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For other uses, see Tattoo (disambiguation).

A tattoo is a permanent marking made by inserting ink into the layers of skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons. The skin is the outer covering of living tissue of an animal (or plant Tattoos on humans are a type of decorative body modification, while tattoos on animals are most commonly used for identification or branding. Body modification (or body alteration) is the permanent or semi-permanent deliberate altering of the human body for non-medical reasons such as sexual enhancement

Tattooing has been practiced worldwide. The Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, traditionally wore facial tattoos. ʔáinu (also called Ezo in historical texts are an ethnic group indigenous to Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands, and much of Sakhalin. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Today one can find Berbers of Tamazgha and Maori of New Zealand with facial tattoos. Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. Tamazgha (in Tifinagh ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵖⴰ is a word Tamazight employed for the area more often known as the Maghreb or North Africa, covering This article discusses the Māori people of New Zealand For their language see Māori language, and for other meanings see Māori (disambiguation. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Tattooing was widespread among Polynesian peoples and among certain tribal groups in the Philippines, Borneo, Mentawai Islands, Africa, North America, South America, Mesoamerica, Europe, Japan, Cambodia, New Zealand and China. Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a Subregion of Oceania, comprising a large grouping of over The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located at the centre of Maritime Southeast Asia. The Mentawai Islands are a chain of about seventy islands and islets off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Mesoamerica or Meso-America (Mesoamérica is a Region extending approximately from central Mexico to Honduras and Nicaragua, defined For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular in many parts of the world.

Contents

Etymology

A Maori Chief with tattoos (moko) seen by Cook and his crew.
A Maori Chief with tattoos (moko) seen by Cook and his crew. Tā moko is the permanent body and face marking by Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand.

The word "tattoo" is a borrowing of the Samoan word tatau, meaning to mark or strike twice (the latter referring to traditional methods of applying the designs). A loanword (or loan word) is a word directly taken into one Language from another with little or no translation The Sāmoan or Samoan language is the traditional language of Samoa and American Samoa and is an official language &mdash alongside English [3] The first syllable "ta", meaning "hand", is repeated twice as an onomatopoeic reference to the repetitive nature of the action, and the final syllable "U" translates to "color". Onomatopoeia (also spelled onomatopœia, from Greek: ονοματοποιΐα is a Word or a grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing The instrument used to pierce the skin in Polynesian tattooing is called a hahau, the syllable "ha" meaning to "strike or pierce".

The OED gives the etymology of tattoo as "In 18th c. The Oxford English Dictionary ( OED) published by the Oxford University Press (OUP is a comprehensive Dictionary of the English tattaow, tattow. From Polynesian (Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan, etc. ) tatau. In Marquesan, tatu. " The first closest known usage of the word in English was recorded in the diary of Captain James Cook in 1769 during his voyage to the Marquesas Islands. Captain James Cook FRS RN ( – 14 February 1779) was an English Explorer, Navigator and The text reads, “. . . they print signs on people’s body and call this tattaw”, referring to the Polynesian customs. Sailors on the voyage later introduced both the word and reintroduced the concept of tattooing to Europe. [4]

In Japanese the most common word used for traditional designs is, "Horimono". is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities Horimono (彫り物 彫物 literally carving engraving is a word used to describe Irezumi (Japanese Tattooing or to describe the carving of images into

The traditional Japanese hand method is called, "Tebori".

The word, "Irezumi," simply means, "insertion of ink," and could mean tattoos using Tebori, or Western style machine, (Or for that matter, any method of tattoing using insertion of ink). Irezumi (入れ墨 入墨 紋身 刺花 剳青 黥 or 刺青 is a Japanese word that refers to the insertion of ink under the skin to leave a permanent usually

Japanese may use the word, "Tattoo," to mean non-Japanese styles.

Tattoo enthusiasts may refer to tattoos as, "Tats," "Ink," "Art," or, "Work," and to tattooists as, "Artists". The latter usage is gaining greater support, with mainstream art galleries holding exhibitions of both traditional and custom tattoo designs. Copyrighted tattoo designs that are mass-produced and sold to tattoo artists are known as flash, a notable instance of industrial design. A tattoo flash is a Tattoo design printed or drawn on Paper or Cardboard, and may be regarded Industrial design is an Applied art whereby the Aesthetics and Usability of mass-produced products may be improved for marketability and Flash sheets are prominently displayed in many tattoo parlors for the purpose of providing both inspiration and ready-made tattoo images to customers.

History

Main article: History of tattooing
A tattoo on the right arm of a Scythian chieftain, whose mummy was discovered at Pazyryk, Russia
A tattoo on the right arm of a Scythian chieftain, whose mummy was discovered at Pazyryk, Russia

Tattooing has been a Eurasian practice at least since Neolithic times. See also Tattoo Tattooing in prehistoric times Tattooing has been a Eurasian practice since Neolithic times The Scythians or Scyths (Σκύθες Σκύθοι were an Iranian speaking people of horse-riding Nomadic pastoralists who dominated the Pontic The Pazyryk (Пазарык is the name of an ancient Nomadic people who lived in the Altai Mountains lying in Siberian Russia south of the modern city Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos Ötzi the Iceman, dating from the fourth to fifth millennium BC, was found in the Ötz valley in the Alps and had approximately 57 carbon tattoos consisting of simple dots and lines on his lower spine, behind his left knee, and on his right ankle. Ötzi the Iceman ( pronounced) Frozen Fritz, and Similaun Man are modern nicknames of a well-preserved natural Mummy of a man Other mummies bearing tattoos and dating from the end of the second millennium BC have been discovered at Pazyryk on the Ukok Plateau. A mummy is a Corpse whose Skin and Flesh have been preserved by either intentional or Incidental exposure to Chemicals extreme The Pazyryk (Пазарык is the name of an ancient Nomadic people who lived in the Altai Mountains lying in Siberian Russia south of the modern city Ukok Plateau is a remote and pristine Grasslands area located in the heart of southwestern Siberia, the Altai Mountains region of Russia near Tattooing in Japan is thought to go back to the Paleolithic era, some ten thousand years ago. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The term Paleolithic (or Palaeolithic) (from Greek παλαιός palaios, " Old " and λίθος Lithos, "stone" Various other cultures have had their own tattoo traditions, ranging from rubbing cuts and other wounds with ashes, to hand-pricking the skin to insert dyes. A dye can generally be described as a Colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied

Tattoos are created by inserting colored materials inside the skin's surface. The first tattoos probably were created by an accident. Someone had a small wound, and rubbed it with soot and ashes from a fire. Once the wound had healed, they saw that a mark stayed permanently.

Purposes

Tattooing is a tradition amongst indigenous peoples around the world.
Tattooing is a tradition amongst indigenous peoples around the world. The term Indigenous Peoples or autochthonous peoples can be used to describe any Ethnic group who inhabit a geographic region with which they have the earliest historical

Decorative and spiritual uses

Tattoos have served as rites of passage, marks of status and rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, sexual lures and marks of fertility, pledges of love, punishment, amulets and talismans, protection, and as the marks of outcasts, slaves and convicts. A rite of passage is a Ritual that marks a change in a person's social or sexual status Fertility is the natural capability of giving life As a measure "Fertility Rate" is the number of children born per couple person or population An amulet ( the Elder|Pliny]] meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble" a close cousin of the talisman (from Arabic The symbolism and impact of tattoos varies in different places and cultures, sometimes with unintended consequences. Unintended consequences are outcomes that are not (or not limited to what the actor intended in a particular situation Also, tattoos show how a person feels about another person, or how they feel about a relative, preferably mother/father or daughter/son.

Today, people choose to be tattooed for cosmetic, sentimental/memorial, religious, and magical reasons, and to symbolize their belonging to or identification with particular groups, including criminal gangs (see criminal tattoos) but also a particular ethnic group or law-abiding subculture. A memorial is an object which serves as a memory of something usually a person (who has died or an event A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Magic, sometimes known as sorcery, is a Conceptual system that asserts human ability to control the natural world (including events objects people and Tattoos are used among criminals to show ownership of Some Māori still choose to wear intricate moko on their faces. This article discusses the Māori people of New Zealand For their language see Māori language, and for other meanings see Māori (disambiguation. Tā moko is the permanent body and face marking by Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand. In Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, the yantra tattoo is used for protection against evil and to increase luck. Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Sak yant (สักยันต also called yantra tattooing, is a form of sacred tattooing practiced in Southeast Asian countries including Cambodia and

A memorial tattoo of a deceased loved one's initials
A memorial tattoo of a deceased loved one's initials

Identification

People have also been forcibly tattooed for various reasons. A memorial is an object which serves as a memory of something usually a person (who has died or an event The best known example is the ka-tzetnik identification system for Jews in part of the concentration camps during the Holocaust. Ka-tzetnik (KZ-nik Kazetnik Katsetnik is a Yiddish word for an inmate of a Nazi Concentration camp. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ See also List of Nazi-German concentration camps, Extermination camp Prior to and during World War II, Nazi Germany under Hitler maintained The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as However, tattoos can be linked with identification in more positive ways. For example, in the period of early contact between Māori and Europeans, Māori chiefs sometimes drew their moko (facial tattoo) on documents in place of a signature. Even today, tattoos are sometimes used by forensic pathologists to help them identify burned, putrefied, or mutilated bodies. Forensic pathology is a branch of Pathology concerned with determining the Cause of death by examination of a cadaver Tattoo pigment is buried deep enough in the skin that even severe burns will often not destroy a tattoo. Because of this, many members of today's military will have their identification tags tattooed onto their ribs; these are known as "meat tags".

Tattoos are also placed on animals, though very rarely for decorative reasons. Pets, show animals, thoroughbred horses and livestock are sometimes tattooed with identification and other marks. The Thoroughbred is a horse breed The horse ( Equus caballus) is a hoofed ( Ungulate) Mammal, one of eight living species of the family Equidae. Pet dogs and cats are often tattooed with a serial number (usually in the ear, or on the inner thigh) via which their owners can be identified. Also, animals are occasionally tattooed to prevent sunburn (on the nose, for example). Such tattoos are often performed by a veterinarian and in most cases the animals are anesthetized during the process. Branding is used for similar reasons and is often performed without anesthesia, but is different from tattooing as no ink or dye is inserted during the process. Livestock branding is any technique for marking Livestock so as to identify the owner

Cosmetic

When used as a form of cosmetics, tattooing includes permanent makeup, and hiding or neutralizing skin discolorations. Permanent makeup is a cosmetic technique which employs Tattoos (permanent pigmentation of the dermis as a means of producing designs that resemble Makeup Permanent makeup are tattoos that enhance eyebrows, lips (liner and/or lipstick), eyes (liner), and even moles, usually with natural colors as the designs are intended to resemble makeup. Permanent makeup is a cosmetic technique which employs Tattoos (permanent pigmentation of the dermis as a means of producing designs that resemble Makeup A mole, technically known as a melanocytic Nevus, is a small dark spot on human Skin.

Medical

Medical tattoos are used to ensure instruments are properly located for repeated application of radiotherapy and for the areola in some forms of breast reconstruction. A medical tattoo, is a Tattoo given for health purposes As a warning that a patient suffers from a Chronic disease that can exacerbate suddenly and Tattooing has also been used to convey medical information about the wearer.

Prevalence

Tattoos have experienced a resurgence in popularity in many parts of the world, particularly in North America, Japan, and Europe. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The growth in tattoo culture has seen an influx of new artists into the industry, many of whom have technical and fine art training. Coupled with advancements in tattoo pigments and the on going refinement of the equipment used for tattooing, this has led to an improvement in the quality of tattoos being produced.

During the 2000s, the presence of tattoos became evident within pop culture, inspiring television shows such as A&E's Inked and TLC's Miami Ink & LA Ink (Tattoo Tv). Popular culture (or pop culture) is the Culture — patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance — A&E is a cable and Satellite television network with headquarters in Manhattan and offices in Stamford, Atlanta, See Inked (magazine for the article on the magazine of the same name TLC (generally called as The Learning Channel) is a cable TV network in the US and Canada, that carries a variety of informational and Miami Ink is a Reality show on TLC that follows the events that take place at Love Hate a Tattoo shop in Miami Beach Florida LA ink is a design firm established in 1987 and based in Minneapolis, MN The decoration of blues singer Janis Joplin with a wristlet and a small heart on her left breast, by the San Francisco tattoo artist Lyle Tuttle, is taken as a seminal moment in the popular acceptance of tattoos as art. Janis Lyn Joplin ( January 19, 1943  – October 4, 1970) was an American singer songwriter and music arranger from Lyle Tuttle (born 1931 is a well-known American Tattoo artist and historian of the medium who has been tattooing since 1949 [1] As seen in the 2007 movie Eastern Promises, body art again features heavily, showcasing the ink-embroidered torso of a Russian Mobster. Eastern Promises is a 2007 Crime drama Mystery Thriller film directed by David Cronenberg, from a Screenplay Tattoos are generally considered an important part of the culture of the Russian Mafia - see [[5]]. Russian Mafia ( Русская мафия, Russkaya Mafiya) Red Mob ( Красная мафия Krasnaya Mafiya) or [2]

Lower back tattoos are more common among young women.
Lower back tattoos are more common among young women. Beginning in the late 1990s the lower back Tattoo became popular especially among young women

In many traditional cultures tattooing has also enjoyed a resurgence, partially in deference to cultural heritage. Cultural heritage ("national heritage" or just "heritage" is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or Society Historically, a decline in traditional tribal tattooing in Europe occurred with the spread of Christianity. The historical phenomenon of Christianization (or Christianisation &mdash see spelling differences) the conversion of individuals to Christianity However, some Christian groups, such as the Knights of St. John of Malta, sported tattoos to show their alligence. A decline often occurred in other cultures following European efforts to convert aboriginal and indigenous people to Western religious and cultural practices that held tattooing to be a "pagan" or "heathen" activity. Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "country dweller rustic" is a word used to refer to various religions and religious beliefs from across the world Within some traditional indigenous cultures, tattooing takes place within the context of a rite of passage between adolescence and adulthood.

A poll conducted online in July 2003 estimated that 16% of all adults in the United States have at least one tattoo. The highest incidence of tattoos was found among the gay, lesbian and bisexual population (31%) and among Americans ages 25 to 29 years (36%) and 30 to 39 years (28%). Regionally, people living in the West (20%) were more likely to have tattoos. Democrats were more likely to have tattoos (18%) than Republicans (14%) and Independents (12%); approximately equal percentages of males (16%) and females (15%) have tattoos. [3]In the fall of 2006, a study was completed by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. It found that 24% of Americans who were between the ages of 18 and 50 had a tattoo, which is almost, one in four people in the United states. Also, in a 1990's article put out by U.S. News & World Report, tattooing, was ranked as the sixth fastest growing retail venture of the 1990s, establishing the tattoo industry as a hot property. USNews & World Report is an influential weekly American Newsmagazine published in Washington D [4]

Negative associations

Conspicuous tattoos and other body modification can make gainful employment difficult in many fields
Conspicuous tattoos and other body modification can make gainful employment difficult in many fields

In Japan, tattoos are strongly associated with the Yakuza, particularly full body tattoos done the traditional Japanese way ("Tebori"). Body modification (or body alteration) is the permanent or semi-permanent deliberate altering of the human body for non-medical reasons such as sexual enhancement For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. History Origins Despite their notoriety in modern Japan the precise origin of the Yakuza is still somewhat the subject of debate Certain public Japanese bathhouses (sentō) and gymnasiums often openly ban those bearing large or graphic tattoos in an attempt to prevent Yakuza from entering. is a type of Japanese communal bath house where customers pay for entrance

In the United States many prisoners and criminal gangs use distinctive tattoos to indicate facts about their criminal behavior, prison sentences, and organizational affiliation. [5] "Tear tattoos," for example, can be symbolic of murder, with each tear representing a death of a friend. The tear tattoo is a symbolic Tattoo with varied connotations that is placed underneath the eye Insofar as this cultural or subculture use of tattoos predates the widespread popularity of tattoos in the general population, tattoos are still associated with criminality. For the term in biology see Subculture (biology. For the song by New Order see Sub-culture (song. At the same time, members of the U.S. military have an equally well established and longstanding history of tattooing to indicate military units, battles, kills, etc. The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States See also Tattoo Tattooing in prehistoric times Tattooing has been a Eurasian practice since Neolithic times , an association which remains widespread among older Americans. Tattooing is also common in the British Armed Forces. The Armed forces of the United Kingdom, commonly known as the British Armed Forces or Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and sometimes legally the Armed Forces

Tattoos can have additional negative associations for women; Although derogatory slang phrases are sometimes used to describe a tattoo on a woman's lower back, it remains one of the most popular spots for a tattoo for females. Slang is the use of highly informal Words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's Dialect or Language. Beginning in the late 1990s the lower back Tattoo became popular especially among young women The prevalence of women in the tattoo industry itself, along with larger numbers of women wearing tattoos, has changed negative perceptions.

A study of "at-risk" (as defined by school absenteeism and truancy) adolescent girls showed a positive correlation between body-modification and negative feelings towards the body and self-esteem. [6] Leviticus 19:28 is often used to oppose tattoos. This biblical law is strictly adhered to by observant Jews.

Mechanism

Tattooing involves the placement of pigment into the skin's dermis, the layer of connective tissue underlying the epidermis. The dermis is a layer of Skin beneath the epidermis that consists of Connective tissue, and cushions the body from stress and strain Connective tissue is one of the four types of tissue in traditional classifications (the others being epithelial, Muscle, and Nervous tissue) Epidermis is the outermost layer of the Skin. It forms the waterproof protective wrap over the body's surface and is made up of stratified squamous Epithelium with After initial injection, pigment is dispersed throughout a homogenized damaged layer down through the epidermis and upper dermis, in both of which the presence of foreign material activates the immune system's phagocytes to engulf the pigment particles. Homogenization (or homogenisation) is a term used in many fields such as Chemistry, Agricultural science, Food technology, Sociology An immune system is a collection of mechanisms within an Organism that protects against Disease by identifying and killing Pathogens and Tumor Phagocytes are cells that are found in the blood bone marrow and other tissues of Vertebrates. As healing proceeds, the damaged epidermis flakes away (eliminating surface pigment) while deeper in the skin granulation tissue forms, which is later converted to connective tissue by collagen growth. Granulation tissue is the perfused, fibrous connective tissue that replaces a Fibrin clot in healing wounds. Collagen is the main Protein of Connective tissue in Animals and the most abundant protein in Mammals making up about 50% of the whole-body protein This mends the upper dermis, where pigment remains trapped within fibroblasts, ultimately concentrating in a layer just below the dermis/epidermis boundary. A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes and maintains the Extracellular matrix of many Animal tissues Its presence there is very stable, but in the long term (decades) the pigment tends to migrate deeper into the dermis, accounting for the degraded detail of old tattoos. [7]

Procedure

Modern tattoo machine in use: here outfitted with a 5-needle setup, but number of needles depends on size and shading desired
Modern tattoo machine in use: here outfitted with a 5-needle setup, but number of needles depends on size and shading desired

Some tribal cultures traditionally created tattoos by cutting designs into the skin and rubbing the resulting wound with ink, ashes or other agents; some cultures continue this practice, which may be an adjunct to scarification. Scarifying involves scratching etching or some sort of superficial cutting or incision Some cultures create tattooed marks by hand-tapping the ink into the skin using sharpened sticks or animal bones or, in modern times, needles. Traditional Japanese tattoos (Horimono) are still "hand-poked," that is, the ink is inserted beneath the skin using non-electrical, hand-made and hand held tools with needles of sharpened bamboo or steel. Horimono (彫り物 彫物 literally carving engraving is a word used to describe Irezumi (Japanese Tattooing or to describe the carving of images into This method is known as "Tebori".

The most common method of tattooing in modern times is the electric tattoo machine, which inserts ink into the skin via a group of needles that are soldered onto a bar, which is attached to an oscillating unit. A tattoo machine is a hand-held device generally used to create a Tattoo, a permanent marking of the Skin with Ink. A solder is a fusible metal Alloy with a melting point or melting range of 90 to 450 ° C (200 to 840 ° F) used in a process called The unit rapidly and repeatedly drives the needles in and out of the skin, usually 80 to 150 times a second. This modern procedure is ordinarily sanitary. The needles are single-use needles that come packaged individually. The tattoo artist must wash not only his or her hands, but they must also wash the area that will be tattooed. Gloves must be worn at all times and the wound must be wiped frequently with a wet disposable towel of some kind.

Traditional two coil tattoo machine
Traditional two coil tattoo machine

Prices for this service vary widely globally and locally, depending on the complexity of the tattoo, the skill and expertise of the artist, the attitude of the customer, the costs of running a business, the economics of supply and demand, etc. The time it takes to get a tattoo is in proportion with its size and complexity. A small one of simple design might take fifteen minutes, whereas an elaborate sleeve tattoo or back piece requires multiple sessions of several hours each. A sleeve Tattoo (or tattoo sleeve is a very large tattoo or a collection of smaller tattoos that covers most or all of a person's arm usually from shoulder to wrist

The modern electric tattoo machine is far removed from the machine invented by Samuel O'Reilly in 1891. A tattoo machine is a hand-held device generally used to create a Tattoo, a permanent marking of the Skin with Ink. Samuel O'Reilly was a Tattoo artist and the inventor of the modern rotary Tattoo machine, which he patented in 1891 O'Reilly's machine was based on the rotary technology of the electric engraving device invented by Thomas Edison. Engraving is the practice of incising a design onto a hard usually flat surface by cutting grooves into it Modern tattoo machines use electromagnetic coils. Electromagnetism is the Physics of the Electromagnetic field: a field which exerts a Force on particles that possess the property of A coil is a series of loops A coiled coil is a structure where the coil itself is in turn also looping The first coil machine was patented by Thomas Riley in London, 1891 using a single coil. A coil is a series of loops A coiled coil is a structure where the coil itself is in turn also looping London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. A coil is a series of loops A coiled coil is a structure where the coil itself is in turn also looping The first twin coil machine, the predecessor of the modern configuration, was invented by another Englishman, Alfred Charles South of London, in 1899. A coil is a series of loops A coiled coil is a structure where the coil itself is in turn also looping A tattoo machine is a hand-held device generally used to create a Tattoo, a permanent marking of the Skin with Ink.

"Stick and poke"

A technique often used for home-made tattoos is "stick and poke": The tip of a sewing needle is wrapped in ink-soaked thread, leaving only the point protruding, and keeping this simple instrument saturated with ink as the skin is pricked over and over, creating a design. The purpose of the thread is to keep the point of the needle coated in ink, increasing the quantity of ink that penetrates the skin. Inks can be improvised from a number of sources such as coal, ashes or shoe polish, but Higgins "Black Magic" waterproof ink is the brand most commonly cited by collectors of so called "India ink" or "stick and poke" tattoos in the US today. Sometimes called "prison tattoos" these tattoos are also popular with gutterpunks, and others associated with the modern hobo subculture, who frequently tattoo visible parts of their bodies, including their hands and faces. Oi! is a Working class street-level subgenre of Punk rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s

"Natural" tattoos

According to George Orwell, coal miners could develop characteristic tattoos owing to coal dust getting into wounds. Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950 who used the Pseudonym George Orwell, was an English writer Coal mining is the extraction or removal of Coal from the Earth by Mining. Coal dust is a fine powdered form of Coal, which is created by the crushing grinding or pulverizing of coal In Medicine, a wound is a type of Injury in which the Skin is torn cut or punctured (an open wound or where blunt force trauma This can also occur with substances like gunpowder. Gunpowder is a an explosive mixture of Sulfur, Charcoal and Potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre/saltpeter that burns rapidly producing volumes Similarly, a traumatic tattoo occurs when a substance such as asphalt is rubbed into a wound as the result of some kind of accident or trauma. These are particularly difficult to remove as they tend to be spread across several different layers of skin, and scarring or permanent discoloration is almost unavoidable depending on the location. In addition, tattooing of the gingiva from implantation of amalgam particles during dental filling placement and removal is possible and not uncommon. The gingiva (sing and plur: gingiva) or gums, consists of the Mucosal tissue that lies over the Alveolar bone. A common example of such accidental tattoos is the result of a deliberate or accidental stabbing with a pencil or pen, leaving graphite or ink beneath the skin.

See Scarification

Dyes and pigments

Early tattoo inks were obtained directly from nature and were extremely limited in pigment variety. Scarifying involves scratching etching or some sort of superficial cutting or incision Today, an almost unlimited number of colors and shades of tattoo ink are mass-produced and sold to parlors worldwide. Tattoo artists commonly mix these inks to create their own, unique pigments.

A wide range of dyes and pigments can be used in tattoos, from inorganic materials like titanium dioxide and iron oxides to carbon black, azo dyes, and acridine, quinoline, phthalocyanine and naphthol derivates, dyes made from ash, and other mixtures. A dye can generally be described as a Colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied For the drug referred to as "pigment" see Black tar heroin. Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium(IV oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring Oxide of Titanium, chemical formula Ti[[oxygen Altogether there are sixteen known Iron Oxides and oxyhydroxides Carbon black is a material produced by the incomplete Combustion of heavy Petroleum products such as FCC tar coal tar ethylene cracking tar and a small amount from Azo compounds are compounds bearing the Functional group R-N=N-R' in which R and R' can be either Aryl or Alkyl. Acridine, C13H9N is an Organic compound and a nitrogen heterocycle. Quinoline, also known as 1-azanaphthalene, 1-benzazine, or benzopyridine, is a Heterocyclic Aromatic Organic compound. A phthalocyanine is a macrocyclic compound having an alternating nitrogen atom-carbon atom ring structure. beta-Naphtholsvg|thumb|150px|β-Naphthol]] Naphthol, or hydroxynaphthalene or naphthalenol is either of two colorless crystalline solids with the formula C10H7OH The current trend for tattoo pigment favors Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic) as seen by the widespread popularity of Intenze, Millennium and other ABS pigmented brands. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS, ( Chemical formula (C8H8· C4H6·C3H3Nn is

Iron oxide pigments are used in greater extent in cosmetic tattooing. Permanent makeup is a cosmetic technique which employs Tattoos (permanent pigmentation of the dermis as a means of producing designs that resemble Makeup Many pigments were found to be used in a survey[1] of professional tattooists. Recently, a blacklight-reactive tattoo ink using PMMA microcapsules has surfaced. A Black light or UV Light is a lamp emitting Electromagnetic radiation that is almost exclusively in the soft near ultraviolet range and emits An ink is a Liquid containing various Pigments and/or Dyes used for coloring a surface to produce an Image, text, or Poly(methyl methacrylate ( PMMA) or poly(methyl 2-methylpropenoate is a Thermoplastic and transparent Plastic. Micro-encapsulation is a process in which tiny particles or droplets are surrounded by a coating to give small capsules many useful properties The technical name is BIOMETRIX System-1000, and is marketed under the name "Chameleon Tattoo Ink". This same ink can also be found as "The Original Blacklight Inks by NEWWEST Technologies".

Studio hygiene

The properly equipped tattoo studio will use biohazard containers for objects that have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids, sharps containers for old needles, and an autoclave for sterilizing tools. Bodily fluids listed below are found in the bodies of men and/or women A sharps container is a container that is filled with used medical needles (and other sharp medical instruments such as an IV catheter A tattoo machine is a hand-held device generally used to create a Tattoo, a permanent marking of the Skin with Ink. An autoclave is a pressurized device designed to heat aqueous solutions above their Boiling point at normal atmospheric pressure to achieve sterilization Certain jurisdictions also require studios by law to have a sink in the work area supplied with both hot and cold water.

Proper hygiene requires a body modification artist to wash his or her hands before starting to prepare a client for the stencil, between clients, and at any other time where cross contamination can occur. Foodborne illness (also foodborne disease) is any Illness resulting from the consumption of food The use of single use disposable gloves is also mandatory. In some states and countries it is illegal to tattoo a minor even with parental consent, and it is usually not allowed to tattoo impaired persons, people with contraindicated skin conditions, those who are pregnant or nursing, those incapable of consent due to mental incapacity or those under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In law the term minor (also infant or infancy) is used to refer to a person who is under the age in which one legally assumes Adulthood and is legally

Before the tattooing begins the client is asked to approve the final position of the applied stencil. After approval is given the artist will open new, sterile needle packages in front of the client, and always use new, sterile or sterile disposable instruments and supplies, and fresh ink for each session (loaded into disposable ink caps which are discarded after each client). Also, all areas which may be touched with contaminated gloves will be wrapped in clear plastic to prevent cross-contamination. Equipment that cannot be autoclaved (such as counter tops, machines, and furniture) will be wiped with an approved disinfectant. [8]

Membership in professional organizations, or certificates of appreciation/achievement, generally helps artists to be aware of the latest trends. However, many of the most notable tattooists do not belong to any association. While specific requirements to become a tattooist vary between jurisdictions, many mandate only formal training in bloodborne pathogens, and cross contamination. The local department of health regulates tattoo studios in many jurisdictions.

For example, according to the health department in Oregon and Hawaii, tattoo artists in these states are required to take and pass a test ascertaining their knowledge of health and safety precautions, as well as the current state regulations. Oregon ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the Performing a tattoo in Oregon state without a proper and current license or in an unlicensed facility is considered a felony offense. In Common law legal systems a felony is a serious Crime, often contrasted with a Misdemeanor. [9] Tattooing was legalized in New York City, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma between 2002 and 2006. The City of New York

Aftercare

Tattoo artists, and people with tattoos, vary widely in their preferred methods of caring for new tattoos. Some artists recommend keeping a new tattoo wrapped for the first twenty-four hours, while others suggest removing temporary bandaging after two hours or less. Many tattooists advise against allowing too much contact with hot tub or pool water, or soaking in a tub for the first two weeks. This is to prevent the tattoo ink from washing out or fading due to over-hydration and avoid infection from exposure to bacteria and chlorine. In contrast, other artists suggest that a new tattoo be bathed in very hot water early and often.

General consensus for care advises against removing the scab that forms on a new tattoo, and avoiding exposing one's tattoo to the sun for extended periods; both of these can contribute to fading of the image. Furthermore, it is agreed that a new tattoo needs to be kept clean. Various products may be recommended for application to the skin, ranging from those intended for the treatment of cuts, burns and scrapes, to cocoa butter, lanolin, A&D or Aquaphor. Cocoa butter, also called theobroma oil, is the pale-yellow pure edible Vegetable fat of the Cacao bean Lanolin, also called Adeps Lanae, wool wax, wool fat, anhydrous wool fat or wool grease, is a greasy yellow substance secreted by Oil based ointments are almost always recommended to be used in very thin layers due to their inability to evaporate and therefore over-hydrate the already perforated skin. In recent years, specific commercial products have been developed for tattoo aftercare. Although opinions about these products vary, there is near total agreement that either alone or in addition to some other product, soap and warm water work well to keep a tattoo clean and free from infection. [1]However, salt water can cause a fresh wound to sting as well as leave it vulnerable to infections and fading. [10]

Ultimately, the amount of ink that remains in the skin throughout the healing process determines, in large part, how robust the final tattoo will look. If a tattoo becomes infected (uncommon but possible if one neglects to properly clean their tattoo) or if the scab falls off too soon (e. g. , if it absorbs too much water and sloughs off early or is picked or scraped off), then the ink will not be properly fixed in the skin and the final image will be negatively affected.

Tattoo removal

While tattoos are considered permanent, it is possible to remove them. Complete removal, however, may not be possible (although many doctors and laser practitioners make the claim that upwards of 95% removal is possible with the newest lasers, especially with black and darker colored inks), and the expense and pain of removing them typically will be greater than the expense and pain of applying them. Some jurisdictions will pay for the voluntary removal of gang tattoos. In Law, jurisdiction (from the Latin ius iuris meaning "law" and dicere meaning "to speak" is the practical Authority Tattoos are used among criminals to show ownership of Gangs will often involuntarily remove gang tattoos, from a person who leaves the gang. Pre-laser tattoo removal methods include dermabrasion, salabrasion (scrubbing the skin with salt), cryosurgery, and excision which is sometimes still used along with skin grafts for larger tattoos. Dermabrasion is a cosmetic medical procedure in which the surface of the epidermis of the Skin (the Stratum corneum) is removed by abrasion Salt is a Dietary mineral composed primarily of Sodium chloride that is essential for Animal life but toxic to most land plants Cryosurgery (cryotherapy is the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue

Tattoo removal is most commonly performed using lasers that react with the ink in the tattoo, and break it down. The broken-down ink is then absorbed by the body, mimicking the natural fading that time or sun exposure would create. This technique often requires many repeated visits to remove even a small tattoo, and may result in permanent scarring. Scars (also called cicatrices) are areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal Skin (or other tissue after injury The newer Q-switched lasers are said by the National Institute of Health to result in scarring only rarely, however, and are usually used only after a topical anesthetic has been applied. Q-switching, sometimes known as giant pulse formation, is a technique by which a Laser can be made to produce a pulsed output beam A topical anesthetic is a Local anesthetic that is used to numb the surface of a body part The NIH recognizes five types of tattoo; amateur, professional, cosmetic, medical, and traumatic (or natural). "NIH" redirects here For other meanings of NIH see NIH (disambiguation. Areas with thin skin will be more likely to scar than thicker-skinned areas. There are several types of Q-switched lasers, and each is effective at removing a different range of the color spectrum. Q-switching, sometimes known as giant pulse formation, is a technique by which a Laser can be made to produce a pulsed output beam This laser effectively removes black, blue, purple and red tattoo pigment. New lasers like the Versapulse & Medlite laser treat these colors & yellow and green ink pigment, typically the hardest colors to remove. Black is the easiest color to remove.

Also worth considering is the fact that some of the pigments used (especially Yellow #7) are known to break down into toxic chemicals in the body when attacked by light. This is especially a concern if these tattoos are exposed to UV light or laser removal; the resulting degradation products end up migrating to the kidneys and liver. Ultraviolet ( UV) light is Electromagnetic radiation with a Wavelength shorter than that of Visible light, but longer than X-rays Laser removal of traumatic tattoos may similarly be complicated depending on the substance of the pigmenting material. In one reported instance, the use of a laser resulted in the ignition of embedded particles of firework debris. [11]

Some wearers opt to cover an unwanted tattoo with a new tattoo. This is commonly known as a cover-up. An artfully done cover-up may render the old tattoo completely invisible, though this will depend largely on the size, style, colors and techniques used on the old tattoo. Some shops and artists use laser removal machines to break down and lighten undesired tattoos to make coverage with a new tattoo easier. Since tattoo ink is translucent, covering up a previous tattoo necessitates darker tones in the new tattoo to effectively hide the older, unwanted piece.

Health risks

Modern tattoo artist's latex gloves and sterilized equipment
Modern tattoo artist's latex gloves and sterilized equipment

Because it requires breaking the skin barrier, tattooing may carry health risks, including infection and allergic reactions. Sterilization (or sterilisation, see spelling differences) refers to any process that effectively kills or eliminates transmissible agents (such as Fungi In the United States, for example, the Red Cross prohibits a person who has received a tattoo from donating blood for 12 months (FDA 2000), unless the procedure was done in a state-regulated and licensed studio, using sterile technique. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an International humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers worldwide who stated [6]. Not all states have a licensing program, meaning that people who receive tattoos in those states are subject to the 12-month deferral regardless of the hygienic standards of the studio. Similarly, the UK does not provide certification for tattooists, and so there is a six month waiting period without exception. [12]

Modern western tattooers reduce such risks by following universal precautions, working with single-use items, and sterilizing their equipment after each use. Many jurisdictions require that tattooists have bloodborne pathogen training, such as is provided through the Red Cross and OSHA. A blood-borne disease is one that can be spread by contamination by Blood. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an International humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers worldwide who stated For the European Agency see European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, (OSHA

Infection

Since tattoo instruments come in contact with blood and bodily fluids, diseases may be transmitted if the instruments are used on more than one person without being sterilized. Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products However, infection from tattooing in clean and modern tattoo studios employing single-use needles is rare. In amateur tattoos, such as those applied in prisons, however, there is an elevated risk of infection. To address this problem, a program was introduced in Canada as of the summer of 2005 that provides legal tattooing in prisons, both to reduce health risks and to provide inmates with a marketable skill. Inmates were to be trained to staff and operate the tattoo parlors once six of them opened successfully. [2]

Infections that could be transmitted via the use of unsterilized tattoo equipment include surface infections of the skin, herpes simplex virus, tetanus, staph (Infected Tattoo), fungal infections, some forms of hepatitis, and HIV. Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 ( HSV-1 and HSV-2) are two species of the herpes virus family Herpesviridae, which cause infections Tetanus is a medical condition that is characterized by a prolonged contraction of Skeletal muscle fibres Staphylococcus (in Greek σταφυλη staphyle means bunch of grapes and κοκκος coccos means granule is a genus of Gram-positive Hepatitis (plural hepatitides) implies injury to the Liver characterized by the presence of Inflammatory cells in the tissue of Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) is a Lentivirus (a member of the Retrovirus family that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome No person in the United States is reported to have contracted HIV via a commercially-applied tattooing process. Washington state's OSHA studies have suggested that since the needles used in tattooing are not hollow, in the case of a needle stick injury the amount of fluids transmitted may be small enough that HIV would be difficult to transmit. Tetanus risk is prevented by having an up-to-date tetanus booster prior to being tattooed. Tetanus is a medical condition that is characterized by a prolonged contraction of Skeletal muscle fibres The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that no data exist in the United States indicating that persons with exposures to tattooing alone are at increased risk for HCV infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services based in unincorporated This page is for the virus For the disease see Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C virus ( HCV) is a small (50 nm in size In 2006, the CDC reported 3 clusters with 44 cases of methicillin-resistant staph infection traced to unlicensed tattooists (MMWR 55(24)). Staphylococcus aureus (ˌstæfɨləˈkɒkəs ˈɔriəs literally "Golden Cluster Seed" and also known as golden staph) is the most common cause of

Allergic reactions

Perhaps due to the mechanism whereby the skin's immune system encapsulates pigment particles in fibrous tissue, tattoo inks have been described as "remarkably nonreactive histologically". In Zootomy, fibrous connective tissue ( FCT) is a type of Connective tissue which has relatively high Tensile strength, due to a relatively high [7]

Allergic reactions to tattoo pigments are uncommon except for certain brands of red and green. Allergy is a disorder of the Immune system often also referred to as Atopy. People who are sensitive or allergic to certain metals may react to pigments in the skin with swelling and/or itching, and/or oozing of clear fluid called serum. Such reactions are quite rare, however, and some artists will recommend performing a test patch.

For those who are allergic to latex, many artists are using non-latex or will use non-latex gloves if asked.

There is also a small risk of anaphylactic shock (hypersensitive reaction) in those who are susceptible, but the chance of a health risk is small. Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic (multi-system and severe Type I Hypersensitivity allergic reaction in humans and other Mammals

Due to the fact that laser removal of tattoo ink causes a release of ink into the bloodstream the risk of anaphylactic shock is also present during removal. [13]

Tattoo inks

Modern tattooing inks are carbon based pigments that have uses outside of commercial tattoo applications. Although the United States Food and Drug Administration technically requires premarket approval of pigments it has not actually approved the use of any ink or pigments for tattooing (because of a lack of resources for such relatively minor responsibilities). As of 2004 the FDA does perform studies to determine if the contents are possibly dangerous, and follow up with legal action if they find them to have disallowed contents, including traces of heavy metals (such as iron oxide) or other carcinogenic materials (see CA lawsuit). The first known study to characterize the composition of these pigments was started in 2005 at Northern Arizona University (Finley-Jones and Wagner). The FDA expects local authorities to legislate and test tattoo pigments and inks made for the use of permanent cosmetics. In California, the state prohibits certain ingredients and pursues companies who fail to notify the consumer of the contents of tattoo pigments. Recently, the state of California sued nine pigment and ink manufacturers, requiring them to more adequately label their products.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic) ground down to an average diameter of slightly less than 1 micrometer is used as the colorant in the brighter tattoo pigments. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS, ( Chemical formula (C8H8· C4H6·C3H3Nn is The tattoo pigments that use ABS result in very vivid tattoos. Many popular brands of tattoo pigment contain ABS as a colorant. ABS colorants produce extremely vivid tattoos that are less likely to fade or blur than the traditional pigments, but ABS tattoo pigment is also harder to remove because it is so much less reactive to lasers.

There has been concern expressed about the interaction between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures and tattoo pigments, some of which contain trace metals. Trace metals are Metals in extremely small quantities almost at the molecular level that reside in or are present in Animal and Plant cells and tissue Allegedly, the magnetic fields produced by MRI machines could interact with these metal particles, potentially causing burns or distortions in the image. In Physics, a magnetic field is a Vector field that permeates space and which can exert a magnetic force on moving Electric charges The television show MythBusters tested the theory, and found no interaction between tattoo inks and MRI. MythBusters is a Popular science Television program produced by Australian firm Beyond Television Productions originally for the

However, research by Shellock and Crues reports adverse reactions to MRI and tattoos in a very small number of cases. Wagle and Smith also documented an isolated case of Tattoo-Induced Skin Burn During MR Imaging. The person in the case had a dark, concentrated, loop-shaped tattoo, which the authors speculate could have acted as an RF (radio frequency) pick-up; they also note that this is the first such case they encountered in "thousands of MRI studies". Radio frequency ( RF) is a Frequency or rate of Oscillation within the range of about 3 Hz to 300 GHz Ratnapalan et al. report another case where an MRI could not be completed due to the patient's extensive tattoos. According to the American Chemical society, homemade tattoos, in which metallic inks have been used in larger quantities, cause these reactions. The American Chemical Society ( ACS) is a Learned society ( Professional association) based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry

Professional tattoists rely primarily on the same pigment base found in cosmetics. Amateurs will often use drawing inks such as Higgins, Pelikan or India ink, but these inks often contain impurities and toxins which can lead to illness or infection. "Indian ink" redirects here For the play by Tom Stoppard see Indian Ink (play. A "green haze" is a telltale sign of a tattoo done with drawing ink.

Temporary tattoos

Temporary tattoo
Temporary tattoo

Temporary tattoos are popular with models and children as they involve no permanent alteration of the skin but produce a similar appearance that can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. A temporary tattoo is an image on the skin resembling a true Tattoo, but is non-permanent The most common style is a type of body sticker similar to a decal, which is typically transferred to the skin using water. A decal (ˈdiːkæl ˈdiːkəl or transfer is a Plastic, Cloth Paper or ceramic substrate that has printed on it a Pattern Although the design is waterproof, it can be removed easily with oil-based creams. Originally inserted as a prize in bubble gum packages, they consisted of a poor quality ink transfer that would easily come off with water or rubbing. Bubblegum (or Bubble Gum) is a type of Chewing gum especially designed for blowing bubbles. Today's vegetable dye temporaries can look extremely realistic and adhere up to 3 weeks due to a layer of glue similar to that found on an adhesive bandage. An adhesive bandage (called a sticking plaster, just plaster, or Elastoplast (a trademark in the United Kingdom, New Zealand

Henna tattoos, also known as Mehndi, and silver nitrate stains that appear when exposed to ultraviolet light, can take up to two weeks to fade from the skin. Henna or Hina ( Lawsonia inermis, syn L alba) is a Flowering plant, the sole species in the genus Lawsonia Mehndi is the application of Henna as a temporary form of Skin decoration, in South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Somalia Silver nitrate also known as lunar caustic is a soluble Chemical compound with Chemical formula Ag[[Nitrogen N]] O 3 Temporary airbrush tattoos (TATs) are applied by covering the skin with a stencil and spraying the skin with ink. An airbrush is a small air-operated tool that sprays various media including Ink and Dye, but most often Paint by a process of Nebulization In the past, this form of tattoo only lasted about a week. With the newest inks, tattoos can reasonably last for up to two weeks.

Magician Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller fame) writes in his book Penn & Teller's How to Play in Traffic that he had a special tattoo made on his arm that used no pigment (the tattoo machine was run without ink). Penn Fraser Jillette (born March 5, 1955) is an American Comedian, Illusionist, juggler and Writer known Penn & Teller ( Penn Fraser Jillette and Teller) are Las Vegas headliners whose act is an amalgam of illusion and Comedy. Penn states that the tattoo left a red scar that had a discernible pattern, but would heal to near invisibility after five or six weeks. When filming the remake of Cape Fear, actor Robert De Niro was tattooed with Temptu Ink, a body paint formulated by chemist Samuel Zuckerman. Cape Fear is a 1991 thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese. Robert Mario De Niro Jr (born August 17 1943 is a two-time Academy Award -winning American Film Actor, director and producer

See also

References

  1. ^ Deb Acord "Who knew: Mommy has a tattoo", Maine Sunday Telegram November 19, 2006
  2. ^ Internet Movie Database. Chinese character tattoos or kanji tattoos are Tattoos consisting of Chinese characters ( Hanzi or Kanji) Tattoos are used among criminals to show ownership of Five Dots Tattoo is for Vietnamese gang members The five dots stand for the five T's which are Tình Tiền Tù Tội Thù which translates to love money prison crime revenge A tattoo flash is a Tattoo design printed or drawn on Paper or Cardboard, and may be regarded Irezumi (入れ墨 入墨 紋身 刺花 剳青 黥 or 刺青 is a Japanese word that refers to the insertion of ink under the skin to leave a permanent usually A Marquesan tattoo is a Tattoo design originating from the Marquesas Islands of the South Pacific. A medical tattoo, is a Tattoo given for health purposes As a warning that a patient suffers from a Chronic disease that can exacerbate suddenly and Permanent makeup is a cosmetic technique which employs Tattoos (permanent pigmentation of the dermis as a means of producing designs that resemble Makeup A sleeve Tattoo (or tattoo sleeve is a very large tattoo or a collection of smaller tattoos that covers most or all of a person's arm usually from shoulder to wrist A tattoo artist (also tattooer or tattooist) is a person who applies permanent decorative Tattoos often in a dedicated business called a tattoo A tattoo convention is a meeting and exhibition for tattoo practitioners and enthusiasts as well as anyone who wishes to see the world of tattooing up close A tattoo machine is a hand-held device generally used to create a Tattoo, a permanent marking of the Skin with Ink. The tear tattoo is a symbolic Tattoo with varied connotations that is placed underneath the eye UV tattoos or blacklight Tattoos are tattoos made with a special ink that is only visible under a blacklight. Eastern Promises (2007). Retrieved May 8,2008, [1]
  3. ^ A Third of Americans With Tattoos Say They Make Them Feel More Sexy
  4. ^ Tattoo Facts & Statistics. Retrieved May 8, 2008, [2]
  5. ^ Andrew Leichtenstein. Texas Prison Tattoos. Retrieved on 2007-12-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe.
  6. ^ Body piercing, tattooing, self-esteem, and body investment in adolescent girls.
  7. ^ a b Tattoo lasers / Histology, Suzanne Kilmer, eMedicine
  8. ^ Tattoos, Renee Kottenhahn, TeensHealth
  9. ^ Oregon state health dept. - http://www.oregon.gov/OHLA/links.shtml
  10. ^ http://www.thetattoocollection.com/tattoo_post_operative_care.htm
  11. ^ Taylor Charles R. , Laser ignition of traumatically embedded firework debris, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 1998/22:157-158
  12. ^ National Blood Service FAQ
  13. ^ Mass General Researchers: Anderson, Rox; Avram; Izikson; http://www.tattooremoval.md

Anthropological

Popular and artistic

Medical

Other references

Dictionary

tattoo

-noun

  1. An image made in the skin with ink and a needle
  2. A method of decorating the skin by inserting colored substances under the surface. The skin is punctured with a sharp instrument, which now is usually a solenoid-driven needle, that carries the inks to lower layers of the skin.

-verb

  1. To apply a tattoo (to someone or something)
  2. (baseball) To hit the ball hard, as if to figuratively leave a tattoo on the ball

-noun

  1. (nautical) From taptoe, the time to close the taps.
  2. (nautical) A signal played five minutes before taps (lights out)
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