic precautions are the rule. The tattoo artist has to wear disposable gloves at all times and the wound has to clean repeatedly.

Feel free to have a look here, to help you choose a design for your website or contact me through my website cybertattoos.cyberbuzz.co.za

Renee Meyer is an Artist by trade and she holds an Honors degree in Fine Art. She lives in Groblersdal, where she is the Communications and Marketing person for a large non-profit Welfare Organisation. Having designed a lot of websites for customers, she also has her website in this regard http://www.cybertattoos.cyberbuzz.co.za/

She has a keen interest in tattoo's and especially the design part of it. Feel free to have a look at her website http://www.cybertattoos.cyberbuzz.co.za

An Honest Tattoo Designs US Review - Is it Worth Your Cash?

2011-06-29T19:21:00.000+01:00

Getting and choosing a tattoo is a big decision to make. Especially since you're going to be living with the one you choose for a long, long time. So, it might be best to take a long good look at tattoo designs before settling on one.

It might take a while, but the important thing is that you get a tattoo that you will love for the rest of your life. However, the search for tattoos is no longer as hard as it used to be. There are a multitude of tattoo sites that showcase unique designs, allowing you to download the patterns before taking them to your favorite tattoo studio.

One of the popular tattoo sites getting reviews is the Tattoo US Designs. A jaunt on the site will reveal a collection of more than 3,000 tattoo designs. The designs are segregated into 40 categories, some of which are:

Alien Tattoos
Eagle Tattoos
Religious Tattoos
Angel Tattoos
Evil Tattoos
Animal Tattoos
Fairy Tattoos
Scorpion Tattoos
Aztec Tattoos
Fantasy Tattoos
Shoulder Tattoos
Bird Tattoos
Flag Tattoos
Skull Tattoos
Butterfly Tattoos
Flash Tattoos
Snake Tattoos
Cartoon Tattoos
Flower Tattoos
Star Tattoos
Character Tattoos
Girl Tattoos
Sun Tattoos
Celtic Tattoos
Heart Tattoos
Symbol Tattoos
Chinese Tattoos
Indian Tattoos
Tiger Tattoos
Cross Tattoos
Japanese Tattoos
Tribal Tattoos
Demon Tattoos
Letters Tattoos
Wings Tattoos
Devil Tattoos
Lion Tattoos
Zodiac Tattoos
Dolphin Tattoos
Dragon Tattoos
Panther Tattoos

Add to that, they also have these three great bonuses for the members. The first one is the "Phrase Creator Widget" that successfully translates any English word or phrase into Arabic, Chinese or Hebrew.

This widget in itself is already great since you can translate your favorite phrases cool tattoo ink. Tattoo virgins can get a glimpse of what their favorite phrases would look like in ink and that in itself holds a special pull.

Bonus two is an audio book that contains everything you need to know about tattoos. Information ranges from choosing a tattoo parlor to picking your perfect tattoo. The third bonus is the "Got Ink?" eBook which contains a multitude of information for tattoo enthusiasts.

Tattoo US Designs also provides a quality guarantee and a full refund in 8 weeks or 56 days in any event that you can't find the tattoo design you want. Not a bad offer, and with the amount of choices, it won't be a problem taking your pick on all these tattoos. The site also has a sneak preview for those who want to take a look at the designs before enlisting themselves and includes an eBook titled "You and Your Tattoo".

Regardless of what you pick, remember that tattoos are one way of telling people about you without uttering a single word. And it's not just the tattoo design, the ink's placement in which body part, the size, the color - these things all add up into defining a person wearing the tattoo. A tattoo is not purely for aesthetic reasons, it's a statement. Good luck on finding that perfect tattoo, have fun and look awesome!

Are you thinking about getting a tattoo? Then check out the full video Tattoo Designs US Review and the Tattoo Designs US User Reviews at TattooYouDesigns.com.

While you're there, claim your FREE copy of the wildly popular eBook "Tattoo: Book of Secrets" while supplies last.

Finding the Best Back Tattoo Designs For You

2011-06-28T16:47:00.000+01:00

Since your back is the flattest and widest part of your body, it makes some sense that it is perfect location for a tattoo. And since the "canvas" is so large, you can be creative with the back tattoo designs. A lot of people start off with a small tattoo design or two on their backs before migrating to a large tattoo that connects everything together.

And the process can cover a period of time because quite frankly, the large back tattoo designs requires a lot of thinking. And why? Obviously because the tattoo design covers a large area, it will be very difficult and expensive to remove if you have regrets. So for most people, taking it slow and easy by starting off with a back tattoo or two is the perfect way to go before going all out and getting a single large tattoo for the back area.

Again, I strongly urge you to put a lot of thought into your back tattoo design BEFORE you get it done! And for anyone who never had a tattoo done before, there is nothing wrong with getting a small tattoo or two at first. Just to see how you like them because tattoos are not for everyone.

To start off, I suggest that you check out the tattoo studios in your area. And take the time to explore the tattoo design possibilities. Do not feel rushed. If a tattoo artist tries to rush you or you feel uncomfortable with them, walk away and find someone else. But find a good tattoo artist that you absolutely feel good about. I say this for two reasons. First of all, that tattoo artist must be a good one, not necessarily a cheap one. Because many times, you get what you pay for. And tattoos are pretty permanent. So get a good one. The second thing that is very important is how they treat their equipment and how careful they are with it. It is very important for them to follow the regulations and rules to prevent passing any diseases to you. You only want a tattoo, not a death sentence or a lousy design imprinted on your back.

And when you do find a tattoo studio that looks promising. If the tattoo artist is good or has a lot of confidence in his or her abilities, they are going to allow you to look at their flash designs in books. If you find a design that you like, more the better! And the variety and depth of many tattoos will astonish you.

The flash tattoo designs that you find at the old-school tattoo studios will have animals of all kinds, butterflies, dragons, fantasy art, nature scenes, tribal style tattoos, Asian art and lettering, Celtic knots, flowers and skulls. You name it and they have it.

And your tattoo artist is going to have a portfolio of their best work in a book. And you may like one or two of them. My suggestion is to try to customize it a little so that your tattoo is original and fresh. Looking at the photographs of other back tattoo designs might give you some inspiration on what design that appeals to you.

Don't forget to do a little crawling on the Internet for some other back tattoo designs and ideas. There are sites that have a huge gallery of flash tattoo designs that you can download (usually for a fee) and print out for your tattoo artist to trace on your back.

Another good source for tattoo design ideas can be the tattoo magazines that you find at your bookstores. For those who are more creative and a pretty good artist can even design their own tattoo!

But even if you are NOT a good artist, don't let that stop you. There are tons of awesome tattoo designs that appeals to every single whim and taste. The only thing you need to decide on is the colors, shading and size of the tattoo. A good tattoo artist can help you out with that one.

And after you done your research, you can gather all the ideas together and try to come up with the most perfect tattoo design for you! And while trying to decide what exactly you want, consider a design that perfectly encapsulates of who you are and what you are all about. A great tattoo is one that reflects the best characteristics of you, one that inspires you to greatness, makes you laugh or makes you remember something very important and meaningful to you.

So there you are. You can choose to get a full back tattoo, a lower back tattoo, or a shoulder blade tattoo. The choice is yours but take the time to look at all the possible tattoo designs before choosing the final tattoo design for you. Doing so ensures that when you are getting tattooed, you know it is going to be a great one and you will be proud of it too. Tattoos are almost permanent and you will love it for the rest of your life.

So there you go. If you do your homework, the back tattoo designs can be a wonderful source of pride for you. You need to put in the time and energy to plan everything so there are no surprises like waking up with 56 tattoos on your face! And make sure that it is the tattoo that you really want and would love seeing on you every single time you see it.

Becky McClure believes that the MOST important word after you made the decision to get inked is patience! Pick the right tattoo design for you. Pick the right location on your body to have it done. And then pick the best artist you can find for your new body art. Her website at http://www.dream-tattoo-design.com provides a wealth of informative articles and directions to a huge tattoo design gallery.

Don't forget to sign up for the FREE tattoo newsletter and grab your freebies too!

Myths and Facts About Tattoos

2011-06-26T03:57:00.000+01:00

It's bad luck to get a tattoo of someone's name... Light colors hurt more... Tattoos bleed a lot... A tattoo needle is only one needle... Tattoos turn blue when they are old... Red ink fades quickly... Anyone who can draw can tattoo... Only sailors, bikers, circus people and tough people get tattoos... Tattoos cost a lot of money... Tattoos are forever...

Many of these urban legends were started a long time ago, when basically some truth did exist in them. Everything from the types of folks who would venture into a tattoo parlor, to the kinds of skin dyes used caused the myths to become popular in the first place.

Modern tattooing is much more about the art form, hygiene, and appealing to people from all walks of life, than about maintaining any outdated stereotypes and falsehoods. Let's take a few of these myths about tattooing and turn them into factual statements instead.

Having someone's name tattooed on your body, while not necessarily bad luck, is a personal choice. And while any relationship can fail, if you already believe that getting their name tattooed on you is a guarantee one way or the other about the outcome then you're doing it for the wrong reasons anyway. Relationships fail for all kinds of reasons, getting someone's name tattooed on you is not one of them.

Tattoos do hurt, and depending on your tolerance to pain, some will feel more pain, some less. The light colors are typically done last when the skin is most tender, so to most, these will be the most painful colors. As to other ink colors, tattoo ink innovations have come a tremendously long way. During the 50s and 60s, tattoo ink pigments were not as refined as they are today, so bright colors like red or blue would fade under the elements and normal wear. That is no longer the case however, and all tattoo colors resist fading if properly cared for when healing.

Tattoo needles are clustered together in soldered groups of odd numbers, 3, 5, 7, etc. While most tattoos bleed minimally during the outline, and up to as much as 10 minutes after the shading is done, by the time you leave the shop, the bleeding will have stopped. Your tattoo will be bandaged for hygienic reasons only.

With modern medical advances in dermatology and skin care, tattoos are no longer a forever commitment. Laser tattoo removal and fade creams can remove a tattoo leaving behind no trace.

Stereotypes for tattoos came about at a time when tattoo parlors were rare, unregulated, and often located in seedy areas. Many sailors obtained tattoos according to the myths and legends that said that tattoos and piercings were thought to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the wearer. The prevalence of motorcycle enthusiasts who enjoy tattoos is merely a cultural bias. Today, anyone can have a tattoo and no one would even know, and conversely simply because someone does have a tattoo, does not mean they are part of a seedy sub-culture. The prevalence of tattoos in society and among more publicly notable figures has also done a great deal to bring tattooing into its place as a mainstream form of art and personal expression.

If you believe that anyone who can draw can tattoo and that you need to be bargain hunting for your tattoo, chances are good that you are getting one for the wrong reasons and need to rethink your decision carefully. There are truly exceptional tattoo artists who have adopted a style that they are very skilled in doing, and there are tattoo artists who are just that, tattooists.

While most artists do have artistic backgrounds, there are some who simply love the art and wanted to make their living doing something they enjoyed. Tattoo artists are normal everyday people, just like you or me. They have lives and good and bad days just like the rest of us. Examine the work being done, or better still, find someone who has a tattoo that you admire and find out where they had it done before you put your own skin under the needle. And remember to choose an artist whose style matches the tattoo you would like to get.

Finally, bargain shopping for your tattoo will get you a bargain tattoo. If you are concerned with how much it will cost, it is likely not a good time for you to be thinking about a tattoo. While they are not all overly expensive, and good quality tattoos can be gotten for less than you would expect, it is still the kind of purchase that you need only make when your wallet is not an issue. It is mostly permanent, and it is your skin after all.

Patricia Ross is a freelance writer and web content specialist living and working in the New England area.

Inflicting Ink Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Portsmouth RI and home of the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck. For more information on Tattooing in RI call the RI Tattoo Studio of Inflicting Ink at (401) 683-5680 or visit them on the web at http://www.InflictingInkTattoo.com

My First Tattoo - Know Just Exactly What to Expect

2011-06-24T02:45:00.000+01:00

If you are toying with the idea of getting your first tattoo done, have questions about the whole process and are feeling anxiety about getting it done; relax because most everyone feels the same about their first tattoo. Most peoples minds play games with them and they develop a fear of the unknown. This feeling has an adverse effect on most and makes us shy away from doing some of the things that we really want to do, like getting my first tattoo, but are afraid to take a chance. Rolla coasters are a good example for most people.

The best way to overcome fears of the tattooing process is to read books and articles and become familiar with what exactly will be involved in the tattoo experience. This way you will be aware of each step in the process and know precisely what to expect before the needle starts buzzing. In this article, I will tell you, from start to finish, each step involved in tattooing.

Please bear in mind though, that I will be describing just exactly how the process should generally proceed. There will always be possibilities that different tattoo artists will do things differently than I describe or in some instances even skip some of these steps. This does not necessarily mean that the artist is wrong; it just means that there is more than one way to skin a cat. So to speak. But do be aware that any major variations from the process described below could be an indication of a problem. You may want to discuss with your artist, their procedures in advance.

Let us assume that you have nailed down your tattoo design and have your desired artist picked out. A truly professional artist will require that you show valid identification and proof of age. You may also have to fill out other paperwork and give some other types of personal data. This will vary from shop to shop and has little bearing on the actual process.

Most tattoo parlors will require payment for their services before they begin. This again will vary from shop to shop and each will vary in the types of payment that they accept. You should always request a receipt for your payment.

Now you are ready for the chair. This can be in an open area or a separate room. This will vary between shops and also vary with the part of the body you are having tattooed. If you prefer a private room, you should talk to parlor personnel about this in advance. There are varying styles of chairs for different tattoos, so a private room may not always be convenient for the parlor to furnish. Your artist should do everything in their power to make you feel comfortable and accommodate your requests or tell you why they cannot.

Preparing the tattoo area. Rubbing alcohol is the most common substance used to clean the area that will receive the tattoo. Once the area is cleaned, then the area will be shaved with a new disposable razor to remove any hair. The area has to be clean shaven because any presence of hair can cause problems. The immediate and surrounding area will be cleaned again, making sure there is no hair remaining and everything is set to proceed.

Making a stencil of your tattoo design. The artist will most likely use a thermal-fax machine to make a stencil of the tattoo design. The machine will transfer your design onto a special thermal type paper to be used as a stencil. The artist will then use the stencil to transfer the design onto your skin. To aid in the transfer process, the artist will use soap, water or even stick deodorant to moisten the skin. These substances allow the design to transfer better and provide more color on your skin. When the stencil is removed, you will have a purple-ish blue impression of the future tattoo remaining on your skin.

Your artist will begin preparing their tattoo equipment. The ink will be put into little small cups they call "ink caps". They will remove the needles and tubes from the sterile pouches and place them into their tattoo machine. A clean container of distilled water will be another of the items on the work table. This will be used for cleaning the needles during the tattoo process and for changing colors.

Now for the line work! A small amount of ointment will be placed over the transferred design. The ointment will help the transfer to stay longer and prevent it from being accidentally rubbed off. The ointment will also allow the needle to slide along the skin more smoothly. Now that the ointment is in place, the artist will begin their line work. At this point, is where your heart will start to race and panic will set in. Take slow, nice, deep breaths and try to relax. Do not hold your breath. The first minute or two will be the toughest. After a few minutes, your nerve endings will get used to the process and the pain will slowly subside.

Time for shading and color. After the line work is complete, your artist will breathe a little bit easier knowing that you have grown accustom to the process and they are done with the transfer. Now the artist can do their thing and begin adding shading and color; if your tattoo is going to have color. Depending on the size of your tattoo, your artist may switch to a different set of needles. The needles used for shading and color are called magnums (or mags). There is a possibility that they may even switch tattoo machines. The shading and coloring usually moves along quite rapidly and then your tattoo will be complete.

Now that your done, it is time for a little fun! The artist will clean the tattoo good, and some will even apply a hot towel to it. Then, if your tattoo is somewhat of a specialty or the artist needs to build up their portfolio they will ask to take a picture. If you brought a camera along, you might ask the artist to take a picture for yourself. The ointment that will be applied to the tattoo will cause a glaze. So, if you want a picture of the tattoo, it would be best to do it before the ointment is applied. If for some reason you do not want the artist to take a photo, just say no. You are not obligated in any way to let them do this.

To your body, your tattoo is a wound and will require care for proper healing. A protective layer of ointment will be applied to the tattoo to prevent airborne bacteria that may cause infections. A securely taped bandage will then be applied. Follow the recommendations of your artist when they tell you how long to leave the bandage in place and prepare for your tattoo aftercare.

Your artist should give you tattoo aftercare instructions. These instructions should be given both verbally, and written so that you can follow them at home. It is important that you listen, understand and follow these instructions. If they give you instructions or you want to make sure that you are doing the right thing to heal your new tattoo and preserve its lasting beauty you can read very detailed instructions on Tattoo Aftercare at http://www.thetattoooutlet.com/Tattoo-Aftercare-Instructions.html.

Tattoo aftercare is your responsibility and it is a very important period in the tattooing process. Caring for your tattoo properly will make your tattoos' appearance stunning and also ward off medical repercussions with infection.

If you are pleased with your tattoo and your experience as a whole, before you leave, thank your artist, and do not forget to tip them. Show them that you appreciate a job well done.

Your first tattoo can be the most enjoyable thing that you have ever done in your life or it can turn out to be a total disaster. This will depend upon the amount of research you put into your decision to get a first tattoo. There are numerous tattoo books and valuable information available on my site at http://www.thetattoooutlet.com Use these resources to gain all of the knowledge you will need to make your first tattoo experience exciting and memorable. There are also 700 Free Tattoo Designs that you can download to help with your search for that perfect tattoo design.

The History Of Tattoos

2011-06-22T09:17:00.000+01:00

Tattoos have a rich history of tradition, dating back thousands and thousands of years. ?Throughout the course of time, there has always been an important role of tradition and ritual behind tattoos. ?In the past, women in Borneo used tattoos as a way to mark their skills. ?Tattoos were also used in the past as a way to ward away illnesses and disease by placing the tattoo around the fingers and on the wrist. ?Throughout history, tattoos have also been used to symbolize a clan or society as well.

Along the way, Japan also incorporated the use of tattoos as well. ?The Japanese people used tattoos for religious and ceremonial rites. ?During this era, Borneo women were the artists. ?They produced the designs that indicated the individuals point in life and the tribe that he was affiliated with. ?Tattoos were very popular during these days, although infections were quite common. ?Tattoos were a long way from being perfected - which showed in the way they were done.

Tattoos were shown in the western regions as well, although they weren't well accepted at first. ?William Dampher, who was once an explorer, was the man who re-introduced tattoos to the western areas. ?During the year 1961, he brought a heavily tattooed Prince to the area, showing off his tattoos with exhibitions. ?He made quite a bit of money with these attractions, which in turn made tattoos very popular and well desired throughout London and surrounding areas. ?Before then, it was nearly 600 years since tattoos had been witnessed in the area.

Chatham Square, which is located in New York City, was the first place to feature American styled tattoos. ?During the turn of the century, Chatham Square attracted people from all over the United States, especially those with money. ?A man by the name of Samuel O-Reily set up shop in Chatham Square, becoming the first man to use an electric tattoo gun. ?In the beginning, the now popular tattoo gun was based on Thomas Edison's electric pin that used a needle point to puncture paper.

The electric tattoo gun features moving coils, a needle bar and tube, which are common components of today's guns. ?The electric gun was very popular, allowing those who wanted a tattoo to get one at a great price. ?These guns helped to revolutionize tattoos and allowed the tattoo artists to give tattoos fairly fast as well. ?People took to this new technology in flocks, making it by far the best and most efficient ways to get tattoos.

During the late 1960s, tattoos really began to take off. ?They were featured in magazines, television, and talked about everywhere. ?These days, tattoos are very common, with nearly ? of the population in the United States having at least one tattoo. ?They are still common with bikers and clans, symbolizing that one is a member. ?There are millions of designs out there for tattoos - including different color combinations that have helped to make tattoos the phenomenon they are today.

The purpose of tattoos has differed from culture to culture throughout the course of time. ?Research has shown that the earliest tattoos come from Egypt during the time of the pyramids, although most believe they started much earlier. ?Egyptians at this time were believed to use tattoos as a way to mark the slaves and the peasants. ?Around 2,000 BC, tattoos spread to China and then on to Greece, where the Greeks used tattoos as a way to communicate among spies.

Along the way, Japan also incorporated the use of tattoos as well. ?The Japanese people used tattoos for religious and ceremonial rites. ?During this era, Borneo women were the artists. ?They produced the designs that indicated the individuals point in life and the tribe that he was affiliated with. ?Tattoos were very popular during these days, although infections were quite common. ?Tattoos were a long way from being perfected - which showed in the way they were done.

Tattoo Center

Tattoo Mistakes - How To Avoid Them

2011-06-19T11:42:00.000+01:00

Every day, thousands of new tattoos are completed, but unfortunately for many people their tattoo does not meet their expectations. And while it's possible to make a tattoo fade using laser removal technology, it's time consuming, costly and painful. So here's how to avoid the most common mistakes that people make with tattoos.

1) Never Agree To Get A Tattoo When You're In The Wrong State Of Mind

Getting a tattoo when you're in the wrong frame of mind is a shortcut to disaster.

So don't even think about getting tattooed when you're drunk, depressed or under pressure (it's not a good enough reason just because all your friends are getting one, or have got one). And don't get a tattoo done on a whim.

You know it's a whim when you find yourself in a tattoo studio and you hadn't even considered getting a tattoo the night before!

It's good to be spontaneous, but not with something that will last you the rest of your life. So before you get a tattoo, always ask yourself "Do I want to get this tattoo?"

And keep asking yourself that question every day for a fortnight. And only after you genuinely answer yes every day, do you go anywhere near a tattoo parlour.

2) Choose The Right Design

Choosing the right design is absolutely vital to the amount of pleasure you get from your tattoo.

Let's face it, if you want a dragon, you won't be happy with a flower design. And if you want a large tattoo, you won't be happy with a small design.

So don't compromise on what you want. The final choice of tatoo design must be yours and not that of your friends, partner of tattoo artist. After all, you're the one who'll have to live with it.

It should be a piece of artwork that you absolutely love. And something that you're certain you'll continue to love for years into the future.

Another mistake that many people make is believing the they have to select a design offered by their chosen tattoo studio. If you choose a reputable artist, they'll be able to create a tattoo from any design that you take along with you.

In fact, this is one of the best ways to get the right tattoo.

Browse the internet where you can find thousands of high quality tattoo designs to choose from. Most cost less than $20. Take time from the comfort of your own home to decide which design you want. Take a few days to think about the designs that you like. Then, once you've made up your mind, print out both the color reference guide and the tattoo stencil and take them to your chosen artist.

This option is much more relaxed, and you're much more likely to select the right design. It certainly beats picking a design on the spot when you're waiting in the tattoo studio.

3) Cheap Isn't Always Best

Whatever happens, make sure that you select a high quality stencil for your tattoo design.

All high quality tattoo designs consist of two parts, the main tattoo design which includes the color reference, and a matching stencil of the design.

What many people don't realise, is that the stencil is applied directly to your skin by the tattooist using a machine caller a "liner".

So don't be tempted to do things on the cheap. Buy a quality tattoo stencil (most cost less than $20). Trying to create a tattoo from the color reference design or trying to trace a stencil is a shortcut to a tattoo disaster.

A poor stencil will always lead to a poor tattoo. Traced stencils are not accurate and will translate into a shaky looking design. Regardless of how good they are, a tattoo artist can only quality work from a quality stencil.

4) Test Your Tattoo First

Okay, you've found the tattoo design that you want, but you're not sure where to place it and what size to go for. Do you take a risk?

No. There are millions of people around the world who wish they'd chosen a slightly different tattoo design, gone slightly bigger, or placed it further to the left etc.

So if you want to avoid adding to these regrets, it's important to test your tattoo before you take the plunge.

It's now possible to get special tattoo test paper that will allow you to turn your design into a temporary test tattoo. Just print your chosen design onto the test paper and apply it to your skin.

Then it just a case of living with it for a day to two and forming your own opinion. How does it make you feel? Are you happy with the size and the position that you've selected? Does it catch your eyeline when you're not looking at it? Is it distracting? And then comes the big question; ask yourself, "could I live with this for the rest of my life?"

Testing your intended tattoo is the only way to confirm whether you've made the right decision.

5) The Tattoo And Aftercare

On the day your tattoo is created, a better overall affect will be achieved if you are well slept (it will help to keep you relaxed and to sit still) and well fed (an empty stomach can lead to feeling faint). If you are tense, full of stress or restless, it will take longer and the tattoo won't be as perfect.

Once completed, most tattoos will take up to a month to heal properly. During the first five days, the area may be uncomfortable, irritated and slightly swollen. Make sure that you keep the area clean during this time. If possible, wash the area gently with an antibacterial soap four or five times a day. Gently pat the area dry with a clean cloth or piece of tissue.

It's also suggested that you apply a thin skin of antibiotic ointment after every wash. A good quality aftercare product will help to reduce scabbing and protect your skin from infections which can cause scarring and make your tattoo appear blemished. They will also help to reduce irritation and redness and keep your skin supple.

The second stage of the healing process (weeks 2-4) will have the biggest influence over the look and lifespan of your tattoo. Taking care of the affected skin during this stage will ensure your tattoo stays bright and clear for as long as possible.

Just make sure that you use aftercare products that are specifically recommended for use with tattooed areas, as these won't contain any artificial colors or fragrances which might irritate your skin.

Different artists will recommend different aftercare techniques, but the vast majority agree on three things.

Number One: Keep your tattoo clean

Number Two: As your tattoo heals, the skin will naturally dry out, so it's vital to keep the area moist.

Number Three: Keep your tattoo away from direct sunlight.

If you want to get a new tattoo, Gustavo Gomez can help. Visit SuperTattooDesigns.com to find out everything you want to know about tattoo designs.

Tattoo Removal - The Low Cost Way

2011-06-18T09:00:00.000+01:00

Cost can be a major factor in determining which tattoo removal product to use and TCA tattoo removal is the most cost-effective way of removing an unwanted tattoo. Of the four most common methods of tattoo removal TCA is the least expensive by a significant margin. Below is a list of the four most common forms of tattoo removal from the least expensive to the most expensive.

Tattoo Fading and Removal Methods Ranked from Least to Most Expensive.

1) TCA Tattoo Removal

2) Tattoo Removal Cream

3) Dermabrasion

4) Laser

1).TCA Tattoo Removal

TCA is a cosmetic acid commonly used for facial peels, removal or reduction of acne scars, warts, and other facial blemishes.
It has been used as a tattoo removal products for the past 30 years.
TCA is the only home ink removal product that has has been thoroughly tested in two medical studies and proven to be effective as a tatoo removal product in the vast majority of the test subjects.
The first TCA tatoo removal medical study was performed from 1979 to1984 using 670 volunteer patients. At the end of the study, 85% of the test subjects were satisfied with their results.
The second TCA tattoo removal medical study was performed using 40 volunteers from May 1988 through February of 1989. At the end of the study, participants reported a 90% satisfactory rate.

2).Tattoo Removal Cream.

There is no known tattoo removal cream medical study proving the effectiveness of tattoo removal cream as a way to remove tattoo pigment. If such a study existed every manufacturer would be using it to market their product.
Many tattoo removal cream product manufacturers use the lure of a no pain, easy to apply, once or twice daily tattoo removal process that is simple, easy, and more affordable than laser surgery. They, of course, neglect to tell you that a simple tattoo removal cream, by itself, probably will not remove a tattoo.
Most tattoo ink removal cream products have one thing in common, most contain a skin pigment fading, or melanin inhibiting, chemical as a main ingredient in their product.
This skin pigment fading chemical fades the skin pigment above the tattoo and not the tattoo pigment itself, which is located in the second layer of skin called the dermis.
A tattoo removal cream, by itself, does not physically remove a tattoo because it cannot penetrate the skin deep enough to reach the location of the tattoo pigment.
There are some tattoo removal cream products on the market that include exfoliates in the form of hand held battery operated sanders or loofah pads that must be used in conjunction with the cream.
Some manufacturers also include an exfoliate in the form of dehydrated silica or crushed walnut shells blended into the cream to form a grit which helps with the skin exfoliation process.
Many tatoo removal cream manufacturers have no product guarantee, offer no money back or they offer a guarantee which is so restrictive it is virtually impossible to receive a refund if you are not satisfied with their product.
When considering buying a tattoo removal cream always check for a product guarantee and carefully read the wording to make sure it is valid.
One well known tatoo removal cream manufacturer explains their guarantee and return policy, but in the final sentence state that no retail purchases are refundable. They neglect to tell you where you can buy their product at wholesale prices.
The tattoo ink removal cream products that use no form of abrasion generally offer no guarantee. Some contain the chemical hydroquinone, which is known to be carcinogenic, cost approximately $65 a month per kit with no guarantee as to the number of kits it will take to see any difference, if any, in the lightening of the tattoo pigment or removal of the tattoo itself.
The tattoo removal cream products that contain an exfoliate grit in their ingredient list and combine that with a sander or recommend the use of a loofah pad generally sell for $50 to $75 for a one-month kit, but offer no timeline as to how fast you may begin to see results. This means you'll be spending $50-$75 a month for many months before you see a change, if any, in your tattoo.

3).Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion was first used in 1905 when the process was invented by a German doctor for the removal of post-acne scarring.
This procedure is also known as "surgical skin planing" and "non-chemical peel".
Modern dermabrasion used for tat removal involves the use of freezing the skin above the tattoo and using an electric surgical sander to remove the skin containing the tattoo pigment.
This method of tattoo ink removal is very effective but, is very bloody, painful and generally leaves a scar.
This method is generally done over several sessions in a doctors office on an outpatient basis and is very expensive.

4).Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser tattoo ink removal can cost anywhere from $150-$350 per session
Modern lasers can be very effective at the removal of dark pigmented tattoos
Colors such as black, dark blue and other very dark colors generally are the easiest colors to remove and the number of sessions required depends on the size of the tattoo.
Tattoos that contain light colors such as light blue, light green, yellow, pink or white are very difficult to remove and can require many sessions which can escalate the cost of removal into the thousands of dollars.
Tattoos that contain the color white, in particular, are the most difficult of all to remove and ethically operated laser tattoo removal clinics will refuse to even attempt to work on them unless they are at least five years old or older and have had some exposure to the UV radiation of the sun.
After approximately 5 years of age, a white tattoo will have begun to fade naturally and become a bit easier to remove, although it will still be difficult.

In conclusion there are several things to consider, and look for, when researching which tatoo removal product is best for your situation.

When considering tatoo removal cream products always check to make sure they have a guarantee.
If they list a guarantee check to make sure that it is possible to meet the requirements listed for the return of the product and the refund of your money.
Check to see if a contact phone number is listed on the website so that customer service can be reached during normal business hours.
Look for an email address so that you can contact them at your convenience, and check to see if they list the company address on the website.
If the only form of communication is an email form with no visible email address or phone, number it may be best to avoid this particular company.
Always check the product ingredient list to be sure that the cream does not contain hydroquinone, which is a known carcinogen.
Some tatoo removal cream manufacturers will attempt to hide hydroquinone in the middle of a very large list of ingredients to make it difficult to see that the ingredient is present in their product, for this reason it is very important to closely read the ingredient list.
If an ingredient list cannot be found on the website avoid the product
Any home tatoo removal company that does not operate in a transparent manner and identify who they are should be avoided.

One TCA tattoo removal company provides a generous guarantee because TCA is an easy, effective and very affordable form of tattoo removal when compared to other tattoo removal methods available today.

Glen Wilson has over 20 years experience in the tattoo industry, both as an artist and shop owner and in recent years has become an expert in the many forms of tattoo removal. He currently serves as a consultant to http://www.Nuviderm.com and knows from personal experience that Nuviderm is one of the best home tattoo removal products on the market.

3 Fundamental Tattooing Techniques

2011-06-15T15:10:00.000+01:00

There are 3 fundamental tattooing techniques that must be mastered by every tattoo artist.

A tattoo artist who performs these tattooing techniques with a high degree of skill makes a permanent tattoo something that the tattoo owner can be proud of. Each technique requires a thorough understanding of the tools and supplies used by a tattoo artist.

Let's get started...

Tattooing Technique #1 - Creating a Tattoo Stencil

Tattoo stencils are used to apply the basic lines of the tattoo design to the skin before using a tattoo gun to apply the tattoo. Even the most experienced tattooists begin with a stencil rather than attempting to apply a freehand design. Since the skin is stretched by the tattooist while the tattoo is applied, working without a stencil could result in a distorted finished tattoo.

Many tattoo artists use carbon paper to copy a tattoo design onto another piece of paper. The carbon paper is placed under the piece of paper with the tattoo design, inky side down. A piece of clean paper is then placed under the carbon paper.

All 3 layers should be secured with staples or paper clips before tracing the design with ballpoint pen.

One of the most important tattooing techniques related to creating a stencil with carbon paper is to remember that the image of the design that is laid against the skin will be reversed.

Once the design is traced over, it will appear correctly on the skin when the stencil is removed. Instead of using carbon paper, some tattoo artists use an artist's light table to create a stencil. A stencil created with a light table will face in the right direction. The original drawing is laid face down on the light table and the design shows through and can be traced directly onto another piece of paper.

Tattooing Technique #2 - Applying the Tattoo Stencil

Once a stencil has been created, it can be applied to the skin of the client.

Before the stencil is applied, the skin must be shaved smooth and cleaned with antiseptic. A disposable razor should be used and then discarded, since it could transfer germs or minute amounts of blood to other clients. One of the most common tattooing techniques for applying a stencil is to use roll-on deodorant to transfer the design. The deodorant is applied to the skin, then the stencil is positioned on the deodorant and pressure is applied all over the design. When the paper stencil is peeled away, the tattoo design will have transferred onto the skin.

If the position of the tattoo is not correct, the stencil can be removed from the skin with alcohol and applied again.

Like the razor, the roll-on deodorant should only come into contact with the skin of a single client. Some tattoo artists buy small travel-size deodorant and dispose of it after one use. Another option is to use a clean tongue depressor to transfer deodorant from the roll-on applicator to the skin, and then dispose of the tongue depressor.

Tattooing Technique #3 - Outlining the Tattoo

Once the tattoo design has been stenciled onto the skin and both client and tattooist agree on the placement, it's time to begin the tattoo outline. Being able to create a tattoo outline is one of the most basic tattooing techniques. The majority of tattoo designs begin with an outline.

Starting from the bottom of the design is the best approach, to avoid either smearing the freshly applied ink or wiping off parts of the stencil.

In order to vary the effect of the outline, different size needles can be used to produce lines with different thicknesses. While an expert tattoo artist has an intuitive feeling for which lines should be thick and which thin, a beginner tattooist may want to experiment with line thicknesses on a paper copy of the tattoo design before picking up the tattoo gun.

When applying ink to a tattoo outline, the client's skin should be stretched taut by the tattoo artist so that the needles will move smoothly across the skin. When the tattoo needles are dipped into ink, enough ink should be loaded to allow a continuous line to be drawn. While the outline is being applied, excess ink and blood are frequently wiped away by the tattooist. After taking a break from outlining to reapply ink to the needles, lighter pressure should be used when continuing the line to avoid dropping a blob of ink or creating visible joins.

The three tattooing techniques described here are fundamental to the art of tattooing.

They should be practiced again and again by a novice tattooist until they become second nature. Once the fundamental techniques have been mastered, a tattooist can focus on developing a unique personal style and becoming a true tattoo artist.

Do you want to learn how to tattoo?

Be sure to take a look at The Ultimate Tattoo Bible or learn more about tattooing and how to tattoo.

101 Tattoo Facts

2011-06-12T16:59:00.000+01:00

1: An Ohio restaurant specializing in cheeseburgers offers a lifetime 25% discount for anyone who has a tattoo of a cheeseburger and at an unrelated tattoo studio in a nearby town, they're offering a 25% discount on cheeseburger tattoos- Sounds suspicious.
2: Tattoos are rarely done in ink, what is commonly called inks, are actually suspended solid color particles, mostly metal salts and plastics, but not vegetable dyes as commonly believed.
3: There are no reported cases of HIV infection from a tattoo in the U.S., but there are three from dentist's offices.
4: More women than men are getting tattooed today.
5: Tattoos are considered a minor medical procedure.
6. Until 2006 it was illegal to get a tattoo in Oklahoma
7: Lucky Diamond Rich of New Zealand is the most tattooed person in the world, and after running out of space, has started putting lighter tattoos on top of the darker ones, and vice versa.
8: Robbie "the coon" Koch recently broke the world's record by inking 577 tattoos in 24 hrs. The old record was held by Kat Von D of the television show, "LA Ink." Update- Hollis Cantrell actually owns the record as of 2009 (801 tattoos) but Robbie the coon sounded better. Hollis's final tattoo was on his thigh.
9: The first recorded tattoo is believed to have been found on a mummified iceman in 3300 BC. He had 58 tattoos, mostly dots and lines.
10: In 1876 Thomas Edison invented a machine that ultimately became the tattoo machine, but it took modifications by Samuel O'Reilly in 1891 to adapt the device for tattooing.

11: The record for the longest tattoo session is 43 hours and 50 minutes and was completed by the very observant and talented artist Melanie Grieveson, of Australia. The tattooed was Stephen Grady.
12: In 2005 Kimberly Smith was paid $10,000 to have Golden Palace.Com tattooed on her forehead by the casino, to help pay for her daughter's education. The casino is noted for its outlandish promotions.
13: Thomas Edison had five dots tattooed on his left forearm, similar to the dots on dice.
14: Lip tattoos only last 1 to 5 years and need to be frequently retouched, the most common a cosmetic lip liner.
15: The second most common reason for tattoo removal is mistranslation.
16: In 2010 Channel will unveil its new line of fashionable temporary tattoos. The set of 55 tattoos sells for $75.
17: Most Tattoo machines hold between 1 and 10 needles and some ancient methods using rakes hold up to 27.
18: Anil Gupta is considered NYC's most expensive tattoo artist at over $350 per hour.
19: In the majority of cases, the outline of a tattoo shouldn't bleed at all, and the shading for only a few minutes.
20: As of 2006, 1 in 4 women aged 18 to 50 have at least one tattoo.

21: U.S. President James Polk is said to be the first white man to have a Chinese character as a tattoo.
22: A brothel in Cologne, Germany is offering any patron who gets a tattoo of the businesses logo, by their in house artist, free entrance for life ($6.25 US) and discounts on lap dances ($25.00 US. ea)
25: The word "tattoo" has been in the top ten searched terms since Lycos started tracking search engines.
26: Democrats are more likely to have a tattoo then republicans, 18% to 14%.
27: January 23, 2010. A new US Marine Corp directive prohibits anyone with a full sleeve tattoo from becoming an officer. It also prohibits tattoos on the hands, wrists, fingers, and the inside of the mouth.
28: July 17th, 2009. 18 year old Kimberly Vlaminck sues a Romanian tattoo artist over the 56 stars that she awoke to, scattered across her face, 53 more than see asked for. She later admitted that she lied in the lawsuit and had asked for all fifty six.
29: Blues singer Janis Joplin had a wristlet tattoo and a small heart on her left breast.
30: In Oregon, it is a felony to practice tattooing without a license or in an unlicensed shop.

31: Heiress and socialite Paris Hilton had one tattoo to her credit, the name of then boyfriend Nick Carter on her right butt cheek. It has since been removed by laser.
32: The traditional Samoan tattoo, pe'a, covering the body from mid torso to the knees, takes 3 months to complete and up to 1 year to fully heal. A typical session lasts from dawn till dusk, or until the pain becomes too great, and resumes the next day unless the skin needs a few days to heal.
33: In a 2002 survey, 8 of the top 10 voted, "most beautiful people in the world" had tattoos.
34: Tattoos done today don't turn blue when they age, unless they were originally blue, the inks are much more stable.
35: The first occurrence of the word tattoo in the Oxford English Dictionary came in 1769 and is credited to Captain John Cook.
36: A rooster tattooed on one leg and a pig on the other is said to protect a sailor from drowning. Neither animal can swim.
37: Queen Kamamalu of Hawaii (1808-1824) was the first woman to have her tongue tattooed.
38: Most tattoo artists will not tattoo a pregnant woman.
39: Some tattoo artists claim that if you shield a new tattoo from sunlight for the first two years it will remain brighter and clearer for decades.
40: Over 40 million people in the U.S. have tattoos.

41: 26% of Americans with a tattoo say they make them feel more attractive, with women voting that way almost 2 to 1 over men.
42: Tommy Lee of Motley Crue holds the record for highest altitude tattoo, having been inked in 2008 at 45,000 feet. The tattoo was said to cost $150,000 dollars.
43: 73 year old Isobel Valley, the world's most tattooed women, has every square inch of her body tattooed, except her face, and also has fifty piercings, 15 of which are visible. The majority of the piercings are below the belt because she wants to jingle when she walks, she says.
44: An increasing number of people are having medical alerts tattooed to aid doctors in case of an emergency.
45: 43 year old former soldier Shawn Clark has the names of all 232 British soldiers killed in Afghanistan tattooed on his back.
46: At one time red ink was known to fade; not so with today' inks.
47: The title of The "Hardy Boys" #47 is "The Mystery of the Whale Tattoo."
48: When Cortez landed on the Mexican coast in 1519 he was horrified to find the natives practicing devil worshiping and had somehow permanently marked images of their idols on their skin. He called it the work of the devil.
49: A tattoo of an anchor on a sailor indicates they have sailed across the Atlantic.
50: One third of Americans with tattoos say they make them feel sexier.

51: Tattoo ink is injected into the second layer of the skin, the dermis, and become encapsulate by the body as a defense mechanism, leaving the image stable and intact.
52: Gabrial Carbona, an American teenage hit man for a Mexican cartel, has his eyelids tattooed so they never look closed. His idea is not working as well for him in prison.
53: Jimmy Buffet sings about tattoos in this song of the same name, "It's a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling."
54: In the 1920's, American circuses employed more than 300 people with full body tattoos and paid them up to $200 a week, a lot of money during those times.
55: The percentage of males and females with tattoos is now statistically equal.
56: Tattoo equipment is sterilized in an autoclave, a high pressure steam machine, similar to a pressure cooker and how hospitals do theirs.
57: 57% of people without a tattoo feel that those with them are more rebellious and threatening.
58: 35 0f the first 43 U.S. Presidents reportedly have tattoos.
59: Tattoo inks are not regulated by the by any government agencies so there is no way of knowing exactly what's in them.

60: Winston Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, had a tattoo of a snake on her wrist. They were popular for rich aristocrats during that period. She chose a snake because it could be easily covered by a bracelet.
61: U.S. President Andrew Jackson had a giant tattoo of a tomahawk that ran down the length of the inside of his thigh. No one knows exactly why.
62: Almost all U.S. corporations have some form of restrictions or policy regarding tattoos on the job.
63: As of Sept. 29th 2009, the 19 year old ban on tattooing was lifted in DeKalb, Illinois.
64: Actress Halle Berry has a tattoo of a sunflower on her rear end covering up the name of her ex, baseball player David Justice.
65: The popularity of tattooing during the latter part of the nineteenth century and first part of the twentieth century owed much to the circus sideshow.
66: People with antisocial personality disorder are more likely to have a higher number of tattoos in more visible locations, and covering a larger percentage of their bodies.
67: Ancient Egyptians used tattoos to differentiate between slaves and peasants.
68: During the late 18th century in Europe, collecting the tattooed heads of Maori people became so popular that many were murdered to meet the demand. The heads were commonly paid for in guns.
69: In the 1870s the Japanese government outlawed tattoos forcing the practice underground where it flourished.
70: 3% of Americans say having a tattoo makes them feel more athletic.

71: The world's most tattooed women, Isobel Varley got her first tattoo, a flower, at age 49.
72: 4% of consumers spend over $1000 on a tattoo.
73: When you see someone's tattoo you are viewing it through the first layer of the skin, the epidermis.
74: 50% of all tattoos are not covered up by clothing and are openly visible.
75: Tattoo machines can make upwards of 200 hits per second, that's up to 12,000 times a minute and 720,000 an hour.
76: In ancient Greece and Rome, tattoos were considered barbaric and were only used to mark slaves and criminals.
77: 52% of those in prison are tattooed.
78: In recent studies, memorial tattoos have been shown to overwhelmingly turn grief into joy and morning into celebration by creating a lasting memory.
79: A 2009 study conducted at Liverpool Hope University found that people with three or more tattoos had significantly lower levels of self esteem.
80: 4% of Americans say that their tattoos make them feel healthier.

81: It is untrue that white or lighter colored inks are more painful to use.
82: A tattoo is art, only, if the person doing the tattoo is an artist and a skilled technician.
83: President James Buchanon had a tattoo of a scantily clad woman on his chest with the initials BFL (bachelor for life).
84: In 2002, 18 year old hair dresser Lee Becks was shocked to find out the tattoo he thought said, "Love, honor, and obey" actually translated to, "at the end of the day, this is an ugly boy."
85: New York City outlawed tattoos from 1961 to 1997 because of a tattoo related outbreak of hepatitis "C".
86: In a 2002 study a group of male high school and college students viewed pictures of models with and without tattoos, and graded them in 13 categories. The models with tattoos scored much lower in 9 of the 13 ratings.
87: Some people experience pain or a burning during sensation during an MRI because of the metallic particles in some inks.
88: The US Navy prohibited tattoos of naked women during World War II, so many future sailors had to get their tattoos reworked to include cloths.
89: The first recorded instance of death following tattooing was reported in 1837 in France. The young woman, a prostitute, was covering up another unwanted tattoo and died from the infection that followed.
90: Apr. 30, 2009. To celebrate Barbie's 50th birthday Mattel comes out with the new "Totally Stlylin' Barbie, complete with a set of place able tattoos, one a lower back tattoo featuring the name Ken.

91: 35% of all NBA players have tattoos. Michael Jordan has none and teammate Dennis Rodman has at least 22.
92: Lorette Fulkerson was the last woman to work the circus sideshows, retiring in 1995 at the age of 80.
93: Eyeball tattoos are not done with a machine, but rather, the ink is directly injected into the eye with a syringe.
94: Urine was sometimes used in early ink mixtures.
95: 5% of Americans with a tattoo say they make them feel smarter.
96: The first case of a syphilis being transmitted by a tattoo came in 1853. The artists ink was drying up so he spit in it, transferring the disease.
97: Never go back to the person who gave you a bad tattoo to have it fixed, it will not get better.
98: The time to ask questions is before you get a tattoo.
99: Good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good.
100: Women are more than twice as likely to have a tattoo removed as men.

101: Over 50% of the tattoos created today will be removed by laser at great expense, intense pain and permanent minor scaring. Think before you ink.

If your interested in learning more about feminine tattoo designs and avoid costly and embarrassing mistakes visit Noel Christian at Angel Heart Tattoo. Think before you ink.

Tattoo After Care

2011-06-10T23:03:00.000+01:00

So, you need to know about tattoo after care because you are ready to get a new tattoo!

It may be your first time, or it may be your tenth time, but in every case, you should review your tattoo after care instructions prior to getting your new tattoo. You might wonder about the logic about looking at the instructions before getting your new tattoo, but it is like baking a cake, you just don't want to make any mistakes with these instructions because new tattoos are open wounds and susceptible to infection.

You must be attentive to your new tattoo, and keep it as clean as possible to ensure that it heals as cleanly as possible so you prevent infection and end up with the nicest looking tattoo possible.

While the healing stages of a tattoo will be as unique to each individual as there are people in this world, the tattoo healing process does follow a general pattern. The specifics of each tattoo's healing process will depend on the different skin type of the individual, the location of the tattoo on the body, an the techniques of the tattoo artist. These factors can all cause a variance in the healing process from individual to individual.

You will be given aftercare instructions by your tattoo artist. These aftercare instructions differ from artist to artist. My recommendation to you is if in doubt about anything, always go back to your tattoo artist before seeking the help of a doctor. Your tattoo artist can take a look at your tattoo and tell what to do if their is a problem to correct any healing problems.

If your tattoo artist cannot help, they should send you for medical attention from a doctor. If they do not, then of course, you must go yourself to make certain that your health is not at risk. This is your responsibility.

Many times doctors don't know much about tattoos and will prescribe unnecessary medications that may harm your tattoo's healing process. Some doctors may even be biased against tattoos. That is why I suggest that you go to the tattoo artist first if you suspect their is a healing problem with your new tattoo. The artist works with tattoos day in and day out and is familiar with the best way to heal their work.

When you leave the tattoo studio, you will have a bandage on your new tattoo to protect it from outside contact. This bandage should be removed 2- 3 hours after getting your tattoo. Your tattoo may bleed a little for the first 24 hours, remember, your new tattoo is akin to an open wound.

Before you remove your bandage, make sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water, in between the fingers, and under the fingernails. Then dry your hands with a clean paper towel. Do not use any old towel that is laying there, or even a clean towel as lint may be transferred to your hands.

Make sure you have not let a large amount of blood dry on your bandage so that it sticks. Be very, very gentle as you remove your bandage so as not to start the tattoo bleeding again. If you just rip off your bandage, you can mess up the appearance of your new tattoo, and you don't want to do that, now do you?

Wash your tattoo gently, very gently with anti-bacterial soap and water to clean it. Do not scrub your tattoo, do not use a washcloth, or anything else other than your fingers or hand to clean the tattoo. Do not rub, but "pat" the tattoo as you wash it. Then, when you are finished, pat the tattoo dry with a clean dry paper towel. Or, use clean toilet paper even, if you don't have any paper towels on hand.

Let your tattoo air dry for 15 minutes or so. This will promote healing.

After your tattoo has dried, apply a few drops of Emu Oil to your tattoo. The presence of essential fatty acids along with the hyper-oxygenation of Emu Oil naturally increases the circulation to the applied area which is why Emu Oil works so well and so quickly to heal.

Even though it is an oil, it has been proved that Emu Oil does not clog pores (unlike most commercially made tattoo aftercare products that are petroleum based), therefore allowing the skin to breathe during the healing process. Emu Oil penetrates through all seven layers of the skin and is rich in nutrients (essential fatty acids) that feed the skin to aid in new cell development that can hasten the healing process. Emu Oil is also a natural emollient keeping the skin moist and pliable.

The application of the Emu Oil immediately after the tattoo has been cleaned will also relieve the discomfort and reduce the inflammation and redness of the new tattoo. Emu Oil will help set the new colors due to its deep penetrating properties and will help reduce plasma oozing.

Using Emu Oil 2-3 times a day after repeating the cleaning process while the tattoo heals will keep the area moist reducing or eliminating the flaking or scabbing that often occurs as new tattoos heal. Emu Oil can prevent the need for touch ups which saves the artist time and money, and makes for a happy tattoo customer.

New tattoos will look red and swollen immediately following the tattoo procedure. The tattoo will continue to appear this way for a few days throughout the tattoo healing process. Within a week to ten days the skin surrounding the tattoo should be more back to normal - most tattoos are completely healed in three weeks time.

While it is healing it is important not to do the following things or you may damage your tattoo:

- Do Not scratch your new tattoo

- Do Not pick at your new tattoo

- Do Not expose your tattoo to sunlight or tanning beds under any circumstances

- No swimming, hot tubs or baths the first two weeks after getting your new tattoo

- Do Not shave the tattooed area for at least 30 days following the tattoo procedure

- Only touch your tattoo with clean hands, do not let others touch your tattoo

Not only is Emu Oil good for healing new tattoos, it is good for restoring older, aged, sun damaged tattoos as well. This is due to the natural hyper-oxygenation of Emu Oil which brings blood and oxygen to the surface of the skin. This, coupled with Emu Oil's ability to moisturize through all seven layers of the skin, allows users to see quick results when the oil is applied to older tattoos.

With the proper care of your tattoo from the start, there is no reason why you shouldn't enjoy the beauty of your tattoo for a lifetime.

Julie Chrisler writes articles on a wide variety of topics. She has been fascinated by tattoos for some number of years now after her 27 year old daughter started getting tattoos years when she was 16 and has grown to love them. Coupled with her love of tattoos is her fascination with Emu Oil, the "wonder oil from down under", which has helped her with her daily pain from Osteoarthrithis, among many other marvelous uses she has discovered for this wonder oil. Visit http://hubpages.com/hub/Tattoo-After-Care for more detailed information on Tattoo After Care.

Cute and Small Feminine Tattoos - Top 5 Sexy Tattoos For Women

2011-06-08T09:06:00.000+01:00

Getting a tattoo for the first time can be tough for anyone so most people like to go for small and cute ones. These small feminine tattoos can be simple yet intricate and can be well put on body part such as ankle, foot or wrist. Some people say small tattoos are boring but I have to disagree, if you get the right tattoo it can be very colorful and unique. My first tattoo was a small star on the side of my belly when I was 17, then I added more designs and stars later on.

Tattoos have become very popular these days, like a beautiful art work on your body. However, I have to say, picking the right tattoo for your body is a very crucial step because who would want to spend thousands of dollars for tattoo removal process anyway? Make sure that the tattoo you're choosing is the one you're not going to regret 2 months later so getting a small tattoo first can help out alot. Here are couple of ideas for your tattoo in case you don't know what to get:

1) Tribal

Are you a trendy person or wanna be? Either one, you need to check out tribal tattoo which is definitely a hot trend. For me, tribal tattoos give your body that sexy, yet creative artful look which can have various meanings come along as well. One of the more popular tribal tattoo is the Celtic, designs are colorful, complex with interlacing patterns, animal forms, and various symbols. Most of the time you see big design on arm or shoulder but a small wrist tattoos or ankle tattoos would be sexy.

2) Rose - a beautiful flower

As women, we love roses, as it represent many things about us. Now, I haven't get any rose tattoo on my body but I have many friends who in fact obsess with the rose tattoo. Rose tattoos are really sexy on a women either black and grey or colored. It is also the most preferred flower because of its timeless beauty and meaning. It's a good way to start your tattoo body art with a small flower tattoo on your wrist or ankle or foot. As a matter of fact, I need to get myself a rose tattoo very soon.

3) Butterfly

Another popular one in the feminine tattoo gallery is the butterfly tattoo. A butterfly often resemble characteristic of a women, lighthearted, soft, beautiful, delicate. Sometime, it symbolizes transformation, rebirth, beauty, happiness or a new life. Its bright and multicolored wings is what give it its beauty. When it comes to sexy tattoos, the butterfly is considered to be the most flexible because it can be modified and personalized to capture one's taste and preference. Collection of thousands of butterfly tattoo designs for you to decide on.

4) The Star

Fourth in the countdown is the star tattoo design. I personally has star tattoo designs on my lower abs because I think the star tattoos are really sexy not for only women but also for men. Stars are often a symbol of accomplishment, success or reaching one's ultimate fate and destiny. Stars represent the symbol of accomplishment, fate, destiny and success in life. Those popular star tattoos are Nautical star tattoos, Shooting star tattoos, Moon star tattoos...

5) Heart is Love

The heart is the one of the most recognized symbol in the world today. Love is always a hot topic since the beginning of human revolution. Heart tattoos are not only fashionable but also a way for people to communicate their love in a artful way. It is a really sexy design and can be added to your body art painting to make it more colorful and alive.

Getting a tattoo is something that you need to think of really carefully before putting that ink on your body. Make sure you getting a great tattoo collections to choose from instead of just getting some regular tattoo in the tattoo shops because you might regret it later. Not only wasting you time, money but it's frustrated to see that same tattoo that you don't like rest of your life even though tattoo removal is an option but don't think about it. Think, does the tattoo you're getting fit your body, your style, your personality?

Get to know your tattooist!! Become his/her friend and get to know them better. One of my good friend Mark has been doing tattoo for over 18 years and I've recommended so many friends of my to him over the years. Let me tell you, Mark has a craziest collection of tattoos that I've seen so far.

You can check out his crazy tattoo collection and see for yourself. Remember, take this a little serious, take your time and you will find the tattoo that you love.

Considering A Tattoo Should Be Serious Business

2011-06-05T15:41:00.000+01:00

Tattoos are a design in ink, normally symbolic or decorative, permanently placed under your skin. Tattoos are more popular today than at any time in recorded history. They are quite popular among many different age groups and are a common thing these days. Once confined under suits and ties from 9 to 5, tattoos are now out in the open for all to see. If tattoos are becoming more mainstream, the tattoo industry is growing up as well.

Choosing a design is obviously the first decision to make for most people, and there are thousands of designs to choose from. How much you enjoy your tattoo for years to come is all in the tattoo design and the artist's skill of course. Picking a mythical creature for a tattoo design is a great way to express your individuality and creativity. Entire galleries shows are being dedicated to tattoo art and are focusing on not only the quality of the tattoo design, but also on the value of the human body as a medium for fine art. Find a good tattoo portfolio online and take a good look at their portfolio. Make sure that you see a sketch of your design before getting it inked, because you want to be completely satisfied with your tattoo and not take any unnecessary chances. When making the decision to get a tattoo design inked, always ask yourself for what reason you're doing it.

The most popular tattoos are still tribal designs but dragons, lotus flowers and eastern symbolism seems to be popular as well. Tattoo lovers are looking in many new directions for new ways to express themselves. This may explain why celtic tattoos are being mixed with tribal tattoos creating a style of tattoo known as tribal celtic tattoos. Hawaiian Tribal and arm band tattoos are what's in and popular yet still liked.

Tribal tattoos can be traditional 'black work' on the arms and legs or more colorful styles characterized by the 'Modern Primitive' look covering the entire body. Tribal tattoos are symbols of the Native American culture Tribal Tattoos. Tribal tattooing was originally performed as a camouflage and then, later, as a symbol of loyalty. Today we find the tribal aspect of the designs very beautiful and powerful. Though there has been a recent resurgence in native and tribal tattooing, most tattoos today are done strictly as a way of decorating one's self in an artistically expressive manner. If looking for an Indian tribal tattoo with an authentic flare, consider having the tattoo designed by an artist trained in tribal tattoo.

Mind you, tattoos are not only for men. Girly tattoos are best known to feature small designs that cater to the woman who wants to add a small image without going overboard on the idea. Female tattoos or feminine designed tattoos are usually favored by women or girls. Tattoos on women are becoming increasingly familiar as tattooing has become more socially acceptable, largely due to the many celebrities who publicly sported tattoos. Flower tattoos are mostly favored by women, they are like clothes accessories except that you can wear your tattoo to bed. A lot of men find women with tattoos more appealing, sexier, more feminine and more powerful. Heart tattoos on the chest of the women are said to create a sexier image. Lower back tattoos are also very common for women. The lower back is one of the most sexual and sensual areas on a women, making the ideal spot for a tattoo. Often times, women tend to include a tribal that spreads, covering the base of their hips as well.

Do your homework before you trust someone to mark you permanently. They are permanent, and with today's divorce rate, you can see that permanent is not something that we tend to deal with very well. While lovers come and go, tattoos are intended to be permanent. You must remember that tattoos are permanent and once you get them, they are hard and costly to have removed. Tattoos are expensive and, more importantly, permanent; so choosing an image is a very big decision.

Tattoos can be found on men and women of all ages, most professions, and most walks of life but three out of four respondents believe that visible tattoos are unprofessional. A study by Careerbuilders shows the perils of tattoos for aspiring professionals, and conforms the conventional wisdom that Tattoos are a sign of immaturity, bad judgment and bad taste. Over 42 percent of managers said their opinion of someone would be lowered by that person's visible body art. It's no surprise that tattoos are more popular among the poor and under educated.

Seriously open your eyes and see the real world, tattoos are just art that people get put onto them it doesn't mean they are evil or idiots. Other people besides sailors, bikers and soldiers are allowed to express themselves using body art. I think tattoos are incredible expressions of ones personality, as long as YOU do the expressing, not the tattoo artist who came up with some idea that he thought would be cool, and 50 other people come in and get the same exact tattoo. I think tattoos are a personal choice. Don't panic it you can't locate lots of tattoo's of dragons and numerous tribal design keep looking and believe me you will find many. Before choosing a design, it may help to browse the various tribal tattoos online. No matter man or woman the right tattoo design has to look good and should be something that means something to you, is an extension of your character and something to be proud of.

Kip Goldhammer is the author of this stellar article and I strongly recommend if you are considering a tattoo you visit his site to see his favorite designs. Tribal Tattoo Gallery [http://www.tattoosdesignsreviews.com/online-tattoo-books-review.html]

The Mormon Tattoo & Piercing Controversy

2011-06-03T19:49:00.000+01:00

For many years tattoos and decorative piercings weren't a real issue for members of the Mormon Church. Until the year 2000, there was only one reference to tattooing in all of Mormon teaching and that was in the 1965 unofficial personal publication Mormon Doctrine by Mormon Apostle, Bruce R. McConkie. It states; "Tattooing is a desecration of the human body and should not be permitted, unless all that is involved is the placing of a blood type or an identification number in an obscure place. Latter-day Saint servicemen in particular are counseled to avoid the pitfalls of tattooing. Persons who are tattooed are not, however, denied the ordinances and blessings of the temple."

In the October 2000 General Conference the first of many "councils" against tattooing was announced.

"We--the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve--have taken the position, and I quote, that "the Church discourages tattoos. It also discourages the piercing of the body for other than medical purposes, although it takes no position on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings." President Gordon B. Hinckley

At the time my husband and I were very active, temple recommend holding members of the church and had been operating a tattoo studio without any prejudice for many years. We were never treated poorly or shunned by the members of our Ward or Stake. Our Stake President's wife more than once brought her children to our studio to get tattoos. It was such a non issue that one of the ways I billed myself in advertising was Kita Kazoo the Mormon Girl Tattoo Artist.

Since then we both have been subjected to many discussions and debates on the right or wrong of getting and doing tattoos and piercings. At first I would defend my choice of profession using the scriptures, but eventually I got tired of it and began asking those who questioned me to explain to me, what horrible thing would happen in our society if everyone had a tattoo? After all, sins are those things that violate the golden rule and keep us from loving one another, not things such as, what clothing we wear or how we do our hair.

Now, 8 years later the whole subject of tattoos and piercings has in my opinion gotten out of hand. Now it is not so surprising to find that the local church authorities, such as bishops, stake presidents and temple presidents are taking it upon themselves to punish members who choose to get a tattoo. Not just in Utah, but all over the world. This has become such a big issue that people are leaving the church over it.

Some people who have tattoos are told not to take the sacrament and others are not allowed access to the temple. Some are being counseled to not marry those who have tattoos and piercings. As having been a 30+ year student of Mormonism and its history I feel that this behavior is not in line with the teachings of Mormonism or Christianity in any way.

Mormons aren't the only religion that superstitiously believes that tattoos are an evil and to be avoided as they supposingly will lead to worse sins. Many Christian Churches and Jewish Rabbi's do also. And there are good reasons for a religion to not want their flock to get tattoos or piercings.

Getting a tattoo not only changes the way you look but it also changes the way you think and feel about yourself. It is a clear message that you feel that you are the owner of your body and worse of all (to religious leaders), your mind!

Historically tattoos have been used as an expression of faith and commitment. One would think that getting a symbol of your beliefs tattooed on ones self would be encouraged. However, because of the recent history of American tattooing and the popularizations of tattooing, tattoos are being presented by the media and politicians as a dangerous amusement. It is not new for counter-culture decorations to be viewed as repulsive to many of the elders of our society.

When I heard at General Conference that President Gordon Hinckley (the current Mormon Church President) does not like tattoos and some piercings I was not surprised. The tattoos he has been exposed to in his youth were usually not very well done or artistic. Unlike today, tattooed people of his generation, especially in socially backwards Utah may have appeared attractive only to criminals or rough military men, not average everyday people with families and lives of good account.

To further the injury of one's personal opinion of fashion being stated as if it is a law from God, President Hinckley allows for one sort of permanent decorative change to ones appearance and not another, which seems hypocritical to me. Mr. Hinckley allows within the church for women to have their faces tattooed with permanent cosmetics and wear pierced earrings, (but one pair only - one in each ear) as those are socially acceptable with in his peer group.

I feel that these religious leaders are ignorant of tattoo history as a spiritual practice and generally trivialize tattoos and piercings as immoral and frivolous behaviors of rebellion because they do not want their followers to look like everyone else. It is a power game and nothing more. If they can control the way you look they will control the way you think and feel.

I suspect that the shunning of persons with tattoos and piercings is really a part of the whole elitist thought pattern of Mormonism in Utah. Those who have not done their homework are sure to believe that if you look like a Gentile (any non-Mormon) you will act like a Gentile, which means to Mormons that you are without God and are basically led by the Devil.

However it has been my experience that tattoos do not lead to sin. Being uninformed and willing to blindly follow without question is what leads to sin and personal disgrace.

If you are LDS and still considering a tattoo you should first be asking yourself these questions. Does my tattoo choice reflect my beliefs or will they distract from my message of who I am. Am I getting tattooed because I want to immortalize an event in my life, a belief or to rebel against the mainstream culture? Will this tattoo or piercing prevent me from being a good person? The answers to these questions will let you know if you are doing the right thing or reacting poorly to your society. It is my opinion that if you feel having a tattoo would be a healthy positive thing for you, then by all means exercise your own good judgment and free agency and get one.

Keep in mind that in reality "Tattooings are not only ornaments...they are not only emblems of nobility and symbols of rank in the social hierarchy: they are also messages fraught with spiritual and moral significance...not only to imprint a drawing onto the flesh but also to stamp onto the mind all the traditions and philosophy of the group."- Claude Lévi Strauss

Personally I believe that tattoos in and of themselves can not be evil and I don't believe that God cares one way or another if you have one or not, unless you got that tattoo to alienate and hurt other people. Then the real problem is how you feel towards your fellow men and not the tattoo in itself.

People have a right to decorate themselves how they want to. Some people like to put pictures on their bodies and some people don't. It is all a matter of personal taste. I feel it is wrong to subject my taste on others and I expect the same courteousness in return.

This attitude is healthy and normal. This is how it is in the big world where the Mormon lifestyle is not practiced by the majority. Wouldn't the world be great place if we could all mind our own lives and appreciate the good things out there instead of picking on others for being different?

You can do good or evil with everything on this earth. As a heavily tattooed person I have had many more opportunities to love and serve others through tattooing and having tattoos than before I had them. I have had to become more patient and tolerant. Especially have I had to learn to be more patient and tolerant with those who claim to be "spiritual leaders" as they put words in God's mouth rather than follow what they claim God has already spoken.

I have found that most people who have tattoos are more open and friendly towards others. I have found that for the most part people who wear tattoos are very nice people. There are a few people that I have met to whom their tattoos serve more as warning to stay away than an invitation to meet them. Which I feel is also a good thing as it has saved me a lot of time by helping me to avoid an unpleasant interaction with them.

Most people have their personal spiritual philosophy tattooed on them and it becomes a way of opening the opportunity to speak about spiritual things. In this world where we are taught to be afraid of our neighbors it is nice to have a way of really getting to know the people around you. It is nice to have a common bond despite all other social differences.

If you already have a tattoo and are experiencing social rejection issues it is wise remember that things in the church change quickly. I would not be surprised to find that in 20 years having a tattoo won't be an issue at all. The evil music that was preached against in the 60's and 70's is now played regularly at church dances and the Coke and Pepsi drinkers that were denied temple recommends in the 1970's can now go to the temple in spite of their soda habits. It is all a matter of generational perspective, which is bound to change as the old guys finally die off.

Kita Kazoo has 20+ years of tattoo experiance and is co-owner of Happy Valley Tattoo & Piercing in American Fork, Utah. You can see photos of her studio and some of the tattoos she has done at her website - tat2me.com.

Help With Deciding On The Right Tattoo

2011-06-02T17:39:00.000+01:00

When you have decided that you really want a tattoo and you know of a tattoo artist you are going to use then the next step is deciding on a particular tattoo design that you want. From this point on is where the hard work starts. Finding the tattoo artist is the easy part but deciding on what tattoo you want will take work. There are so many different kinds of tattoos to choose from it actually makes it harder to determine which tattoo to go with. It's also a lot of fun looking at tons of different possible tattoo designs. The type of artwork that you choose will be a personal preference but there are some designs that are more common than others. For example, an angel tattoo design is more popular with men than a rose or butterfly tattoo which is popular with women.

The colors to choose for a tattoo vary widely and all depend on personal preference. Rose tattoos do not have to necessarily be red, but can also be black or white as there are many different meanings with rose colors. Styles of the different tattoos will vary also depending on they type of tattoo.

The angel or devil tattoo will tend to be in larger format with bold dark colors, while a tribal tattoo will have many pieces and black color. A butterfly can be any different colors, sizes and shapes.

Choosing the location of the tattoo is also part of the process. You can have a tattoo put anywhere on the human body and some people will go overboard and place a tattoo in odd places such as the top of the head, under the neck, on fingers, feet and many other places you can think of. What is popular for women might not be as popular for men, such as women love to have tattoos placed on the lower back, upper back or on the ankle, while men tend to have tattoos placed on the upper arm, shoulder or back. It is all a matter of style and what the person likes best. There really is not a wrong place to put a tattoo as long as you like it.

As you can see, the choice of tattoo designs are endless and finding the right tattoo for you may seem like a huge task but of course there are many resources you can use to find the right tattoo.

Using the Internet to start your research may be a good idea as there are many different websites related to tattoo designs. There are many galleries and pictures that you can look through to get an idea of the kinds of tattoos out there. Most sites will try to sell you templates of tattoos, which might be of good use since you can take those templates to your tattoo artist, which in the long run will save you money from having a tattoo artist design a fresh tattoo. This does not mean you cannot have the template modified. The cost will depend on the size and complexity of the tattoo design that you decide to go with. So if you wish for a small tattoo, it might be worth the extra cost for a tattoo artist to create a unique design.

If you do not find any tattoo designs on the internet that you like, you can always go to your tattoo artist and ask for a sketch of a tattoo that you may be thinking about. This of course will cost extra but may be worth it in the long run as once a tattoo is put on the body it's very difficult to get rid of it. Be sure to spend time researching your tattoo and look through as many pictures and designs as possible as it will help you decide what you want.

After finding a tattoo artist you will need to do research to find the tattoo design. Start by looking through directories or galleries of tattoo designs. This will help you find the design you are looking for. Even if you don't know what kind of tattoo design you want, by looking through galleries you will get an idea of what is out there. Angel tattoos are becoming popular among men, along with devil tattoos. But for females you might want to look for rose tattoos or even any kind of lower back tattoo designs.

Tattoos - A Living Form of Art

2011-05-31T07:37:00.000+01:00

Tattoos and body piercings have grown in popularity over the past few decades. Once only reserved for tribes, sailors, or criminals, the meaning of tattoos and the reasons for people getting them have changed dramatically.

A Brief History

Like body piercings, tattoos are created by the constant application of ink just under the subcutaneous layer of the skin with a needle. At first, many tribes, sailors, and other groups used to apply the ink by hand. This was a long, painful process and the marked people were usually of high status. The tattoos were often a sign of respect, rank, and social status. Since the tattoos are permanent, the owners were guaranteed respect for life.

The interest of tattooing for the general public spread throughout the world in fads. A sailor would bring over a fully tattooed indigenous person and interest would spread like wildfire. In London, a sailor brought over a tattooed Polynesian from the South Pacific, and many of the people of London began to acquire their own small tattoos in secret places. However, interest in tattooing waxed and waned due to its long, arduous process of applying every dot of ink by hand.

The electric tattoo machine is a relatively recent invention, created in 1891 by Samuel O'Reily, and has revolutionized tattoos into an art form. Tattooing can still be long and painful but now the many punctures in the skin are done automatically at thousands of punctures per minute and can allow for better detail and shading. Skin is the most unique canvas and a tattoo that is placed onto the skin is permanent, requiring extra consideration for the right tattoo, the right artist, and the right placement. That piece of art will follow throughout one's lifetime.

In New York City, Samuel O'Reily trained a partner named Charley Wagner, who continued teaching after O'Reily's death. For a brief while, Chatham Square flourished with tattoo artists while the rest of the world remained unimpressed with tattooing. For a long time tattooing was generally stigmatized and most people with tattoos were stereotyped to be scary, dangerous, or freaks. During the 1920s tattoos began to be recognized for where a person has been in their travels, as tattoo artists set up shops in Coney Island. An outbreak of hepatitis, blood poisoning and other disease even worsened the prospects for tattooing in American culture.

Finally, a tattoo artist named Lyle Tuttle changed America's perception of tattooing by introducing celebrities to the art form. He tattooed them, mostly women, and used the media to change their stereotypes about the types of people who got tattoos. Together with the heightened awareness of the importance of sterilization and the improvement of training, tattoo popularity began to surge in the last few decades.

Changing Views

Today, the tattooing industry booms with new talented artists, schools and apprenticeship for budding tattooists, enlightened knowledge about sterilization, and health code regulation. Tattoo suppliers are well known and there are a wide variety of brands to choose from inks, tattoo machines, needles, and even tattoo shop supplies such as flash designs, chairs, and more. Younger generations are catching onto this art form and have made having a tattoo almost a rite of passage when one turns 18 in America. As more and more people of all walks of life have tattoos, the old stereotypes of tattooing that previously kept tattooing underground and unsafe has become outdated.

Now getting a tattoo is easier, mildly less painful, and relatively faster than ever before. The results of sitting in a chair in one position for a few hours are much more satisfying to see a beautiful piece of art with the outbursts of new and unique tattoo artists, each with their own style. Some tattoo designers stick with what is known as Old School tattoos, which have the look of tattoos done before the Second World War. They include traditional designs like nautical stars, pin up girls and mermaids, Old English letters, sparrows, skulls, hearts, roses, symbolic animal spirits (tigers, eagles, fish), and more. Old School tattoos keep the look simple with mostly black ink and a little bit of color because in the older days of tattooing there was not a great variety of ink colors to choose from. Old school tattoos are also notorious for featuring a ribbon with Old English letters writing a word or name inside the papyrus. The infamous Sailor Jerry Collins was the man who designed most tattoos that are now considered traditional or Old School. Today many women interested in 1950s retro fashion choose Old School tattoos and place them on their arm like a sailor would back in the day. Many sailor tattoos are symbolic. For example, the nautical star means that a person has gone through an important event or has been somewhere far and has returned safely.

New School tattoos include any new techniques done after this war. After the 1961 hepatitis outbreak which forced the tattoo movement underground for a while, tattoo designs were picked up by younger generations. They used bold, bright colors and utilized more shading thanks to advancements in needle variety and better quality ink. The health code regulations and better use of sterilization machines brought tattooing back in the forefront again. New school tattoos still have the same list of tattoo designs as old school but are captured in a unique way that is difficult to explain but easy to see the difference. Also many people today get new school designs that are custom made, compared to the old school tattoos which were generally picked off a wall of flash.

Today there are dozens of interesting tattoo styles to choose from: Celtic, Japanese, religious, spiritual, tribal, bio-mechanical, feminine, military, black and gray, traditional, neo-traditional, modern, and more. The best part about getting a tattoo is designing a custom piece. Then it is completely unique and meaningful for the person. Today, tattooing is more than ink on skin; it is expression of the soul.

Dehlia Buckley has four tattoos and a few piercings. Dehlia is a creative college student majoring in Psychology and also offers her freelancing skills to the world en mass. You can visit her portfolio at http://cacoethes.webs.com and her blog at [http://cacoethesblog.wordpress.com]

Gothic Tattoo Art - Let Us Have a Look at the Traditional Gothic Tattoos!

2011-05-28T16:31:00.000+01:00

The most beautiful and interesting form of tattoo art is the traditional Gothic tattoos. All the designs of the Gothic tattoos are unique and the designs have no specific standards. Few popular designs of the tattoo are the pentagram, cross and the ankh Gothic tattoos. These tattoos are quite complex and includes old lettering of English writing with different styles. Many people belonging to the Goth are highly unique and artistic. This is the main reason for them to come up with their own Gothic designs that can add a boost to the overall image.

The designs of these tattoos are based on other tattoo arts. They are: Butterfly Tattoos, Angel Tattoos, Flower Tattoos and Fairy Tattoos. Best choice for an angelic Gothic design is the fairy tattoo. Butterfly and the fairy tattoos are the widely accepted ones among the people. The Fairy and the Angel tattoos depict or show; benevolent objectives and an optimistic belief. There are numerous of unique designs available. Some of them are: the tribal tattoo, angel tattoo, flower tattoo, butterfly tattoo and the fairy tattoo.

A two dimensional design is represented in a three dimensional form by a method called "Tattoo Shading". This makes the tattoo; more personal to us. Flower tattoos are popular among the women; living in the island. And the lotus flower tattoo is the famous tattoo among the people, who have gone through hard times and have come out of it. Some of the famous Gothic flower tattoos are: orchids, chrysanthemums, peonies, lotus and flowering vines. Having a flower tattoo generally focuses on connecting you to the nature and brings the images of procreation, birth and vitality, into your life.

Before, you could get a tattoo done. It is always a good idea to ask other people about their tattoos and their experience with it. And the next important thing is that you should have a look at the portfolio, of the tattoo artist. Make it sure that they have worked with complex Gothic designs. Always, search for the best tattoo artist, who can give you a perfect tattoo. Good artists charge around $70 to $125 for an hour. To pick up a perfect artist it really takes a lot of time. Never let your friends or others, pick up a tattoo design for you because they are permanent marks on your body.

Discover the unknown tips of choosing the correct name tattoos at this best tattoo gallery. Find Thousands of Free Tattoo Designs and check out the largest selection of Award Winning Tattoo Designs!

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New Web Site

2011-05-27T11:02:00.001+01:00

Just a wee post to let you know I've got a new site Learn Guitar 365.

Tattoo Designs, Tattoos, Tribal Tattoos. Choosing Your Tattoo Design Has Never Been Easier

2011-05-26T04:00:00.000+01:00

Tattoo Designs are something you need to think about seriously. Do not make one of the most important decisions of your life an embarrassing mistake. Your choice on tattoo designs, which will be permanently inked into your skin, has to be some sort of tattoo designs that YOU are comfortable with, one that truly rocks and makes heads turn in awe.

It can be difficult making that important decision on tattoo designs. It is something you do not want to rush then regret later on.

What you need to know about tattoo designs is that in this day and age tattoos are very common, in fact a study done in 2006 by the American Academy of Dermatology, estimated that roughly 1 in 4 people between the ages of 18 and 50 had at least one to two tattoo designs. Even with tattoos being so common, many people do not know much about them. Tattoos are sometimes still considered odd, questionable and even taboo.

Tattoo Designs are patterns, pictures or markings made by dye inserted into the pores of the skin by perforating the skin with immense caution. People in the Tattoos industry refer to them as tats, work, ink or art. In scientific terms, tattooing is actually micro-pigment implantation.

Globally this type of art practice is gaining approval and many mainstream art and design galleries hold expos of tattoo designs and tattoo pictures. The popular name for tattoo designs is Flash.

Tattoo Designs more often than not reflect the personality of the person wearing them and so they should, they are on your body. Often people search for the tattoos they want in the actual parlor for something that will suit them. It would be hard to choose your tattoo designs from only what is on display in the chosen tattoos parlor. You should do extensive research on tattoo designs first. I have found numerous sites online that offer a plethora of tattoos, tattoo designs, tribal tattoos, pictures and information. The time it took to find as much information and ideas that I could was massive, but worth it in the end as we can be very specific to what we want when deciding on tattoo designs and location to place the tattoos.

Weather it be an extreme concern for your cultural roots or something of significant importance to you, the tattoo designs that you choose will be one of the most important decisions of your life.

I have heard countless horror stories of bad decisions related to tattoo designs. People excited to rush out and get those 'Perfect' tattoos that they saw on their favorite celebrity like Britney Spears, Alyssa Milano, David Beckham or Robbie Williams. Or even seeing some tribal tattoos in a movie like Blade, only to realize after coming out of the parlor that the tattoo designs just do not suit them, or wasn't what they expected. The fact then hits that they are stuck with those tattoo designs for the rest of their lives.

Their problem was a lack of research in tattoo designs and tattoos in general, because the excitement of actually getting some tattoos finally, blurred their judgment and made them hasty to rush out and get those tattoo designs that they saw or thought up and then trying to describe it to the artist. Definitely not the smartest thing to do.

Also the location of your tattoos is key. You must consider some things when thinking of the location of your tattoos. Will others see it easily? Do I want my tattoos to be easily seen by others? Do I want my tattoos in more of a private place so only those close to me would be able to view them? Which body parts hurt more than others? Generally, places that have thinner skin tend to hurt more. These places include, but are not limited to, due to differences in all of our bodies, the ankles, head and the lower back.

Less painful places include the upper arm, back of the shoulder and the chest. And it also depends on your pain threshold when getting tattoos on how bad it will actually hurt.

I bet you have heard of or been with some people who just rock up to the tattoo parlor, look through the tattoo designs in the books and all the pictures of tattoos on the walls, pick something that looks cool and jump right into the chair to get what should be meaningful tattoo designs inked into their skin. They either want to go the extremely cheap option and choose simple tattoos, (more common tattoo designs are generally less expensive and take less time) or they have just been out on a heavy night on the Britney Spears - (Beers) and just stumbled into the parlor, only to wake up in the morning wondering why they have a Superman tattoo pic on their butt.

Another really bad mistake.

Do not make these mistakes. Ultimately at the end of the day, it's YOUR body; think about this very important decision. What kind of tattoo designs are you after? What kind of tattoos do YOU really want? Remember, whatever you choose to decide for your tattoo designs and the location on your body, it will last FOREVER!

Make the decision a GREAT one.

Weather your looking for tribal tattoos or Celtic tattoo designs, Japanese or Chinese tattoos, exotic or fantasy related tats, superman tattoo pics, Robbie Williams tattoo, Brittany Tattoo, important after care information, choosing a good parlor, artist, safety precautions or even free tattoo designs, you need a source where you can grab everything you could want in one place.

Here is a site that will save you days, weeks and months as it has already researched the BEST the internet has to offer. This will save YOU time and money as it can be your SOURCE of Tattoo Design information. Tattoo Design Universe [http://www.tattoo-design-universe.com]

Various Ways of Removing Tattoos

2011-05-25T03:20:00.000+01:00

Thousands of individuals each year undergo tattoo removal procedures after eventually regret having them. After the initial excitement and thrill, a large number of people realize that they have committed a blunder and want the tattoo removed. Tattoo removal has now become a million dollar business. There are various ways to get rid of tattoo. Some of the tattoo removal techniques are:

Dermabrasion

The area to be treated is frozen and then the skin where the tattoo is located is rubbed or scratched with a rotary abrasive brush or diamond fraise. It removes the top few layers of skin and finally tattoo is removed as the sanding goes deeper into the skin. The procedure is very painful and often turns out to be ineffective as it causes the skin to bleed and may leave a scar. There is always the risk of infection.

Salabrasion

Salabrasion is a centuries-old technique. Anesthetic is used to numb the area to be treated. Then salt-water solution is applied onto the tattoo. The area is then abraded with a tool similar to what is used in the dermabrasion procedure. The method is effective only in the case of superficial tattoos and requires multiple treatments. This technique is successful only in fading the tattoo and not completely removing it.

Excision

Anesthetic is injected, and the tattoo is cut out of the skin using a scalpel. Thereafter the surrounding skin is sewn back together. The procedure is ideal for smaller tattoos only. Though large tattoos can also be removed but then skin grafts are often required for large tattoo removal. People who undergo this procedure are extremely prone to infection and scarring.

Cover-Ups

In this method, old tattoo is replaced by a new tattoo. Some people prefer covering-up of their tattoo rather than removing tattoos completely as covering-up tattoo is comparatively less painful, inexpensive and doesn't take several months to treat. Some skilled tattoo artists even specialize in cover-ups and provide excellent results. However you have limited options in cover-ups. The biggest disadvantage of this method is that cover-up tattoos can be done only once.

Tattoo Removal Creams

A tattoo removal cream is the most inexpensive way to remove a tattoo yourself. Market is flooded with several creams such as TatBGone and Tattoo-off that claim to be effective in fading tattoos. There are claims that these creams may fade a tattoo after a continuous use of several months but their success at removing a tattoo altogether is highly unlikely.

Saline Tattooing

In this procedure, tattoo artists fade a tattoo by tattooing lidocaine and saline solution over unwanted tattoo. This is beneficial for older tattoos. This process can just lighten the existing tattoo but can't remove it altogether. This procedure is relatively harmless and cheaper. Though finding a tattoo artist to perform this task is difficult.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser tattoo removal is considered as the best method among all to get rid of unwanted tattoos. Although it is costly and requires multiple sessions, but at the end of the day it ensures that the process is relatively painless and bloodless. In this procedure, targeted tattoo is exposed to the intense pulses of light delivered by laser. This laser energy results in destruction of the ink pigment while ensuring minimum damage to the surrounding skin.

The popularity of laser tattoo treatment is skyrocketing and lots of people are turning to this reliable method of tattoo removal.

Maria Ryi is a cosmetician and specializes in removing tattoos with laser. She is also an amateur writer who has contributed with articles and discussions on various aspects of tattoo removal on various online platforms

Different Facts Involving Removing a Tattoo

2011-05-22T14:08:00.000+01:00

Removing a tattoo is never easy and it could not be done in just one session. Removing tattoo completely will be really hard because of different factors. One factor that will affect the processing of getting rid of tattoo is the age of the tattoo. If the tattoo has been on the person for about 3-5 decades, the possibility of removing the colors of the ink can be real difficult. Some other factors that could affect it are the size of the tattoo and the type of the inks used. The dermatologist can help you solve your worries about tattoo and how it can be successfully get rid off. There is a chance that the dermatologist may prescribe some anesthesia, if he thinks that you need to have it.

He can also help you learn if all of your tattoos can still be removed or not. One thing that you should know is that getting tattoo removed does not happen overnight. The procedure could take few months. The pain of removing them could also be the same as the first time that you had them. Once the tattoo has been removed it will transform into a wound that needs to be taken care of and protected from any rubbing or scrubbing. Tattoo is supposed to be forever, however, you could still have it removed if you choose to, you just have to know that its removal is worse than the first time you had it. Getting rid of tattoo is not a joke, it should be taken seriously, and one may take longer in deciding whether or not to get one. Before you can make your decision, it is important to be knowledgeable about the ins and outs of removing a tattoo. Try researching before you come up with a decision.

Tattoo History

Tattoos have been here for a long time, an estimate of 10 million Americans have at least a single tattoo on their body. There are about 44,000 tattoo studios in America, alone. Tattoo is excellent method of expressing oneself. Having one can seem to be a great idea for a while, but your preference may change as time goes by. This is because we find great jobs, new loves and our taste changes in time. This is why once your past decisions and choices no longer satisfies your present taste, you will surely think of getting a tattoo removal.

Almost half of the people with tattoos considered getting rid of them. Aside from the obvious reasons of getting rid of their tattoos for new jobs, there are also some other reasons why a person may remove it. Tattoos also fade and lose its excellent for as the skin ages. If your tattoo looks very beautiful and attractive today, there will come a time that it will lose them, sometimes tattoo could also transform into an embarrassment. There are times that even gaining and losing weight can affect the valuable tattoo, making it less attractive.

Here are some of the things that you have to know about undoing a tattoo before you decide to get a tattoo.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Application of this method can remove the tattoo without the appearance of scarring. The procedure can take about 6-12 sessions before the tattoo can be fully removed. The most difficult areas in laser tattoo removal are the parts of ankles, hands and fingers. Those tattoos that are done a long time ago with only few colors can be easily removed. All the tattoo removal procedures such as surgical excision and dermabrasion can successfully remove tattoos. Even the laser tattoo removal can produce a little bit of pain.

It is a good thing that people know about the difficulty of removing tattoos, in the first place, before they decide to get one. It is harder to get rid of the tattoo than to have them. You could choose from several options of tattoo removal.

Options for Tattoo Removal

You can possible get your tattoo covered by a new tattoo, just make sure that it is 50% bigger than the old one so that it can successfully cover the entire tattoo. The very popular tattoo removal procedure is the laser treatment. This procedure involves wavelengths of lights that remove different types of pigments. This procedure works by letting the laser beam penetrate through the skin, which will then be absorbed by the ink. Once it is absorbed by the ink, it will automatically break down and naturally removed by the lymphatic system of the body. If, in case, the tattoo is too deep or maybe too small to be penetrated by the laser treatment, the part of the skin with the tattoo will be cut away and the edges will be stitched together.

In the dermabrasion procedure, the skin with the tattoo is rubbed literally using an abrasive tool. If the tattoo is too deep, skin grafting may be done. Versapulse laser could also be an option; this is fast procedure of removing undesirable tattoos. This type of laser offers low energy, which can reduce the risk of burning.

Some people also choose Tat Gone ink removal; this procedure may involve several applications, which produce great improvement. Cost of Tattoo Removal Procedure

Tattoo removal could cost a lot. If you paid $40 for getting a tattoo done, it might cost you $4500 to have the tattoo removed with the laser tattoo removal procedure. Aside from that, removing it will leave you with a scar that is very obvious. Tattoo removal procedure is not an easy task; it is a long process, longer than having the tattoo, in the first place.

For those who would like to shed their old tattoo, dermabrasion tattoo removal is not a bad option especially for those who are a little low on budget. Though it's not the cheapest, it certainly comes close to an economic budget.

How to Choose Your First Tattoo

2011-05-20T23:39:00.000+01:00

One of the famous questions that most people ask themselves when considering tattooing is the type of tattoo that you are going to have for your first tattoo. Some of the other questions that may include are how painful is the tattoo going to be, what kind of care will be needed for the new tattoo and the tattoo shop where you are going to get it. The pain that will be felt will greatly depend on the area of the body you are going to have it placed. The tattoo shop, should have course, depend on your choice of the tattoo shop. Your first tattoo is basically a decision that you along should make. It should be the best tattoo for you because it is going to be your first one, and it should be given enough and careful thought. When thinking about the right image for your first tattoo, make sure that you have though about it real hard and you have considered all the different factors that will affect you. Your first tattoo should be something meaningful and something that will say something about you, so that you will not have to regret it in the near future.

This article will give some tips that will help you come into a decision about your first tattoo. However, you have to bear in mind that with any kind of design, make sure that you place some twist to it to make it your own.

Different Tattoo Designs

There are so many pictures or images that you can choose from, you can even design it yourself, or make changes to some of the pictures that you already have chosen at some tattoo shop or online designs so that it can be unique. You can choose from the different tattoos like tribal, celtic, animal, sci-fi, geek or portrait tattoos.

You can also choose from the black light UV tattoo which will look prominent under black light. Some of the popular tattoos today are stars, wings, kanji, crosses, names, words, dragons, butterflies and skulls.

Selecting the Right Tattoo for You

Here are some of the factors that you have to consider in choosing the right tattoo.

The Reason Why You Want the Tattoo

Since it is going to be your first tattoo, it should be something that is full of meaning. It can be something that may express time; your memorable experience in life that has change you or made a big difference in your life. Do not just get a tattoo because someone has just persuaded you to do so. Do not also do it just because you already have reached the right age and you could easily get one without asking permission from your parents or guardians. Think of every reason why you want to have that particular tattoo before getting it inked on your skin.

How This Tattoo Could Possibly Affect Your Present or Future Job

Think About the Design

Is the design something that you really want, did you design it or someone else just design it for you. Is the design something that you got from a particular picture? Does the meaning say something about you, or do you think it is perfect for you.

The Location of the Tattoo

When it comes to the location, you have to consider if the tattoo is something that you want to show to people all the time. If you want it to be private, then you can place it in an area where it will not be visible all the time. You also have to consider the type of body that you have, your body and type and your body curves.

Choosing the Right Tattoo Artist

Choose the artist that specializes on the type of tattoo that you want. You can always ask any recommendations from friends or relatives who already have tattoos. The cost of the tattoo will also play a vital role in having one. Make sure that the tattoo artist also is an experience one when it comes to tattooing.

What You Have To Do Before Getting a Tattoo

Before having a tattoo done, you have to make sure that the procedure will be done safely. You might think that your new tattoo is cool because it looks like a big scab, but still, it is considered a big wound. So just like any other wound, puncture, scrape, cut or penetration done to your skin, your tattoo will be prone to infection.

Get your immunizations up to date and decide where you will have your medical care done, if ever your tattoo gets infected.

Medical problem like heart disease, diabetes, allergies, skin disorders, immune system defects and other types of infections must be addressed to the doctor first so that he can give you proper precautions before you can have your tattoo.

If you are susceptible to having keloids, it is advisable to avoid having a tattoo.

You have to make sure that the tattoo studio where you will get your tattoo is clean and safe, see to it that all equipments that are going to be used are disposable and sterilized first. It is better if you could get some recommendations on some licensed tattoo shops or try to research whether the tattoo shop has any complaints about them.

Tattoo shops which are professional will take pride in their cleanliness. Some of the things that you have to look for in these tattoo shops are the autoclave, this is a device which utilizes steam, pressure and heat for the process of sterilization. Make sure that the tattoo artist who will get you the tattoo is licensed. The tattoo shop should follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Universal Precautions.

Once you see that the tattoo shop does not observe cleanliness, or if ever, you do not feel that comfortable, you can always have the option to choose another tattoo shop.

One of the major things that is probably holding you back from having your first tattoo is the fact that it is permanent, it stays on your skin forever.

Yes, tattoos, may last forever, however, if you have the resources to have laser tattoo removal done, then you can always get rid of it.

It is important that when you choose your first tattoo, it is something that you really want and it says something about you, so that you will not regret it.

If you take into considerations all of these factors, you will be able to decide without any problem. Just keep in mind that first tattoos should be something meaningful to you.

Dermabrasion for tattoo removal involves the fine excision of the upper layers of skin (also known as epidermis) as a procedure of actually removing the ink from the body. This method generally necessitates a number of repeated sessions.

The Eternal Search and 26 Tips of How to Find a Good Tattoo Artist

2011-05-19T09:45:00.000+01:00

The eternal search and 26 tips of how to find a good tattoo artist:

There is nothing really new happening on the market, after I wrote about amputations and about magnet implants. The newest thing is called "Brain Piercing". Unfortunately I can't write about it at the moment since I'm still doing some research on the subject, this way I will be able to write an article worthy of all of you.

But, I thought that my latest experience was very interesting, not very extreme, but so far the most interesting tattoo I've got. Thinking about the few rejections that I had I thought that many people might go through the same problem. So I decided to make it public.

For the last few years I had this idea for beautiful a tattoo. It was supposed to be a line of mirrored phoenixes starting on my neck following down on my spine down to my tail bone.

Easier said than done I guess...

So a few months before my 34th birthday I started to look for an artist to do the work. As many people know, Brazil is a well known country in the tattoo industry. We have really great professionals down here.

So here I'm with the project, but because I'm very picky as to who will tattoo my body, I could only choose a hand full of professionals among hundreds. From many portfolios that I saw I thought that only those guys would be able to do a decent job out of my very full of micro details idea.

From those five ultra qualified professionals none wanted to do the tattoo. All of them told me that it was literally impossible. And the only one that was going to take the challenge, because I did agree to make the phoenixes a bit larger than what I wanted, had a family problem.

Time passed, I became older and no tattoo. For my tattoo addicted friends and readers, I'm sure that I do not have to explain the feeling, but for the people that do not have the tattoo "bug", I can say that it is really frustrating. It feels more or less like you have spent months gathering the money to go your favorite group performance, and exactly on the show day the band decided to split up for good.

So here I was with the ticked and no show, or better saying with the drawing and no artist.

The other day while I was walking on the street I saw a small tattoo parlour. And being so devoted to get my body covered with phoenix images I thought about stopping there for a couple of minutes to check out his work.

The worst that could happen was I would meet another wannabe. Actually the market is full of them. Most of the tattoo artists around are not that great. After I finish this story I will add the guide of how to find gold between pebbles.

Going back to the tale: I went inside the studio and there was this, let me please state the obvious, tattoo covered guy. His name is Flavio Vandroiy, I hadn't heard about him at all, but once I was there I decided to give him a shot, he had a client waiting, so our first contact was brief, but even though, to my surprise, he was very attentive.

Now, if you know a few renowned tattoo artists you will understand that more and more the pop star idea is truly affecting our fellas. Boy, most of the time it feels like they are part of the royalty and are doing you the favor of looking at your face, even if only for five minutes of their precious time. Please note that there are some exceptions, one of them is the lovely Pierre Chapelan, whom, many years ago, I had the pleasure to being tattooed by while I was living in Montreal.

I checked out one of Flávio Vandroiy's portfolios on paper and after analyzed his work better thru his website. The work looked pretty good. His tattoos were signed by steady and clear lines. Then I saw a picture of a tattoo that was very small and full of details, I analyzed it for about one hour looking at every single detail. After that I thought that he would probably be able to do a good job out of my drawing. I sent him an e-mail with the image of my phoenix attached, after a day he sent me an honest reply. He told me that the drawing was quite small, but he would take up the challenge.

So we got the image on my back and of course I complained about the position. He patiently erased the drawing and did it again. Even if I was pleased with the position, I thought about to complain just to see his reaction. But there was no need to do it; he told me that he could be changing it up until I was happy with the placement. So I kept quiet. I hate to push nice willing people. If he was a jerk I would probably had changed the position another couple of times.

He did an amazing job, out of something that many thought to be impossible to accomplish. One of the nicest things about this guy is that he is humble enough to tell me that after we finish all the phoenixes we will have to go back and do some touch up on the images that he thought could be better done. I did agree with him, some of the birds' faces, if you look at a picture taken with the micrometric of a camera, are not identical.

I have many tattoos, made by many hotshots in the industry, including my very special first tattoo that was made by Marco Leoni himself. Even if it is an old tattoo; I got it when I was a pre-tee and it did suffer quite a bit with stretch due my growth and the thousands of times that I put it through the monstrous process of leg waxing, it still here, not as pompous as it was once, but every time I look at it, I know that this old phoenix helped me to became who I am.

The truth is that I'm in love with this new tattoo; so far it is really the best quality small work that I've seen. If you look at it from far it looks like the finest and most delicate lace that you can buy.

Ok, after my narcissistic story I will, as promised, add a few tips on how to know when a tattoo artist is good or he is just another self proclaimed tattooer with the artist title. Notice that international prizes even if prestigious are judged not in the artist daily work. The prizes are given to artists based in only one work, done once during a competition. I considered it as very small sample to be worth of a prize, if you take in consideration that many tattoo artists do between three or four tattoos in studio a day.

1) Of course the studio must be clean and the material properly sterilized, the artist must wear gloves all the time, and the ink should be poured into small containers, avoiding contamination of the material.

2) Look at the artist's portfolio very carefully, not only to appreciate it; you will be searching for very small imperfections.

3) The lines on a tattoo have to be smooth, jagged lines and shaky lines are a big no go.

4) The color has to be well applied through the entire image, without leaving empty spots.

5) The way in which the artist uses and combines colors is also very important. Especially if you are looking for the water-color effect.

6) Big tattoos are easier to master than small tattoos. Even if the sleeves and the full backs get more attention, small tattoos are much more complicated to make. So while looking at the artist's portfolio, check out his small and more detailed work. A good hint is to look for some tattoos of birds and check out the feathers and the bird's face.

7) Also pay attention to the work that the person does when reproducing cartoon characters. This kind of reproduction is very complicated due the amount of details, the perfect thickness of the lines and the coloration.

8) If the price is an issue on the size or the type of the tattoo that you are getting, I suggest you wait and save some more money. It is better wait and to do exactly what you dreamed about than settle for less.

9) You have to get along with the artist and not feel intimidated by him. A good artist will allow you to give your input and will not feel offended by a comment or a suggestion. Remember it is your body and you want to enjoy every second of the experience.

10) Many people have the idea that the tattooer has to be crazy, always high and someone in line with a dark figure. It is a myth; many of those artists are lovely, sometimes married and often proud parents. If you suspect that the artist is under any substance influence, or has any addictions you should think before allowing him to work on you. It is a well known fact that alcoholics and junkies have problems with shaky hands.

11) Also respect it when the artist gives his honest opinion. If you don't agree just try to find another person to make the tattoo. This way you will avoid to feel like the work was not properly done due to personal reasons.

12) If you choose an image from a catalog, and want to do some changes on it, a good artist will do those changes with pleasure, and will not complain if you want more changes on it on when the sketch is already redone, of course you should know where to draw the line between some more changes and be unreasonable, don't forget this person makes a living out of making tattoos.

13) A good professional is not always the one that just makes a tattoo properly, to do a proper job is an obligation of a good professional. To me a good professional has to make the client aware of few details about tattoos.

14) If you are a woman, and want to have kids, a tattoo on your stomach or on the lateral of your waist line, no matter if horizontally or vertically, might not be a good idea; it will stretch due the pregnancy and loose some of its beauty.

15) Again if you are a woman, it might not be a good idea to get a tattoo during your period or while in the PMS process. Due some hormonal changes you will be more inclined to feel pain or worse, the healing process can be compromised.

16) Every tattoo when fresh looks great. The artist should remind you that what you see is what you get, for a while. The ink will fade away. Of course you can delay the process taking good care of it, but eventually, it will fade and partially lose some of its beauty.

17) The black ink after few years will become bluish. There is no way to avoid it. To fix the color you will have to retouch the tattoo. You can also try to understand that it is a part of your body and such as it has the right to age. In my case I do not retouch my tattoos. To me my tattoos are part of a moment lost in the past, and because they are memories they will tend to fade with time.

18) While big and bulky tattoos will only have the color fade problem, small and very detailed tattoos, will lose the sharpness on the details, and often will look like if they were poorly done.

19) It is a good idea to get a tattoo during winter. During the summer you will have problems with the plastic bandage; it will keep the tattoo constantly moist. The moist can delay the healing, opening a window for infections. The healing process will also be very, very itchy.

20) If you can't avoid getting a tattoo during the summer, be ready to use of antihistaminic pills. They will come handy.

21) If you must to scratch the tattoo, it is better if you pat yourself. Never use your nails.

22) Don't drink or use drugs before getting a tattoo, it won't ease the pain and alcohol can actually make you bleed more.

23) Depending on your line of work a visible tattoo can be a problem. Something that one day I hope will change, but so far, if you are one of those professionals, try to make a tattoo in a place that is easy to hide while you are wearing any kind of clothing.

24) The hardest thing to say is; never do a tattoo because it is fashionable, or because your idol has one. A tattoo is something personal. It will be with you every single day of your life. It is much more difficult to get rid of one than to get rid of an ex-spouse.

25) When choosing the image for a tattoo, choose something that means something to you. Sure a butterfly is lovely so are flowers, a cute star on your wrist is very sexy. But how will you feel about them when you are sixty?

26) And last but not the least. Never get a tattoo on impulse. There are many other things to do when you are bored, if you need a "quick fix" try to get a drastic hair change or buy some new clothes. Tattoos are something to really think about. Something to be seen and carried as art. If well thought and well chosen the process of getting a tattoo, can take years to happen, but it can definitely change your entire life.

Tattoo Machines Are a Safe Way to Apply Tattoos

2011-05-17T05:56:00.000+01:00

Tattoo guns are the machines that are used to create and apply tattoos. These guns are also referred to as tattoo machines. They have been used for years to create stylish and beautiful pieces of body art. Today, tattoo machines are used in shops and parlors around the world.

The tattoo gun was invented in the 1870s. It was invented by the famous inventor Thomas Edison. But it was not intended to be used as a tattoo machine. Edison intended the machine to be used as an engraving machine. However, in the 1890s another inventor found that Edison's gun could be used as a machine to introduce ink into a person's skin for tattooing. Thus, the first tattoo gun was created.

Since its creation in the late 1800s, tattoo guns have gone through a process of modernization. Guns today now use electromagnets. Electromagnets allow the tattoo artist to control the tattoo process. The artist can control the depth of the tattoo needle, the speed of the needle and the force of the tattooing process. They are an effective and precise way to create and apply a tattoo of any size.

Tattoo machines or guns are made in different sizes. Some machines are meant to apply one color and other machines can be used to apply multiple colors. Regardless of the size and use of a tattoo gun the right care and maintenance is important. Guns that are maintained and cared for properly will produce high quality and beautiful tattoos.

Some people choose to make a tattoo gun at home. A homemade gun can actually be made rather easily. However, unless a tattoo machine is made properly it can be very dangerous. Both tattoo and medical professionals do not recommend the use of a homemade tattoo gun.

Tattoo machines are the modern way to apply tattoos. Before the invention of tattoo machines tattoos were applied by hand. Hand applied tattoos often looked sloppy. The designs were not as accurate as they could have been. Plus, the tattooing process was usually not very safe. Some people who received a tattoo ended up with skin problems or other infections.

Once the tattoo machine was invented incidents of problems related to tattoos decreased tremendously. Tattoo guns created a sterile application process for tattoos, at least when they were used properly. Even today tattooing is not one hundred percent safe. Artists need to be trained in appropriate sterilization and use of tattoo supplies. Appropriate training will always ensure a safe and healthy tattoo application process.

Tattoo machines can be sold separately and they are often sold in tattoo kits. Guns that are sold in tattoo kits are a great choice for small tattoo shops or beginning artists that are learning the trade and art of tattooing. Tattoo kits often include other items besides guns. These items include inks and other items that an artist needs to successfully operate a tattoo gun and complete the tattooing process.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes running, yoga, and tattoos. For more of her useful information on tattoo supplies visit doubletroubletattoos.com.

Three Steps to Tattooing Success

2011-05-15T04:20:00.000+01:00

Tattoos have become a popular form of self-expression and even a fashion statement. The growing demand for tattoos and the potentially high income available to tattoo artists has led to an increase in the number of people who want to learn how to tattoo.

Because tattooing is both an art form and a body treatment, it's important to learn the best procedures for safe tattooing before embarking on a career as a tattoo artist. No one should consider buying a tattoo kit and starting to tattoo without becoming familiar with the best procedures for tattooing.

Learning these procedures will help any tattoo artist achieve lasting success.

There are many steps to becoming a successful tattoo artist, but here are 3 of the most important steps to tattooing success.

Step #1 - Build an Art Portfolio and Find a Tattoo Apprenticeship

If you want to be a tattoo artist, you should be comfortable with your drawing skills. Tattooing requires a good sense of line and color. If you're not confident as an artist but have a desire to learn, then take an art class or buy an art book and begin to practice your drawing. Look at tattoo designs by tattoo artists (known as tattoo flash) and begin to create some designs of your own.

Assemble your best work and display it in an artist's portfolio or binder.

Once you have a portfolio of your best art work, you'll be better prepared to find a tattoo apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is a form of on-the-job training, where an experienced tattoo artist teaches you how to tattoo. Don't expect to be paid as an apprentice - in fact, you may end up paying for the privilege of learning how to tattoo from a master tattoo artist. Prepare to save money for an apprenticeship and to work at another job while you're apprenticing. Finally, give serious thought to which tattoo artist you apprentice with and make sure it's someone whose work you respect and that you can get along with well.

Step #2 - Create Stunning Tattoo Designs

As you learn how to tattoo in an apprenticeship, you will become more skilled in creating tattoo designs. Each tattoo you apply becomes a permanent feature on the body of your client, so you want to make sure you deliver a stunning design. This doesn't mean you have to create each and every tattoo design. A client may come in with an existing design from a tattoo magazine or clients may select a flash design from the shop's collection.

The important thing is to listen to the client's requirements and provide suggestions about how to get the most impact from a design.

Often you will begin with flash and then customize it for the client by adding or removing design elements. It may be necessary to provide a client with several paper drafts of a design before you arrive at a piece of art that you both love. Don't worry too much about the time you spend doing this - it's all part of the job. Just be sure to charge the client enough to cover the time you spend on the design stage of the tattoo.

Once an eye-catching tattoo flash design has been chosen, it's up to the tattoo artist to create a work of art on the client's skin. Different outline and shading techniques can be used to enhance the basic design. Color should be carefully introduced to help bring the tattoo to life. As you learn more about how to tattoo and your experience in tattooing grows, you'll learn how to use the right amount of detail in a design, how to position it correctly on the body, and how to create clean outlines, graduated shading and even color.

Step #3 - Practice Sanitary Tattoo Procedures

The final important step in knowing how to tattoo is to understand and follow standard sanitary procedures.

A tattoo requires penetration of a client's skin, so you must recognize and eliminate the risk of infection and disease transmission. One of the most important sanitary procedures is making sure that tattoo needles and ink caps are single-use only and replaced for each new client. In addition, the work area where the tattoo is applied must be cleaned thoroughly with disinfectant before tattooing begins and the tattoo artist must wear gloves during the tattoo procedure. Following sanitary procedures will help ensure that each tattoo client receives the best possible treatment during the tattoo process.

Do you want to learn how to tattoo like a PRO?

Be sure to visit: http://www.How-To-Tattoo.com for more great tattooing information, tattoo tips, tattoo articles and more!

Temporary Tattoos

2011-05-11T15:54:00.000+01:00

This day and age, more and more people are deciding to get permanent tattoos, leaving their mark of choice on their skin. If the tattoo is applied by an experienced artist, the risk involved will be minimal. As sad as it is however, many people who get tattoos end up going to studios that use unsanitary equipment - resulting in infections or other serious problems.

Years ago, temporary tattoos were found in quarter machines, bubble gum wrappers, and even toy sections of the local store. Children loved to get these temporary tattoos, as they presented a way for children to have a tattoo - one that was completely safe and would wash off. Now days, even adults are beginning to think that this is the right idea. The temporary tattoos of today are no longer just for children, as most last a long time - making them perfect for adults.

The best thing about temporary tattoos, is the fact that they are indeed temporary. With temporary tattoos, you don’t have to worry about infections or unsanitary equipment, as there is no piercing of the skin involved. Temporary tattoos are safe, and remove easily with soap and water. This is very cost friendly as well - as permanent tattoos require surgery to remove.

If you have been thinking about getting a permanent tattoo, you should first give a temporary tattoo a try. Tattoos that are temporary provide an excellent way to test out designs, and see if a tattoo is right for you. If you don’t like it, all you have to do is wash it off. Then, you can purchase another one and see if you like it better. There are literally thousands of temporary tattoos out there, with designs that are sure to please everyone.

If you decide to get a permanent tattoo instead, you are pretty much stuck with it. To get rid of a permanent tattoo, you’ll need to have it surgically removed, which can cost you thousands of dollars. You’ll also face the risk of infection, along with a permanent scar. Permanent tattoos are great though - providing you are happy with the tattoo.

In most cases, temporary tattoos look just like a permanent tattoo. To use them, simply lick the tattoo or use water and apply to your skin. When you have it where you want it, simply apply pressure for a few seconds. They are easy to apply, and last until you wash them off. If you decide to get a longer lasting temporary tattoo, it will last for a longer period of time. This way, you can decide if a permanent tattoo is going to be worth the investment.

You can find temporary tattoos in local stores or on the Internet. They are very affordable as well, even cheaper if you buy them in bulk. Tattoo artists also sell them, and normally have a large selection on hand. This way, you can look through the available selections and find the tattoo that best fits your style.

All in all, temporary tattoos are easier to apply than permanent tattoos and they pose no risk to your skin or your health. Those that are afraid of needles tend to like them as well, as they give you the chance to have a tattoo without going under the needle. Before you rush out and get a tattoo, you should instead give permanent tattoos a try. They won’t cost you a lot of money - yet they will give you the chance to see how you look with a tattoo - and decide if a permanent tattoo is really something you want.

Popular Tattoo Designs

2011-05-09T03:04:00.000+01:00

Tattoos are a common thing these days. They are more popular than ever before. Research has shown that nearly 1 in 4 people have at least one tattoo. There are many designs to choose from, giving people a chance to be creative. Below, we will take a look at some of the most popular tattoo designs.

Tribal tattoos are among the most popular designs. They have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years and they are always evolving and becoming more and more complex with their designs and styles. Tribal tattoos can either be the traditional black style that cover the arms and the legs or the more colorful styles that can cover every area of the body. The colorful, more modern look is becoming more and more popular when compared to other styles.

The “old school” styles of tattoos are also popular. Anchors and things like that are making a great comeback these days and not just with sailors. These styles were very common and very popular back in the 60s. They are rapidly gaining their popularity back, as females and males are getting anchors and swallow designs tattooed on them more and more.

Lower back tattoos are the most common for women. The lower back is one of the most sexual and sensual areas on a women, making the ideal spot for a tattoo. Tribal designs are the most popular, although flowers, dragons, and other symbols make great tattoos as well. The lower back offers plenty of natural curves as well, which can make for an innovative tattoo. Often times, women tend to include tribal that spreads, covering the base of their hips as well.

Dragon designs are another popular type style of tattoos. They were popular in the past, and are now starting to get their popularity back. There are a lot of different dragons to choose from, including the mythical dragon and ancient Chinese dragon. Dragons are great on the chest for males and the back for females. Dragon tattoos can be virtually any size, although most males tend to have them cover one side of their chest or the upper region of their arms.

Celtic tattoos are also popular as well. They are mostly seen with those who have a Celtic heritage, although some with no Celtic heritage have them as well. They offer a variety of symbols and designs, providing universal meanings for everyone. Often times they are mixed with tribal tattoos to create a more innovative tattoo.

There are several other types of tattoos out there, although the above are the most common. Tattoos can be very creative and innovative; it all depends on what you want. If you’re looking to stand out and be truly creative – you can always have a professional tattoo artist design one for you.

The Costs Of Tattoos

2011-05-07T01:52:00.000+01:00

Once you have made the decision to get a tattoo, you’ll find yourself facing a very important task – the budget. Tattoos have long been known to be very expensive, with the bigger ones costing up in the thousands. Although you may be able to find some designs and studios that are within your budget, you’ll still face some very important decisions.

The cost of a tattoo is the most common question people ponder before they get a tattoo. Although they can be very expensive, they are still within your reach. Most people who know they are getting a tattoo will save their money up. Even though you may have an average job and don’t make a lot of money, a tattoo can still be well within your reach if you save your money up for a few months. This way, you’ll have more than enough to spare when you finally get the tattoo you have been saving up for.

In the world of tattoos, you get what you pay for. If you’ve got your own design that you want tattooed, tattoo artists will normally charge you anywhere from 30 – 250 dollars an hour. If you want the tattoo artist to design a tattoo for you, you’ll probably end up paying more. Depending on the size and location of the tattoo, you can easily spend thousands. Tattoos that cover the entire back for example, can cost you as much as fifteen thousand dollars!

The best thing to do is to find a studio and design that you like, and then look into how much it will cost you. You should always look for the cleanest and most sanitary studio first. Once you have found a sanitary tattoo studio, you should meet the tattoo artists and talk to them a bit to see how friendly they are. When you look at the prices of the tattoos, you should never sacrifice quality for price. Even though a studio may cost you more, the quality will normally be better than other tattoo studios in the area.

Although you may be able to find a tattoo studio that will do their work for a cheap price, you should never rush into getting a tattoo strictly for the price. Even though a cheap price may sound good, the quality of the work could be lacking. Tattoo studios that charge expensive prices normally do so because they have the best artists and the best quality work.

Once you have chosen a studio and had your tattoo done, you should always make sure to tip your artist. If he does exceptional work, you should make it well worth his time and give him a nice tip. Tattoo artists who do high quality work love to get tips – and they will always appreciate your business if you treat them as good as they treat you.

Picking Your Dream Design

2011-05-05T08:24:00.000+01:00

Tattoos are very common these days, with nearly 1 in 4 people having at least one. Tattoos represent an art form, and allow people to broadcast who they are. Even though they are popular, most people will end up regretting them. In most cases, those who regret tattoos didn’t think about their design or take the time to choose the best tattoo for them. Even though it is possible to get a tattoo removed, the process is expensive and quite painful. To prevent this from happening, you should always take some time and find the perfect tattoo – your dream design.

Instead of trying to save some money, you should never choose a studio or artist based on how cheap they are. Cheaper artists and studios normally lack in work quality, which is why they are able to charge cheaper prices. Instead, you should look for the best studio and artist that you can find close to your area. Even though it may be expensive – the quality and design will be well worth it.

For some, their dream design is a person. This can be a loved one or someone who has passed on. You can always use a design or symbol that means something to you and reminds you of them or you can always use their face. Good tattoo artists can make magical tattoos with meaning, whether it is someone’s face or a symbol that brings out meaning.

Sometimes, it can be hard picking out your dream design. If you have an idea in mind but are still not sure what you want, you can always research. You can get tattoo books, theme books, magazines, or just research online. By looking at designs you may find something similar to what you are interested in. Once you have found it, all you need to do is sit down with your tattoo artists and come up with your dream tattoo design.

If you have a basic idea for something small in mind, you can always have it tattooed then come back later and have more added on. The best thing about tattoos is the fact that they can always be added to later. This can be a great thing if you want to try a smaller tattoo first, and then decide whether or not you want to get it bigger. If you start with a fraction of your dream design, you can always finish it up later on.

Whenever you get your dream tattoo you should always take time selecting the design. Tattoos will stay with you forever, which is why you should pick them carefully. If you put the necessary time and thought into it now, you won’t regret it later. Your dream design should be very important, and hold meaning. This way, every time you look at it – you’ll be reminded of that special moment in time and you’ll never forget about it.

Application Techniques Of Tattoos

2011-05-02T10:49:00.000+01:00

Tattoos are more common these days than they have ever been in the past. As we all know, tattoos are decorative markings in the skin, such as symbols, signs, and letters that are applied by puncturing the outer layer of the skin and injecting color. Tattoo guns are the best instrument to use, as they move extremely fast and are sharp enough to easily puncture the skin.

There are several types of tattoo guns available, many of which use a very sharp needle. There are guns out there that use more than needle, although they aren’t ideal for tattoos that require strict lines or designing. Single needle tattoo guns are the best for tattoo applications, although the needles need to be changed out after each tattoo. Tattoo needles can be very dangerous if they aren’t disposed of - possibly leading to serious infection if they are used over and over again without being disinfected or disposed of.

There are also tattoos out there known as “jailhouse tattoos”. These types of tattoos are normally found in jails and prisons, using homemade material for tattoo guns. Normally, tattoo artists in jails and prisons will make their own guns, using batteries and needles for ordinary ink pens. These tattoos aren’t very safe, and normally lead to infection. The skin is punctured to inject the ink, although with jailhouse tattoo guns the needle will literally pull and jerk at the skin, ripping it and normally going very deep with the ink.

If the skin is jerked or ripped, it can result in the tattoo looking horrible. In most cases, if the ink goes too deep into the skin, it can lead to an infection. Deep ink also looks terrible as well, especially if it penetrates the third layer of skin. For that very reason, jailhouse tattoo applications aren’t recommended and should be avoided at all costs.

With any tattoo, color is very important. Black and white are the most commonly used colors, although there are other colors used as well. Tattoos need to have an equal balance of color, along with the right shape. If the shapes used in your design follow the contours of your body, the tattoo will look even more impressive. Therefore, you should always have your tattoo applied by someone with a lot of experience.

From a technical standpoint, tattoos involve micro pigment implantation, as they are a form of body modification. Tattoos are a design in ink, normally symbolic or decorative, permanently placed under your skin. Tattoos have been around for hundreds of years, although tattoos in the past used everyday needles and ink - with a very high risk of infection. Although they are very common and very popular, tattoos always have risks. No matter what type of application method is involved, there will always be a risk of infection.

Today, electronic tattoo machines are the most common methods of tattooing. With electronic tattoo guns, the ink is injected into the skin by a group of needles that are attached to a bar. The electronic gun moves very fast, going in and out of the skin hundreds of thousand of times per minute. If an experienced tattoo artist uses the gun, the results can be amazing. Experienced tattoo artists are always the way to go, as they have the experience to give you the results you want. With the right tattoo artist and the right application technique - you should have a tattoo that you can be proud of.

Minimizing The Pain Of Tattoos

2011-05-01T08:07:00.000+01:00

No matter what you may hear, there really is no way to predict the amount of pain that you’ll experience when getting a tattoo. If you arrive with determination and the right frame of mind, it may not hurt you as much as you thought. On the other hand, if you arrive at the studio scared half to death – it will more than likely hurt you more than you thought possible.

Tattoos involve piercing into skin, which almost always involves pain. No matter how big or how small the tattoo may be or where it is located, you can expect to feel some pain. The overall amount of pain you experience though, all depends on your tolerance. If you have a high pain tolerance, you may feel next to nothing during the entire process.

When you get a tattoo, the needles will puncture your skin at very fast rates and variable depths. The outline of the tattoo is easily the most painful, as the needles will be used to create a black line that will stand out on the tattoo. This part need to be inserted fairly deeply and carefully to ensure that it’s done correctly. The shading of the tattoo normally isn’t painful, although it depends on the penetration depth and effect that you desire.

Normally, the pain you feel is a slight burn or scratching feeling. If the tattoo is going to be on an area where there is less bone and tissue such as the wrist or chest, the pain will be a bit more intense. Areas like the arms and legs however, normally aren’t that painful. Areas such as these have more tissue and muscle, which will lessen the amount of pain you feel.

Even though some pain is to be expected, there are ways that you can minimize the pain. Below are some tips that will help you deal with the pain.

1. Never show up to a get a tattoo on drugs or drunk. This will thin out your blood, causing you to bleed more.

2. Always choose a tattoo artist that you are comfortable around. If you have confidence in your artist you can minimize the pain a great deal.

3. Show up at the studio with sheer determination. You should accept the fact that the tattoo will take time. Quality work is an art – and should never be rushed.

4. If the pain becomes too much to bear, you should let your tattoo artist know immediately. He will allow you to take a break, or stop and come back later. You can always break up your sessions, as tattoos don’t need to be finished immediately.

5. To ease your mind, listen to music. This way, you can take your mind to a different place and focus on something other than the tattoo.

Tongue Tattoos

2011-04-28T14:17:00.000+01:00

Tattoos are a hot commodity these days, becoming more and more popular than they have ever been in the past. There are hundreds and thousands of different designs and styles of tattoos to choose from, giving you the chance to express yourself. Although tattoos are very popular, the new trend that is rapidly taking effect in the world of tattoos is known as tongue tattoos.

Although many aren’t familiar with tongue tattoos yet, they are just now starting to take shape. They resemble other designs and styles, although they cover the muscle known as the tongue. There are tattoos that cover the entire tongue, or just a single area. In most cases, those who already have them, chose to have their tongue tattooed a certain color. Whether it be purple, orange, black, or blue, the tongue can be tattooed a variety of different colors.

The designs that are poplar with tongue tattoos include stars, tribal work, and other shapes and designs that cover a region of the tongue. Stars are popular with the lower area of the tongue, near the tip. There are also designs that can be tattooed farther back on the tongue, near the middle of it. As tongue tattoos become more and more popular, more and more designs are implemented.

As far as the procedure goes, it’s very similar to getting a tattoo on any other part of your body. A tattoo involved needles puncturing the skin, depositing ink into the epidermis. The needles move extremely fast, breaking the skin and leaving the pigments of ink. The tongue, just like the skin, will swallow the pigments once the surface has been punctured by the needle. Once the pigments of ink are absorbed by the tongue, the color will remain there forever.

Those who have had tongue tattoos in the past say that they aren’t very painful. Unlike tattoos on the skin, the tongue is a giant muscle. A tattoo on the tongue is often described as a tickling sensation or the feeling of numbness in your mouth. When the tattoo artist does the tattoo, he will normally use a tool to hold the tongue out. If you’ve ever had a tongue piercing, you’ll know what it looks like. Once the tongue is out, the artist will begin work. The process normally does take very long, as long you hold still and don’t move around.

If a tongue tattoo sounds interesting to you, the first thing to do is find a tattoo artist in your area who is experienced with doing them. Not a lot of tattoo artists are familiar with tongue tattoos, as they are just now beginning to surface. A tongue tattoo is a bit on the creative side – something that you just don’t see in public everyday.

Things To Expect From Tattoo Removal

2011-04-25T16:06:00.000+01:00

At some point or another or for various reasons, people often make the decision to get their tattoo removed. In some cases the tattoo will reflect a lost love and sometimes the tattoo will be something that the individual doesn’t want anymore. Whatever the cause may be, getting a tattoo removed is a decision that takes quite of bit of time and thought.

If you’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo removed, you’ll need to start out by making an appointment with a local doctor or dermatologist and discuss your options. Your doctor will look over the tattoo, the condition of the tattoo, and which methods he thinks will work best for the removal.

All methods of tattoo removal do require surgery, which in itself will carry along risks and side effects. Even though you may be getting a simple surgery, there may be complications with it as well. For this very reason, you should always consider getting a tattoo removed very carefully. It’s very important that you be extremely sure you want the tattoo removed before you proceed with any type of tattoo removal surgery.

Most often times your doctor or dermatologist will be able to explain to you step by step how the surgery works, how long it will take to complete, and the type of recovery that you can expect. As you probably already know, the surgery site will be quite tender for a long period of time and will more than likely result in scarring. As time goes by however, the scarring will tend to lessen eventually to the point where it isn’t all that visible.

The answer to scarring however, all depends on the tattoo’s size. If you have a large tattoo, the scarring result will be more than that of a smaller tattoo. Depending on where you have the tattoo that you want removed, you may notice quite a bit of pain. Certain areas of the body, such as the chest and elbows are more sensitive than other areas of the body.

Once you and your doctor have agreed on a decision to remove the tattoo, you’ll be given an appointment time for the surgery. It may or may not be performed as outpatient surgery; it all depends on your health and any complications that may arise. In most cases, those that had tattoo removal surgery are held overnight and observed before being allowed to go home. Before you have the surgery, you should always speak to your surgeon and find out if there are any known risks associated with your procedure.

As many know, the costs of getting a tattoo removed can be very expensive. If the tattoo is a large one, the expenses can be outrageous. Most insurance companies won’t pay for these costs unless there is a medial or health reason involved. With insurance not paying for the removal of the tattoo, you’ll need to pay costs out of pocket. You should always talk to your doctor and make payment arrangements before you have the surgery. Once they are approved, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about in terms of costs.

Getting a tattoo removed can be expensive, painful, and impose risks that you’ll need to think about. Even though you can get a tattoo removed, many wonder if it’s worth it. The best way to deal with tattoos and their removal – is to avoid getting them in the first place – especially if there is any doubt in your mind that you may not want them later on.

Caring For A New Tattoo

2011-04-23T22:10:00.000+01:00

When you finally decide to get a tattoo, the first thing you’ll need to do is find a reputable tattoo artist. Most tattoo artists have several designs that you can pick from. If you don’t find anything you like, you can always ask him to make a custom tattoo. You should always be careful in what you choose, as you’ll have the tattoo for the rest of your life. The design is very important, although not nearly as important as taking care of it.

Good tattoo artists will also clean and apply antiseptic ointment to your tattoo as they create it. Expert artists know that this helps keep the tattoo healthy. Once the tattoo is finished, the artists will wipe it down, clean it off good, and apply another coat of antiseptic ointment. Once the ointment has been applied, he will put a piece of soft tissue or cellophane over the tattoo.

Once the tattoo is finished, the artists should tell you how to take care of your new tattoo. Some of the better artists will talk to you and give you a detailed sheet with all of the information you need. If you went to a tattoo artist who didn’t explain this to you, you may be wondering just what you should do. Taking care of a tattoo isn’t hard – as long as you know what you can and can’t do.

When you first get home with your new tattoo, you should never hop right in the shower. You should keep it dry for the first few days, but also clean it every few hours. Before you touch the tattoo or clean it, you should always make sure that your hands are clean. If you keep your hands clean, you won’t have to worry about an infection.

You’ll also want to visit your local drugstore and purchase a tube of A&D ointment. A&D ointment is the best to use. A&D will keep your tattoo clean and shiny and should be used for the first few days. Once the ointment starts to dry on the tattoo, you should wipe the old application off and apply some more. Don’t rub it too hard, or you could damage the healing process. For the first few days, you should avoid using soap as well.

After 5 – 6 days, you can quit using the ointment. A&D ointment will keep your tattoo healthy, which you’ll notice the first time you apply it. After you stop using it, you should use an unscented body lotion. You want to avoid body lotions that have scents, as they can easily irritate the tender skin that resides under your tattoo.

After you have used the lotion for a few days, you can stop using it. Most tattoos, after they have healed, tend to leave a scab in some areas. If your tattoo has a scab, you should be careful when you try to pick it. If you aren’t careful, you could end up damaging your design. The best thing to do is you have a scab is to leave it alone. You can put A&D ointment on it if you want, as most of the time a scab will itch.

A tattoo can be a great thing to have providing you take care of it. Tattoos will stay with your for the rest of your life, unless you choose to get them surgically removed. Taking care of your tattoo now will keep it healthy and infection free in the long run. If you follow the above advice on how to take care of your tattoo – you won’t have anything to worry about.

Choosing Your Tattoo Parlor

2011-04-21T08:13:00.000+01:00

Once you have made the decision to get a tattoo you’ll need to find a qualified tattoo parlor. This is a very important decision, as it can easily make or break your tattoo. Before you decide on a tattoo artist or tattoo parlor, you must first see if they are qualified. There are hundreds of thousands of tattoo parlors out there, some better than others. If you go to a less than perfect tattoo parlor, you could very well end up with an infection that can cause you more trouble than you ever thought possible. Finding out how long a parlor has been in business is very important – as this will tell you how much business the parlor receives.

When you look for the best parlor you should always watch for those who have the best history with keeping their equipment clean. Clean equipment and a clean studio is without a doubt the most important consideration when dealing with tattoos. If the artist isn’t licensed or not a professional there will be little to no guarantee that the equipment is clean. Health is a big concern with tattoos for most people, and for good reason. If you are looking to get a tattoo you should always make sure that the artists are licensed, the parlor is clean – and the equipment is sanitized and cleaned after each and every tattoo.

The best tattoo parlors will welcome you in with open arms, anticipating your business. When you meet the tattoo artist, he should be friendly and not intimidate you at all, nor should he at any time attempt to push a design on you. Under no circumstances should the artist try and talk you into getting a more expensive tattoo design if all you want is something small and simple.

Pushy sales and unfriendly salesmen are common pitfalls with most businesses. Tattoo parlors should always be friendly and open to what you want. Although the more experienced tattoo artists will offer their opinions, they shouldn’t try to push you around. If a tattoo artists thinks there will be a problem with your design or if he thinks he can do anything to improve it, he will more than likely let you know. If he is able to save you some money, the higher quality tattoo artists won’t think twice about doing so.

Before you decide on a tattoo parlor to do your tattoo, you should always compare what’s available to you and weigh out your options. The higher quality tattoo parlors will cost quite a bit of money, more than the other parlors. This is to be expected, as the higher quality studios cost more to pay their artists and keep their parlor nice and clean. These parlors are among the best in the world, with sparkling floors and a clean interior. The tattoo artists here ensure that their rooms are clean, with most wiping down their equipment and materials every chance they get.

The ideal way to find tattoo parlors in your area or close by is to use the Internet and search or just open a local phone book. If you look for the keyword tattoos, you’ll find several that are relatively close to you. Once you have found some addresses, simply drive out there and take a look around. If you like what you see, you can always come back. You shouldn’t rush your decision – but instead look at what each tattoo parlor has to offer you.

Information To Known Before Getting A Tattoo

2011-04-18T14:48:00.000+01:00

Before you decide to get a tattoo, you should always take a little bit of time to talk to your tattoo artist. When you speak to him, you should be sure to ask questions and find out anything you can about your new tattoo. You should also find out information about his background, and other important bits of information that will assist you in moving forward with your decision.

The first thing you should find out is how long the parlor has been in business. This will let you know just how professional the quality of tattoo work is and the overall reputation for the business. If the tattoo parlor belongs to the Better Business Bureau you can always check their record and see if any complaints have been files about the business in the last few years.

You should also find out about his qualifications as well. Experience is a must here, as infections and other diseases can easily be contracted if the equipment isn’t clean. Tattoo artists deal with needles on a daily basis, making experience very important. Finding out how much experience and qualifications a tattoo artists has will tell you quite a bit about what you can expect from them.

You’ll also want to find out if the tattoo studio guarantees their work. In the unlikely event that you don’t like the outcome of the tattoo, you’ll obviously want it to be fixed. The better studios will fix it without requiring any money. Refund policies are also important, especially if you don’t like the quality or the workmanship of the tattoo.

The cost is also very important. Before you decide to get a tattoo or agree to anything, you’ll obviously want to know the full cost. The bigger tattoos can be quite expensive, although even the smallest of tattoos can be expensive as well, especially if you’re on a budget. You can save yourself a lot of time and prevent any type of surprises by knowing the costs upfront.

Infection is also something you’ll want to find out about. The better tattoo artists can provide information about infections, and tell you how to prevent them. They will also tell you about their services, and how they can prevent you from getting an infection. When you ask infections, he should also be able to tell you exactly what to do if you think you are developing an infection as well.

If you suffer from a fear of needles, you should always ask if there is a way to help you. You should never feel bad about asking, as many people are deathly afraid of needles. Needles are used with tattoos, as there is no other way to put the ink in the skin. If you are afraid of getting a tattoo due to the needles, you should make sure that you let your tattoo artist know. Chances are, he may be able to take extra steps to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Asking questions is never a bad thing when it comes to getting a tattoo. If a tattoo artist hesitates to answer any question you ask or acts hasty towards you, you should always leave and find another tattoo artist. Tattoos always have risks and concern, which is why tattoo artists should be more than willing to answer any questions that you may have. Asking questions can help to ease your concern and make you feel better about the artist – which is why you should always make sure you write a list of questions before you visit the tattoo parlor.

Tattoo Safety

2011-04-16T18:56:00.000+01:00

The process of tattooing involves needles that move at very fast speeds to penetrate the outer layers of the skin. The needles break the skin, and inject dots of ink into the third layer, creating the image of the tattoo design in the skin. Whenever you are getting a tattoo, common sense and a bit of safety are always the most important considerations.

When getting a tattoo, most people fear getting the virus known as HIV, which can lead to the dreaded AIDS virus. Although many fear HIV, it is just one of the many viruses that can result from tattoos. Staph, syphilis, tuberculosis, and hepatitis are all but a few of the other diseases that can result from tattoos. All it takes is a dirty or unsanitary needle and you could wind up contracting one of the deadly viruses listed above.

Just like other activities, tattooing can be very dangerous. Although tattooing is indeed dangerous, there are ways that you can minimize or eliminate the potential dangers. Each and everyday, tattoo artists have to adhere to a strict code of safety to ensure that the risk of contracting HIV or any other diseases is little to none.

Professional tattoo artists will sterilize their equipment after each use. They use steam pressure autoclave when disinfecting their tattoo guns and needles. Bleach and alcohol don’t sterilize the equipment; they are instead used to prep the equipment. Once the bleach and alcohol have been used on the instruments, they will then be autoclaved, which will sterilize them.

When the tattoo artist does the tattoo, he should always wear rubber gloves that can easily be disposed of. The ointment spreaders and any type of rags that are used should also be disposable. When you walk into the tattoo studio, the floors should be spotless. In the rooms where the tattoos are done, the working area should always be clean and sanitary.

Before the tattooist starts the tattoo, he should always give each customer a brand new set of fresh needles. Then, he should always dip the needle in a small cap of pigment that he just took out of a large squeezable bottle. If the artist dips the needle into the big bottle, you may very well be sharing fluids with those who have had tattoos from that same big bottle.

Whenever you decide to get a tattoo you should always put safety first. Safety is very important with tattoos, as you could otherwise get a disease or a serious infection. Before you decide on a tattoo studio, you should always make sure that they are clean and sanitary. If you get a tattoo from a studio that is dirty or unsanitary, you could wind up on a never ending spiral of infections and viruses.

Lower Back Tattoos

2011-04-15T16:46:00.000+01:00

On a woman’s body there are a few places that can be thought of as sensual. Although this varies from culture to culture, many consider the most sensitive areas to be the nape of the neck and the infamous lower back. With that being said, it’s really not hard to see why lower back tattoos have become so popular over the years.

Although women have several areas for tattoos, the lower back is one of the most erotic and sensual areas women can get tattooed. Lower back tattoos are easy to cover up as well, which is great for those who aren’t allowed to have tattoos at work. Unlike other areas of the body, the lower back is completely covered up by a shirt. With the lower back – you only show the tattoo off when you want.

The ease to show or hide lower back tattoos has helped to increase popularity, as well as the desire, or sensuality. When a woman tells someone, especially a man, that she has a lower back tattoo – the mind often wonders. Lower back tattoos create a sensual and tantalizing appeal. Normally, these tattoos are done around the waist line. While part of it may be hidden by a women’s birthday suit – there may very well be a part of it showing as well. For lovers, a lower back tattoo can be very sensual and sexual, a secret that is shared only between the two.

The various designs and shape of the tattoo will often times enhance both the look and the appeal of the entire lower back area. The design of the tattoo is normally a small and shallow curvature that enables it to fit perfectly to the curves of the female back and natural curves of her hips. The lower back tattoo helps to accentuate an already breathtaking part of the female anatomy and enhance an area that is well known for its sensuality.

Popular designs for lower back tattoos include flowers, vines, and stars. Winged creature designs work good as well, as the wings of the monster can stretch his wings across the entire lower back region. Angels, dragonflies, and birds also seem to work quite well. You can add natural designs to the creatures as well, including plants and flowers. The lower back is a great area for tattoos – giving you unlimited possibility to use your imagination.

Although there are a lot of options and designs available, you should always choose one that you can enjoy for the rest of your life. You should always give thought to a design, and not pick something just because it’s appealing at the time. Instead, you should look into the thought and meaning of the tattoo and decide if it’s something you can see yourself with for the rest of your life. The meaning behind a tattoo is important, both now and later on in life. When you look at designs, you should always pick the one that literally calls out to you.

Before you decide to get a lower back tattoo, you should always look at several designs first, and then decide the best one for you. If you can’t find a design that you like, you can always have a professional tattoo artist design one for you. This way, you can have a tattoo design based on what you want. Although a custom design may cost a bit more money – it’s truly worth it if you want a unique and creative design that enhances the look of your lower back.

Tattoo Removal Options

2011-04-13T06:44:00.000+01:00

The removal of a tattoo is often thought of as being a very painful process. Although the process may have been very painful in the past, the technology of today offers methods of removing tattoos. Currently, there are two options to remove tattoos that are rapidly becoming more and more popular – laser technology and light based technology.

Both surgeries used light energy to destroy the ink in the tattoo. The ink in the tattoo will absorb the energy of the light, breaking it up. Once the ink starts to break up, it can easily be passed through and out of your body through filtering. In most cases this is extremely safe, as the ink is broken down into micro size to where it can easily pass through the body with no complications.

The process is actually similar to the surgery in which hair is removed. The surgeon or doctor who performs the surgery will hold a wand to the skin that is being treated. As he does this, the pulses of light are aimed at the tattoo, breaking up the ink. The wand is normally held right up against the tattoo, as this makes the pulses of light much more effective.

Normally, the feeling that you’ll experience is best described as an elastic or rubber band flicking constantly against your skin. If the tattoo is big, the pain could certainly be a bit more intense. The area where the tattoo is at is also important, as sensitive areas may cause you quite a bit of pain and discomfort. If the area in which you have the tattoo doesn’t have a lot of muscle or tissue, you’ll more than likely want to be numbed as much as possible before starting the procedure.

Both laser and light based treatments are somewhat similar. With both tattoo removal procedures, the doctor that is doing the procedure will always apply a cooling gel to the tattoo area that is being treated to cool the skin and conduct the energy of the light. This cooling gel helps to draw the light, and at the same time protect your skin. The gel will feel cool to the touch, although it will help your skin when the light pulses start to break the ink apart.

If you’ve been thinking about having a tattoo removed you should consider both light and laser based procedures. Keep in mind that they are both expensive, and both impose risks. Depending on how big your tattoo is and what the procedure involves, you may need to spend a night or two in the hospital. Even though both procedures do offer ways to have your tattoo removed, you’ll need to think long and hard before you make a final decision.

Things To Know About Tattoos

2011-04-10T15:38:00.000+01:00

Tattoos are created by injecting ink through into the skin. Tattoo artists accomplish this by using an electric powered tattoo gun that almost sounds like the drill a dentist uses. The tattoo gun has a needle that moves up and down, putting the ink into the skin around 2,000 times a minute. The needle in the gun punctures the skin and deposits a small drop of ink with each puncture.

The tattoo machines of today have several basic components. The sterilized needle, tube system, electric motor, and foot pedal are all fine examples. The foot pedal is extremely important to the tattoo gun, as it controls the vertical movement that the needle will make. It resembles a pedal used with a sewing machine, except for the fact that it determines how the needle will work.

One of the biggest concerns regarding tattoos has always been safety. Tattoo machines work by puncturing the skin and injecting ink into the tattoo site. Whenever you are dealing with puncture wounds, there is always a risk of infection and disease. Because of these risks, tattoo applications are always focused on safety. Tattoo artists always use sterile equipment, disposable materials, and proper sanitation to ensure protection for themselves and their customers.

To help prevent the risk of contamination, almost all tattoo materials such as ink, ink cups, needles, and gloves are for single use only. Needles should never be used a second time, as they can almost always lead to infection. Most of the single use products will arrive at the tattoo studio in sterile packaging where the artist can open it up in front of you before he starts his work.

Before they start the tattoo, tattoo artists will always wash their hands with soap and water and check themselves for abrasions and cuts. After doing so, they will clean and disinfect their work area with the appropriate disinfectants. As they do this, they will normally explain to you what they are doing and how the sterilization process works. Once they have cleaned the area, they will then start to open their equipment from the sterile boxes. After the artist has opened everything, he will shave the area for the tattoo and disinfect it with water and soap.

Once he starts the tattoo, the pain will all depend on your tolerance. Some people say that it feels like being pinched, while others describe it as a slight poking with needles. Your overall pain tolerance, the location and size of the tattoo and the experience of the tattoo artist will all be contributing factors to how much pain you will feel. The location is extremely important. If you are getting a tattoo in a sensitive area – it will probably hurt a bit more.

The tattoo artist will clean the tattoo throughout the process, and again once he has finished. Once he has finished, he will put some ointment on the tattoo and cover it. He will also explain how you should take care of it and what you can and can’t do. Most tattoo artists will give you a sheet to take home that contains detailed instructions on caring for your new tattoo. If you have any questions, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask when he is going over your care instructions.

When you get home, you should always follow those instructions. Taking care of your new tattoo is very important and may very well determine your risk of infection. Tattoos can be a great thing to have, providing you take care of them. Keep in mind that the tattoo may be sore for a while – although it will heal in a few short days.

Physchology And Tattoos

2011-04-08T03:07:00.000+01:00

In today’s society a lot of people tend to misjudge tattoos. A lot of people who see someone with a lot of tattoos will automatically think negative thoughts. Those who have tattoos are just like anyone else – except for the fact that they wish to stand out and broadcast who they are, simply because they have a strong sense of who they are. Those with tattoos aren’t afraid to show them, as they put them on their body to let others know who they are and what they are about.

Most who decide to look into the psychology of those with tattoos seem to associate them as criminals and study them like they are common rats in the cage. Contrary to this opinion that many experts have, those who have tattoos aren’t in any type of cage. Instead, they are out there expressing their freedom. Whether they are going by what they believe, showing that they belong to a certain group or clan, or paying homage to the dearly departed – there are always meanings behind tattoos.

The psychologist who studies those with tattoos will normally try to get into their frame of mind, which is hard to do. For hundreds of years tattoos have always been a question from a psychological standpoint, with most people associating tattoos in the past with criminals. Even though criminals may have tattoos, there are just as many if not more people out there who are some of the friendliest people in the world who have them as well.

To look at tattoos from a psychological standpoint can sometimes be hypocritical. Although those who don’t have tattoos will try and figure out why someone would want them, it can still be considered a psychological point of view. Those who have tattoos had a reason for getting them, or they wouldn’t have got them in the first place.

No matter where you look these days it’s a common thing to see someone with at least one tattoo. This doesn’t mean that society is dwindling in any way, nor does it mean that mankind is becoming a bunch of clones following after one leader. Tattoos have built there own reputation over the years, gaining in popularity. Over the years more and more people have decided to get them – which only goes to show the phenomenon that is tattoos.

When you decide to look at the psychology of tattoos, you must first understand some of the meanings. A tattoo can tell you a lot about the individual and his past. Although some tattoos may be a bit frightening, that individual may have got the tattoos in his past and turn out to be nothing like that now. Like others out there – the tattoos that were obtained in the past may be left as a reminder for the future.

Free Tattoo Designs

2011-04-07T02:27:00.000+01:00

Each and every one of us is always on the lookout for great deals and any way to save money that we can find. With the Internet being so popular these days, many people often turn to the Internet for free tattoo designs. For most of us, free is always the way to go. When you stop and think about it, a free tattoo design sounds a lot better than paying as much as $150.00 for one at a tattoo studio. The fact about it is simple - someone could just as easily draw their tattoo design themselves and then pay the tattoo artist to put the tattoo on them.

If you give it some thought, you may begin to wonder if free tattoo designs are actually worth it in the end. The fact of them being free is always great, although you may wonder if the design is something you would like to display permanently on your body. When you show your new tattoo to friends, they may think negative thoughts when you tell them that you got the design free off the Internet. Each and every time you show your tattoo people will want to know about the message and the design, which you’ll probably need to think about.

All of us are familiar with the old saying “you get what you pay for”, and it’s truly no different in this scenario. Although there are hundreds and hundreds of websites on the Internet that provide free tattoo designs, few of them are really worth the interest. Most of the free designs out there on the Internet are very poor quality. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to wait and have a professional tattoo artist make the design for you.

Those who choose to go with free tattoo designs will tell you that tattoos are very expensive and they can’t afford to have a professional tattoo artists draw up the design. Some people, when dealing with custom tattoo designs, will say that their tattoo artist doesn’t do custom designs or that he just don’t want to do theirs. Although most of this may be true to an extent, there truly is no better way to get a tattoo than using a design made by a professional tattoo artist.

As most already know, free tattoo designs are normally made by those who know next to nothing about tattoo designing. In most cases, these designs are made by someone who is looking to make a quick profit instead of a true professional tattoo artist. You can easily tell that they aren’t professional quality simply by looking at them. Most free designs have poor quality, poor lines, and often times the work appears to be made on a personal computer. You certainly wouldn’t want to use something like this with your tattoo – simply because you will be showing it the rest of your life.

If you spend a lot of time searching on the Internet for free tattoo designs, you may be able to find a few with good quality. There are some good quality designs out there, although you’ll probably have to search quite a bit to find them. It’s best to have an idea in mind about the tattoo you want then look for it that way. Although it may take you some time, you could very well find it. If you do come across it as a free tattoo design – you should always triple check the quality before you decide to have it done.

Celtic Tattoos

2011-04-04T13:15:00.000+01:00

Celtic history goes back thousands and thousands of years. Early Celtic people were well known for their skills in artwork of jewelry, metal, and even weapons. They were warriors as well, regarded as fierce fighters by the Romans. Throughout Ireland, there are many examples and evidence of Celtic artwork and Celtic crosses.

Over the years, modern Celtics evolved and established symbols for themselves along the way. Throughout North America, Celtic people often wear these symbols to let others know that they are a Celtic descent. The symbols and knowledge have been passed down through the years, as there is little no written history. Tattooing however, keeps the Celtic tradition alive with the infamous Celtic cross and other popular Celtic designs.

Most Celtic tattoo designs come from Ireland, where the evidence of Celtic history is very strong indeed. The Trinity College found in Dublin, Ireland, contains many manuscripts that document the Celtic heritage and symbols. The height of Celtic tattooing however, occurred during the era when stone and metal work was really popular.

Celtic knot tattoos are some of the most popular and most common designs, featuring loops with no end that symbolize a never ending cycle of dying and rebirth. There are also Celtic animal tattoo designs as well, which are similar in design to the knot tattoos, although the cords in the design normally terminate in heads, tails, and feet. The pure knot tattoo designs are normally never ending, unless an individual adds an end to symbolize a spiral.

The meaning behind the knots in Celtic tattoos defies any type of literal translation and is found at a much deeper level. The interlacing of the knots expresses the repeated crossing of both physical and spiritual elements. The strands and their never ending path is a popular design for Celtic tattoos, representing life, faith, and love. For many years, Celtics have used these designs for emotional as well as heritage purposes.

Those who are from a Celtic descent, Irish, Scots, or Welsh, normally find a Celtic tattoo to be a great way to express their heritage pride. These tattoos help to reestablish pride, and give tribute to one’s ancestors. The tattoos aren’t easy to do, most taking several hours. Unlike other tattoo designs, Celtic tattoos are among the hardest designs in the world.

If you are from a Celtic descent and have decided to get a Celtic tattoo, the first thing to do is find an artist capable of doing the tattoo. The designs are very difficult and not all tattoo artists can do them. It’s always best to find a tattoo artist who has a background in Celtic designs, as this will ensure the tattoo is done correctly. The artist who does the tattoo needs to have an eye for detail and exact line placement – which is a skill that not all tattoo artists possess.

Time And Tattoos

2011-04-02T22:46:00.000+01:00

Throughout the course of time, tattoos have been used to personify and represent someone’s affiliations, personal preferences, and their creative outlook on life. Tattoos are gaining in popularity these days as well with both men and women. Research has shown that nearly 1 in 4 people have at least one tattoo on their body.

By definition, a tattoo is a permanent marking on the skin. The ink is injected by needle under the skin, creating the image of the tattoo. The needle moves very fast, puncturing the skin and depositing the ink into the epidermis. As the ink is depositing into the epidermis, the skin captures the color of the ink. The artist will continue to clean the tattoo as he works on it, wiping it off with antiseptic and disinfecting the wound.

Over time tattoos will chance with the skin on a constant basis due to the wind, sun, regeneration, water, and other things. The way a tattoo looks and the design must also chance with the skin as it shrinks, stretches, and ages. The pigment that makes up the tattoo must remain the way it is over time, although tanning and wrinkles can affect the color and clarity of the tattoo.

The overall length of time that a tattoo styles healthy and vibrant in color all depends on how well it was taking care of after it was completed and how the skin is taking care of. Even though infection is always a concern with tattoos, you must also promote healing in the sense of retaining as much ink as you possibly can. Most tattoos will heal completely within a few short weeks, although they must be kept moist to prevent scabbing. If allowed to scab, the scab that forms will remove some of the color from the tattoo.

The number one enemy of tattoos is the sun. Just like other colors that are exposed to sunlight, the pigments found in tattoos will fade. Yellow and red are the hardest colors to maintain over time, blue and black are the easiest and most stable to maintain. Tattoos are considered to be part of the organism of living skin and need to be maintained to keep the color alive and fresh. If you are going to be out in the sun, you should always cover your tattoos and wear a quality sunscreen as well, just to be on the safe side.

Tattoos that have been properly applied, properly healed, and protected from the rays of the sun can remain their best for years and years. Although the colors will remain vibrant as well, time and the sun are definite enemies for tattoos. No matter how well you take care of your tattoos and protect them, there really is no escape from changes that come as a result of time itself.

Pros And Cons Of Tattoos

2011-03-28T08:52:00.000+01:00

These days’ tattoos are more common than ever. Tattoos have gained quite a bit in popularity over the years, giving people a chance to stand out and broadcast who they really are. Men and women alike have tattoos, some covering their entire body. The choice is entirely up to you though, as you can get a tattoo in virtually any size you want.

Even though there are many good things about tattoos, there are bad things as well. Among the good things about tattoos include the chance to broadcast who you are, the chance to be you, and the chance to stand out. Most people who get tattoos get them for the symbolic meaning. Although there are some who get tattoos strictly for the look, many end up regretting getting the tattoo later on in life.

Tattoos are great for show, although the design itself should hold some meaning. There are a variety of designs and colors to choose from, which helps to add to the positive benefits of tattoos. You can check out many designs at your local tattoo studio, in books and magazines, and on the Internet. The Internet is a great resource for tattoo designs, as there are literally thousands to look at. You can also look at pictures of those who have tattoos so you can get an idea as to what a certain style will look like once it has been finished.

The cons of tattoos are pretty straight forward. Tattoos work by piercing the skin with a needle and injecting little gobs of ink. With that being said the risk of infection when getting a tattoo is always there. If the tattoo artist isn’t sanitary and doesn’t clean his equipment after every use, the risk of infection will be much higher.

Another thing to worry about with tattoos is removal. If you later decide that you don’t want the tattoo, you’ll have to pay an expensive price to have it surgically removed. Surgery carries risks and complications as well. In some cases, those who have got tattoos have had to have the tattoo removed due to infection. In these cases the infection has gotten so bad that there really is no other choice than to get the tattoo removed.

No matter how you look at it, there will always be both pros and cons with tattoos. Before you decide to get a tattoo, you should make sure that the design you have picked out is something that you can see yourself with for years to come. If there is any doubt in your mind about the tattoo, you shouldn’t get it. Even though it may seem cool at the time – the price for removal and the complications with surgery may not be worth it in the long run.

Innovative Tribal Designs

2011-03-26T00:03:00.000Z

In the world of tattoo designs there are thousands of potential tattoos to choose from. Each and every day, there are new designs added to studios and online tattoo websites. Tattoos are becoming more and more popular these days, making the designs all the more important. Although flowers and other designs are popular, tribal designs seem to be among the most common.

The one thing that sticks out with tribal tattoos is the innovation. Tribal tattoos feature unique artwork, with most being more or less solid black with no other colors. Tribal can have several different meanings as well, as it all depends on the image that the artist is trying to bring to life. Tribal can either be a design that the artist already had or the artist can take your feedback and do the entire tattoo freehand as he goes along. Experienced tattoo artists can normally do great work freehand – as it gives you the ability to make changes as he goes along.

Some of the most popular designs with tribal tattoos include skulls and letters. Unique designs are also very popular, especially those that wrap around the arms or the back. Tribal can be put virtually anywhere on the body, just like any other tattoo. Depending on the tattoo design you have in mind, it may take quite a few hours before the artist has finished. With the larger tattoos, you may need to come back to have the work finished.

Before you decide to get a tribal tattoo, you’ll first need to decide on the design. If you don’t have an idea in mind, this can take you quite a bit of time. You can look online for some ideas, or look at some of the already made designs at your local tattoo studio. If you see something that you like but you want to be a bit more creative, you can always add to the design. For example if you see a tribal skull design that you like, you can make it bigger or change just about anything in the tattoo design that would make it unique for you.

If you want the entire tattoo to be unique and creative, you can always have your tattoo artist draw the entire tattoo from scratch. You can give input as well if you want, to ensure that the design matches what you have in mind. Drawing a custom tattoo can take anywhere from an hour to several hours, depending on the size and detail of the tattoo. Tribal tattoos that have a lot of detail can be a bit complex, both to draw and to tattoo. No matter what you have in mind for your design – you can rest assured that it can be accomplished with tribal design tattoos.

The Risks Of Getting Tattoos

2011-03-25T18:00:00.000Z

Although most tattoos are applied with no problems at all, there are some tattoos that result in a not so good outcome. No matter how safe you may think they are, you simply can’t overlook the risks involved with getting a tattoo. Tattoo artists may tell you that there are no risks involved - although this isn’t the case.

The biggest concern you have when getting a tattoo is unsanitary equipment. If the equipment isn’t cleaned and disinfected after each use, the risk for getting a disease is very high. You can also end up with a serious skin disease as well, if the tattoo gun is dirty or if the tattoo artist doesn’t clean his equipment. The tattoo studio should be clean as well. With a lot of visitors, a studio can get dirty quickly - which is why it should be cleaned on a daily basis.

After getting your tattoo, if you notice any swelling or excessive redness around the tattoo, you should visit a doctor immediately, to find out if the tattoo is infected. In most cases, tattoo infections can be treated with medicine. If the infection is severe, you may be admitted to the hospital so they can further treat you. In the more severe cases, you may end up having to get the tattoo removed to prevent further infection. Removing a tattoo requires surgery, which also involves risks as well.

If removal of the tattoo is recommended or requested, the procedure can either be performed as an out patient surgery or one that requires a minimal stay in the hospital. The surgeon or physician will determine the removal, based on your health and overall chances of developing an infection. In most cases, tattoo removal is safe, with most patients given medicine that will treat infections and prevent any type of pain.

Although health risks are a concern, one of the biggest concern for may is the overall appearance of the tattoo. Tattoos that are done by amateurs or not applied well, normally result in the appearance being ruined. Tattoos are something that will stick with you for the rest of your life, which is why the appearance is so important. If you get a tattoo removed, chances are that a scar will always remain. Even though most scars will become less noticeable as years go by, they will never completely go away - and always provide a reminder that a tattoo was once there.

Before you get a tattoo, you should always make it a point to examine the studio and ensure that it’s clean. You should also ask questions, and make sure that the tattoo artists clean the equipment they use. If you stick around for a bit at the studio, you can normally find out a lot about the way they do business and how clean they are. If the studio appears to be clean and tidy, chances are you won’t have to worry about dirty equipment or infections.

As with everything else in life, there are always decision to make. If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, you should first decide your reason for getting it, how you will feel about having it later on in life, and if the tattoo is something you can see yourself with. Before you put a permanent tattoo on your body, you should make sure that you are getting the tattoo for you because you want it. Whatever you do, you should always avoid getting a tattoo simply because someone else suggested it.

The Meanings Of Flower Tattoos

2011-03-25T17:35:00.001Z

These days, more and more women are getting tattoos. As more women decide to get tattoos, flower designs continue to rise in popularity. The best thing about flower tattoos is the fact that there are many different colors and types of flowers – providing many different meanings as well. The flowers can mean a few different things, although specific types of flowers such as the rose and the Lilly may have a more specific meaning.

In general, flower tattoos have a connection with nature, bringing up thoughts and images of life and vitality. Anytime we look at a flower, we see the duration of life, simply flowers connect with us in the sense that we both grow. Flowers emerge from the earth and continue to grow on a daily basis. Then, the flowers bloom, knowing that they will later dry up and start to wilt away.

Having a tattoo with a flower brings back the entire process known as life. Keep in mind however, that different colors and flowers on tattoos will symbolize other things as well. White flower tattoos symbolize purity, while red flower tattoos can symbolize a burning passion. There are many colors and designs available, giving plenty of meaning to those desiring flower tattoos.

Roses are the most common flower design for tattoos, symbolizing love. During the turn of the 16th century, roses were tattooed on those who were sentenced to death. If they were to escape from the gallows, the rose tattoo would serve as a symbol to easily recognize them. These days, roses symbolize both love and passion. Roses have long been known as a romantic flower, popular for special occasions with the ones we love.

In the western regions, rose tattoos are a symbol of love and purity. In the Eastern regions however, love and purity are symbolized by a lotus flower. Tattoos that feature lotus flowers also bring a little more meaning to the table. Lotus tattoos are also known to symbolize fortune, peace, beauty, and goodness. Even though roses are the most popular tattoos in North America, Lotus flower tattoos are more common in other regions.

Other examples include the acacia flower tattoo which is the symbol for love and friendship. There are some people with Irish heritage who choose to get tattoos with the flower known as the Bells of Ireland. This flower is well known throughout Ireland, with the tattoo symbolizing good luck. Irish who have this tattoo are known to be lucky, or have an insane trend with luck.

Those who think of themselves as being the perfect lover may want to get a tulip tattooed on their arm. Tattoos with tulips represent passionate love and fame for being a great lover. If you happen to be shy and timid, you may want to go with a violet flower tattoo instead. Violets are common tattoos for those who are shy and timid, and enjoy taking things slow. Those wanting to symbolize wisdom and virtue on the other hand, would be well to get an Iris. Magnolias are also common with flower tattoos, as they symbolize an individual’s love for nature.

Flower tattoos are very common and popular designs these days, giving plenty of meaning behind their beauty. The flowers can be large or small and as bold as you wish them to be. No matter which flower you have decided to use with your tattoo, you can ensure that the flower says the meaning you are looking for.

The History Of Tattoos

2011-03-25T17:14:00.002Z

Tattoos have a rich history of tradition, dating back thousands and thousands of years. Throughout the course of time, there has always been an important role of tradition and ritual behind tattoos. In the past, women in Borneo used tattoos as a way to mark their skills. Tattoos were also used in the past as a way to ward away illnesses and disease by placing the tattoo around the fingers and on the wrist. Throughout history, tattoos have also been used to symbolize a clan or society as well.

The purpose of tattoos has differed from culture to culture throughout the course of time. Research has shown that the earliest tattoos come from Egypt during the time of the pyramids, although most believe they started much earlier. Egyptians at this time were believed to use tattoos as a way to mark the slaves and the peasants. Around 2,000 BC, tattoos spread to China and then on to Greece, where the Greeks used tattoos as a way to communicate among spies.

Along the way, Japan also incorporated the use of tattoos as well. The Japanese people used tattoos for religious and ceremonial rites. During this era, Borneo women were the artists. They produced the designs that indicated the individuals point in life and the tribe that he was affiliated with. Tattoos were very popular during these days, although infections were quite common. Tattoos were a long way from being perfected – which showed in the way they were done.

Tattoos were shown in the western regions as well, although they weren’t well accepted at first. William Dampher, who was once an explorer, was the man who re-introduced tattoos to the western areas. During the year 1961, he brought a heavily tattooed Prince to the area, showing off his tattoos with exhibitions. He made quite a bit of money with these attractions, which in turn made tattoos very popular and well desired throughout London and surrounding areas. Before then, it was nearly 600 years since tattoos had been witnessed in the area.

Chatham Square, which is located in New York City, was the first place to feature American styled tattoos. During the turn of the century, Chatham Square attracted people from all over the United States, especially those with money. A man by the name of Samuel O-Reily set up shop in Chatham Square, becoming the first man to use an electric tattoo gun. In the beginning, the now popular tattoo gun was based on Thomas Edison’s electric pin that used a needle point to puncture paper.

The electric tattoo gun features moving coils, a needle bar and tube, which are common components of today’s guns. The electric gun was very popular, allowing those who wanted a tattoo to get one at a great price. These guns helped to revolutionize tattoos and allowed the tattoo artists to give tattoos fairly fast as well. People took to this new technology in flocks, making it by far the best and most efficient ways to get tattoos.

During the late 1960s, tattoos really began to take off. They were featured in magazines, television, and talked about everywhere. These days, tattoos are very common, with nearly ½ of the population in the United States having at least one tattoo. They are still common with bikers and clans, symbolizing that one is a member. There are millions of designs out there for tattoos – including different color combinations that have helped to make tattoos the phenomenon they are today.