WTattoos keep going in and out of fashion over time, but have always been used asa means of expressing specific aspects of an individual’s identity. In addition,they are also counted as a form of art and recent developments have resulted insale, purchase and exhibition of this form of body art.
What is a tattoo?
A tattoo is a permanent marking made by inserting ink into the skin to change thepigment for decorative purposes or for other reasons. Tattoos on humans have beenperceived as a form of decorative body modification and have been used to emphasizeor enhance one’s looks.
Tattooing has been practised worldwide for at least two centuries, but has beendocumented as having occurred in certain parts of the world since Neolithic times.
Uses
Tattooing has various meanings and uses for various peoples across the world. Theseinclude: |  | - Traditional tattoos among indigenous peoples around the world..
- They serve as rites of passage in certain cultures.
- In the Western world, tattoos are primarily used for cosmetic, sentimental or religiousreasons.
- Tattoos have been preferred as a form of identification, especially in incarcerativesetups, as the tattoo pigment is buried deep within the skin and is usually notdestroyed even by severe burns.
- Tattooing when used for cosmetic purposes includes permanent makeup and hiding orneutralizing skin discolorations.
- Some tattoos have been used to convey medical information, such as the blood groupof the wearer.
Whatever the reason be for their creation, tattoos have a symbolism and impact thathas varied across peoples, places and cultures. | | Prevalence and associations
Tattoos have become more popular in the past few years, in many parts of the world. This has resulted in an influx of tattoo artists who view their skills as a serious expression of art and culture. With the increase in demand, there has been a resultant increase in the advancements with regard to tattoo pigments and equipment, and thus an improvement in the quality of tattoos produced.
Tattoos have been considered an important aspect of pop culture and even of certain mafias. Tattooing has been considered a pagan or heathen activity and has been discouraged by certain Western religious groups. Since certain violent groups or peoples have used tattoos as an expression of their solidarity, tattoos have experienced negative connotations and disrepute in most cultures of the Western world. Some tattoos have been associated with criminality and have made gainful employment difficult for some individuals sporting conspicuous tattoos.
Mechanism of tattooing
Tattooing involves placing of pigment into the skin’s dermis, wherein the pigment is subjected to a complex mechanism involving the Immune System and several days before the tattoo is completed.
The process of tattooing, however, does not take up much time given the modern equipment that has become available. This includes the electric tattoo machine which comes with several needles that are soldered onto a bar. These needles are packaged for single use and are sterile in the manufacturers packaging. A small tattoo may take only as much as 15 min to be completed, but larger and more complex tattoos with complex patterns and multiple pigments may need several sessions ranging over a few hours.
The traditional method of tattooing involved metallic needles and pigments that were inserted into the skin by an experienced practitioner.
Dyes and pigments
Tattoo inks have also undergone significant metamorphosis from the days when early inks were obtained from nature, and were thus limited in variety. Dyes and pigments used in tattoos include inorganic materials like titanium dioxide, iron oxides, carbon black, azo dyes, acridine, quinoline, phthalocyanine and naphthol derivatives and even dyes made from ashes and other mixtures. | | Hygiene during tattooing
A well-equipped tattoo studio would use appropriate biohazard containers for objects that have come into contact with blood or other body fluids, sharps containers and an Autoclave for sterilizing equipment.
The artist would be required to wash his/her hands thoroughly before preparing a client for the stencil, between clients or at any time when there is risk of transmitting infective material. Single-use disposable gloves are also mandatory. The rules and ethics that guide medical treatment of minors and special populations also apply in tattooing.
Sterile or disposable needles and equipment are to be opened in front of the client and the inks used for tattooing are to be used in disposable containers that are to be discarded after each session. All areas of the body that may be touched with the artist’s gloves would need to be covered with clear plastic to avoid contamination. Equipment that cannot be sterilized in an Autoclave would need to be cleaned with disinfectants prior to and after sessions with each client. |  | | | Formal training regarding bloodborne pathogens and cross contamination is an added adjunct to an artist’s training and may be required as per the regulations in certain jurisdictions. Some regions have also required that the tattoo artists be licensed and approved to operate in a licensed facility. | | | Tattooing aftercare
There are differing views regarding the aftercare of a tattoo and a few common guidelines include: - Tattoo-specific salves that enhance healing and prevent infection.
- Keeping a new tattoo covered for the first 24 h.
- Avoidance of tub baths or swimming for about 2 weeks from the tattooing to prevent the inks washing out and avoiding infection.
- The tattoo should not be exposed to the sun as this can cause fading of the ink in the period of healing while the tattoo sets.
- Cleanliness has to be maintained throughout the period on healing and the tattoo has to be kept clean and dry in this period.
|  | Tattoo removal
Some individuals do believe that what goes on must come off. Thus, awareness of the methods of tattoo removal has become an important aspect of getting a tattoo.Tattoos are permanent creations and it is nearly impossible to completely erase them.
However, newer technologies such as laser have made justifiable claims at lightening or partially removing tattoos. Some methods of tattoo removal include dermabrasion, salabrasion, Cryosurgery and excision followed by Skin grafting. But the cost, time and pain involved in tattoo removal make it prohibitive in terms of all these aspects.
Risks of tattooing
Some risks involved with tattooing are contracting viral infections or other infections which are spread through the blood and body fluids, if there is reuse of used tattooing needles, bacterial infections due to loss of skin continuity in the tattoo area and allergic reactions. |
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