Tattooing. It isn’t just a guy thing anymore. Over the past twenty years a steadily increasing number of women have been spotted wearing this ancient form of art as well. There is just something fascinatingly beautiful about having a tattoo, whether it’s a permanent work of art or simply a temporary one.
Permanent tattoos are applied by injecting color pigments into the second layer of skin using a needle that is attached to a motorized instrument. The tattoo may take anywhere from a few hours to several months to complete, depending on size and detail of the design.
Having a permanent tattoo done requires research. You most certainly don’t want to have your tattoo done by just anyone. Imagine getting a tattoo, only to later discover you contracted the disease hepatitis from an unclean tattoo needle. That is exactly what happened to actress Pamela Anderson after having her tattoo done by an artist who allowed needle sharing.
Having a tattoo done safely should be your number one priority. At the time of this article,
To ensure your tattoo will be done safely, ask yourself the following questions:
· Is the tattoo parlor and artist clean? Check to see that all areas of the place are clean and free from dirt and debris, including the artist. Also don’t forget the bathroom! If you spot dirty gloves or needles lying around, find another parlor. If the tattoo artist looks like he just worked on a car or hasn’t had a bath in weeks, leave.
· Do all of the artists tattooing wear gloves? Look to see if they are washing their hands before putting on gloves and changing them after every procedure, if not they’re putting you and everyone else at risk.
· Are the artists disposing of needles properly? If your tattoo artist is using disposable needles, he or she should destroy and dispose of them in a biohazard container.
· Are machines and non-disposable needles sterilized? Make sure that the parlor has an autoclave. An Autoclave is a heated device used to pressurize tattoo instruments and kill any virus and bacteria that may be present. Find out if the artist uses the autoclave after each customer.
· Is the artist disposing of leftover ink? When an artist tattoos, he or she should place the ink in a single-use cup and then dispose of the ink in that cup after each procedure. The ink should never be dabbed from the main bottle or leftover ink returned to that bottle at any time.
· Are used absorbent tissues being thrown into a proper container? Tissues should be placed in a special puncture and leak-resistant container after use. If they are just lying in any ordinary trash can, your artist may not be very concerned about exposure to diseases.
· Does the artist provide aftercare instructions for your tattoo? If you’re willing to put your skin in the hands of an artist, he or she should be able to provide you with instructions on caring for your new tattoo. If not, it’s a sure sign that he or she isn’t going to be concerned with how your tattoo will look in the first place.
If you have already had a tattoo done and have since then regretted it, there are several ways to have the tattoo removed. The method of removal however, will depend on the pigment used, amount of time the tattoo has been on the skin, the location of the tattoo and if it was professionally done or not.
Keep in mind that tattoo removal is a very costly procedure and it’s not always possible to completely remove the tattoo. Often there is permanent scarring where the tattoo once was.
The most common removal methods are:
· Laser Treatment. This procedure is done when light is amplified by stimulated emission radiation. The laser light passes through the skin to break up the ink. Treatment can take up to months to complete, depending on the color, size and depth of the tattoo. Laser removal is the most popular of removal methods since it is one of the fastest and safest ways in removing tattoos. Average costs of this procedure are anywhere from $900-$1500, per 2-square inch of the tattoo.
· Another removal method is Dermabrasion, which involves freezing, then sanding the skin. Because of the depth of the tattoo you should expect intense pain and bleeding when having this procedure done.
· A similar procedure to Dermabrasion, Salabrasion requires the use of a salt solution instead of freezing. The skin is then sanded. The treatment generally takes 30-60 minutes and you can expect some scarring.
· A less popular method of removal is scarification. This method involves use of an acid solution to create a scar in place of the tattoo.
If you’re looking for a less permanent and safer approach to tattooing, try a temporary or henna tattoo.
Temporary tattoos are a dye applied directly to the surface of the skin. These tattoos are generally safe for everyone and usually fade within a few days of application or immediately with a good scrubbing. Temporary tattoos can easily be found at stores where sticker machines are available for a mere twenty-five cents to a dollar, depending on the company. For a little more professional quality, check out your local beauty store for these.
Although not permanent, Henna tattoos are a more temporary ink, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of body art. Colors however, are limited. Usually henna inks come in shades of red, green, brown or black and depending on your skin tone, the colors may react differently than others. Henna tattoo kits can be found in specialty stores and beauty stores. You can also find some professional artists who apply henna tattoos at fairs and some renaissance festivals.
As a final note, please remember that even though it may seem much more reasonable to have a permanent tattoo done by someone who comes to your door and does handmade tattoos, but ask yourself this? Would you be willing to have a surgeon operate at home on you without all of the professional equipment or sterile environment? Be safe when having a tattoo done. After all it’s your life we’re talking about.
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