Category Archives: Tattoos
Body Art Tattoo – What is the Good and the Bad
Almost everything on our planet has good and bad sides, and the tattoo is no exception to it. Millions of people across the world love getting them inked with one or more favorite tattoo designs. While the mass considers tattoo to boast self-expression, individuality, or to draw the attention of people, many choose for spiritual or cultural traditions. Therefore, if you’re considering getting tattooed, knowing its good and bad sides is important for you. Let’s focus on it.
The Good
Boosts Confidence and Self-esteem
A study establishes a correlation between tattoos and self-confidence. Similar to having revamped hairstyle or cosmetic dentistry that increases one’s confidence level, having one or more tattoo help boost your self-confidence level. Having a unique tattoo also make you express your personality, taste, and outlook. It can make you a focal point in the mass.
Improve Immune Systems
Don’t get surprised to know that having multiple tattoos boost your immune system. A study organized by the American Journal of Human Biology reveals that multiple tattoos can help strengthen the immune system and its response. The scientific reasons are 1) it can support keeping the balance steady of immunoglobulin-A, deficiency of which weaken your immunity. 2) Having tattoos helps by stimulating your immune response. In fact, Immunoglobulin A is a powerful antibody that aids our immune system, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal system. As it strengthens your immune response, once the system identifies a foreign invader like any virus in your body, it instructs the antibodies to attack and kill them.
Helps Lessen Stress
The above study also shows that having multiple tattoos helps reduce the cortisol level which is a stress hormone. While the increasing rate of cortisol leads to various psychological detriments like migraines, weight gain, disrupted memory, and learning or raise blood pressure, tattoos make the cortisol hormone less active even when that increases.
The Bad
Tattoo Regret
The foremost bad thing about tattoos can be understood from the statistics showing that 3 out of 4 people with tattoos experience tattoo regret at different times in their life and for varied reasons. This is the cause that almost all tattoo studies offer tattoo removal services today. Some of the reasons that lead to tattoo regret include
• Change of outlook with adulthood.
• Change of personality while that tattoo loved once doesn’t match one’s current lifestyle.
• For professional needs as most employers dislike hiring candidates with tattoos.
• Due to its unprofessional look.
• Having a tattoo of someone’s name or symbol is no more in his/her life.
• It’s also worth noting that the cost of tattoo removal is likely to be 10 times more than having a tattoo.
Risk and Side effects of Tattoo
While considering a tattoo, you need to understand how it can affect your skin as well as your wellbeing. The side effects are experienced relative – varying between individuals. A person may experience tattoo-related skin problems like Granuloma. The likelihood of skin infection is always there as pigments of tattoo are placed beneath 1.5 – 2 mm by breaking the skin surface. The possibility increases especially when poor quality inks or contaminated inks or tools are used. Issues may include
Skin infection – if bacteria like Staphylococcus, Streptococcus enter your bloodstream it may lead to varieties of skin infections.
Allergic reactions – Tattoo colors- particularly red, green, blue, and yellow may result in allergic skin reactions, like prickly rash or swelling in the tattoo area.
Other skin problems – although rarely reported by inflammation of the area or granuloma can form. Tattooing can also lead to keloids – scar tissues.
Blood-borne diseases – if the tools like needles or ink used for tattooing are contaminated, you can suffer from blood-borne diseases like hepatitis/C, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), HIV, etc.
Conclusion:
As per the last survey, around 40% of Americans aged 18-69 have a minimum of one tattoo. Also, 1 in 4 of those are having multiple tattoos. Another study shows that the rate of skin infection experienced by people stands between 0.5–6 %. Noteworthy, one of the leading reasons that make people suffer from such health hazards is the use of inferior grade inks, contaminated tools, inks apart from negligence to maintain absolute hygiene practices in poor class settings. It is said that -good tattoos are not cheap and cheap tattoos are not good. So, before having a tattoo, make sure to go for a reputed tattoo parlor that maintains safety precautions as per standard.
What are the Tattoo Body Art Design Ideas
Tattoos are the most popular form of body art that come with limitless ideas and concepts. And, most of those ideas are designed by great tattooists by adapting them from various historically popular tattoo styles. No denying, they are the foundation stone of modern tattoo arts. So, if you are desirous to boast your individuality and style with a perfect tattoo idea, keep reading the article that explains the most popular tattoo design ideas.
Classic Americana
The American traditional tattoo is defined for its bold appearance and is possibly one of the oldest forms of body inking. The style involves heavy black outlines with a limited number of colors like red, green, blue, yellow, and imaginary. Each tattoo has a considerably distinct look and is stimulated by several themes, such as nautical, animal designs, violent predatory animals, etc. for example, to beautify your body with a female tattoo form, you can consider a pin-up female model or a diving girl. It may also combine general themes like hearts, flowers like roses or draggers, etc. The tattoo style also offers a great way to show your patriotism.
Japanese
When it comes to Japanese tattoos, the nation has a great history of its unique approach to tattooing and is recognized globally. The most common form of Japanese tattoo style is known as Irezumi which means -insert ink. Its tattoo ideas are inspired by Japanese folklore, holiness, and mysticism. Among the most applauded forms of Japanese tattoos include Koi Fish, Dragons, Samurai, Oni. It’s another genre that is especially known for bigger images covering the arms, back, and legs.
Black and Grey
In fact, black and grey tattoos are noted as the base of tattoo body art and have gone through lots of evolvements over the centuries. Equally, it is the most demanding tattoo art nowadays because of its stunning appearance. Compared to colored tattoos (red, green, yellow, and blue) it’s less likely to cause skin infection provided quality colors are used. What makes black and grey tattoos unique is that it’s designed only in black and white colors. The artwork involves diluting black ink with water in combination with white that gets the desired kind of grey tones that the image demands. To get ideas of amazing black and grey tattoos, you can explore tattoo artworks of Tokyo, Phuket, and London.
Portraiture
Portrait tattoos have been highly popular because it offers an incredible opportunity to ink your body with a personalized tattoo. If you are one of those who have lost someone of dearly loved, like your parents, best friend, sister, or pet, you can get your body tattooed with a life-like image of your loved one by an expert tattooist. So, it can be used as a great memorial – you can also consider a portrait tattoo as a fan of a great celebrity, famous personality, and just anything.
Geometric
These days, geometric tattoos have been most cherished and can be truly timeless if done expertly. In fact, almost all tattoo designs have a close bonding with geometric tattooing ideas that bring a sense of regularity, balance, or even mystery. Geometric tattoos may combine one or more fine lines, squares, triangles, squares, and all shots of geometric figures. Once they are merged together, they form awesome tattoos of complex patterns that beautify millions of tattoo lovers worldwide. It can be drawn both abstracts of natural images like animals.
Apart from the above, there are Blackwork, Biomechanical, Realistic Trash Polka, Realism, and Surrealism tattoo ideas.
Tattoo Removal – How Many Tattoo Removal Sessions Will I Need?
Tattoos are a form of creative self-expression and have gathered immense popularity in the past few decades. However, with an increasing number of people choosing to get inked, there is a simultaneous rise in the number of people who regret their tattoos. The two options in such a case are either to live with an unwanted tattoo or get it removed with the help of a professional.
Many people consider tattoo removal methods painful and extremely risky. Hence, they chose temporary solutions like covering it up with their clothes or makeup. An unwanted tattoo should not create a hindrance in your life. The tattoo removal business exists to address these issues. Let us discuss tattoo removal treatments and the time it requires.
Consultation with a professional.
The first and the most crucial step to getting a tattoo removed is a consultation with a professional. Your skin is unique, and so are your tattoos. The professionals will examine your tattoo and educate you about tattoo removal risk factors. They will also inform you about different options for tattoo removal and the expected time they may require.
A laser tattoo removal can take anywhere between 5-10 sessions to remove a tattoo. Also, your skin requires six to eight weeks in between sessions to heal completely. The duration is dependent on several factors like the size of the tattoo, its age, your overall health, etc.
A professional can provide you with an estimate considering all these specific factors for your tattoo. The effectiveness of laser removal ranges anywhere between 90-95%. Hence, if you are looking for complete removal, you may be slightly disappointed.
Numerous advanced methods have transformed the tattoo removal business. Hence, you can choose these latest tattoo removal techniques after consultation with an expert.
Factors affecting the tattoo removal process
Several factors impact the tattoo removal process and its duration. Let us discuss them in detail.
- The health of an individual
People with overall good health also have healthy skin. Hence, the process of removal in such a case is quicker, and the skin heals faster.
People with health issues and regular smokers may face some issues with the overall tattoo removal process. However, that does not mean you have to live with an unwanted tattoo. It just requires you to be a little patient with the removal process.
Also, inculcating healthy habits, like eating more fruits and regular exercises will help in the healing process.
- Type of ink used
The use of inks in tattoos is highly unregulated. Hence, every artist uses a different type of ink and pigment. Tattoo removal business experts need to examine each tattoo to assess the type and quantity of ink and pigments used in the tattoo. These are important considerations that impact the duration of the tattoo removal process.
- Age of tattoo
The tattoos are made with a machine that continuously punctures the skin and injects the tattoo ink into the dermal layer. The ink creates a layer of large foreign particles that result in the appearance of your tattoo design.
However, with time our body gradually expels some of these particles. Hence, an older tattoo appears dull in comparison to a new one.
The age of a tattoo is an important consideration. It is much easier to remove an old and faded tattoo than a new vibrant one.
Duration of an individual session.
Just like overall tattoo removal treatment, the individuals’ sessions can also vary in duration. The size of the tattoo and the number of colors used can be determining factors for each tattoo removal session.
Now that you have gathered all the information about tattoo removal, you can book an appointment with a tattoo removal business expert and choose the most suitable process for yourself.
Tattoo Ideas – Three Reasons Why to Pay Extra for a Good Tattoo Artist
A tattoo is more or less of a permanent type of body art and that is why it is essential to get it done by a professional, experienced tattoo artist. You do not want to take the risk of getting a botched tattoo design that you then have to undergo laser treatments to remove. It may cost you more to get a tattoo from one of the top tattoo artists in Miami, but the investment will be well worth it in the long run.
You will have an excellently rendered tattoo that will continue to make an individual statement over the years and which you will be proud to show off to everyone.
Three reasons why to pay extra for a good tattoo artist
When you get a tattoo done by one of the top tattoo artists in Miami, you will need to be prepared to pay him or her a higher rate than what you would pay less experienced professionals. If necessary, you might want to wait a few months to save up before you go for the procedure. There are three main reasons why paying extra for a good tattoo artist will benefit you:
1. Superior artistic skills
The top tattoo artists in Miami stand out from others in the industry due to their superior artistic skills. They have an innate talent that they have honed through dedicated practice. They will have an extensive portfolio of tattoo designs showcasing their creative and imaginative range. You may probably find it overwhelming to sift through so many outstanding designs and pick one.
If you already have a design idea, tattoo artists can draw it and improve it further with their artistic expertise. They may also customize it to suit the location in which you want the tattoo. You can then get a unique, striking, and high-quality tattoo in a single color or multiple colors that will be exactly like your selected design.
2. Good communication skills
Another reason for paying extra for a good tattoo artist is that most of the top tattoo artists in Miami will be excellent communicators. They will be willing to discuss the tattooing procedure in detail and explain to you what the process involves the tattooing device will use the ingredients in the ink pigment, and their efficacy and safety. They will let you know about the amount of pain to expect while undergoing the procedure and use a numbing agent to ease your discomfort.
The tattoo artists will also inform you of the aftercare steps you need to take until the tattoo heals, such as not getting it wet or exposing it to direct sunlight. They may also offer some long-term maintenance tips to keep the tattoo looking good, such as regularly applying moisturizer to your skin.
3. Usage of best practices
When you get a tattoo from one of the top tattoo artists in Miami, you know you are in safe hands. Florida requires tattoo artists to have formal training and licensing to practice. The top artists will have a tattoo artist license, a tattoo establishment license, and a biomedical waste generator permit. As per the Florida Department of Health’s requirement, they must also have completed a course on bloodborne pathogens and communicable diseases. In short, they will know what they are doing, and they will be competent at it.
The best tattoo establishment will have a clean, sterile environment, and the tattoo artist will use modern tattooing equipment to speed up the tattooing process. The needles that he or she uses for tattooing will be new, well-packaged needles, and you can ask the tattoo artist to unpack these in front of you. Furthermore, the tattoo ink pigments that the artist use will have been tested safe, and he or she will inform you of the ingredients.
You may want to make sure you are not allergic to any of them by doing a tattoo ink patch test. Apply the ink to the inner elbow skin and wait for 24 hours.
Additionally, the tattoo artist will wear gloves, masks, and other protective gear while carrying out the tattoo procedure. Using such best practices will reduce the likelihood of you getting an infection afterward.
Know the Various Tattoo Removal Techniques
The common tattoo removal techniques can be bifurcated into two categories; verified and non-verified. Verified tattoo removal techniques involve laser tattoo removal and other non-laser tattoo removal techniques. Homemade DIY remedies can also be used, but they are non-verified and have several risks and aftereffects.
Sometimes, people casually go for tattoo removal without consulting a dermatologist causing many repercussions. Before you go for tattoo removal, it is always better to consult a dermatologist. A dermatologist can recommend the right process for your skin and sometimes even suggest the best tattoo removal school.
Let us discuss a few common techniques of tattoo removal.
A. Laser removal method
A tattoo on the skin is an amalgamation of bigger foreign particles which the human immune system cannot remove. The laser method is imparted on our skin so that the bigger foreign particles can be broken up into small pieces and then cleared by our immune system.
Laser technique for tattoo removal is considered safe, but sometimes it may result in the appearance of bruises, blisters, and scabs.
There are four basic types of laser tattoo removal techniques.
- QSL (Quality Switched Lasers) The method of Quality Switched Lasers is based on the principle of Selective Photo thermolysis. This method involves the heating of the ink placed on the skin but not more than its TRT (thermal relaxation time).
By applying heat on the skin, the pigmented cells are destroyed. This results in the fading of the tattoo ink and thereby the removal of the visible tattoo.
- Picosecond laser technique
Another laser technique used for tattoo removal is the Picosecond laser technique. According to studies, the picosecond laser method for tattoo removal is better than the quality switched laser method. This is because of the better penetrating power of the lasers used in the latter.
- R20 or Multi-pass treatments
Many tattoo removal schools claim that traditional methods involving single-pass laser treatment are inferior in comparison to the R20 procedure. The process involves laser treatment of the tattoo multiple times with an interval of twenty minutes between the treatment.
- Intense pulsed light therapy
This method has the same procedure of breaking down the ink pigments on the skin. However, it is not much in use because it may not be suitable for people with dark skin tones.
Laser treatment will not completely erase the tattoo, even after repeated sessions, although it may lighten the ink mark. After going through laser treatment, there is a possibility of blisters or swelling and bleeding.
B. Non-laser tattoo- removal
- Tattoo removal by surgery
Studies have shown that surgical removal of a tattoo is 90% effective only in the case of tattoos that are smaller in size. In this case, before the process, the tattooed region is numbed using an anesthetic. After that, the tattoo is removed by a scalpel and the edges of the skin are stitched again.
Applying an anti-bacterial ointment helps in healing stitches. However, the stitch may leave a scar on the skin after the tattoo is removed.
- Dermabrasion
Again, in this method, the tattooed area is numbed before the removal begins. A rotary device having a brush or an abrasive wheel is used to go into the deeper levels of the dermis. The device sands away the upper layer and reveals unblemished skin underneath.
The skin may remain sore for many days after the tattoo removal, and it takes more than two weeks to recover. Also, this method is less effective as compared to the laser technique.
- Chemical peel
This method involves the use of glycolic acid peel, acid injections, and TCA chemicals for the removal of the tattoo embedded on the skin.
This method burns the tattooed area and may leave a scar.
- salabrasion
The tattoo removal technique involves applying salt as a scrub. It is a traditional method that removes the scar mark. However, it is a painful procedure that leaves a scar. It may also cause pigmentation and infection.
Apart from all the above-mentioned tattoo removal techniques, other traditional DIY processes are still in use. However, they are not approved by any tattoo removal school.
They involve the use of several natural ingredients such as aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, and others. However, these home remedies are not always beneficial.
Hair Tattoo: Procedure, Costs, and Risks
Moderate to extensive hair loss is a common phenomenon in men in their late forties. If you have experienced hair loss and seek affordable alternatives to hair transplants, you may want to consider getting a hair tattoo or a scalp micropigmentation procedure.
What is a hair tattoo?
A hair tattoo is a non-surgical procedure that involves carrying out cosmetic pigmentation on the scalp. That produces an illusion of very short hair on the scalp, similar to what a buzz haircut might look like. It is useful for concealing bald spots, hair loss due to health conditions, scars due to burns, or thinning hairlines.
How does the hair tattoo procedure work?
When you first visit the scalp micropigmentation (SMP) practitioner, he or she will examine your scalp and discuss what portion of it you want to get tattooed. The practitioner will inform you of what is involved in the procedure and how many treatments you might need to get the desired result. He or she will also inform you of the tattoo ink that might best suit you and the cost of the entire procedure.
On the day of the procedure, the SMP practitioner will clean your scalp and mark the scalp area that is to be treated. He or she may use a numbing agent to reduce the pain of the procedure and you may experience only a little discomfort. The hair tattoo procedure involves implanting ink pigment into the upper epidermal layer of the skin. Using an electric tattoo, the scalp micropigmentation practitioner will create numerous tiny dots in different hues of black. Together, the layered dot tattoos will create a natural-looking appearance.
Depending on your requirement, you may need to get three or four micropigmentation treatment sessions with at least a week between them. Spacing out the treatments in this way will allow your scalp to recover and rejuvenate. While the treatment is going on, you must take care to not wet your scalp or expose it to direct sunlight for at least four days after each session.
The SMP treatment is considered to produce a permanent effect, but the color will likely fade as your scalp skin exfoliates naturally and you may need to touch up the scalp area after five to eight years. The dot tattoos may also fade faster on dry skin, so you will need to take care to moisturize your scalp regularly.
What is the cost of the hair tattoo procedure?
The cost of the hair tattoo procedure can depend on how much of your scalp you want to tattoo and the treatments you need require to get the effect you desire. The cost can also vary according to how well-trained and experienced the SMP practitioner is, the following the SMP center has, and the city in which the center is located. Generally, though, the price for tattooing a small scalp area may be between $400 to $1000.
What are the benefits of the hair tattoo procedure?
The main benefit of the scalp micropigmentation procedure is that it can quickly produce a satisfying result. The procedure does not take a long time to do and it heals fast. It is generally safe and long-lasting and requires little maintenance over the years.
What are the risks of the hair tattoo procedure?
While the scalp micropigmentation procedure is generally safe, there are also some risks involved that you should be aware of before you go ahead with it. The tattoo ink can cause allergic reactions in some people. There can also be a risk of infection.
It is important to discuss these risks with the SMP practitioner and ask about the safety measures they take to mitigate them. It is advisable that you also check if the practitioner has a certification of SMP training, a blood-borne pathogens certification, and an operation area health permit. The center should also have a clean, sterile environment. Look at their tattoo portfolio and read customer reviews.
When the practitioner carries out the procedure, he or she should wear gloves, masks, and other appropriate protective gear. You should make sure that the needles come well-packaged and ask him or her to open them in front of you.