My Daily Tattoo

Why Do Tattoo Colors Fade?

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Choosing A Talented Tattoo Artist

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On December 8, 1891, the first electric tattoo machine was register by Samuel O’Reilly, it’s inventor. It was based on a machine for embroidering fabric patented by Thomas Edison in 1875. O’Reilly began working out of a barber shop in New York City, and called his business a “tattoo parlor” which was the first one in the United States. Soon tattoo parlors were showing up all over the country, often in port towns and cities, to serve members of the navy which was the first branch of the military to widely adopt tattooing as a tradition.

From that beginning there are now thousands of tattoo artists in the country. Just like in everything, some are better and more talented than others. You want to spend a little time finding that artist who you like and who will do a quality job for you.

The only real way to tell whether or not an artist is good is to see examples of their work. Verbal recommendations are helpful, of course, but carry a lot more weight if the person making the recommendation is able to show you a real example of the artist’s work - like on their own body. It’s best to not take someone’s word for it. You should get a look at the artist’s work yourself. It’s always best to see actual examples of the work on a live person who can tell you who created he tattoo.

People are usually proud of their tattoos, and if you seem genuinely interested most folks will be happy to tell you about their design. Tattoo magazines are also a good source for information. The photo-essays they publish about various artists are likely to be well-researched and legitimate examples of the artists’ work. The key is to shop around and find someone really talented as the quality of your tattoo depends so much on the talent of the tattoo artist.

Not only must a tattoo artist be excellent at drawing or tracing many designs of tattoos, but many times the customer will come in with a tattoo design and want the tattoo artist to interpret the customer’s idea. By taking the concept of the customer, the tattoo artist must try their best to bring the customer’s idea to life. The tattoo artist must be able to relate to the customer, understand the customer’s request and be creative enough to materialize the idea. Some customers may come in with no specific tattoo design, just the idea of what they want the tattoo to represent, and leave it up to the artist to create the kind of tattoo they are requesting. Now that takes talent and creativity!

As we have advised before don’t be in a rush. Take your time to find an artist whose work you have seen and choose a design you will be proud to wear the rest of your life.

What To Do On The Day You Get Your Tattoo

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When the day and time comes to get your new tattoo there are some things you can do to prepare yourself so you will be as comfortable as possible.

First, eat a light, healthy meal two to four hours before your tattooing appointment, or at least drink some juice or non-diet soda to keep your blood sugar level up. Bring a friend or family member, if that will help you sooth your nervousness. Go to the studio in comfortable, loose clothing and take a shower or bath beforehand. Depending on the location of your tattoo, it might be difficult to shower for a few days after the procedure so you should be prepared for that. Get a good night rest the night before your appointment and go sober - no drugs or alcohol.

Getting a tattoo involves piercing the skin, and so there is going to be some pain involved, no matter how small the tattoo and no matter where it is on your body. The amount and type of pain experienced is highly variable depending on each individual’s tolerance to and acceptance of pain. While there is no way to anticipate the amount of pain you will experience, arriving with a certain amount of determination will almost certainly guarantee you that it won’t hurt as nearly as much as you expected. The pain you experience while getting tattooed is a unique and certainly bearable pain. Take the opportunity to enjoy a new and unique experience that will mark the emergence of a “new you” from the tattoo studio.

You should be given instructions on caring for your new tattoo from your artist. But to be clear, this is a wound to your skin. It takes a while for it to heal, and to make sure you are happy with the end results you need to help it along. Don’t rip the bandage off like its a stuck band-aid, remove it very carefully. Wash and use an antibiotic cream. You’ll need to do this several times a day for the next few days. Don’t let it get dirty, and for heaven’s sake don’t pick or scratch at the wound and do not remove the scab - be patient and let the healing process take care of itself. If you mess around with your tattoo while it is healing you can change the way it looks and you might not be pleased with the final results.

Your Decision To Get A Tattoo

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If you have no personal artistic talents picking out the perfect tattoo can be an incredibly difficult process. This design is going to be on your body for the rest of your life, so you need to be 100% sure it’s what you really want. Using tattoo and tattoo design pictures can be a huge help in determining what the perfect tattoo is for you. Use them to narrow down your selections and give you idea of what others are doing. If you have an artistic friend then you can often use the designs you see as inspiration for something that is truly and originally “you”.

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It’s Your Body - Where To Place Your Tattoo

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Before getting your tattoo you need to carefully decide where you want it placed.

Placement is a critical decision because changes in your life or lifestyle might have unintended consequences. For example, a stomach tattoo for a woman who eventually wants to have children is probably not a good location. After pregnancy a tattoo over stretch marks can be very unsightly.

You also need to consider your profession and job before getting your tattoo. It might be important for you to be able to easily conceal your tattoo if needed. Think into the future - how will the placement of the tattoo affect you as your life changes?

One of the most popular places for a tattoo is the shoulder. Shoulder tattoos date back many thousands of years and are thought to have identified an individual’s rank within a tribe. They are a great compromise for people who need to cover their tattoos for work or school. Shoulder tattoos, unlike ones placed on the upper arm, don’t require you to wear long sleeves in order to cover them. Unlike some back tattoos you don’t have to go topless and a tank top will let you to show them off. As an added plus the shoulder is generally considered among the least painful places to get a tattoo.

One advantage of shoulder tattoos is how long they can last and keep their brightness and definition. The two factors that can influence the longevity of a tattoo is exposure to sunlight and how much stretching and bending the skin will have to do. Sun exposure will fade the tattoo ink and the less stretching and bending of the skin the less likely it is that the inks will migrate and cause the details to blur. Shoulder tattoos are also easy for the artist to do and are among the least expensive.

The wrist tattoo is gaining in popularity as shown by the number of top celebrities getting them. Nicole Ritchie, Britney Spears, Jessica Alba and Ashlee Simpson all have wrist tattoos. There are many designs you can get on your wrist, including stars, words, Celtic knots, barbed wire, flowers, or hearts. If your profession frowns on tattoos the wrist is a location where the tattoo can sometimes be hidden under a watch band at work, then shown off after hours.

If you’re a professional you should carefully consider where you put your tattoo. Tribal bands can be on an ankle or high enough on an arm to still look great and be out of the way of co-workers that may criticize you at work. You can still have a great career and a great tattoo together, you just have to be careful to place your tattoo where it can be covered and will not show at work. This doesn’t mean you are selling out, it means that you have the good sense to compromise on something that could have a lasting impact on your professional career.

Since a tattoo is permanent, don’t just waltz into the nearest tattoo parlor, take a quick look at their offerings and decided what you like there on the spot. Though this can be a good technique for getting ideas for you tattoo, there’s no rush to get inked. Put some very serious thought into it. Choose an image you like and think about where on your body you want it placed. Take a few weeks or perhaps even months before making your final decision. This is an important decision - there should be no rush.

Choosing A Tattoo Shop You Are Comfortable With

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When you are ready to get your tattoo, shop around and find a place where you feel comfortable.

A good tattoo shop realizes that its clients may be a little nervous, especially if the tattoo is their first. If a tattoo artist tries to intimidate you or to force you into a decision you are not comfortable with, keep moving. Plenty of great tattoo shops believe in customer satisfaction. Your tattoo is permanent, so take the time to make sure that you are really getting what you want.

The best way to find good tattoo shops is by word of mouth recommendations. Check internet forums, go to trade shows and ask your friends. Find out where other people are going to get great service. You want to talk to these customers and find out for yourself.

If you do find a great tattoo shop, spread the word. The artist will appreciate the acknowledgment and the business that you bring his or her way. You are helping to build the community by personally recommending an artist you know personally does quality work.

When checking out a place to get your tattoo, pay attention to the lighting in the studio. At the best tattoo parlors your tattoo will be done in natural light so you can judge how it will normally appear. If it is done under fluorescent lighting be careful. Fluorescent lighting will heighten the effect of yellow and greens inks while graying the blues and reds.

For your health and safety, make sure your tattoo parlor will sterilize their packaged needles and tubes in an autoclave (a device for sterilizing the tools and equipment) before use. Any equipment they use on a customer, including inks, gloves, razors, ink cups, and ointments, should be discarded after use and the artist should wipe down the work area with a chemical agent that destroys any germs or viruses. Anything which is exposed to human blood should either be disposed of or processed through the autoclave.

A good tattoo shop will always have tattoo flash or books of their work available. In addition to looking through their portfolio of tattoos, each tattoo artist should display the paperwork identifying their state license. Good tattoo shops, which are proud of their business’ quality, will gladly have all of the certificates on display, which address things like cleanliness and their policy on new needles. Some will post copies of the artist’s hepatitis immunization records.

Stand around and watch them work for a while. Make sure that all tattoo ink, needles, and ointments are stored separately and that they are always new. A good shop will be happy to make you feel safe and comfortable. After all, a good shop wants you to come back again and again, and to recommend their services to your friends.

Girl Foot Tattoo: Finding The Right Design For You

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by Reese Lanter

Girl foot tattoo is becoming more and more popular with women these days. The foot is definitely one of the most unique place where you can sport a tattoo. Just like any other tattoo though, getting a foot tattoo is a major decision. Here are some important points that you should know about foot tattoos.

The Benefits of a Foot Tattoo

People may have different reasons for getting a foot tattoo. You might still be unsure though about the advisability of getting a foot tattoo. Why would the foot be a great place for a tattoo? One major reason for this is that they aren’t as common as lower back and arm tattoos for women. Although foot tattoos are gradually becoming popular, they are still comparatively uncommon. Getting a foot tattoo will make you feel more unique than other tattooed individuals.

Foot tattoos also seem less obvious. This is important for some people who want to keep their tattoos discreet. You may want for example to have a tattoo of something significant but do not want to flash it outright for the whole world to see. A foot tattoo would therefore be perfect. You can have a small design that you can show or hide at your own discretion.

Girl Foot Tattoo Disadvantages

Some tattoo artists don’t do foot tattoos. This is because there can be a couple of hitches to foot tattoos. This is also most likely why the foot isn’t as popular as other tattoo sites. One major concern is that the ink on foot tattoos tends to spread, scatter or blur faster than those on other tattoos. You may have to get your tattoo re-inked more often than other tattoos.

Tattoos on the foot are also generally more painful. This is because of the foot’s flesh being close to capillaries and bones. Unless you haven’t noticed yet, most tattoos are located in areas with a lot of flesh. This minimizes the pain during the tattooing process. The pain of a foot tattoo can actually extend beyond the actual process. It shouldn’t be a surprise to you if you feel some discomfort while using your feet.

You also have to consider about your recovery and activities after getting a tattoo on foot. It can make more than two weeks for a foot tattoo to heal. In this span of time, the tattoo has to be kept dry and clean. You also have to avoid getting your tattoo rubbed. This is very difficult to do with a foot tattoo. You may have to spend the entire time away from closed shoes.

Precautions

Now you know the unique challenges of getting a foot tattoo. You might still want to get one though. If you are really bent on it then the best thing that you can do is to find an experienced tattoo artist. Remember that not everyone does foot tattoos. You should therefore pick one who knows how to do it properly and with the least pain possible. You could also settle for smaller designs. These would be ideal for feminine feet. You would also have to deal with less pain and blurring.

A girl foot tattoo can be an entirely different experience even for the avid tattoo fan. You have to be sure though that you are absolutely willing and ready to meet the unique concerns of a foot tattoo.

Tattoo Designs for Women and Where to Get the Best Ones

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The whole field of tattoos for women is growing at a tremendous rate. If you think back even 20 years ago tattoos for women were not all that popular and most of the women getting them were keeping them covered up. However times have definitely changed and tattoo designs have really advanced at a tremendous rate. Today’s tattoo have more brilliant colors and are a far cry from your grandfathers Hawaiian girl tattoo on his forearm.

It used to be that women would get an occasional rose or name tattoos on their breast or some well hidden spot. However with current fashion trends there are tons of cute tattoo designs for women out there are women are now getting tattoos at an amazing rate.

Women’s tattoo designs and placement have also changed with this new growth. No longer are women getting simple tattoos that they keep well hidden. Women are now getting cute tattoo designs done and placing them in more visible places.

Some of the most popular items to get tattoos of are:

1. Shooting Star Tattoos
2. Butterfly Tattoos
3. Unicorn Tattoos
4. Angel Tattoos
5. Fairy Tattoos
6. Dragonfly tattoos
7. Flower design tattoos

The most popular places for women to get tattoos done are:

1. lower back tattoo (especially popular recently with the whole hip hugger jeans)

2. ankle tattoos

3. front side of the hips (again hip hugger jeans have made this more popular)

4. butt cheek left or right

5. Belly button area

Another thing that this trend of women getting tattoos is that women often seek out custom tattoo designs. They don’t go to the local parlor and just by a tattoo flash design that is on display there. Women seem to spend a great deal more time contemplating the tattoos that they want done and tend to have more requirements about what they want. Therefore women tend to get custom tattoo designs. This allows them to get the exact look and feel they want and a custom designed tattoo is also fit to the location on the persons body so that it fits well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Ryerson

Understanding How Tattoos Work

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Tattoos have been around for thousands of years and are more popular today than at any time in recorded history. They are everywhere. Some studies show that around 35 percent of Americans aged 18-30 have tattoos. To most people tattoos represent a form of self expression and they view them as some sort of statement of their individuality. Most adults also feel sexier with tattoos.

So what exactly is a Tattoo?

A tattoo is a permanent mark, design or pattern made by inserting pigment (ink) into the second layer of the skin. Scientifically - tattooing is micro pigment implantation.

A tattoo is produced by puncturing the skin with special needles dipped in indelible inks. A needle injects ink into the cells of the dermis – the second layer of the skin.

Our skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissues. The outer layer that acts as a protective barrier and contains no blood vessels is called the Epidermis. Below that is a thicker layer called dermis and that is where tattoos go.

Because epidermis is constantly being replenished (we continue to produce and shed the top layer of the skin throughout lifetime), the tattooist pushes ink through the epidermis and leaves it in the dermis. The dermis stays pretty much the same for our entire life and this is why tattoos stay permanent while many other things done to the skin don’t.

A tattoo needle goes approximately 1.5mm (1/16 of a inch) into the skin. A tattooist must make sure that the ink goes in just deep enough to be permanent, but not to deep. The depth varies across the body – it’s deeper on the soles of the feet and thinner in other places like genitals.

If tattoo is done too deeply, into the third layer of the skin called subcutaneous layer, it can cause unnecessary pain and bleeding. It can also look blurred even as soon as it’s healed, because you have to look deeper (through more layers of the skin) to see it. If any less than a millimeter, it might leave scratches and simply wear off.

The skill with which the tattoo is properly applied 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 a lot of wannabes out there, so be careful.

Remember: A tattoo is as good as the artist who does it!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Hills

The Benefits of Long Term Tattoo After Care

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You’ve got past those first days of serious Tattoo After Care when all you want to do is scratch and pick at it or take the bandages off too soon to show your friends. What next? If you want that tattoo to stay bright and vibrant you have to care for it. It’s a piece of art and should be treated as such. Most Tattoo Artists are highly regarded and their devotees will travel across Countries and Continents to have work done by their idols, gone are the days when they were regarded as sleazy back alley practitioners of a suspect trade. You only have to look at the Artists present at the recent Seattle Tattoo Convention - and the queues of people wanting to take advantage of their services.

Good Tattoo after care practice needs to become a part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth - something you do without thinking about it. They key thing you must do to stop your tattoo from sinking into dull wrinkles is maintain the ‘canvas’ the Artist worked on, your skin. Keep it clean, nourished and healthy and you’ll have no problems. Your best friend is a good moisturizer - apply it gently and it will keep the skin soft and supple - especially important if you have your tattoo in places where there isn’t so much ‘padding’ - head, hands and feet. The lack of body fat under the skin in these areas can leave the skin very vulnerable to dryness and cracking - fatal to the maintenance of your tattoo.

The most important thing to protect the color is to keep it well protected from ultra violet so a good quality high SPF sun block is your tattoo’s best friend - at least factor 30. One thing it’s easy to forget is that you must reapply that sunblock several times a day if your tattoo is exposed for any length of time. We all remember to do it after we’ve been surfing or for a swim, but what about if you are just ‘out’ - it still needs to be reapplied regularly or you’ll find those lovely blues and greens fading to monochrome blue-grey which is not attractive!

When you have tattoos, especially by the great Tattoo Artists who are working today, you are a walking work of Art and you want to show off your body art at it’s best so it’s worth taking time to set up a quick and simple regime of care so that heads turn when you walk by for all the right reasons.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tricia_Myob

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