Tribal Tattoos
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Tattoos have become very popular. Movie stars, celebrities and sports figures are commonly tattooed. In traditional cultures tattooing has enjoyed a resurgence as native people are once again proud of their cultural heritage. Within traditional or tribal cultures, a tattoo marks one's respect of their roots, not a mark of defiance. Tattoos are more popular now than at any time. Today, people choose to be tattooed for cosmetic, religious and magical reasons, as well as as a symbol of belonging to particular groups. Some tribal cultures still create tattoos by cutting designs into the skin and rubbing the resulting wound with ink, ashes or other agents. Others create tattooed marks by tapping the ink into the skin using sharpened sticks or animal bones. Traditional Japanese tattoos are still hand-poked, the ink is inserted beneath the skin using hand-made and hand held tools with needles of sharpened bamboo or steel.
The most common method of tattooing in modern times is the electric tattoo machine. Ink is inserted into the skin by a group of needles soldered onto a bar which is attached to an oscillating unit. The unit rapidly and repeatedly drives the needles in and out of the skin, usually 50 to 3,000 times a minute.
Tattoos can be removed by cosmetic surgical techniques, most commonly through the use of lasers. The procedure can be expensive and may not be entirely effective in leaving unblemished skin. Overall, green-based ink is the most difficult to remove. Some shades of black and many homemade tattoos cannot be removed.
Permanent tattooing of any form carries small risks, including infection, allergy, disease and stress or phobic reactions. Risk reduction in the body arts requires single use items including gloves and needles. Since tattoo instruments come in contact with blood and bodily fluids, diseases may be transmitted if the instruments are used on more than one person without being sterilized. Infection from tattooing in clean and modern tattoo studios is rare.
Tattoo artists have had to recommend a variety of products available from local drug stores. These products were intended to prevent cuts, burns, scrapes, and abrasions from becoming infected and not for the healing of new tattoos. The majority of these products contain petroleum or lanolin which, when applied to a new tattoo, can clog skin pores and actually retard the body's healing process. There is also the possibility of allergic reactions to these products, and application to a new tattoo can cause skin reactions leading to loss of ink and permanent damage to a tattoo. In the last few years cosmetic and pharmaceutical aftercare products have been developed for the tattoo world. These products are safe, efficient, and dermatologically tested. Most tattoo artists recommend them and sell them.
New tattoos are wounds, which must be looked after properly. Immediately after completing the tattoo, most tattooists will cover the area to keep out dirt and keep the tattoo from oozing into clothes. Some tattooists recommend leaving the covering on for several hours or overnight, and then gently wash the area. Japanese soak the tattoo in hot water to clean it.
