Tattoo You?

Posted April 29, 2008, 5:25 pm in Beauty by Growing Bolder


So you're considering your first ever tattoo? Cool. Tattoos are no longer just for bikers, sailors, criminals and prostitutes. They've gone mainstream in a big way. It's estimated that over 15 % of all American adults now have tattoos. The percentage is much higher among actors, athletes and supermodels. Even though it's no longer a big deal, it is a big decision. You're not a kid anymore so don't make a teenage mistake. Here's a quick primer to help make sure you don't regret your decision.

A little background. The word tattoo, from the Tahitian "tatu" is an indelible mark created by the insertion of pigment under the skin. Tattooing is usually done with a rapid-injection-electrical device that moves a needle or needles very quickly back and forth, pricking the skin many times each second producing the desired design via the deposit of insoluble inks just below the surface of the skin. As the tattoo heals, new skin grows back over the ink, permanently sealing the artwork into your body.

Think small. A big tattoo can turn into a big mistake. Once you sober up, you probably won't want a topless mermaid all over your back. Small tattoos are not as costly and far more personal. If you pick a tattoo from the pictures on a studio wall you can be certain that a lot of other people have the same design. That's not necessarily a bad thing but if you're looking for something unique you might want to pick an artist and then spend some time together coming up with an original design.

Think discreet. Think of a tattoo as an accessory. You don't want it seen all the time. Place it where it can be easily covered up with normal clothing. A forearm is always a better idea than a forehead. Signs of the zodiac and Chinese symbols are simple and will always be in style.

Remember, tattoos are permanent and many relationships are not. Once the ink is under your skin, there's not much you can do to get rid of it. You can have it covered up with another tattoo or try to remove it with a laser but that can be difficult, expensive and painful. Johnny Depp changed "Winona Forever" on his arm to "Wino Forever" when his affair with Winona Ryder ended. Roseanne had her "Property of Tom Arnold" posterior tattoo covered up after their divorce. When his relationship with Paris Hilton came to an end, Nick Carter covered up his "Paris" wrist tattoo with a skull and crossbones. There's no official word on what has become of the "Nick" tattoo Paris reportedly inked on her butt. Angelina Jolie had the "Billy Bob" tattoo removed from her upper arm after her failed marriage to Billy Bob Thornton.

Shop around. Visit several tattoo studios and talk to the artists. Ask to see his or her portfolio. Selecting the right artist is at least as important as selecting the right design. The difference in skill levels is immense and you have one shot to get it right. Don't settle for mediocre results. Do your research. You're shopping for fine art that will be displayed on your body forever. Don't skimp.

Check out the studio - very closely. When it comes to cleanliness it pays to be paranoid. If it's not applied in sterile conditions, with sterile implements, a tattoo opens you up to the risk of HIV or Hepatitis transmission. It is IMPERATIVE that your tattoo artist works in a clean studio with clean needles. Ask to see his autoclave. That's the machine used to sterilize medical instruments. Your dentist has one. So does your doctor. If your tattoo studio doesn't have one, leave. Ask if the artist uses new needles on each and every customer. If he doesn't, leave. Even if the needles are sterilized, used needles can be dull and cause some serious skin problems. When you're in the chair and ready to begin make sure you see the needles being removed from the autoclave bag. Your dentist does this in front of you and so should your tattoo artist. Make sure the artist is wearing gloves.

Does it hurt? You be the judge and let us know. Everyone has a different pain threshold. Most agree it does hurt, but not a lot. According to those with experience here's something to consider:

• Most Painful Areas for Men - Abdomen, Spine, Chest
• Most Painful Areas for Women - Ankle, Spine, Ribcage

• Least Painful Areas: Men - Buttocks, Arm, Back
• Least Painful Areas for Women - Abdomen, Buttocks, Thigh, Shoulder

How much is it going to cost? A good tattoo is not cheap. There are a lot of people tattooing these days, which means you can get one on the cheap but you get what you pay for. Look for quality, and be willing to pay for it.

Potential downside: There are many possible health side effects to getting a tattoo including:

• Hypersensitivity to the red dye which contains mercury (a known brain contaminant)
• Photosensitivity to the yellow pigment, cadmium (another toxic metal).
• Many pigments in tattoos are ferromagnetic and may pose a health hazard during MRI studies.
• Certain types of viral hepatitis, including hepatitis B and C, can be transmitted through tattoo needles contaminated with infected blood. Until recently, many tattoo parlors would commonly reuse needles. Until recently, many tattoo parlors would commonly reuse needles. Since education has increased, it is uncommon to find a tattoo parlor that does not use sterile needles for each client.
• Transmission of HIV by tattooing is possible; though the only reported cases are from tattoos obtained in prison.
• Reports of transmission of syphilis and cutaneous tuberculosis have occurred.
• Rare complications may include malignant melanomas, basal cell carcinomas, and granulomas at the
  design site.

© 2006-2009. Growing Bolder Media Group. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.