Tattoo and body piercing

Introduction

Tattoo and body piercing are very much in fashion these days. Not only the nose and the ears, other body parts like the navel, tongue and the portion below the lips are also pierced in the name of fashion. A gold stud is put there. There was a time when piercing and tattooing was done as a custom by some communities. Today it is done as a fashion statement.

History of tattoo

Tattoo is the art of marking the body with coloured needles with images of people, animals or art. The word tattoo has come from Tibet. Tattoo was first mentioned in 1769 in the records of 'captain cook'. It has also been found on Egyptian mummies. Tattoos were marked on Nazi prisoners during the reign of Hitler to identify them. In ancient India there was a custon of 'Godhna' which is the modern day tattoo art itself. As per 'Godhna' people used to mark their names on their arms. Small designs were created on the ears, chins or forehead. Even today the procedure of 'Godhna' is being done in some villages and tribes. The tribals think that doing a Godhna will bring them good luck and prosperity.

How is a tattoo made

Tattoos are being done by tattoo or body piercing parlours and studios. An electric machine is used to create a tattoo. Many needles can be used on this machine depending on the requirement. The tattoo needle can Pierce the skin 80 to 150 times a second. The customer selects the image he/she likes the most and the tattoo is made on the desired body location. Body piercing technique can also be done on the desired body part. These days one can even get a temporary tattoo done. These are body stickers. These are put on to the body with the help of water. These tattoos are visible for a few days. These can also be removed anytime with a cream. The cost for getting a permanent tattoo varies from studio to studio.

Who are not eligible for tattoos and health risks

Children, handicapped people, those with skin problems, those with mental illness, those with alcohol addictions and pregnant women cannot get a tattoo done. The following health risks are there in getting a tattoo made on the body-

A needle is used for the tattoo. If the needle is not sterilized properly, one can get ill.
If the needle is not sterilized properly one can get syphilis, AIDS, skin allergies, fungal infections, herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C etc.
The tattoo ink contains mains chemicals. This ink can be allergic to many people.
If the same needle is used on another customer during body piercing, diseases can occur due to exchange of bodily fluids.

Tips for tattoo artists

The tattoo studio should be clean and ventilated.
Clean the tattoo machine with alcohol after every use.
Use a fresh sterilized needle for every customer.
If the tattoo artrist has a cut or injury, the same should be covered or bandaged before executing the tattoo.
Use gloves while executing the tattoo and keep your fingernails short.
If the customer is too nervous or is prone to getting allergic reactions, persuade him/her not to get a tattoo.

Precautions after the tattoo

Some tattoo artists advocate keeping the skin covered for 2-3 days after getting the tattoo while advocate covering the skin for 2-3 hours only. Listen carefully to your tattoo artist on what would apply in your case.
In many cases the tattoo artists will tell you not to get the tattoo wet for 2 weeks after getting it so as to avoid the ink from fading. In other cases the tatoo artists will recommend washing the tattoo with hot water immediately. Be careful about what your tattoo artist tells you.
The tatoo artists may also prescribe certain creams to be applied on the tatoo for a few days.

Getting your tattoo or body piercing removed

There was a time a tattoo once made could never be removed. But this is possible now with laser treatment. However it can be a painful and costly procedure which is avoided by most people.
On removing a stud from body piercing, the hole will gradually fill up by the body. Not to worry. But this may take some time. If the hole in the ears get too big after removing the stud, it can be surgically stitched by a doctor.