Frequently Asked Questions About Tattoos
Tattoos have been growing in popularity in recent years, and
many people you would never suspect have taken the plunge. From
the young lady at the day care center to the elderly gentleman
at the casino, chances are increasingly good that they will be
sporting a tattoo somewhere on their body.
Tattoos are at their heart a sign of individuality, and as more
and more people seek a way to set themselves apart from the
crowd, the popularity of tattoos as a form of self expression is
only likely to grow.
Of course getting a tattoo is not something to be taken lightly,
and if you have been considering a tattoo, chances are you have
a number of questions. This article seeks to answer some of the
most frequently asked questions about tattoos.
Does it hurt? This is probably the number one question
encountered by tattoo artists, and the answer is yes. It does
hurt to get a tattoo, but the level of pain will vary from
person to person. When you get a tattoo, you are having the
color inserted into your skin by needles, so there obviously
will be some discomfort. However, getting a tattoo rarely hurts
so much that the pain cannot be managed.
In general, the closer to the bone the tattoo is done the
greater the level of pain will be, so if you have a low
tolerance for pain be sure to ask the tattoo artist about the
best location for your tattoo.
Will alcohol dull the pain? This is perhaps the second most
frequently asked question, and one of the most persistent myths
about getting tattooed is that being drunk will make it easier.
This is not true, and no reputable tattoo artist will agree to
tattoo a person who is clearly intoxicated. The best way to dull
the pain is to go into the tattoo studio with a relaxed and
positive attitude, and to focus on how great the finished
product will look.
How is a tattoo applied? Many things have changed in the tattoo
industry, but the machine used to create the tattoo has remained
largely unchanged since it was invented way back in 1896. While
there have been quite a few advances in the quality of the
equipment used, the process is mostly the same.
The tattoo machine uses a needle or combination of needles to
first draw a line and then to apply the color. The tattoo
pigment is inserted directly into the cells of the epidermal
layer of the skin, with the new skin growing over the top
providing a protective layer over the new tattoo.
How long does it take to get a tattoo? The time required to get
a tattoo will vary along with the size and complexity of the
tattoo. In addition, some parts of the body will take longer to
tattoo than others because the skin there is harder to work
with. Areas of the body like the stomach can take longer to
tattoo because the skin there is more difficult to stretch.
Is it safe to get a tattoo? If done by a quality, reputable
tattoo artist, the process of getting a tattoo is quite safe.
Tattoo artists used disposable needles, and the same needles
never touch more than one patient. The practice of using
disposable needles, coupled with good hygiene practices used in
the shop, make for a safe and comfortable tattoo experience.
It is, of course, important to make sure the tattoo artist uses
the most hygienic practices. As a customer, you can tell a lot
simply by looking around the shop. Does the shop appear neat and
tidy, or are lots of pieces of equipment lying around? If you
are uneasy about the quality of the surroundings, find another
tattoo artist.