Tattoos are ink designs that are inserted under the skin.
A tattoo is an ink design that is inserted into the skin, usually through a needle. In various forms, it has been used ornamentally and religiously by humans for thousands of years, with examples found in various preserved prehistoric specimens. Humans also use identification tattoos on domestic animals, particularly cattle. Examples can be seen in most human cultures, and despite some social stigma, tattoos are becoming ubiquitous in the West, with around 25% of Americans wearing at least one by the end of the 20th century.
In the early 2000s, tattoos that covered the arm and back were popular among people involved in alternative culture.
The word is probably related to the Samoan tatau, which means “to strike or mark”. Tattoos became popular in the western world when sailors began to explore the Pacific and brought them back. In Japan, where there is a long historical tradition of skin art, the word irezumi refers to traditional Japanese tattoos, while tattooing is used in discussions of other types of tattoo art. Tattoo owners sometimes shorten the word to tat or use the terms ink, art, or work to talk about the designs they use.
Foot and ankle tattoos are common.
People get tattoos for a variety of reasons: to identify with a religious or social group, to adorn their bodies, as symbols of protection, to cover skin discolorations, or as ongoing artistic and social projects. Most tattoo artists are heavily tattooed. Some people were forcibly tattooed, mainly Holocaust victims and prisoners.
Permanent makeup is applied with a tattoo process.
Prehistoric tattoos were probably created by scoring meat with knives and rubbing it with ink, ash, or another coloring agent. These works were probably more susceptible to infection and also less detailed than modern versions. Most extant examples consist of lines and dots at various points on the body. The introduction of bone and wood needles in the art of tattooing began hundreds of years ago and has become more precise, with fewer infections and less pain. Many traditional tattoos are still done by hand using tools such as animal bones, sharpened bamboo, or steel.
A tattoo machine.
However, Thomas Edison’s invention of the autograph printer in 1876 paved the way for an electric tattoo machine capable of striking skin hundreds of times in a minute, making designs much faster and more widespread. Modern machines operate remarkably differently than Edison’s invention, although the same basic principle is followed. An electric tattoo machine is powered by an electromagnet, and as the circuit opens and closes, it causes a bar connected to the needle to move. Depending on the speed setting, the needle can move between 80 and 120 times per second, allowing the artist to penetrate the skin without laborious manual work.
Sunlight is the enemy of tattoos in the early stages of skin healing.
A variety of pigments and inks are used in modern tattoos, ranging from traditional black to a wide range of colors. Some of the colors used for pigments can be toxic, raising concerns about extensive color work. If you are concerned, ask the artist what pigments he is using and if any adverse reactions to the paints have been observed. Many tattoos also require touch-ups, as exposure to sunlight and water degrades the inks.
People get tattoos for a variety of reasons.
When receiving a tattoo, it is important to ensure that proper hygiene measures are taken. Make sure the studio is clean and the artist wears autoclaved gloves and needles. Most tattoo artists keep their work areas scrupulously clean and only display the materials they need to get the job done. Artists have a number of aftercare instructions for a new tattoo and it is generally advisable to follow the instructions for a quick, clean and beautiful cure.