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.