Tattoos - A Living Form of Art

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!

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.

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

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.

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Various Ways of Removing Tattoos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

The Costs Of Tattoos

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

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

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

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.