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Why Are Tattoos Permanent?


Why Are Tattoos Permanent?

As tattoos become increasingly mainstream, more and more people search for a picture, symbol, or word they would be happy to have in their skin forever. Others who had this done look for ways to have these marks removed. Everyone knows that tattoos last for an entire lifetime and beyond, and most people assume because the ink is injected rather deep into the skin.

What Is a Tattoo Anyway?

Understanding why tattoos are permanent begins with an explanation of what a tattoo is. Professional artists use a machine that jabs a needle deep into a person’s skin at a high rate of speed over and over again. This needle transfers a certain type of ink into the dermis, which is the lower level of skin that does not rejuvenate as quickly as the outer layers that are called the epidermis.

Why are Tattoos Permanent?

The assumption that these ink designs last forever because they are deep inside the skin is only partially correct. Because the ink is in the dermis instead of the epidermis, it sticks around for a long time because cell regeneration is much slower. Ink injected into the epidermis would not last very long because this top layer is constantly shedding old skin cells and making new ones.

The depth of the ink is not the only thing that makes tattoos permanent. The real answer involves your body’s natural immune system and tiny cells called macrophages.

Here is what happens when you get a tattoo:

The artist loads the ink and turns on his machine. He moves it across your skin to make the design. The needle jabs into your skin repeatedly making tiny wounds for the ink to be injected through. Every time one of these wounds is made, your body responds.

This is the same natural response that occurs if you cut your finger or get a burn. Your body’s self-defense mechanism kicks into gear and sends white blood cells, macrophages, and other things to the site of the damage and starts to repair it. That means every little needle hole and every tiny drop of ink gets attacked as an invader.

These cells called macrophages attempt to encapsulate the ink because it is a foreign substance that does not really belong in your body. However, ink is not a natural substance such as bacteria or a splinter that can be broken down over time. This means the macrophage can eat the ink molecule but cannot digest it and filter it out as waste for your bloodstream. These cells sit in your dermis holding onto the ink for the rest of your life. The natural fading of tattoos over time comes because the dermis does rejuvenate at a slow pace and these macrophages and other bodily defenders are constantly trying to chip away at the invading ink.

This entire process is in effect overall health or well-being. The tattoo heals over time and the immune response lessens. The tattoo remains inked into the skin forever unless laser tattoo removal breaks the ink down into smaller compounds the macrophages can deal with.


How to Choose a Good Tattoo Artist


How to Choose a Good Tattoo Artist

Getting tattoos like any other life experience can be beautiful however it can also turn out to be a nightmare if it is not done professionally. Proper care must be taken when you want to pick a tattoo artist to avoid the harmful effects of using an artist who uses improper tattooing techniques. A professional tattoo artist must have at least 3 to 4 years training experience in an apprenticeship at a registered standard tattoo studio. During which he or she must have learned and mastered the basics of making a great tattoo. This category of tattoo artists will be different from those who are untrained but are just artistically gifted but lack the knowledge of professionalism practice. These tattoo artists purchase low standard equipment for their services and probably use a house basement or the back of a bar for their practice. Avoid these type of tattoo artists because you might not be lucky enough to walk away without an infection or even worse. The fact that tattoo is a mark that lasts forever meaning both the tattoo and the experience will be with you for a long time makes it worth it to spend time and find the best tattoo artist that will give you the best experience and tattoo you have always dream of. Here are tips that will guide you to pick just the right tattoo artist.

Ask friends: One of the easiest ways to locate the best tattoo artist is to start asking from family and friends that have one of the best tattoos you love. They probably will recommend a good artist for you so when you hear them praising the work of a particular artist, take it.

Check online: Most professional tattoo artist can be found online. They have their own website where you can go through their past work and also read reviews about them. You can always confirm what you want from people's comments about their work online.

Do physical inspection: Go to a tattoo studio you want and inspect the studio. Check out their portfolios, equipment and their infection control practice. Watch him in action for a while, see if he sterilized his equipment and disposed the needle after usage. Remember, a tattoo artist studio must also be as clean as a dentist office because this is where the sterilized condition measures can be guaranteed.

Tips to Know you Are in the Right Tattoo Studio

  • A good tattoo artist must have a sample of their previous work. Whether a photo album of their work or a display of stock of their work on their studio wall. If a tattoo artist can't provide you with any of this, walk right out.
  • A good tattoo artist must have an autoclave certificate which is an equipment used to sterilize medical equipment.
  • A good tattoo artist wears medical standard Latex Gloves during their services to prevent germs spread from their fingers. Freshly tattooed body is very prone to getting infected if proper health measure is not taken.

What is Tattoo Regret?


What is tattoo regret?

Tattoo regret simply is the regret of getting a tattoo. It can be either the mental, physical, emotional or social dissatisfaction resulting from negative consequences arising after having a tattoo. Tattoo regret can be of many reasons such as poor quality of the tattoo design, extensive hurt than expectation, poor quality of the ink and the equipment used, the cost not being a reflection of the satisfaction, variations in expectations and the actual service level etc. Tattoo regret can be avoided by following the steps as mentioned below. However, it should be also noted that tattoo regret cannot be totally removed. But it can be minimized to a certain extent.

To avoid tattoo regret the best thing is to take your time and think long and hard rationally. You need to find more and more information as much as possible. Information from your friends who already have tattoos is one of the best options available for you. Think long and hard on the designs, where you want to get it, the place from where you are going to have it, the quality of the ink etc. so that it will make you confident on the service levels. On the other hand, you must do your own research. It is very important to have a deeper understanding on the pain levels especially if you are going to ink for the very first time. The pain levels will vary based on the sensitivity of your body and will also vary from one person to another.

It is also important to have a good knowledge on how a tattoo could be removed in case something goes wrong you have a contingency plan in hand. Have a good understanding on the possible side effects and perceptions on the society after a tattoo. You might not be allowed to have a tattoo under the contract of employment, therefore considering all these factors are very important. Thing long and do not look at the short term especially the cost. A tattoo is something that is permanent and restricting yourself in the decision-making process for short-term considerations such as the cost will trigger your regret if the quality of service is also low.

A tattoo is a risk and regret might be attached to it. We never know how it will go on and will be until it really happen. The future cannot be predicted but it is always better to keep the possible consequences in mind. A tattoo can affect your employment, social status and thus you need to really know as to why you want a tattoo and the probable consequences afterward.

The experience of the tattooist is a major concern that you need to look at. Be confident that the tattooist is skilled, experienced and will ink you as promised as you expected. Select the designs prior to the day you are going to have the tattoo. Have a good meal before you have the tattoo.


Should Kids Use Temporary Tattoos


Should Kids Use Temporary Tattoos?

Tattoos are of different types and style. Temporary tattoos as the name suggests are tattoos drawn, painted or airbrushed on the skin etc. lasts only for a specific period of time, maybe couple of days based on the type. Tattoos of course are a top fashion statement these days. They express attitude, style and also gives a fair idea about the child’s personality through the choice of the tattoo and its colors.

Temporary tattooing is a form of body painting. There are always two sides to a coin. So is it for everything in this world. A wise choice, perception and sensible decisions based on facts go a long way in determining the pros and cons of everything.

So let’s get into the types, pros, and cons about tattoos, which are temporary before we determine if it is good or bad for our kids. The only available tattoo during earlier days was the organic henna leaves made into a paste to draw the desired designs on the palms and legs which gives an orangish red shade. However, time is changing. Kids of today’s world need more attractive options.

Types of temporary tattoos and the safety aspect for kids:

There is a lot of variety for kids when they need a temporary tattoo. To name a few, the decal style tattoos, airbrush tattoos metallic tattoos and so on.

Decal style tattoos:

Though the colorants of decal style tattoos are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe for direct dermal contact, there are still allergies,skin irritation and redness caused for many children. Again, the result of the tattoos is highly child specific. It varies based on the skin sensitivity, hereditary issues of skin problems for each child. Hence, before you choose this colorful decal style tattoo or refuse this style for your child, think about the highlighted issues.

Airbrush tattoos:

FDA approved cosmetic inks, which are alcohol based are sprayed by the tattoo artist on airbrush tattoos using a stencil. Though these tattoos give a vibrant color option and could immediately attract kids, Airbrush temporary tattoos could be easily removed by rubbing alcohol or baby oil. The hygiene factor of these airbrush tattoos must be considered and always the tattoo artist must be inquired about the inks used. Sensitive skin types can venture out these airbrush tattoos after careful queries about the artist and inks and products used.

Metallic tattoos:

These tattoos are printed by using a foil stamping technique. This means there is no inks involved and one can disregard the thoughts about the contents that goes into the ink. Each one of the metallic tattoo is protected by a film that is transparent. This tattoo is widely used among kids because their favorite cartoon characters, animals and birds are mostly the designs which are attractive and addictive too. These are safer in terms of no ink involvement and the allergy due to the transparent film is very minimal.

Organic Henna tattoo:

Pure henna tattoos are not a preferred option because of the tedious process and lack of color options like others. However, the best and organic henna tattoos have no additives and most recommended for kids. If one can make the process as interactive and joyful as possible, the kid is definitely going to be saved from any allergies.

Know the options available, make wise decisions. Kids can be demanding at times. But it is the responsibility of the adults to help them understand the pros and cons of each tattoo. Temporary tattoos are definitely a funky stuff for children. Go about it with fun! Make wise choices. Sometimes, making a child happy is all we ever want in life.

There are also functional tattoos, which are used for identification purposes other than just the fun element.

The hygiene factor while using paint brushes and color inks must be informed by the artist before usage, which is also the responsibility of the person who gets tattooed.


Arе Tаttоо Inkѕ Tоxіс?


Arе Tаttоо Inkѕ Tоxіс?

It іѕ truе that ѕоmе rеd іnkѕ used for реrmаnеnt tаttооѕ contain mеrсurу, whіlе оthеr rеdѕ mау contain dіffеrеnt hеаvу metals like саdmіum оr іrоn оxіdе. Thеѕе mеtаlѕ which give the tattoo іtѕ “реrmаnеnсе” іn ѕkіn hаvе been known to саuѕе аllеrgіс reactions, eczema аnd ѕсаrrіng аnd can аlѕо саuѕе ѕеnѕіtіvіtу to mеrсurу frоm other ѕоurсеѕ like dеntаl fillings оr consuming ѕоmе fіѕh. Whіlе red causes the mоѕt рrоblеmѕ, mоѕt оthеr соlоrѕ оf ѕtаndаrd tattoo іnk аrе аlѕо dеrіvеd from hеаvу metals (іnсludіng lеаd, аntіmоnу, beryllium, chromium, соbаlt nісkеl аnd аrѕеnіс) and can саuѕе ѕkіn rеасtіоnѕ іn ѕоmе people.

Beyond thе lоng tеrm rіѕkѕ of wаlkіng аrоund wіth hеаvу mеtаlѕ іnjесtеd іntо your body’s largest оrgаn (thе skin), gеttіng a tаttоо іn аnd оf іtѕеlf саn bе rіѕkу business. If the tattoo раrlоr’ѕ nееdlеѕ and еԛuірmеnt аrеn’t properly ѕtеrіlіzеd іn аn аutосlаvе between customers, уоu could bе еxроѕіng уоurѕеlf tо hераtіtіѕ B оr C, tubеrсulоѕіѕ, mycobacterium, syphilis, malaria, HIV оr еvеn leprosy.

Thе potential risk оf іnfесtіоuѕ ѕрrеаd from tаttооіng(particularly duе tо Hepatitis B) is hіgh еnоugh thаt іt іѕ a practice thаt ѕhоuld bе аvоіdеd bу pregnant women to ѕаfеguаrd the health оf thе bаbу [аnd that of thе рrеgnаnt wоmаn hеrѕеlf] whоѕе іmmunе ѕуѕtеm іѕ down rеgulаtеd and іѕ much mоrе vulnerable tо thеѕе tуреѕ of іnfесtіоn,” reports dermatologist Audrеу Kunіn, whо runѕ thе рорulаr Dеrmаdосtоr website. Dr. Kunіn аdvіѕеѕ tо be careful about сhооѕіng a tattoo раrlоr: “Make ѕurе the рlасе is rерutаblе, perhaps сhесk wіth thе hеаlth dераrtmеnt tо see іf thеrе hаvе bееn past claims аgаіnѕt thе раrlоr in question if уоu ѕtіll have doubts.” Shе аddѕ thаt ѕіnсе tattoos аrе еѕѕеntіаllу ореn wоundѕ, thеу muѕt bе саrеd fоr рrореrlу, especially in thе fіrѕt few weeks, tо ѕtаvе off infection.

Getting іnkеd mау lеаd to long-term ѕkіn рrоblеmѕ and an іnсrеаѕеd rіѕk оf саnсеr, according tо a new report bу thе Eurореаn Chemicals Agеnсу (ECHA).

Thе regulatory аgеnсу іѕ calling fоr thе bаn оf the tаttоо іnk, Thе Sun rероrtеd. Risks іnсludеd ѕеrіоuѕ аllеrgіс rеасtіоnѕ аnd раіnful іtсhіng thаt саn last fоr уеаrѕ.

Rеѕеаrсhеrѕ fоund rеd іnk wаѕ thе mоѕt dangerous, but thеу wаrnеd bluе, grееn аnd blасk іnk іѕ аlѕо risky.
According to The Sun, the ECHA’ѕ rероrt wіll lіkеlу lеаd in thе bаn оf сеrtаіn іnkѕ аnd сhеmісаlѕ in thе Eurореаn Unіоn (EU).

Thе most severe concerns аrе allergies саuѕеd by the substances іn thе inks аnd роѕѕіblе саrсіnоgеnіс, mutagenic оr rерrоduсtіvе toxic еffесtѕ,” thе ECHA ѕаіd іn thе rероrt.

Thе FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Rеѕеаrсh (NCTR) has bеgun tо іnvеѕtіgаtе tattoo іnkѕ tо іdеntіfу thеіr сhеmісаl соmроѕіtіоn аnd how thеу break down іn thе body. Addіtіоnаllу, thеу’rе also looking аt the short-term and lоng-tеrm ѕаfеtу оf tаttоо inks and hоw thе bоdу rеѕроndѕ tо lіght іntеrасtіng with thе іnkѕ.

For instance, rеѕеаrсh hаѕ shown that ѕоmе pigment mіgrаtеѕ frоm thе tattoo site to thе bоdу’ѕ lуmрh nodes, whісh are раrt of thе lуmрhаtіс ѕуѕtеm – a collection of fluid-carrying vеѕѕеlѕ thаt drаіnѕ іntо thе blооd аnd whоѕе jоb it is tо fіltеr оut disease-causing organisms. Whеthеr the presence of tаttоо іnk іn the lуmрhаtіс ѕуѕtеm has adverse hеаlth соnѕеԛuеnсеѕ or not іѕ ѕtіll unknоwn.


The Top Questions to Ask yourself Before You Get that Tattoo


The Top Questions to Ask yourself before You Get that Tattoo

Interested in Tattoos? Yeah, who is not? But beware, getting one can be a painful process and you must be courageous enough to get inked. There are certain questions that you need to ask yourself before you get that amazing tattoo so that you don’t have to regret it later. Some essential questions that you need to ask yourself are listed as follows:

Is the tattoo unique and innovative?

Now, who doesn’t like a unique tattoo? The best recommendation before getting inked is to avoid trendy and seasonal designs as it will fade away with the season. Instead, ask for suggestions from the tattoo maker and get something that is creative so you can show it off. Also, consider the location of the tattoo. Do you prefer it to be visible or hidden under clothing?

Is it going to be a favorite of mine forever?

Ask yourself over and over again about how long you will like this tattoo. Is there going to be times when you do not feel that you actually like it ? Also consider if you may regret it later and wish you never got it.

Do I know who the right artist to get me inked is?

It is a very important factor to find out which tattoo artist is capable of helping you get the best of his artistry. And what’s more, if you get a suitable tattoo artist as per your choice, you can ask him to get the job done according to your wishes. Most accomplished tattoo artists assess the skin and sensitivity of the clients before they step towards getting you inked.

Will I be able to afford this tattoo?

Searching for cheap options when it comes to a tattoo is something that you cannot risk your life for. Cheap tattoos are a strict no-no because cheap options can mess up your skin and even get you an infection. So, it is always better to get a tattoo at a reasonable price.

How will my family (and relatives) react?

Oh yes, this must be one of the most important questions you want to ask yourself before you get inked. Remember, most of the grown-ups in your family can react against it so you better convince them before you get yourself a smart and cool tattoo.

Can I bear the pain?

Hold on. Before you decide to get a tattoo done on your body make sure you can manage to bear the pain that comes along because let’s face it, tattoos hurt a lot. And to top it all, the process of inking can continue for over an hour, so good luck to you!

Is it the right time to get inked?

The next most important question to ask yourself is ” is it the perfect time to get a tattoo?”. There may be problems like skin burns or allergic reactions and all should be checked thoroughly before getting inked. The skin should be healthy when you plan for a tattoo.

So, if you really think you have got all the answers to the questions mentioned above and most of them are in your favor, then you should probably get inked and enjoy drools from your friends.



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