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.