Important Information About Tattoos
11 Sep 2011
Recently, receiving a tattoo has become one of the very most popular ways to use art as a way of self-expression. Previously, society associated tattoos with a rough crowd-motorcycle gangs, rock musicians, and sailors-but today almost anyone you see all the time either has a tattoo or is considering getting one. From artists and students to professionals and power brokers, the desire to get inked is normal in each and every segment of our culture. If you’re one of the millions considering a tattoo, here is what you should know:
Upon entering a tattoo shop, you will have the chance to consult with a tattoo artist regarding the kind of design that interests you and what part of your body best suits it. The artist will show you how tattooing works and what you can expect throughout the process. An experienced artist will try to make you comfortable, especially if you have not had a tattoo before. As important as it really is to feel confident with your tattoo artist, you also want to make sure the shop is safe and clean. If you have friends or colleagues who have had good experiences with tattoo shops, ask them for referrals.
What Happens When You Get a Tattoo?
The tattooing process consists of a small needle piercing the skin and leaving traces of ink behind. The artist will go over your chosen design, injecting ink into your skin with the needle until the artwork is completed. The needle is powered by electricity which enables it to pierce skin at a rate of up to 3,000 times each minute. When it punctures your skin, the needle penetrates about millimeter deep. With each puncture, a little bit of ink remains. Perhaps you might guess, this process can be painful. If you have never been tattooed before, get ready for some discomfort.
Why Is Tattoo Ink Permanent?
If you took a science class in school, you are aware that humans replace skin cells all the time. If this is true, you might wonder, then how can a tattoo stay on your skin permanently? To reply to this question, consider the depth at which a tattoo needle deposits ink. Skin consists of two main layers, the Dermis and the Epidermis. The dermis is considered the deepest layer, and it also replaces cells very slowly. The Epidermis is the outer layer, and yes it sheds cells at a higher rate. When a tattoo needle pierces the skin, it actually penetrates to the Dermis before it depositions ink. This deep placement of ink explains why tattoos generally a permanent feature on your skin.
Tattoos last for a lifetime. If you decide you do not like the artwork, extreme measures may very well be required to remove it. Therefore, before jumping into the decision to get a tattoo, think long and hard to avoid any chance of future regrets. Once you’ve done this thinking and also have prepared yourself mentally, you can be confident that tattoo shops will be places that you will associate with beautiful art that can be a part of you throughout your life.










