Tattooing Tips

Before visiting the tattoo studio make sure that the tattoo studio has biohazard containers for blood-stained objects, sharps containers for old needles, autoclaves and accessible facilities for washing the hands with hot water and soap.
Go for a knowledgeable, well-mannered and helpful tattoo artist.
A knowledgeable tattoo artist will not tattoo minors, mentally ill and also the drunken ones.
A professional tattoo artist ensures that the customer is satisfied with and sure about the design before applying the tattoo design.
He will be in a position to answer all your questions.
You must insist that the tattoo artist wash his or her hands with water and soap or a standard sanitizing agent, and wear latex gloves.
Before tattooing, make sure that the artist always opens new, sterile needle packages in front of you and always use new, sterile disposable instruments.
Always keep in mind to remind the artist to use fresh ink for each session.
The tattoo artist must provide clear tattoo aftercare instructions and products
To ascertain authenticity of the artist you can enquire about his/her association with professional organizations and groups.

Meaning of Tattoo

Different people have different opinions about the meaning of the word, tattoo. According to many, the word reminds of the sounds made by the tattooing machine while making tattoos on the skin of those being tattooed. Then, there is another school of thought which says that the name tattoo is derived from the Polynesian word "ta" which means striking something. It is interesting to note that in England the word tattoo was common much before the voyage of Cook. In England the word tattoo was used to describe the beating of military drums. As both the words have their roots in Latin for marking the action of strikingor beating, over the years they might have got rolled into one.

Purposes of Tattooing

Tattooing is known to man for thousands of years. Different regions have their own purpose of tattooing. In some areas they tattoo their bodies as a part of tradition whereas in some regions people go for tattooing for cosmetic, religious, medicinal purposes. But most of the people sport tattoos to make style statements and express themselves and their personalities. Whatever the reasons, there is no denying the fact tattoo has been one of the most liked art forms for a large number of people throughout the world. Today people display all kinds of tattoos on their bodies, though types of tattoos being worn differs from region to region and person to person.

History of Tattoo

The art of Tattoo has been around for thousands of years. The styles and reasons for tattoo have varied from individual to individual as they have from society to society. Some tattoos were prepared for simple ornamentation, others done for religious beliefs and others still for reasons known better to their wearers. Tattooing has existed in one form or another across the earth since time immemorial and the popularity of tattoo art is most likely continue for centuries.

Though the fundamental concept of tattoo has been constant throughout the history, the styles and reasons for tattoo have evolved along with man's own development. An interesting example of this has been found at the back of a man on the slopes of the Alps. He was buried their 5 thousands years ago. The significance to these tattooed, if there was any other then to decorate the body is unknown. Some people think that tattooing was done for medicinal purposes. The pigments used in tattooing may have been a certain type of berry known to have some curative and healing effects for different ailments.

The history of tattoos can be traced back to both primitive and historic culture as far back as before the birth of Christ. For these cultures, tattoos signified importance or power and were generally reserved for religious figures in their community. Even the early Christians used tattoos as symbols of acknowledgment until 787 AD when the church edict forbade them. The word tattoo comes from the sound the tattooing instrument makes on the skin of those being tattooed and derives from the Polynesian word 'ta' which means to strike something.

Modern Tattooing evolved from the early days of Chatham square in New York City. It was Charlie Wagner who opened a supply business with Lew Alberts and began early tattoo flash art. Tattoos became a popular cosmetic surgery at this time, adding blush, colored lips and eyeliner. The tattooing culture hit an all time low in 1961 when an outbreak of hepatitis sent the industry into a downward spiral. The media began reporting stories of hepatitis and other diseases, based on most tattoo shops having the equipment to sterilize their tools, but very few shops using them. Today tattoos are as popular and safe as they ever have been. There are new tattoo shops opening regularly to meet the growing demand.