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Tattoo History |
Tattoo Q&A -- BeforeCan I get my hands/feet/face tattooed? If you're absolutely certain that you want to, you can but it might take you a while to find a tattooist who'll do the work. Many tattooists will refuse to ink hands, feet and particularly faces. Some may refuse to tattoo the entire lower arms (known as sleeves) unless you already have tattoos on your upper arms. That's the prerogative of the tattooist and all you can do is accept it and walk away. Don't forget to ask if they know of a tattooist who will do the work, though; it might save you some legwork. Is it "tattooist" or "tattoo artist"? Often the two are used interchangeably but there is a difference. A tattooist is someone who only performs the process of tattooing and does not design tattoos themselves. A tattoo artist is someone who creates their own designs as well as inking them. What about permanent make up and cosmetic tattooing? Eyebrow, eyeliner and lip colour can all be enhanced by cosmetic tattooing known as permanent make up. This is becoming more common as people -- not just women -- want to have greater control over their looks and take less time applying make up to do so. Cosmetic pigments are implanted under the skin using small, fine needles. Usually, a topical anesthetic is used to reduce the discomfort of tattooing in these areas. Permanent make up is not only used for purely cosmetic reasons but may also be used to cover scars and imperfections or to give the effect of eyebrows after severe hair lose. Keep in mind that scars can take up to a year to heal completely so you'll need to wait at least that long before any work can be done in that area. I've heard about "semi-permanent" tattoos, what's that? That's rubbish. There's no such thing as a tattoo that will only last a year or so; either you get inked or you don't. What about temporary tattoos? Temporary tattoos are not only a great way to test out design and placement before you get inked but a fun way to express yourself if you decide that tattooing isn't for you. There are thousands of different stamp and transfer designs available, from the sort you bought as a child to large, ornate designs that look a lot like the real thing. These offer the advantage of disappearing when you want them to and allowing you to change your mind as often as you like. If you want something that looks a little more realistic and lasts longer, try Mehndi (henna tattoos). Mehndi is the ancient Indian art of decorating the body with henna. Henna leaves a deep red stain on the skin that will last a few weeks. Black henna leaves a darker mark and is often preferred by men who want a more realistic looking temporary tattoo. Black henna is produced by adding additional chemicals, though, and is more likely to result in serious skin irritation. For this reason, it is banned in many countries. You can get kits with everything you'll need to do your own henna tattoo but there are professional practitioners of the art that you might prefer to visit. There's more information at the Henna Body Art site. |
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