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Tattoo machines are used to inject ink under the skin so that once the site of the tattoo heals, you have a permanent piece of art on your skin. Tattoo machines generally made of a series of needles that are powered by a coil that quickly drives the needles up and down while forcing ink into the tiny perforations those needles create in the skin. Historically, the best and most reliable way to get a steady, fast motion for the needles has been to power the coil with electricity, a generator or a battery. As a result, while tattoo machines are incredibly finely tuned and capable of photorealistic detail, even the best can be a bit cumbersome and heavy. This has several problematic ramifications. Even the most stalwart tattoo artists generally can only tattoo for a maximum of one to three hours at a time because holding a tattoo machine for that long can cause serious hand, arm and muscle fatigue. Some artists actually develop severe tendonitis in their wrists and shoulders over time due to this issue. Another issue with traditional tattoo machines is that they can be difficult to clean because they must be disassembled before being autoclaved. While this is a necessary task that all good tattoo artists and responsible tattoo studios take seriously, it can be time consuming and wearisome. 

The pneumatic tattoo machine was developed to resolve these two issues. A pneumatic tattoo machine is powered by an air compressor, and they are extremely lightweight. Pneumatic tattoo machines use pressurized air to power the tattoo machine and drive the needles up and down. These tattoo machines are very lightweight and entirely autoclavable, so that the entire tattoo machine can be placed in the autoclave and sterilized fully without any major disassembly. As a result of their extremely light weight, these tattoo machines are ideal for tattoo artists who have serious issues with hand fatigue or shoulder problems.  Pneumatic tattoo machines operate on the same principles as conventional machines; they just use a different power source. They still pound needles very quickly in and out of the top layers of the skin and force ink into the tiny perforations, but instead of being powered by electricity they are powered by compressed air. They also come with foot pedals like a regular tattoo machine, and need disposable air hoses and a small air compressor, such as a portable airbrush compressor. The main thing that an artist must become accustomed to when using these machines is how lightweight they are. 

Pneumatic tattoo machines have been patented in the United States, and they have an international patent pending. They can be ordered online, but they have certainly not replaced conventional tattoo machines. The tattoo artist community is of mixed opinions about this groundbreaking new machine. Many are very enthusiastic, particularly if they have had to limit their tattooing due to shoulder or hand fatigue. However, others are a bit more reticent with their praise, preferring to wait and see how the pneumatic tattoo machines fare over time. While tattoo machines have certainly evolved over time, up to now the basic concept behind them has not altered significantly since they were first modeled on Thomas Edison's embroidery machine, which propelled a powdered dye onto a cloth in much the same way that early tattoo machines propelled liquid ink into skin. As a result of this relative continuity in technology, many traditionalists are somewhat skeptical of the new pneumatic tattoo machine and are hesitant to invest in the new technology. 

Pneumatic tattoo machines come in several models. There are different types to fit different styles of tattooing and that hold different needle formations, just as with conventional tattoo machines. However, pneumatic tattoo machines also come in a hybrid version, which can use electricity to power the gun or compressed air. These have potential to become extremely popular because they would enable artists to tattoo anywhere, and while they may be slightly heavier than the original pneumatic tattoo machine, they are still substantially lighter than an electric machine in nearly all cases. If you want to be tattooed by a tattoo artist using a pneumatic tattoo machine, then you may have to do some looking since they are certainly not yet a common tool in the tattoo industry. However, they are just as safe as regular tattoo machines (assuming that they have been properly autoclaved, of course) and will result in a permanent tattoo. If you are going to get tattooed with a pneumatic tattoo machine, be sure that your tattoo artist has some experience using the machine since they handle differently than a traditional tattoo machine.

Just a few decades ago, it was considered extreme to have more than two piercings in each woman's ear. Then came the guys, with one hole in the right or left lobe, depending. It was quickly followed by nose and navel piercings. But what's the scoop on the real history of piercing - the ancient history?

No one has been able to pin point an exact date for the emergence of body piercing, but its thought to be several millennia old.

Ear piercing is by far the oldest recorded method of body piercing, and the evidence of it had been frozen in time, quite literally. The oldest mummified body in the world (which has been dated back over 5,000 years) was found in an Austrian glacier in 1991. Not only was this man pierced, but he was also tattooed, making him an important discovery in the history and culture of most all forms of body modification.

Next in popularity throughout the ages is the piercing of the septum. Believe it or not, throughout history, septum piercing has been even more popular than piercing the nostrils. Septum piercing was most popular among warrior tribes, and more than likely was used to enhance the image of the strong, martial men. It was certainly used to intimidate others, which is easy to understand. Armed with a pierced septum, a man can take on the appearance of tusks not dissimilar to those of a wild boar.

Nose piercing dates back to about 4000 years ago in the Middle East. In fact, a direct reference to nose piercing can be found in the book of Genesis, when Abraham is seeking out a wife for his son Isaac. He provided his oldest and most trusted servant with gifts for his son's bride-to-be, one of which was a golden Shanf. In some biblical translations, the word has been simply translated to "golden earring." However, the actual translation is nose-ring.

Tongue piercing, which is so wildly popular now, was first popularized by the early Meso american tribes. It was popular among the Aztec and Maya, and also among native tribes of the Pacific Northwest. These tribes used the craft of tongue piercing in order to draw their own blood as propitiation to their gods. It was also used to take the pierced person (in this case, usually a priest or shaman) into an altered state, making them better able to communicate with their gods.

Belly-button, or navel piercing, dates back to the ancient Egyptians. In their culture, this, along with eyebrow piercing was a body modification restricted only to royalty.

Piercing of the genitals also bears a long and culturally diverse history in places like China, Borneo, Samoa and Roman, to name a few. Some have used this method to curb the sexual appetite, while others have chosen it as a way to enhance their erotic pleasure. Women can choose to have their labia pierced, or they can opt for a clitoral hood piercing. However, if you're a woman considering a genital piercing to enhance the power of your orgasms, be warned there is no scientific proof that it has any effect on the power or frequency of orgasm, and should the procedure somehow go wrong, you can be left frigid and impotent! Men have over 7 different methods available to pierce their genitals, and along with the motivation to enhance their own sexual enjoyment, many of them have opted for this procedure to enhance the intimate enjoyment of their partners. Prince Albert is a famous member of the royal family who opted for erotic piercings. In addition to the actual genitals, nipples are also a popular erotic piercing, favored by both men and women.

It is important to follow your piercing artists directions prior to and after getting a piercing. Body piercing runs a risk of infection, a risk that grows or lessens depending on what type of piercing you choose to get. Make sure to ask lots of questions, carefully follow any and all directions, and check out the piercing artist you'll visit. Insure that they supply you with all of the information you'll need, and also that they are clean, sterile and legitimate. Resist any and all urges to perform a piercing yourself, or to rely on your friends to handle it for you, as there can be some very serious health risks. As with any type of body modification, use extreme caution and common sense before you run headlong into a lot of misery and doctor's visits.

It should also be noted that while your piercing is new, you'll want to opt for gold piercing jewelry. Oftentimes, many people who have gone under the piercing needle have sensitive skin and allergic reactions that can be triggered by other materials, like silver, nickel, etc.

While the popularity of tattooing for decoration and adornment has done nothing but escalate over the years, cosmetic tattooing has waxed and waned in the public eye. Cosmetic tattooing differs from the more traditional, artistic tattooing techniques in that in order to tattoo cosmetically, you need a deep understanding not only of the mechanics of tattooing and the tattoo process, but you also need to understand how tattoo inks interact with different skin types and skin tones, as well as how different colors of ink will appear on the skin. Really good cosmetic tattoo artists understand that there is a level of artistry to applying even the simplest cosmetic tattoo, since they need to have depth even though they are generally simpler in color than more traditional tattoos. 

Cosmetic tattooing historically has been used to make lips appear fuller, to apply permanent makeup that will not wear or wash off, and to give eyes a larger, more luminous look. Some cosmetic tattoo artists even claim to be able to cover or “fill in” scarred areas so that it is no longer obvious that you have had an injury in an area. (note: scar tissues do not accept tattoo inks in a predictable fashion, and you cannot every be one hundred percent certain that a scar will hold ink or that it will hold the lines of a tattoo properly. Many people use tattoos to cover scars each year, but you must be aware of the way that the scar will interact with the tattoo and also you should work with an artist who is comfortable tattooing scar tissue. Another popular way to use cosmetic tattooing is in the form of replacing lost hair or camouflaging temporary or permanent hair loss. 

People can lose their hair for a variety of reasons. Cosmetic hair replacement tattoos are most often used to fill in eyebrow areas. You can lose your eyebrow hair from chemotherapy, over-plucking, or skin conditions like alopecia, which can cause hair loss on the head and other parts of the body. Whether your hair loss is temporary or permanent, cosmetic tattooing can provide an ideal solution for your eyebrow area. Cosmetic tattoos in the eye brow area are designed to look like real brows, and they are comprised of tiny lines that are designed to look like carefully plucked and sculpted arches. You can have your entire eyebrow tattooed, or you can just have thinning areas filled in to give you more dramatic eyebrow lines. Either way, you will enjoy the look of perfectly groomed eyebrows that you get every morning as soon as you get out of bed. 

If you are balding, there are also tattoo solutions available. One type of tattoo hair loss solution is called cosmetic camouflaging. This technique uses a computer to analyze your hair pattern and design a tattoo for your scalp that matches the way that the hair already grows. This is a great way to mask balding areas or thinning areas of hair. The computer designs the tattoo pattern, then stencils the pattern onto the scalp. Once the stencil is in place, a tattoo artist can tattoo your new hair onto your head, giving the illusion of thicker hair. This technique works best if you have thin hair or a bald patch, but will not really work if you do not have any hair at all. The technique of filling in thinning areas on the head with a tattooed design actually dates back to roman times, when men would tattoo their scalps to try to cover up thinning areas. If you have used another resource to stop the progression of your hair loss, then this can be a good way to get your old look back. However, it will not ultimately prevent the loss of the rest of your hair. Some fully bald men do get their heads tattooed to give the illusion of an extremely short buzz cut, but this look is questionable at best, and will probably not fool anyone who comes close to you. 

Many people hesitate to tattoo their heads because it seems like this would hurt a great deal. However, in reality, while tattooing your face can be quite painful, tattooing your head itself is not because the skin on the scalp is so thick. As a result, it is much less sensitive and hurts far less than most people expect. If you are interested in hair loss tattoo solutions, you should consult a dermatologist and a hair loss expert to determine if a permanent camouflage will solve your problem, or if it will just look silly when you lose the rest of your hair.

Well, today is the day. You finally decided to go ahead and get that tattoo. You spent a lot of time looking through page after page of flash, and then you spent even more time trying out and testing a variety of tattoo designs until you finally found the perfect tattoo for you. Maybe it is a tribal armband tattoo, a swallow tattoo, or, the most popular tattoo design of all, a butterfly tattoo. Whatever the design, at this point in the game you know just what you want it to look like, and you can wait to enjoy it for the rest of your life. You hurry into the tattoo studio well hydrated and having eaten breakfast, of course -  and settle down in the tattoo chair. About forty-five minutes later, your wonderful, perfect tattoo is done. You cannot wait to show your friends, your family, your neighbors, and the world. After all, part of getting a tattoo is telling the story, and now you have a beautiful tattoo and a great story to tell.

That gets you thinking: what happens to a tattoo when your body changes shape? The answer is: a variety of things. The good news is that by taking good care of your tattoo and giving some serious thought to where you put that tattoo before you get it, you can keep your tattoo virtually free of all the negative impacts of weight fluctuation “natural or otherwise” that your body will undergo over the course of your life. 

The first thing to think about when considering weight fluctuations is placement. If you have not yet gotten a tattoo, think carefully about how and where you gain and lose weight. This involves several factors. If you are a girl, then you need to factor in the reality that gravity will at least temporarily impact some of your assets. Even if you swiftly repair this natural sagging, it will impact the dimensions of your tattoo when your skin stretches over time. This means that a tattoo on the buttocks or on the breasts in particular may elongate over time, particularly if your gain or lose a substantial amount of weight as most women do multiple times over the course of a lifetime. The important thing to focus on when selecting a place for a tattoo is where on your body weight gain impacts you least. For example, the hip area is a good one for many women “unless, of course, your family is prone to saddlebags, large deposits of fat on the outer hip and upper quadriceps areas” The small of the back is generally one of the last areas on the body to stretch if you gain weight, and weight loss does not leave this skin area sagging. Shoulders are also ideal for keeping a tattoo in tact for many years. 

Of course, you cannot rule out the potential that you have as a woman for becoming pregnant at some point in your life. Should this happen “deliberately or otherwise” a belly button tattoo or a tattoo in your lower pelvic region is almost certain to undergo some major changes. If you already have a tattoo in this region, there are steps that you can take to prevent these changes from being permanent. They are the same steps that you would take to prevent stretch marks, and they  mostly involve massaging the area and keeping it well moisturized and hydrated. It is important to understand that above all else, weight gain accompanied by stretch marks regardless of the reason for the weight gain can destroy a tattoo more thoroughly than just about anything else. This is because a stretch mark is a tear in the skin that actually becomes a scar. Sometimes they can be tattooed over, but other times the new tissue will not accept tattoo ink, and it can be very hard to ever return the skin to its original form. 

If you are a man, then your weight gain issues with your tattoos will probably be slightly different. Men are less likely to tattoo their stomach areas, but if you do have stomach tattoos, then they will be highly susceptible to stretching should you gain weight as you age. Unlike women, men's upper arms also stretch and shrink far more as they gain and lose muscle and far. This area is prone to stretch marks and sagging, so if you do not plan on keeping those guns forever, then you should probably avoid that armband tattoo you've been considering because it could get pretty wavy as you age and lose muscle mass or gain fat. The calf area on men is good for tattoos that are relatively impervious to weight gain, as is the shoulder area and the upper arm, as long as the tattoo does not completely encircle the arm. 

Getting a tattoo should be a fun experience, but you also want your tattoo to be fun decades down the road as well. Putting a little forethought into the location of your tattoo and how your life in the future could affect the look of that tattoo will go a long way toward making sure you love your tattoo for the rest of your life.