Hollywood Stars Do It You Can Too

A History of Tattooing

Scientists believe that the earliest signs of tattooing occurred in Neolithic times, dating back to 3300 B.C., which saw “Otzi the Iceman.” This mummified figure had 57 tattoos all over his body. Tattooing has also been seen in ancient Chinese culture; in fact, one of the Four Classic Novels in Chinese literature referenced fully tattooed human beings. Chinese legend states that many warriors had tattoos put on their bodies as a symbol of patriotism.

Various Celtic, Germanic and European tribes were heavily tattooed. These reports coming from all over the globe. References continue into Roman times with Julius Caesar’s description of tattoos in his “Gallic Wars” book. The idea of a “small” or singular tattoo is a step down from mankind’s age-old obsession with full body tattooing.

Tattooing Today

People then and now tattoo themselves for all the same reasons. Commonly associated with a new or youthful movement, share the same principles of tattooing from ancient culture.

Motivations for Tattooing

* Cultural identification (rites of passage, ethnicity, region)

* Group identification (gangs, brotherhoods, clubs)

* Status or rank within a community

* Community or government recognition for bravery, leadership, etc.

* A sign of spiritual devotion

* Religious symbolism or protection against evil spirits

* Body decoration

* Expressions of love (a lover’s name, a family member’s name)

* Expressions of condolence (death of a loved one)

* A form of punishment (convicts, slaves, outcasts of society)

* Performance art

* Cosmetic beauty

The Modern Tattoo Scene

Giving yourself a tattoo, or letting a friend do one for you can be dangerous. It is advisable to seek out a professional tattoo artist inside of a tattoo parlor. Contacting a professional is the safest medical choice to pursue. Besides, professional artists know how to go about tattooing the perfect image. When it comes you your body, there are no second tries!

Tattoo artists usually master the craft of drawing long before they pursue a tattooing career but learn their trade by an apprenticeship arrangement where they work under a licensed artist. Some tattoo artists offer a variety of stock images that they trace, while others will create original works of art. So what they draw on your body will depend on the design.

Obligations of the Tattoo Artist

All artists will adhere to accepted standards of the industry and will make sure that the process is clean and sterile. All artists must wear gloves while using a tattoo gun and use biohazard containers to store any objects that come into contact with your blood, skin, and anything else that another person might find “icky.” All needles will have to sterilized by autoclave and carefully stored after use until safe disposal can be arranged.

Studios are required to have a sink in the work area with running cold and hot water. Artists must wash their hands before and after preparing your body part for the stencil, as well as any other time where cross contamination could potentially occur. So don’t get paranoid if your tattoo artist obsessively washes his hands. This is the rule.

In front of the client, it is a requirement that the artist open a package of new, sterilized needles. All instruments should be new, sterilized and fresh. There is no “recycling” in this business! Everything is disposed of after use. All areas of the studio that could come into contact with a person’s skin should be wrapped in plastic. If this is not possible, the minimum requirement is that the area should at least be wiped with an approved disinfectant.

It is important to emphasize these safety guidelines because infection can easily occur. A tattoo artist, like any other “health professional”, will on occasion work with people

who have a contagious disease. The utmost care is required if all clients are to remain safe.

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