These days, it is not uncommon for tattoos to be associated with other forms of body art. In many areas, especially larger cities, tattoo studios are no longer solely tattoo studios, as they also offer piercings. In combining these two, two issues frequently arise. First, while many people consider tasteful, well-done tattoos to be a legitimate form of self-expression through artwork, a large number in this category also consider body piercing to be unacceptable; or, at the very least, undesirable. It is difficult to communicate this to young people, especially teenagers, when an increasing number of tattoo studios also offer body piercing. Kids will naturally assume that if artwork is acceptable, acquiring holes and rings in various parts of their anatomies should also be acceptable.
A second important issue regarding this subject is that while states generally have strict regulations surrounding tattoos, that is not always the case with body piercing. Even when tattooing is strictly regulated to the extent that minors cannot be tattooed, or, in some states, requiring the parent's consent for the process, it is becoming an increasing problem in some areas that body piercing carries no such requirements.
There are a couple of serious repercussions to this fact. First, many parents rightfully consider it to be a violation of parental rights to find that "piercing artists" can undermine their parental authority by putting piercings in their under-aged kids, not only without a parent's consent but without their knowledge in advance.
Second, in the areas where this can legally be done, there is also the issue of health standards. While the general rule is that a person is presented with risk factors in writing prior to getting a tattoo, piercing artists often allow minors to sign health waivers; although this is illegal, it is sometimes done anyway.
This opens up a whole "can of worms" with both legal and health issues. Legally, minors cannot sign such forms; but the health aspect of it is also worth noting. As body piercing carries much higher and more frequent risks of infection than tattoos, in signing these health waivers the teenager is rarely aware of how significant these risk factors actually are. While the risk of infection from body piercing is high enough in general, it can become even more so depending on the location of the piercing. Having piercings done in areas that are normally exposed to saliva, or airborne dirt, is simply asking for trouble. Yet piercing artists are often more concerned about making money than they are about the potential health repercussions to their young clients.
In addition to these factors, there is also the factor of social stigma. While youngsters may be accurate in assuming that acquiring body piercings will impress their teenage or other immature friends, it is not likely that it will impress anyone else. Even if they withstand parental objections, and ignore the dismay of school staff and employers, they have yet to see that body piercings generally do not go over very well in "the real world."
Whether one is most concerned with the potential health risks of body piercing, or the general consensus of the American population, body piercing has a long way to go before it is considered an acceptable practice. Tattoos carry some degree of valid purpose; in the opinion of most American adults, body piercing has no value other than for its owner to appear less than respectable.
Many times when we think of tattoos, we think of a very long and painful process. This is often a very frightening thought. A lot of people wouldn't even think of getting a tattoo simply because of their idea of what the process involves.
To understand what getting a tattoo means, we have to first take a quick look at a small part of the human anatomy. The skin is made up of two layers; the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the outer layer of skin; the part we can see and touch. The dermis is the deeper layer, or secondary layer.
When a tattoo is applied, the ink is injected deep into the dermis. As the epidermis sheds an enormous amount of cells every day, the dermis is a much more appropriate place to inject ink. Otherwise, shedding occurs causing the tattoo to be only temporary. When injected into the dermis, the tattoo ink lasts a lifetime.
The method of creating a tattoo has not changed much since the beginning. It is believed that designs were created in the skin using sharp pieces of bone in the distant past. Today, needles deliver the ink into the dermis. These needles can produce up to 30,000 punctures per minute.
Tattoos are made by a process similar to stippling. A series of dots creates the image of the design. More dots closer together creates a darker or more solid in appearance picture. Spread apart, the dots make a lighter image or a shading effect.
The tattoo machine that the artist uses to create the design consists of three main parts. An ink source that contains the special ink of the chosen color is typically connected to the machine. A tube connects the ink source to the machine. The needle is the part of the machine that pierces the skin administering the ink.
Most tattoo artists use single use or disposable needles. Sterilization is one of the most important things with tattoo art. These needles should always be completely sterilized prior to being used on a person. Needles are then discarded after use.
The tattoo ink comes in a wide array of colors. Virtually any design with any color combination can be created. Tattoo artists and parlors have samples on display but can always change aspects of a design to fit an individual's preference.
With the chosen design and color choice, the tattoo machine with selected needle type and the decided location on the body, the tattoo is administered by puncturing the skin while the ink is injected. The time frame that it takes to get a tattoo varies depending on the intricacy and size of the design.
Pain can be a part of the experience. However, it isn't often as bad as expected. Many people with tattoos describe the procedure as annoying more than painful. Many times the most uncomfortable part is having to sit still in the same position for the given length of time.
After care is an important part of the tattoo process. Bandaging will be necessary, some bleeding may occur and care will need to be taken to reduce exposure to sunlight and excessive water. Rubbing and scratching the newly created tattoo can cause scaring. It can also cause the image to distort permanently.
Pain can vary depending on the individual's pain tolerance. Where the tattoo will be applied on the body can also be a variable in the amount of pain. Overall, the process is fairly quick and painless when compared to the end result.
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