What You Must Know About Tattoos
Recently, getting a tattoo has become one of the very most popular ways to use art as a means of self-expression. In the past, society associated tattoos with a rough crowd-motorcycle gangs, rock musicians, and sailors-but today almost any person you come across all the time either possesses a tattoo or perhaps 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 are one of the millions considering a tattoo, here is what you should know:
Upon entering a tattoo shop, you'll have the opportunity to consult with a tattoo artist regarding the type of design that interests you and what portion of your body most closely fits it. The artist will explain how tattooing works and what to expect duAing the entire process. A seasoned artist will try to make you comfortable, especially if you have never had a tattoo before. As essential as it 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, request referrals.
What Happens When You Get a Tattoo?
The tattooing process consists of a small needle piercing your skin and leaving traces of ink behind. The artist will go over your chosen design, injecting ink into your skin with the needle till the artwork is finished. The needle is powered by electricity which enables it to pierce skin at a rate as high as 3,000 times each and every minute. When it punctures your skin, the needle penetrates about millimeter deep. With each puncture, a little amount of ink remains. Perhaps you might guess, the process can certainly be painful. If you have never been tattooed before, prepare yourself for some discomfort.
Why Is Tattoo Ink Permanent?
If you took a science class in school, you know that humans replace skin cells constantly. If this is true, you might wonder, then how can a tattoo remain on your skin permanently? To answer this question, think about 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 replaces cells very slowly. The Epidermis is the outer layer, and 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 an entire life. If you decide you don't much like the artwork, extreme measures may be necessary to eliminate it. Therefore, before jumping into the decision to have a tattoo, think long and hard to prevent any chance of future regrets. Once you have done this thinking and have prepared yourself mentally, you can be confident that tattoo shops will be places that you'll associate with beautiful art that can be a part of you for the rest of your life.
