Tattoos are more common today than ever before and yet, not many people are familiar with how a tattoo really works. Sure, the basic idea is that ink goes into the skin, but the process of tattoo application is a bit more complicated than that. As tattoo equipment becomes more advanced, so do the tattoo designs. This article explains how modern tattoos are created and why they are permanent.
Tattoo Equipment
Although tattoos were once commonly applied with antiquated tools, such as a painful hammer, most tattoos today are created with an electronic machine. A tattoo machine, or tattoo gun, looks very similar to a dental drill. It is held in one hand and controlled by a foot pedal. The tattoo machine contains a sterilized needle, which penetrates the skin at a rate of 50 to 3,000 times per minute.
Electronic tattoo machines have been around for hundred of years. They were based on Thomas Edison's engraving machine, the autographic printer. While the autographic printer was used to etch hard surfaces, the tattoo machine was designed specifically for human skin. The basic parts of an electronic tattoo machine include:
A needle
A long tube that draws and holds ink
A motor to drive the needle
A foot pedal
How a Tattoo is Created
Before a tattoo design is applied to a person's skin, the artwork must be presented to the artist. Some people choose readymade artwork that is featured in the shop, also known as flash. However, many people prefer custom tattoo designs. This might require some preparation and illustration on the artist's part, which could delay the application for days, weeks or even longer.
Once the artwork is finalized, it will be placed on paper stencil that can be easily transferred to the body. The ink on the stencil can be easily removed if the placement is not to the customer's liking. Placement is very important, so a customer should never hesitate to speak up before the tattoo needle makes first contact.
A tattoo is applied via a tattoo machine, which punctures the skin repeatedly. A tattoo artist controls the machine by using a foot pedal, similar to the pedal on a sewing machine. The needle on the machine can speed up and slow down with a simple shift of the tattoo artist's foot. With a rate of 50 to 3,000 punctures a minute, a tattoo machine can be very efficient.
Each time a tattoo needle penetrates a person's body, ink is deposited under the skin. A tattoo artist must be careful about how deep the needle goes into the skin. If the needle goes in too deep, excessive bleeding and scarring can occur. This results in the build up of scar tissue, which is not a desirable thing. Ideally, the tattoo should be smooth to the touch upon healing. On the other hand, a shallow penetration with the needle can result in an unruly tattoo design. A professional must practice many times before perfecting tattoo application.
The first part of the tattoo design to be applied is the outline. This helps the artist to keep track of where they are at in the process, as the stencil can be rubbed away and the skin can move quite a bit. Once the outline is finished, the artist might change needles and/or colors. Depending on the size of the tattoo, some tattoo designs require more than one session. Once the tattoo artist is finished with the session, the skin will be cleaned once more and bandaged. Although the tattoo may bleed a bit more, it should not be excessive.
The Life of a Tattoo
When you see a tattoo design, what you are viewing is the ink below the surface of the skin. The top layer, or epidermis, heals over the ink. Meanwhile, the ink is stored in the second layer of skin, known as the dermis. While a person's epidermis is constantly shedding and regenerating, the dermis is a very stable and does not change very much throughout a person's life. This is why a tattoo is permanent.
While a tattoo should never completely disappear, some fading can and will occur over the length of a person's life. This fading can be encouraged by certain conditions, such as overexposure to the sun and poor maintenance during the tattoo's healing period. This is why it is important to protect all tattoos with sunscreen and to follow the tattoo artist's aftercare instructions. Over time, a person may wish to undergo touchups to the tattoo. Too many touchups may result in the development of scar tissue, so it is important to always seek a renowned professional, even if the job seems like a small task.
