Adorn Your Body With Cross Tattoo Designs

The most common perception of cross tattoo designs is religious symbolism, although the different designs can have a wide assortment of meaning. There are many variations of cross tattoo designs from the Saint Andrew's cross to the iron cross. The design this article will explore is Celtic cross designs.

Celtic cross designs are extremely popular and are most often a combination of two symbols of various designs. The Latin cross and a circle are the foundation of Celtic crosses. It is thought that this cross was first introduced by St. Patrick, Christians are well aware of St. Patrick who attempted to convert pagan Irish people. However there are meanings beyond religious ideals attached to Celtic cross designs. For example, the Druids in the ancient world considered it a phallic symbol. The cross represents or symbolizes the sun to those who practice neo-paganism.

Yet another popular use for Celtic designs is the message of love. Love evokes great emotion in the human spirit and this can happen with Celtic cross designs, adding to the strength of a design and even more reason to consider Celtic cross tattoos for your body. Many times you will see a design with interweaving curves which has no end, the same idea as what a wedding ring symbolizes. It has no end and these loops represent the continuity of life and death. The death part of this statement signifies a connection with ancestors.

I've mentioned that crosses are closely connected to religious symbolization but in actuality Celtic cross designs are closer in similarity to tribal tattoos than the Christian cross when considering their meaning. When comparing tribal tattoos to Celtic cross tattoos you will notice the similarity is that they generally communicate a feeling rather than representing the cross that Jesus was crucified on.

Regardless what cross tattoo design you are considering you should conduct a through research of all the different designs to find a design that closely represents your reason for desiring such a tattoo. My goal would be to determine my top few designs and then consider how one could combine the detail from each that is most appropriate to my vision. I would not be shy about joining forums to communicate my ideas to those with similar interests, and to solicit their thoughts and experiences. This can be an extremely powerful tool in your endeavor to have a tattoo that is one of a kind and speaks to others about you simply by having it exposed.

Choosing the Perfect Tattoo Design for Your Lifestyle

When you are contemplating tattoo designs, heaps of people will advise you to bear in mind that tattoos are permanent, you will have it for life, and the judgments roll on. But don't fully dismiss the advice, down a bottle of booze and wander off to have a Thai bargirl's face tattooed on your biceps, cause the day will come when it may come back to haunt you! At one time or another, we all have spotted some very ghastly tattoo designs and you will surely not want to be the scapegoat for the world's biggest tattoo disasters However, with a bit more thought, maybe a little less tequila and a talented tattoo design artist you can have an exquisite and memorable tattoo that you'll be proud to show off. The first thing to think about when choosing your perfect tattoo is your initial tattoo design.

Possible designs to stay away of are names of boyfriends or girlfriends. Pretty obvious stuff - sometimes when that first flash of adolescent infatuation passes all you're left with is some broken CD's, a bag full of old t-shirts and your ex's name embossed upon your heart! Or that amazing heavy metal band along with their cool logo of 2 snakes wrapped around a large pair of naked breasts may be the coolest thing you've ever seen tattooed on someone's forearm right now but how will it feel picking the children up from kindly in 10 years time with it on show. Another important detail to consider in choosing your new tattoo is will it stand the test of time, take for example, the rose tattoo on your right breast may be appealing and seductive when you're twenty one, but 15 years on when you've breast-fed three kids the skin elasticity is not entirely going to be holding that pretty bit of ink where it was once!

So one final tidbit of general advice is try to be able to hide your tattoo if absolutely necessary - a good rule of thumb here is leave the backs of your hands and keep your neck clean and then if you've got to attend a funeral or front up in court everything else can be covered!But that's enough negativity - tattoo's are amazing and will showcase your individuality and creativity like no other art form! If you choose tattoo designs which have deep meaning for you or that you have drawn up yourself they will not ever become an item of shame and will always describe the individual you are and who you once were

Buying Tattoo Supplies

If you are starting a tattoo business buy the best equipments is very essential. These supplies can be bought at any retail stores selling tattoo supplies and equipments that will be required in this business. if you are starting right from the scratch buying new and good equipments is imperative. One of the vital reasons for buying the right tattoo kits is to run the business successfully and keep the customers coming back for more. Tattoos are something that are permanent and they last for life so if the right machine or needle isn't use it will ruin the design and the customer will be disappointed with the end result.

One of the easiest ways to purchase tattoo supplies is to do it online. Through online purchasing you can buy equipment that are sold in different parts of the world and buy the ones that are being recommended in the several customer reviews posted on the website you are making a purchase from. There are several brands that are manufacturing these and their manufacturers are creating websites online to make purchasing easy for their customers.

The price of the tattoo supplies differ from brand to brand and it also depends upon the quality. If budget is not a problem you can buy the best quality tattoo guns, needles, colors, tattoo machines, etc. there is also something called as artificial skin that these artists can use to practice on before they start tattooing on a human. This way he/she can get enough experience and get more familiar with how the machine has to be worked in order to get the best results. The equipments shouldn't cause any harm to both the artist and the customer.

One should always buy these tattoo kits in bulk so that they don't run out of stock after doing just a few tattoos. The needles and machines are of different shapes and sizes, so it is essential to buy one that you will be more comfortable with. These kits though expensive when ordered in bulk can be bought at a discount. The right supplies will give you the best and desired results and this in turn improves the relationship between the artist and the customer.

Just buying the right supplies isn't enough keeping them clean and in the right place is also vital. Especially if the needles aren't kept clean then the person who is getting the tattoo done will contract an infection.

You can always decorate your tattoo kits to make it look as attractive as possible. Once you have bought the right equipments and have opened a tattoo shop you are good to go

Getting a Tattoo

Tattoos are an increasing trend among everyone now. Once the youngsters are of an age when they don't need permission from their parents or guardians they go and get a tattoo for themselves. There are some temporary ones that can be removed with oil or water but the permanent ones are of more importance. Everyone would like to get at least on permanent one in their lifetime. This way they can have something that means a lot to them etched on their bodies forever. Some people think its madness but for those that love getting tattoos it really means something.

The people of the young generation normally like to get a cool or funky one done. But they don't understand is that once it is done it is done forever and there is nothing they can do to remove it. Thus it is advisable to get one that really represents some time, phase or memory in your life. If you get something that doesn't mean anything to you then you may end up regretting. This is the worst part of getting one that has no value in your life whatsoever.

There are several cool tattoos that can also represent some part of your past, present or future life. One must first decide why he or she needs one. Because getting one because one of your friend or relative has it seems completely pointless and unworthy. The first tattoo should always mean something important to you. You must spend enough time mulling over what you need and why you need it.

You can design it yourself or get someone to do it for you, but if you do it yourself you can get exactly what is in your mind on the paper better than someone else. You can get a picture and customize it according to your style and liking. One you have decided on the perfect design it is imperative to choose where to place it, whether you want it to be visible daily, whether it will affect your job, etc. no one else knows your body better than you so it is best if you choose where you want to place it.

After you're done deciding on the design and the placement it is time to choose the right artist. You should check the reputability of the artist. If you aren't sure which one to choose you can ask the other customers or read their testimonial in the diary of the artist. The size can be measured after you get to know the fees being charged per square inch. If the right artist is chosen you will get the desired results and there will be no regrets. It is famously said that you can never stop at one so the next time you decide on getting one done make sure you follow the same steps and don't hasten.

Tattoo Removal How It Works

Tattoo removal is a hot topic these days, considering the tattoo boom of the late 1990's to the early 2000's. Once considered permanent, tattoos can now be removed with special lasers and trained technicians at prices in just a few sessions. And, it does not matter if the tattoo is black or colored. Now, everything can be removed with great success.

So how does it work?

The removal process works by using laser energy directed at the tattooed area for a fraction of a second. The laser energy passes through the outer layer of the skin, targeting the tattoo ink directly. Tattoo removal lasers disrupts the ink, allowing your body to absorb it and break it down naturally.

So how does it feel?

The laser removal process has been described as feeling like a rubber band snapping against the skin. Others have described the process as feeling about the same as when they got their tattoo. Although their may be some discomfort, the time spent in the removal process is far less than the time it takes to actually get a tattoo. Most sessions are over within two minutes.

Because people react differently to low these low levels of pain, a high powered, topical anesthetic cream is often used to numb the area prior to treatment. As the area is treated, the skin is cooled with a cold air, cryo skin cooler that machine that provides even more comfort for your skin. The process is not immediate and usually takes a few visits. Visits are usually set out about six weeks apart to allow for the body to fully absorb the ink that had been disrupted by the laser. There are several individual factors that can affect the removal process, such as your immune system, skin tone, colors in the tattoo, type of ink used and the depth of tattoo.

Laser tattoo removal is a low risk, outpatient procedure that is safe and effective for all. It is far more effective than creams and in the long run, it costs far less

Hummingbird Tattoo Meaning Folklore and How to Find a Cool Hummingbird Tattoo

I have always found hummingbird tattoos interesting and intriguing. Tattoos nowadays are becoming more and more popular. A survey in 2003 found that in the USA 14% of the adults have tattoos. Most of them have smaller tattoos (like a hummingbird) though, and wear them in disguise.

Bird tattoos have grown in acceptance in the previous years, and have become part of the mainstream tattoos. Other popular bird tattoo designs include swallow tattoos, bald eagle tattoos, or American eagle tattoos. There is a lot of mysticism around hummingbird tattoos, about which you will learn in this article.

Basically, Hummingbird is a part of American Indian folklore and mythology. Some believe that the hummingbird once filled its pants with seed to go beyond the sun and see what is there. It only ate one seed per day, but was not able to complete the journey, because it fell short of food.

Another story concerning the hummingbird can be found in Brazil. There, it is believed that hummingbirds hoarded water so that human didn't have access to it, until Caingang and Butucuo Indians released it.

Nowadays, the hummingbird is seen mainly as a love charm. Some people wear a dead hummingbird around their neck in a little bag, as it is said to attract members of the opposite sex. Some say that if you dry it, make it into a powder, then pour some of it into a drink of another person, they can be charmed.

Hummingbirds can also symbolize celebration of life, hope, and joy. Also, they are the symbol of appreciating each moment and taking note of everything that is around you.

So, now that you know the hummingbird tattoo meanings and you like the beauty of it, you just have to look for a reputable tattoo salon, and make a cool tattoo.

The Reason You Should Consider Custom Tattoo Designs

Tattoos are a form of personal expression and experience. Custom tattoo designs are the most difficult and time consuming type of tattoo to decide upon. The reason for this is that most tattoo enthusiasts that desire custom tattoo designs start with a vague vision in their mind and methodically work toward the final tattoo design.

It is becoming increasingly unpopular to simply walk into your local parlor and look at the common designs posted on the walls or in the multitude of books the local parlors have for you. Remember how permanent an inking is so it is very much worth the time, effort and in most cases a little sum of money to find design combinations that will work for you.

Custom tattoo designs are unique to you; you will design it with the guidance of friends, artists or online galleries, all of which should be considered. These designs are so much more personal than flash art and will represent your heart and soul; a true statement of your life, good or bad, tender or not.

You will need to custom design your tattoo to fit the area of your body you want to have it inked to. Then the lettering needs to fit if you choose lettering, the color combinations are also as important as the actual design itself.

The method I suggest to come to the ultimate custom tattoo design for you is to write down and organize your ideas and the steps to accomplish your goal of a stunning custom tattoo design. Start with the purpose or message you want the tattoo to represent. Second, write down three sources you want to investigate for ideas. I would suggest starting with a close friend or relative who would have a connection to the experience or message you want to depict. Then also strongly consider online galleries because it is here where the best artists in the world are connected and blogs are available where others may offer suggestions that your local artist wouldn't ever consider. Quality online galleries also will offer you the ability to mix colors and design ideas so you won't need to just visualize these items in your mind, you will be able to actually see them before you decide. My last option would be go talk to my local artist and employ their help in finalizing the designs, being sure they are able to professionally apply your custom tattoo designs exactly as you have designed it.

Add sub categories to this action plan in as much detail as you wish and the end result will be custom tattoo designs that represent art beyond what you envisioned. Keep in mind this will take time and research, it will probably require starting over a few times but the final product will be a collaboration of creative thoughts that will be unique to you, you will own it and that should be your final goal.

Body Art What's Right For Me

Ask anyone what "Body Art" is and you are likely to receive a variety of answers. The truth is that it means many things to many people. It could be an intricately designed tribal tattoo, a long trail of piercings to form a corset or a temporary body painting. Because of the large variety of artists and methods to create this unique art form, it is important to carefully consider all aspects of the what you are considering having done and researching everything that is available to you.

Things to keep in mind about body art:

1. Many methods of body art are permanent including tattoos, piercings and body modifications. Be absolutely sure you will be happy with this procedure 40 years down the road.

2. Do you have a job that will tolerate your form of body modification? Many companies now require a professional appearance including the removal of piercings and tattoos that can be covered. Don't risk losing your job for a modification that your company won't allow.

3. If the procedure you decide on requires healing, including piercings and tattoos, be sure to follow the advice of the person who performed the procedure. This typically includes minimal touching of the area, keeping the area clean and not wearing clothing that will rub up against it or irritate it. Keep an eye out for signs of infections including oozing, bleeding, pus or if the area feels hot to the touch.

4. Whatever form of body art you decide on, be sure that the studio performing it is reputable and trustworthy. When visiting the studio, the work areas should be clean and have good lighting for the artist to work with. All equipment used should be sterilized after each use and needles should be used once and then thrown away.

5. When choosing the artist to create your art, look for certifications from Alliance for Professional Tattooists (APT) or the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) and of course always request to view previous work by the artist.

6. Consider forms of body art that are temporary such as henna tattoos. Since these are painted on, you also get to skip the pain involved with a tattoo.

How to Choose Tattoo Needles

Gradually, tattoos are accepted by all, so there comes more ways to do tattooing and tattoo supplies are flourishing. Here I'd like to express my own ideas of choosing tattoo needles, as now they have various classifications for tattoo artists to choose and most people feel confused. Following are the most common ones for your choice.

Round Liner Needles

Rounder liner needles are usually for liner. The so-called rounder needles refer to gathering a certain number of needles together according to one center when welding them. Usually, the thickness of each needle is between 0.25 and 0.4. Experienced tattoo artists may tell the needle whose thickness is between 0.3 and 0.35 is most commonly used.

That's definitely right and those ones are pretty easy in use. Liner needles that have the widest application is those with tips of middle dullness, too sharp and too blunt are not ideal in use. When choosing, you are suggest to pick those with sharp reduction treatment as the tips are holding together, and there will be no bifurcation when liner.

The common types are: 3, 5, 7, 9 etc. You'd better not choose those too small nor too thick, which may affect the tattoo designs when using.

Flat shader Needles

There are many types of flat shader needles: single row, double row (subdivided into overlapped ones and bifurcated ones), arc etc. Same to round liner ones, the thickness of flat shader needles are range from 0.5 to 0.4. The commonly used is 0.3 to 0.4. Needles for shader usually have a blunt tip. Tips that are too sharp are easy to scratch the skin and do much more damage to the skin, while blunt tips do well in inserting inks.

Single row needles are used in trimming and modifying sharp corners, especially when the tattoo designs are small, but not so helpful for large color areas.

Overlapped needles' tips have a big density, therefore, when piercing; the depth is relatively shallow, which is suitable for exquisite shader.

Bifurcated needles, both big and small sizes, are mostly practical, pretty helpful to insert colors.

Arc needles do a great job in shading.

Additional Tattoo Designs

If you are interested in getting a tattoo, you need to look further than the tattoo designs that family and friends are displaying. Thousands of designs are available for you to choose from.

Tattoos have gotten increasingly popular for women and tattoos of a butterfly are at the top of the list in choices for them. Often they know that is what they want before they ever go to the tattoo store without even realizing the wide array of choices they have available.

Flash is the name given to tattooing designs that the tattoo artist has available to choose from in the tattoo store. Not only will the majority of the tattoo artists have pictures of tattoos of a butterfly, but they will also have many variations including tattoos of butterfly and fairy, flowers, and more! Searching out sites online may help you to find the right choice for your design. You may also want to consider which types of these designs have a significant meaning by their symbols as well as what would have significant meaning to you.

Although many women stick with small, simple tattoos of a butterfly on an inconspicuous part of their body, others prefer to make a great statement by using something like angel wings for their tattoo. The angel wings tattoos extend the entire length of their back. These tattoos are available in simple to intricate patterns that can make quite an impression at the beach!

Women are not the only ones displaying angel wings for tattoos. To pay respect to a special woman in their life, men may have angel wings on their back, chest or arm.

There are also many, many different cross designs available in a wide variety of sizes. Many men like to have the cross tattoos on their arm but the cross tattoos on their back are also fairly common. While many of these are worn for religious reasons, some people may use a cross as a way of honoring someone who has died and was important to them. The cross designs can also be a symbol of the individual's heritage such as that depicted by a Celtic cross.

There is simply no limit to the number of tattooing designs available as flash. If you are looking for a tattoo that will have a special meaning,let the tattoo artist know what you like, for an additional fee he can create a very unique tattoo for you. If you know what you want from a tattoo and the pictures of what you are looking for aren't available, ask the artist if he can sketch it out. If you can't find the flash there are many other ways to find the tattoo that is right for you. If you find flower tattoo flashes but want one of them combined with another image, it is a possibility as well.

With the many different tattoos of a butterfly, tattoos star designs, tattoo designs for crosses, tattoo designs of dragons, and thousands more there is no reason that you would not be able to find the tattooing designs that will mean something special to you!

Take your time when looking for the right one. Tattoo designs will be obtainable for every aspect of your life! Whether it is for your faith or a characteristic of your personality, such as courage, there are many meanings and a great deal of symbolism associated with many tattooing designs.

More on Tribal Tattoos

Tribal tattoos are most likely the most popular tattoo designs these days. These tattoos among their dark colors plus distinctive patterns create spectacular body artwork intended for both for men and women. These designs are geometrical with aggressive decorative lines that contain toothed sides. They are generally etched in shades of bold colors like black as well as blue. Tribal tattoos are unique in general and the artwork do not depict any explicit object. These patterns are simply curvy creative examples of inked artwork.

Tribal tattoos do not belong any certain culture and have principally originated from various tribes all over the world. Aztec tribal tattoos, Polynesian tribal tattoos Chinese tribal tattoos, Hawaiian tattoos, etc., are a few of the tattoos that fall into under tribal tattoo designs. At the present, let us encourage on to identify the significance of some of the tribal tattoo's meanings.

Tribal Band Tattoo Meanings

At one particular time in man's history it is thought that tribal people had these inked artwork on their bodies to represent the communal or spiritual rank among the tribes. Moreover, it is also thought that since there were so many dissimilar tribes, a tattoo might assist to identify a member belonging to a distinct tribe. Certain say that acquiring tribal ink art aided an person to link up with the same tribe following re-birth. While some believed that these inked skin art had several magical powers that were transferred to the inked artwork owner. Say, if an entity had a dragon tattoo, then it was supposed that the "tatua" bearer possessed the strength of a dragon. These days these translations are less significant and tribal tattoos are considered the same as a beautiful piece of art. Tatua is the Polynesian word for tattoo.

Tribal Band Tattoo Placement
These type of inked skin art are simply designs that wraps a particular part of one's body and provides a look of a bracelet or a neckband. As remarked earlier, band tattoos, typically refer to armband tatua designs that are carved on the upper arms. But these can additionally be carved to circle around the leg area above the ankles. Some individuals also get these tattoos around the fingers of the hand. Tribal band tattoos for guys are greater in magnitude and appear magnificent on well built biceps. While the tribal band tattoos for females are generally petite and have delicate designs. A tribal band tattoo that circles around the waist line looks very sensuous on women.

Tribal Band Tattoo Designs

When you are planning to have a tribal band tattoo, you have a choice of design alternatives furthermore you can choose the one that you like the most. You can pick a Hawaiian style design or a Celtic designed tattoo. If you desire to move for more unique design, then you can obtain a tribal tattoo in addition to your name in the center and a continuous chain like pattern surrounding it. You can also acquire your name inked on top of the band tattoo. Tribal zodiac tattoos are always in fashion and you include this in your design ideas. Tribal band tattoos with names are also extremely popular. Get your zodiac symbol inked in the midpoint and an appropriate band design carved around it.

Tribal Tattoos Proper Care After Getting Tattooed

Let's say you were so into tribal tattoos and you decided to get one. You step inside a tattoo studio and had the procedure done. After the tattooing session, you then stepped out of that studio and when you got home, you realized that the tattoo artist forgot to remind you or you plainly failed to ask on how to properly take care of your newly tattooed skin which is still quite red and painful. No worries, here are the proper ways of caring for your tattoo until it heals fully.

Watch out for signs of infection. Extreme pain, swelling, redness and pus discharges are positive signs for infection. Once you feel or see these, call or go to your doctor right away to be given the proper treatment and prevent the infection from spreading further. Do not remove the bandage that is wrapped around the tattooed area for 24 hours.

Always keep in mind to avoid touching the tattooed area especially when you weren't able to wash your hands. Touching the area may leave microorganisms which can cause infection.

Do not try to peel away the scabs if there are any. Attempting to peel the scabs may cause your wound to bleed. Just let it peel away naturally. Using a mild, antibacterial soap when washing your tattooed area is ideal. Make sure to gently pat it dry and avoid rubbing the area.

Avoid using alcohol or peroxide when cleaning the area. These substances have the tendency to dry the skin and the tattoo as well. Avoid getting the tattoo wet before it is fully healed. Moisture may accumulate on the wound thus making it a good breeding ground for bacteria. Avoid exposing the tattooed area under the sun. It may irritate the skin and can also cause the tattoo to fade.

Tribal tattoos are extremely popular nowadays. These tattoo designs seem to radiate charm and project a sense of mystery to everyone who sees it. Before, these specific styles of tattoos are only used by tribe members as a way of affirming their rank to everyone and by some groups of people to signify a part of their culture. But now, tribal tattoos have been generally accepted by the public. These tattoos have already been assimilated into our modernized world and are being perceived by some people as "cool" and as masterpieces of art.

Chronological History of Tattoos

If you are interested in history of tattoos, you will be amazed reading what I found below. The story goes far back in time and the varying ways of using this practice around the world is fascinating.

Mankind has desired to wear ornamentation since the beginning of time through clothing, head dresses, jewelery, piercing and other adornments.

The oldest type of embellishment is the tattoos.

The first origins discovered of tattoos date back to circa 3300 BC. "TZI", the iceman, found in the Italian Alps, with what was first thought to be scars. Since, these marks have been identified as tattoos. Once the remains were thawed, evidently that "TZI" was adorned with 57 various figures and designs on his body.

The history of tattoos reaches as far back as the history of humanity itself. Documentation of tattoos has been found reaching thousands of years before the birth of Christ.

The Egyptian tattoo designs were visible on the walls of paintings as old as 2,000 BC. They indicate that the Egyptian tattoos were completely different and hold fascinating visions to the current days practice of creating body tattoo designs.

We can show proof of needling in Japan that dates back to the 5th century BC earliest known description of Japanese tattooing in 3AD.

The custom of tattooing in Japan is described in the third century Chinese history Gishiwajinden which is the oldest record mentioning Japanese tattoo designs. Japan is called Wa The men of "Wa" tattoo their faces and paint most of the body consisting of original designs.

In Japan, there exists a vast history of tattoos used by males and females of all ages. Needling is called Wen Shen" or Ci Shen" in Chinese. The expression signifies literally puncture the body.

In 787 AD, Pope Hadrian would not recognize tattoos and declared it prohibited. In like kind, the Normans disliked tattooing and it finally vanished from most Western civilization around the 12th to 16th centuries.

In 1691, the modern tattoos resurfaced when the British explorer, William Dampier, returned from a sea voyage with a heavily tattooed Polynesian man known as Prince Giolo. In London, the population was mesmerized by the extensive tattoos on Giolo. He made public appearances and revived an interest of the body art.

Captain James Cook, also returned with a guest, a heavily inked Polynesian named, Omai.
Suddenly tattoos had become in vogue with the intellectual elite.

In 1720, lettering tattoo designs and circle tattoo on the face or forearms had been legalized as a mark of punishments, declaring the wearer to be an outcast or convicted of economic crimes and scams.

People have been forcibly tattooed. A well known example is definitely the identification method for inmates in Nazi concentration camps through the Holocaust.

Other cultures varied in their use of tattoos. The Greek tattoo designs history is a bit different as their culture used tattoos as a sign of slavery.

Mayans, Inca tattoos and Aztec tattoo designs were also used as a mark to symbolize a belonging to a tribal class or group. Maori tattoos were first discovered in New Zealand and date to circa 1769 among the Maori people. The most frequently seen tattoos are the Hawaiian tribal tattoo designs, depicting beautiful orchids and rich gorgeous petals with vivid leaves.

Traditional needling tools include things like a special comb using fine needles carved from bone fragments or tortoiseshell, set to a wood handle. With this long history of tattoos, we find the tattoo machine being a relatively recent invention. The first tattoo equipment was patented in 1891.

Tattoo machines are strictly a method of puncturing the skin and pushing colored ink below the skin.
Ed Hardy, an American tattoo artist, born in Iowa in 1945 and raised in Southern California was one of the first to integrate Japanese tattoos and methods in his art. Tattoos were not just for bikers any more.

Wrist Tattoo Ideas 4 Recommended Designs

Tattoos are no longer uncommon these days. Both genders appreciate the art of tattooing especially because it is considered as an extension of one's character. For the newbie tattoo enthusiast, it is ideal to have a small tattoo first in order to initiate oneself of the experience. One of the most common suggestions is to have a wrist tattoo first since the design and area are smaller than usual tattooing placement on the body.

If you are having trouble of choosing the right design, you can stick to a few wrist tattoo ideas. You may find some helpful ideas and designs that can suit your personality and style on the internet. It is advisable to go to a tattoo studio and talk to the artist about your plan of having a wrist tattoo.

The following are some of the tattoo ideas that you can apply:

Bracelet type - One of the popular wrist tattoo ideas that you can choose from is the bracelet type. There are unisex designs and themes that you can use for this type of design. You may use tribal symbols, floral, and chain link with wordings. This design is a wrap-around bracelet on your entire or half of your wrist, and it will depend on your chosen design.

Letterings, short quotes, texts and names - Generally, you will find names and some form of wordings as tattoos. Letters and words are also ideal wrist tattoo ideas because they are very straightforward. If you wish to put the name of your loved one, the wrist is one of the best placements. Short messages or quotes are among the most wanted designs of today, so it's ideal to search for them on the net.

Cute design motives - These wrist tattoo ideas are probably more applicable with the ladies. Cute and smaller tattoo motives come in a variety of shapes such as hearts, tribal symbols, flowers, and stars. These designs can be placed on the underside of the wrist so you can hide them easily and when necessary.

Personalized - If you are stuck with ideas, you can request for a personalized design. To make it more unique, you can incorporate your personality.

You'll never run out of wrist tattoo ideas. Start your search on the internet and you'll surely find something that can match your preference.

It's Your Sun Tattoo Design Make It Shine

It's not as simple as drawing the sun and having one permanently inked on your body. A sun tattoo design pattern varies depending on the meaning and qualities linked to your tattoo. The energy, light and heat the sun projects are all characteristics of a sun tattoo design. These designs can be basic and simple, complex and even multi colored.

In the ancient world, and still today, the sun is worshipped and has a different meaning in various cultures. So you need to determine the reason for having a sun tattoo and the factors to consider is your culture, outlook and beliefs, than design your tattoo accordingly.

Let's look at some of the meanings of various sun tattoo designs:

1) Truth and light is one of the most important and obvious things a sun tattoo design will represent.
2) Dignity, courage and knowledge
3) A symbol of fertility since is previously thought that the sun was the cause of birth and harvest. Therefore it can symbolize rebirth or reincarnation.
4) Passion is sometimes associated with the sun, passion for life or for another individual.
5) A source of life. For example the sun radiates the energy for life in plants and other living species, therefore the sun is considered a healing power.
6) A tribal sun tattoo design could represent protection from danger and the negativity of life.
7) When combined with the moon a sun tattoo as the union of a man and women, both sexually and spiritually.
8) A sacred worship symbol

Sun tattoo designs are gaining popularity with people everywhere using the traditional design as a foundation and adding their vision to it. There isn't a right way or wrong way to approach designing your own piece that will come to life and shine on your body forever. However you do need to have a clear vision of the message you want to send through your tattoo.

Designing a tattoo is time consuming but doesn't need to become frustrating. Because a tattoo can be expensive and we all know permanent, consider investing an insignificant amount of money into joining a high quality online gallery. You will have access to an enormous wealth of information and resources, along with forums to share experiences and ideas with other tattoo enthusiast. I place high value on this and believe everyone else should also.

When you finally get to your final sun tattoo design and are ready to be inked, be sure to pick highly recommended artists. You want this design to be yours; you should strive for ownership of it. You want it to be so incredible that it gains envious looks regularly, you want it to shine like the sun shines from the universe above us.

Snake Tattoo Designs That Look Great

Most people who contemplate a tattoo do so for a very personal reason. They not only have a message to portray but desire for a one of a kind inking that is rich in history and might have something to do with myths and legends, such as snake tattoo designs.

The snake is associated with evil, deception, immorality and devastation. Snake tattoo designs are popular because they also are a symbol of evil and represent the Christian story of Adam and Eve in the Garden where the snake tricks them into disobeying God by eating of the fruit.

Snakes are viewed as the keeper of the underground since they often reside under the earth's surface. The snake does have some positive meanings attached to it. Many cultures around the world consider the snake to be rich in knowledge and wisdom. Native Americans hold the snake in high regard, and the ability of a snake to fight its enemies is a sign of strength and power. Also the snake is a Chinese zodiac sign for individuals born in certain years.

So snake tattoos are very flexible in nature, they can have a meaning attached to it that is unique to the individuals wearing snake tattoo designs. Some of the most popular designs are rattlesnakes and cobras. Snake tattoo designs are a popular choice to use with other designs such as a skull, or with other animal tattoo designs like panthers and tigers.

You have many options when designing your tattoo, and you have equally a number of options when considering where to have your tattoo placed on your body. The arm, wrapped around your leg or on your back these tattoo designs can be in several colors, usually dark with bold lines which improves the artistic beauty of these designs.

Snake tattoo designs are usually large and detail oriented which makes it difficult to design. I would recommend you consider online galleries because you will need a true professional to design a great snake tattoo. When you opt in to the good galleries (usually a small fee) you will have access to higher quality designs and better artists via the forums you can be part of. This is where the experienced tattooist and tattoo enthusiasts hang out. I have my preferences on which are better, but I will defer to your judgment, I only recommend that you don't cheat yourself of the opportunities to have a better tattoo, after all, it will be part of you for a very long time.

The Mormon Tattoo Piercing Controversy

For many years tattoos and decorative piercings weren't a real issue for members of the Mormon Church. Until the year 2000, there was only one reference to tattooing in all of Mormon teaching and that was in the 1965 unofficial personal publication Mormon Doctrine by Mormon Apostle, Bruce R. McConkie. It states; "Tattooing is a desecration of the human body and should not be permitted, unless all that is involved is the placing of a blood type or an identification number in an obscure place. Latter-day Saint servicemen in particular are counseled to avoid the pitfalls of tattooing. Persons who are tattooed are not, however, denied the ordinances and blessings of the temple."

In the October 2000 General Conference the first of many "councils" against tattooing was announced.

"We--the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve--have taken the position, and I quote, that "the Church discourages tattoos. It also discourages the piercing of the body for other than medical purposes, although it takes no position on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings." President Gordon B. Hinckley

At the time my husband and I were very active, temple recommend holding members of the church and had been operating a tattoo studio without any prejudice for many years. We were never treated poorly or shunned by the members of our Ward or Stake. Our Stake President's wife more than once brought her children to our studio to get tattoos. It was such a non issue that one of the ways I billed myself in advertising was Kita Kazoo the Mormon Girl Tattoo Artist.

Since then we both have been subjected to many discussions and debates on the right or wrong of getting and doing tattoos and piercings. At first I would defend my choice of profession using the scriptures, but eventually I got tired of it and began asking those who questioned me to explain to me, what horrible thing would happen in our society if everyone had a tattoo? After all, sins are those things that violate the golden rule and keep us from loving one another, not things such as, what clothing we wear or how we do our hair.

Now, 8 years later the whole subject of tattoos and piercings has in my opinion gotten out of hand. Now it is not so surprising to find that the local church authorities, such as bishops, stake presidents and temple presidents are taking it upon themselves to punish members who choose to get a tattoo. Not just in Utah, but all over the world. This has become such a big issue that people are leaving the church over it.

Some people who have tattoos are told not to take the sacrament and others are not allowed access to the temple. Some are being counseled to not marry those who have tattoos and piercings. As having been a 30+ year student of Mormonism and its history I feel that this behavior is not in line with the teachings of Mormonism or Christianity in any way.

Mormons aren't the only religion that superstitiously believes that tattoos are an evil and to be avoided as they supposingly will lead to worse sins. Many Christian Churches and Jewish Rabbi's do also. And there are good reasons for a religion to not want their flock to get tattoos or piercings.

Getting a tattoo not only changes the way you look but it also changes the way you think and feel about yourself. It is a clear message that you feel that you are the owner of your body and worse of all (to religious leaders), your mind!

Historically tattoos have been used as an expression of faith and commitment. One would think that getting a symbol of your beliefs tattooed on ones self would be encouraged. However, because of the recent history of American tattooing and the popularizations of tattooing, tattoos are being presented by the media and politicians as a dangerous amusement. It is not new for counter-culture decorations to be viewed as repulsive to many of the elders of our society.

When I heard at General Conference that President Gordon Hinckley (the current Mormon Church President) does not like tattoos and some piercings I was not surprised. The tattoos he has been exposed to in his youth were usually not very well done or artistic. Unlike today, tattooed people of his generation, especially in socially backwards Utah may have appeared attractive only to criminals or rough military men, not average everyday people with families and lives of good account.

To further the injury of one's personal opinion of fashion being stated as if it is a law from God, President Hinckley allows for one sort of permanent decorative change to ones appearance and not another, which seems hypocritical to me. Mr. Hinckley allows within the church for women to have their faces tattooed with permanent cosmetics and wear pierced earrings, (but one pair only - one in each ear) as those are socially acceptable with in his peer group.

I feel that these religious leaders are ignorant of tattoo history as a spiritual practice and generally trivialize tattoos and piercings as immoral and frivolous behaviors of rebellion because they do not want their followers to look like everyone else. It is a power game and nothing more. If they can control the way you look they will control the way you think and feel.

I suspect that the shunning of persons with tattoos and piercings is really a part of the whole elitist thought pattern of Mormonism in Utah. Those who have not done their homework are sure to believe that if you look like a Gentile (any non-Mormon) you will act like a Gentile, which means to Mormons that you are without God and are basically led by the Devil.

However it has been my experience that tattoos do not lead to sin. Being uninformed and willing to blindly follow without question is what leads to sin and personal disgrace.

If you are LDS and still considering a tattoo you should first be asking yourself these questions. Does my tattoo choice reflect my beliefs or will they distract from my message of who I am. Am I getting tattooed because I want to immortalize an event in my life, a belief or to rebel against the mainstream culture? Will this tattoo or piercing prevent me from being a good person? The answers to these questions will let you know if you are doing the right thing or reacting poorly to your society. It is my opinion that if you feel having a tattoo would be a healthy positive thing for you, then by all means exercise your own good judgment and free agency and get one.

Keep in mind that in reality "Tattooings are not only ornaments...they are not only emblems of nobility and symbols of rank in the social hierarchy: they are also messages fraught with spiritual and moral significance...not only to imprint a drawing onto the flesh but also to stamp onto the mind all the traditions and philosophy of the group."- Claude Lévi Strauss

Personally I believe that tattoos in and of themselves can not be evil and I don't believe that God cares one way or another if you have one or not, unless you got that tattoo to alienate and hurt other people. Then the real problem is how you feel towards your fellow men and not the tattoo in itself.

People have a right to decorate themselves how they want to. Some people like to put pictures on their bodies and some people don't. It is all a matter of personal taste. I feel it is wrong to subject my taste on others and I expect the same courteousness in return.

This attitude is healthy and normal. This is how it is in the big world where the Mormon lifestyle is not practiced by the majority. Wouldn't the world be great place if we could all mind our own lives and appreciate the good things out there instead of picking on others for being different?

You can do good or evil with everything on this earth. As a heavily tattooed person I have had many more opportunities to love and serve others through tattooing and having tattoos than before I had them. I have had to become more patient and tolerant. Especially have I had to learn to be more patient and tolerant with those who claim to be "spiritual leaders" as they put words in God's mouth rather than follow what they claim God has already spoken.

I have found that most people who have tattoos are more open and friendly towards others. I have found that for the most part people who wear tattoos are very nice people. There are a few people that I have met to whom their tattoos serve more as warning to stay away than an invitation to meet them. Which I feel is also a good thing as it has saved me a lot of time by helping me to avoid an unpleasant interaction with them.

Most people have their personal spiritual philosophy tattooed on them and it becomes a way of opening the opportunity to speak about spiritual things. In this world where we are taught to be afraid of our neighbors it is nice to have a way of really getting to know the people around you. It is nice to have a common bond despite all other social differences.

If you already have a tattoo and are experiencing social rejection issues it is wise remember that things in the church change quickly. I would not be surprised to find that in 20 years having a tattoo won't be an issue at all. The evil music that was preached against in the 60's and 70's is now played regularly at church dances and the Coke and Pepsi drinkers that were denied temple recommends in the 1970's can now go to the temple in spite of their soda habits. It is all a matter of generational perspective, which is bound to change as the old guys finally die off.

Various Ways of Removing Tattoos

Thousands of individuals each year undergo tattoo removal procedures after eventually regret having them. After the initial excitement and thrill, a large number of people realize that they have committed a blunder and want the tattoo removed. Tattoo removal has now become a million dollar business. There are various ways to get rid of tattoo. Some of the tattoo removal techniques are:

Dermabrasion

The area to be treated is frozen and then the skin where the tattoo is located is rubbed or scratched with a rotary abrasive brush or diamond fraise. It removes the top few layers of skin and finally tattoo is removed as the sanding goes deeper into the skin. The procedure is very painful and often turns out to be ineffective as it causes the skin to bleed and may leave a scar. There is always the risk of infection.

Salabrasion

Salabrasion is a centuries-old technique. Anesthetic is used to numb the area to be treated. Then salt-water solution is applied onto the tattoo. The area is then abraded with a tool similar to what is used in the dermabrasion procedure. The method is effective only in the case of superficial tattoos and requires multiple treatments. This technique is successful only in fading the tattoo and not completely removing it.

Excision

Anesthetic is injected, and the tattoo is cut out of the skin using a scalpel. Thereafter the surrounding skin is sewn back together. The procedure is ideal for smaller tattoos only. Though large tattoos can also be removed but then skin grafts are often required for large tattoo removal. People who undergo this procedure are extremely prone to infection and scarring.

Cover-Ups

In this method, old tattoo is replaced by a new tattoo. Some people prefer covering-up of their tattoo rather than removing tattoos completely as covering-up tattoo is comparatively less painful, inexpensive and doesn't take several months to treat. Some skilled tattoo artists even specialize in cover-ups and provide excellent results. However you have limited options in cover-ups. The biggest disadvantage of this method is that cover-up tattoos can be done only once.

Tattoo Removal Creams

A tattoo removal cream is the most inexpensive way to remove a tattoo yourself. Market is flooded with several creams such as TatBGone and Tattoo-off that claim to be effective in fading tattoos. There are claims that these creams may fade a tattoo after a continuous use of several months but their success at removing a tattoo altogether is highly unlikely.

Saline Tattooing

In this procedure, tattoo artists fade a tattoo by tattooing lidocaine and saline solution over unwanted tattoo. This is beneficial for older tattoos. This process can just lighten the existing tattoo but can't remove it altogether. This procedure is relatively harmless and cheaper. Though finding a tattoo artist to perform this task is difficult.

Small Feminine Tattoos

Body art comes in different forms, the most common of which are tattoos. Tattoos are one of the most ancient forms of body art, for which you will be providing the canvas. And because tattoos have soared in popularity over the past decade, there is no shortage of tattoo "studios" more than willing to practice their artistry on you.

Tattoos originated as ancient, symbolic art forms, and many of them retain their symbolic meanings today. Although there are still some people who get tattoos strictly based on the design, some of those people tend to regret their choice of tattoo later on in their life. Tattoos can be quite beautiful, and capture a lot of positive attention. Most people who decide to get tattoos today choose them for their symbolic meaning, as well as the beauty. Men and women alike have tattoos, some small tattoos, some large tattoos encompassing their entire body and today tattoos are more common than ever, particularly small tattoos.

Tattoo artists are no longer willing to place dull lifeless designs in a seemingly haphazard way, but they tend to treat the body as a three-dimensional canvas onto which each tattoo is placed, to live in balance with the body and any existing tattoos. Permanent tattoo designs differ depending on culture, religious affiliations, gender, or personal liking and selections. For certain tattoo designs, some people prefer to look at real life photos or browse through artwork for ideas pertaining to their tattoo designs.

Many individuals select tattoo designs from those presented at a tattoo parlor, while others prefer to do some research and help ensure that their design is unlike any other. While there are tattoo designs that are gender specific, it is important to keep in mind that getting a tattoo is a very personal thing and the image that is ultimately chosen should be one that reflects something that is important to the wearer.

Although there are some exceptions, most men and women will naturally be drawn to different tattoo designs. Of all tattoo designs, women commonly select small feminine tattoos with hearts, butterflies, flowers, lettering, etc. Men, on the other hand, often prefer that their tattoo designs be placed on the upper arm, like a Robbie Williams tattoo on the chest or back.

Some of the more popular themes center around the following:

*Butterlies *Dragons *Flowers *Crosses *Fairy *Irish *Celtic *Animals *Dolphins *Tribal

Some popular sub themes are:

*cat tattoo designs *zodiac tattoo designs *dolphin tattoo designs *heart tattoo designs *small feminine tattoos

With the exception of those that have already chosen their preferred image, it can be very difficult to select from the many tattoo designs on the spot. Most of the time, people do not take the time to really think about why they choose a particular tattoo and look at other tattoo designs that are available. It takes a lot of decision-making as well as researching for meanings of different tattoo designs and ideas. There are millions of designs out there for tattoos - including different color combinations that have helped to make tattoos the phenomenon they are today. If you are ready to make a significant investment in your body art then custom design tattoos are for you.

Tattoo Mistakes - How To Avoid Them

Every day, thousands of new tattoos are completed, but unfortunately for many people their tattoo does not meet their expectations. And while it's possible to make a tattoo fade using laser removal technology, it's time consuming, costly and painful. So here's how to avoid the most common mistakes that people make with tattoos.

1) Never Agree To Get A Tattoo When You're In The Wrong State Of Mind

Getting a tattoo when you're in the wrong frame of mind is a shortcut to disaster.

So don't even think about getting tattooed when you're drunk, depressed or under pressure (it's not a good enough reason just because all your friends are getting one, or have got one). And don't get a tattoo done on a whim.

You know it's a whim when you find yourself in a tattoo studio and you hadn't even considered getting a tattoo the night before!

It's good to be spontaneous, but not with something that will last you the rest of your life. So before you get a tattoo, always ask yourself "Do I want to get this tattoo?"

And keep asking yourself that question every day for a fortnight. And only after you genuinely answer yes every day, do you go anywhere near a tattoo parlour.

2) Choose The Right Design

Choosing the right design is absolutely vital to the amount of pleasure you get from your tattoo.

Let's face it, if you want a dragon, you won't be happy with a flower design. And if you want a large tattoo, you won't be happy with a small design.

So don't compromise on what you want. The final choice of tatoo design must be yours and not that of your friends, partner of tattoo artist. After all, you're the one who'll have to live with it.

It should be a piece of artwork that you absolutely love. And something that you're certain you'll continue to love for years into the future.

Another mistake that many people make is believing the they have to select a design offered by their chosen tattoo studio. If you choose a reputable artist, they'll be able to create a tattoo from any design that you take along with you.

In fact, this is one of the best ways to get the right tattoo.

Browse the internet where you can find thousands of high quality tattoo designs to choose from. Most cost less than $20. Take time from the comfort of your own home to decide which design you want. Take a few days to think about the designs that you like. Then, once you've made up your mind, print out both the color reference guide and the tattoo stencil and take them to your chosen artist.

This option is much more relaxed, and you're much more likely to select the right design. It certainly beats picking a design on the spot when you're waiting in the tattoo studio.

3) Cheap Isn't Always Best

Whatever happens, make sure that you select a high quality stencil for your tattoo design.

All high quality tattoo designs consist of two parts, the main tattoo design which includes the color reference, and a matching stencil of the design.

What many people don't realise, is that the stencil is applied directly to your skin by the tattooist using a machine caller a "liner".

So don't be tempted to do things on the cheap. Buy a quality tattoo stencil (most cost less than $20). Trying to create a tattoo from the color reference design or trying to trace a stencil is a shortcut to a tattoo disaster.

A poor stencil will always lead to a poor tattoo. Traced stencils are not accurate and will translate into a shaky looking design. Regardless of how good they are, a tattoo artist can only quality work from a quality stencil.

4) Test Your Tattoo First

Okay, you've found the tattoo design that you want, but you're not sure where to place it and what size to go for. Do you take a risk?

No. There are millions of people around the world who wish they'd chosen a slightly different tattoo design, gone slightly bigger, or placed it further to the left etc.

So if you want to avoid adding to these regrets, it's important to test your tattoo before you take the plunge.

It's now possible to get special tattoo test paper that will allow you to turn your design into a temporary test tattoo. Just print your chosen design onto the test paper and apply it to your skin.

Then it just a case of living with it for a day to two and forming your own opinion. How does it make you feel? Are you happy with the size and the position that you've selected? Does it catch your eyeline when you're not looking at it? Is it distracting? And then comes the big question; ask yourself, "could I live with this for the rest of my life?"

Testing your intended tattoo is the only way to confirm whether you've made the right decision.

5) The Tattoo And Aftercare

On the day your tattoo is created, a better overall affect will be achieved if you are well slept (it will help to keep you relaxed and to sit still) and well fed (an empty stomach can lead to feeling faint). If you are tense, full of stress or restless, it will take longer and the tattoo won't be as perfect.

Once completed, most tattoos will take up to a month to heal properly. During the first five days, the area may be uncomfortable, irritated and slightly swollen. Make sure that you keep the area clean during this time. If possible, wash the area gently with an antibacterial soap four or five times a day. Gently pat the area dry with a clean cloth or piece of tissue.

It's also suggested that you apply a thin skin of antibiotic ointment after every wash. A good quality aftercare product will help to reduce scabbing and protect your skin from infections which can cause scarring and make your tattoo appear blemished. They will also help to reduce irritation and redness and keep your skin supple.

The second stage of the healing process (weeks 2-4) will have the biggest influence over the look and lifespan of your tattoo. Taking care of the affected skin during this stage will ensure your tattoo stays bright and clear for as long as possible.

Just make sure that you use aftercare products that are specifically recommended for use with tattooed areas, as these won't contain any artificial colors or fragrances which might irritate your skin.

Different artists will recommend different aftercare techniques, but the vast majority agree on three things.

Number One: Keep your tattoo clean

Number Two: As your tattoo heals, the skin will naturally dry out, so it's vital to keep the area moist.

Number Three: Keep your tattoo away from direct sunlight.

Tattoos - Finding the Right Tattoo

Whether you are getting your first tattoo or already have half your body covered with tattoos I am sure you will find some valuable information here. As a tattoo addict and someone who spends most of his waking hours coming up with tattoo ideas I would like to share some of what I have learnt over the years.

I have spent a great deal of time amongst tattoo artists in tattoo studios around the world and have encountered a wide variety of different people coming through the doors of the tattoo studio to permanently mark their bodies. Many times I have questioned why it is so many people go under the gun to get inked.

People get tattoos for lots of different reasons. Some people simply because they love them and think they look good or enhance their appearance, others to be a part of a 'tribe' or group, while others to mark a significant event in their lives such as a bereavement or to express love for another person. You could say that there are as many reasons for getting tattooed as there are human experiences. Because of the uniqueness of each persons life journey no two reasons are ever the same.

In these situations the person wanting a tattoo has probably put a great deal of thought into the tattoo and perhaps the tattoo itself will have some kind of psychological meaning; for example when someone gets a portrait tattoo of a loved one who has recently died that psychologically they want to keep close to them for the rest of their lives. Or maybe a person has been jilted by a spurned lover and wants a tattoo of a broken heart or caged bird to signify their loss.

Human beings have being modifying their bodies with ink and steel for many thousands of years. Many people see tattoos and body modification as a spiritual practice. Before the advent of modern pain management, pain was seen as a natural part of life carrying a variety of spiritual and social meanings. But as time rolled on we began to deny the very existence of anything beyond our physical bodies.

As a result many people without tattoos cannot see past the image etched onto the persons body to the deeper meaning or symbolism behind the tattoo. It can often cause a wide variety of reactions in the 'uninitiated' from mild curiosity to extreme disturbance resulting in fear and mistrust of the person. Tattoos by their very nature cause a reaction especially on those who do not have them.

This begs the question on why anyone would want to get a tattoo without considering the wider implications and deeper meaning behind the tattoo. So many people wander into a tattoo studio and have no idea why they want to get a tattoo other than seeing their favorite rap artist or basketball player and thinking it looked cool. So they waste the tattoo artists time by saying they want a Nike swoosh on their butt or a tattoo the size of a button on their back. Many tattoo artists will just put up and shut up because they see this as 'bread and butter' work.

The implications of this are two-fold. Firstly the person is left with a really 'dumb' tattoo that most likely will be regretted at some stage in their life. This can lead to many years of regret perhaps leading the person to be forced to cover up their bodies as a result. Ot it can result in many hours of painful tattoo removal costing ten times as much as the original tattoo.

Secondly getting a tattoo without due consideration can often lead to a badly placed tattoo or badly thought out tattoo design. The results of this are obvious but this is the number one reason why people get tattoo removal in worst case scenarios or tattoo cover-ups. Some tattoo artists are becoming renowned for their cover-up work as they are for their actual artistic skill. Yet people do not realise the placement of a small unambiguous tattoo may have later on if they want to get another tattoo or the social restrictions it may bring.

Finally before getting tattooed (either for the first time or the twentieth!) is important to deeply consider the design as well as the placement of the tattoo and how it may interact with other tattoos further down the track. Many people have gotten tribal armbands (when they were cool!) and later decided that tribal tattoos carry no meaning to them and that traditional style tattoos or celtic tattoos may have been more suitable. I myself have been guilty of this and as a result had a poorly thought out tattoo covered up.

Tattoo Designs - Which to Choose?

Choosing a tattoo for the first time can be a hard thing to do, especially when the tattoo is going to be permanent on your body for the rest of your life. Now which tattoo designs should you choose? First thing you need to consider is WHY you are getting the tattoo, what is your motive behind the tattoo? What do you want to express through the tattoo? This will surely help you cut down your search options so that you can choose the perfect tattoo design that you want.

I have a few in my mind that I don't mind sharing, so here they are:
- If you enjoy outside stuff such as trees, nature in general, animals, and other things, you can use this as a motivation to get the tattoo in this category.
- Another thing you can think about is if you love art. What kind of artist comes to your mind, what kind of art design comes to your mind and stuff along those areas.
- There are a lot of people out there that use famous people such as poets, music artists and what not.
- These days, I myself have seen many people use Graffiti type of tattoo's on their body all the time.
- Many people these days are also looking at Tribal or Celtic types of tattoo's to show off on their body.
- Some of the other tattoo designs include cultural tattoos, historical tattoos, etc.
- You know what would be a good idea, getting Abstract Tattoo's on your body. I have seen people use this type as well.
- A unique way to express is writing quotes in different languages on your body as well.
- Maybe you can try tattoo mixing? Perhaps mix several different tattoos into some type of tattoo?

You know what would make you really stand out is if you created your OWN type of tattoo. Sure, you can go to a Tattoo parlor and get a random tattoo through a design book, but does it really make sense to be unoriginal? Would you not like to be creative and want to stand out from the crowd? You can create your own types of tattoo(s) if you want. Let me share a few ideas with you just to give you a head start.

- Neck to Leg, Full out Fire Dragon on back or front of body
- Crying baby from your neck to your legs on your back or front

These are just a few ideas that you may consider. In all my years of tattoo designing and studying, I have never seen those kinds of tattoos done to anyone before, so this may be a good chance for you to snag a pretty good design or designs.

Now you maybe thinking, why create my own tattoos when I can just get a already created one? As I've said above, it's better to be unique than to carry an overused tattoo. You can add your OWN personal touch to your tattoo. Add as much detail you want to your tattoo, as much as you want. Just remember than the bigger in details your tattoo is, the more expensive your tattoo may get, depending on which tattoo parlor you go to, just keep that in mind.

There is one type of tattoo that interests me the most out of everything and that is Full Sleeve Tattoo Designs. What is it you may ask? Full sleeve tattoo design is the popularity tattoo designs that not are only carried by a regular person, but famous people such as celebrities, soccer players, football players, basketball players and other sports people carry, as well as many other types of famous people.

One of the main reasons as to why people really do this type of tattooing is because they want to unravel a story that they are trying to give off. For example, I have seen a famous soccer player that carries a full arm tattoo and his tattoo signifies what he loves, which is soccer and the love for his country. People in this type of tattooing always express personal touches and personal expressions.

There is one thing that I would like to warn you about and what to do about it. You are going to be stuck with a tattoo for a LONG, LONG time, so you might as well choose a tattoo worth your while. So you should do what some famous people have done. Start your tattoo design off small, meaning start your tattoo design small and then work your way up from there. The beauty of having new technology is that you can see how a tattoo will look on you before you wear it, so be sure to look on the computer to see if the tattoo is right for you or not. Start off with a small tattoo and then work your way from there. Carefully choose every portion of your tattoo remembering that you WILL be stuck with this tattoo for a very long time. You may want to put several small tattoos together to make a larger tattoo or you could put a few large tattoos together to make a rather large, but unique tattoo to show off.

So basically, after all of the information I have shared with you in this article, I just want to sum it all up by giving you a short summary. What I have talked to you above in this article can be summarized like this:

1. Gather up a design idea for your tattoo (either from a design book or your own design)
2. Finalize on a design that will perfectly suit you and the type of person you are.
3. Find a tattoo artist
a. This shouldn't be much of a hard task at all. Every city has tattoo designs, just look on the Internet if you have trouble.
4. Test your tattoo design
5. Have your tattoo design done on your body.

Expressing Yourself With Tattoos

Have you noticed that there are a lot of people that have Tattoos these days? In the past you may have only seen tattoos on people such as sailors, outlaws, and biker gangs but now tattoos are a very popular body decoration for many people. The types and styles of tattoos has also come a very long way. It is no longer crude pictures of pinup girls, skulls, and anchors. Tattoos have developed into very sophisticated art work ranging from Celtic crosses to very personalized symbols. People have found and created designs that express themselves in a very personal way.

What is a Tattoo?

Very simply a tattoo is a puncture wound made in the skin that is filled with ink. Although done differently today than in the past the technique is still somewhat similar. Today, tattoo artist use a tattoo gun that has one or more needles that penetrate the skin and delivery ink into the skin. Tattoos last a very long time due to the fact that the ink is placed deeply into the skin. The top layer of skins is called the epidermis and it is constantly shedding and being reproduced. If the ink from a tattoo was in this layer of skin it would not last very long. The layer of skin that the ink is injected to is called the dermis, which is a deeper layer of skin that is very stable and makes the tattoo stay visible almost permanently.

Tattoos in the past were done manually with a tool that they tapped on the skin to make the puncture wound and then the ink would be injected by hand. Most tattoo shops today have tattoo guns or machines to do this today, although you can still find areas around the world that still use the older style of tattooing. The tattoo guns make tattooing much more quickly today because the machine is able to deliver the ink into the skin as it is puncturing the skin. The tattoo artist can change the tip of the machine to contain one needle or group of needles depending on if they are drawing the outline of the design or shading part of the design. Most tattoo artist today are very skilled and know just how far to drive the needle into the skin to produce a good tattoo. Not going deep enough can result in ragged tattoo and going to deep can result in excessive bleeding, not to mention the pain would be much worse.

Does It Hurt?

Getting a tattoo can hurt and can take several hours or even days to complete depending on the size and design of the tattoo you are getting. The amount of pain can and will very depending on the location of the tattoo. Everyone has a different threshold to pain also. The art has a bit to do with it also. A good tattoo artist can provide less pain over a new or less experienced tattoo artist.

So you want a Tattoo!

First and foremost, if you are going to get a tattoo, get it done safely! Remember, a tattoo is a puncture wound that needs to be taken care of just like any other scrape or cut that you may get. By taking care of your tattoo you will be less likely to have it get infected. It may sound a little silly but you need to make sure that your immunizations are up to date. Tattoo shops today have implement steps to help you avoid infections and disease but it doesn't hurt to take an extra step for your own safety. Have a plan to get medical care if your tattoo does get infected. Some signs of infection are excessive redness, prolonged bleeding, pus or changes in your skin color around the tattoo.

If you have a prior or existing condition such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes or a condition that effects your immune systems by all means consult with your doctor. He may be able to recommend precautions that you can take before getting your tattoo.

Choosing the place to get your tattoo is very important. You want to be sure the tattoo shop is clean and safe. Things such as needles, gloves, mask should all be disposable and should never be used on more than one person. The guns themselves and other equipment that is not disposable should be sterilized after every use. You can contact your local government agencies(county, city, local health department) that can inform your on licensed tattoo shops, standards or complaints against a specific tattoo shop.

Here are some things to look for:

Does the tattoo shop you are looking at have an autoclave to sterilize equipment? An autoclave is a piece of equipment that uses steam, pressure and heat to sterilize with.

Is the shop licensed? You can check this through you local government agency and the tattoo shop you are looking at should be able to provide you with references.

Make sure the tattoo shop the regulations that outline procedures to be followed when dealing with bodily fluids that are provided by the Occupational Safely and Health Administration's Universal Procedures.

Just keep in mind, if the tattoo shop you are considering looks dirty or just doesn't feel right to you for any reason it would probably be best to find a tattoo shop you are more comfortable with.

What to expect

First of all you will need to find your design that you are wanting tattooed on your body. The tattoo shop you are going to will most likely have thousands of designs that you can look through. You may also be able to have the artist create a unique design for you. There are also may designs to choose from on the web. Once you have decided on a design you will need to decide on a location. You may already have a location in mind and be able to choose the tattoo you will be getting for that particular location. The tattoo artist will then clean and even shave if necessary to area getting tattooed and apply a type of stencil of the tattoo on that area and allow you to see it. This will give you a good idea of what it will look like. As the artist is getting the ink and gun ready they will explain things about the needles and the procedures in order for you to become more comfortable with the whole process. When you are both ready they will begin the outline. Once the outline is finished the tattoo artist will once again clean the tattoo area and most likely change the needles in the gun to do the shading or fill in. After finishing the tattoo the artist will again clean the tattoo area and apply some type of antibiotic ointment and then it will be covered with a bandage. Congratulations! You now have a new tattoo. It will take a few days to heal but soon you will be able to remove the bandage and show off your new art.

Tattoo Care

The last step you will need to follow in very important. That is taking care of your new tattoo until it is fully healed. The tattoo shop will give you instructions that you should follow and will most likely give you ointment to use on your tattoo. Just remember to contact your doctor if something about your tattoo seems out of the ordinary (as discussed earlier). Make sure that you keep your tattoo bandaged for the first 24 hours. This will help in the healing process greatly. You will want to avoid touching the new tattoo and picking at any scabs that may form. After all, it is a wound and will most likely form some scabs in places. When you wash it for the first time try to use an antibiotic soap and just pat it dry. Re-apply some antibiotic ointment and also re-bandage it. This will only help your tattoo to heal. You want to avoid getting your new tattoo wet(pools, hot tubs, long showers) until the tattoo has fully healed. The other important step is keeping your tattoo out of direct sunlight. Even after it is fully healed the sun can cause fading of your tattoo a great deal. So it is suggested to use a sun screen on your tattoo for quite some time so that your new tattoo does not begin to fade to soon.