One common question you might have if you are thinking about a tattoo is the amount of pain involved while receiving a tattoo. Rarely do potential tattoo clients ask about the ingredients in tattoo ink, even though they are getting ready to have...
According to Harris Interactive, 14 percent of American adults had tattoos in 2008 and nearly one-third of people ages 25-29 were inked. With tattoos on so many younger people, there has been some concern about the chemical composition of tattoo...
Dry skin can impact the health and appearance of your tattoos during and after the healing process. Moisture is key to the healing process and can make a difference in the color and intensity of your tattoo. Keeping your skin well-moisturized will...
Scientists discovered tattoo patterns on the 5,200-year-old mummy known as Iceman, and the art of tattooing is thought to be even older. Like other types of ink and paint, tattoo ink starts out as a powder or solid pigment and is mixed with a...
Thomas Edison patented the Stencil-Pens in 1876, a device designed for engraving. Samuel O'Reilly modified the design nearly 15 years later so that it could permanently deposit ink into the skin, according to C.R. Jordan. While the art of...
The decision to get a tattoo shouldn't be taken lightly. Some undesired outcomes to tattooing include adverse reactions to tattoo ink, infections and general dissatisfaction with the finished result. Also of concern is the lack of regulation in...
When most people think of the dangers of tattoos, they imagine artists in seedy tattoo shops using contaminated needles in an unsanitary environment. While the dangers of HIV and other diseases does exist in the tattooing world, the inks used pose...
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a 2004 survey that polled people between the ages of 18 and 50, almost a quarter of respondents indicated that they had a tattoo. A few hours with a tattoo artist, and you too can sport a likeness...
Tattoos and Permanent Makeup What the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Has to Say From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition--Office of Cosmetics and Colors Fact Sheet for Tattoos and Permanent...
Currently, tattoo instruments, such as needles and tubes, are sterilized in an autoclave before a tattoo procedure. Before the patent of the tattoo machine by Sam Reilly in 1891, organic instruments were used by cultures to perform tattoo rituals....
Tattoo artistry has been found in societies throughout history and all over the world. The styles of artistry and methods of inserting ink into the skin can differ but the concept is the same: Deliver pigment into the lower layers of the skin to...
A tattoo apprentice practices the art of tattooing with a machine recommended by a mentor. Once the apprenticeship is over, the new tattoo artist chooses and purchases a tattoo machine to complement his style and technique. Tattoo artists have...
Henna tattoos are a popular temporary type of body art ideal for people who want to decorate their body without having to commit to the art for a lifetime. Henna tattoos last between one and two weeks before fading away. Traditionally, henna...
Though the process of tattooing is legal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that tattoo ink has not undergone any approvals from the agency. Tattoo ink distributors are not required to list ingredients on the bottles and some tattoo...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, use of unsanitary needles and other equipment during tattooing can transmit skin infections as well as various tuberculosis, types of hepatitis, and even HIV/AIDS. However, if you're...
Stretch marks can greatly affect tattoos. Whether you are hoping to cover stretch marks with a tattoo, or are worried about gaining stretch marks through an existing tattoo, the results are varied for everyone. Outcomes in these situations largely...
Though the life circumstances that led you to get a tattoo may have faded away, the tattoo isn't going anywhere---at least, not by itself. You'll need to find someone with the proper skills and equipment to erase it. Some tattoo parlors are...
The tattooing process involves a tattoo artist using a hand-held machine, similar to a sewing machine, that uses needles to pierce the top layer of the skin and insert droplets of tattoo pigment. The process of tattooing occurs without anesthetics...
Tattoos are considered to be permanent, but in many cases, it is possible to remove them using laser technology. In general, black and other dark inks are more easily removed. Unfortunately, getting rid of a tattoo using a laser tends to be more...
Also known as Mehndi, the application of the henna tattoo is an age old practice dating back thousands of years. Evidence of henna use dates back to 1200 B.C. and the ancient Egyptians, according to Earth Henna. A temporary form of art, henna...
Tattoos and other forms of body art have surged in popularity in recent years. A tattoo can serve as an expression of individuality, a way of paying tribute to a loved one or simply a form of adornment. Unfortunately, the increase in tattoos...
Temporary tattoos provide an alternative to tattoos made with a permanent ink. While temporary tattoos reduce some of the risks of tattooing, these tattoos have their own health risks. Because the ingredients in temporary tattoos vary widely from...
Most professional tattoo shops use dual coil tattoo machines because they are readily available and relatively inexpensive. They also provide smooth lines and shading. Although dual coil machines may be the standard, some tattoo artists prefer to...
A tattoo machine is a hand-held device used to imprint ink designs permanently on the skin. While people have performed tattoos and other types of body art for centuries, the tattoo machine itself is a relatively new invention, and is still being...
When students in the art of the tattoo apprentice under a seasoned artist, they primarily focus on holding the tattoo machine correctly and using proper strokes for lining and shading. While these facets of tattooing are essential for creating...
When you decide to get a tattoo, you have more to consider than what it will look like. According to the Mayo Clinic, the risks associated with getting a tattoo include allergic reactions, skin infections, blood borne diseases and other...
The process of tattooing injects inks underneath the surface layer of skin, making the design resistant to wear, water or detergents. Despite the permanency, tattoos can be removed using one of several techniques. Because the tattoo ink penetrates...
A tattoo artist creates a stencil of the tattoo design before he takes a needle to the skin. The artist draws the stencil with a special ink that transfers to the skin. This provides an outline of the tattoo design, which allows the artist to...
Tattoos effect your ability to donate blood. Learn the laws for donating blood with tattoos in this free video clip from a blood donation center.
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease carried in the blood and caused by the hepatitis C virus infecting the liver after blood-to-blood contact. Learn more about hepatitis C, including symptoms and treatments, in this video.
Hepatitis B is liver inflammation that results from a DNA virus. Learn more about hepatitis B, including symptoms and treatments, in this video.