Tattoos have been around for thousands of years and are now more popular than ever in history. They are everywhere. Some studies show that about 35 percent of Americans 18-30 have tattoos. To most people tattoos represent a form of self expression and they view them as a sort of declaration of their individuality. Most adults also feel sexier with tattoos. What exactly is a tattoo?
A tattoo is a permanent mark, design or model made by inserting pigment (ink) in the second layer of skin. Scientifically - tattooing is micro-pigment implantation.
A tattoo is produced by puncturing the skin with special needles dipped in indelible ink. A needle injects the ink into the skin cells - the second layer of skin.
Our skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The outer layer that acts as a protective barrier and contains no blood vessels is called the epidermis. Below is a thicker layer called the dermis and here are the tattoos.
Because the epidermis is constantly renewed (we continue to produce and discard the top layer of the skin throughout life), the tattooist pushes the ink through the epidermis and dermis in the leaves. The dermis is roughly the same throughout our lives and that's why tattoos stay permanent while many other things done to the skin are not.
A tattoo needle is about 1.5 mm (1 16 inch) in the skin. A tattoo artist must ensure that the ink only goes deep enough to be permanent, but not too deep. The depth varies throughout the body - it is deeper on the soles of the feet and thinner in other places like the genitals.
If tattoo is done too deeply, in the third layer of skin called the subcutaneous layer, it can cause unnecessary pain and bleeding. It may appear blurred, even when he is cured, because you have to look deeper (through several layers of skin) to view. If less than a millimeter, it might leave scratches and simply disappear.
The skill with which the tattoo is applied correctly takes years to learn, so it is very important to choose an artist with experience and a portfolio of work that demonstrates quality. There are lots of contenders out there, so be careful.
Remember: A tattoo is as good as the artist who does!
If you are looking for a unique tattoo designs, visit Printable Tattoo Designs for more ideas.