Tattoo Designs And Body Painting - Your search for free tattoos!

Tattooing involves the placement of pigment into the skin's dermis, the layer of connective tissue underlying the epidermis. After initial injection, pigment is dispersed throughout a homogenized damaged layer down through the epidermis and upper dermis, in both of which the presence of foreign material activates the immune system's phagocytes to engulf the pigment particles. As healing proceeds, the damaged epidermis flakes away (eliminating surface pigment) while deeper in the skin granulation tissue forms, which is later converted to connective tissue by collagen growth. This mends the upper dermis, where pigment remains trapped within fibroblasts, ultimately concentrating in a layer just below the dermis/epidermis boundary. Its presence there is stable, but in the long term (decades) the pigment tends to migrate deeper into the dermis, accounting for the degraded detail of old tattoos.

The most common method of tattooing in modern times is the electric tattoo machine, which inserts ink into the skin via a group of needles that are soldered onto a bar, which is attached to an oscillating unit. The unit rapidly and repeatedly drives the needles in and out of the skin, usually 80 to 150 times a second. This modern procedure is ordinarily sanitary. The needles are single-use needles that come packaged individually. The tattoo artist must wash not only his or her hands, but they must also wash the area that will be tattooed. Gloves must be worn at all times and the wound must be wiped frequently with a wet disposable towel of some kind.

Caring For A New Tattoo

Taking care of a new tattoo can prevent health problems and protect the quality of the image. Most artists give clients a pamphlet that explains all the necessary procedures. Customers generally receive instructions to:

* Remove the bandage one to two hours after completion.

* Wash gently with cool or lukewarm water, using a mild antibacterial soap.

* Pat dry. (Don't rub!)

* Apply very thin coats of antibacterial ointment and work into the skin. Too much ointment can pull color out of the tattoo.

* Avoid soaking the tattoo in water or letting the shower pound directly on it.

* Avoid the sun, sea and swimming pool until healed.

* Refrain from picking at scabs. They will fall off as the tattoo heals, usually in one to three weeks.

* Use ice packs if swelling or redness occurs.

* Call a doctor if you have even the slightest signs of infection.

How to Choose a Tattoo Design

Too many times people end up regretting the tattoo they got. Most of the time, this is because they didn't take the time to think about what they were getting. Here are some guidelines to aid you in choosing your design.

Here's How:

1. Consider the reasons why you want the tattoo in the first place.

2. If you want to be expressive, think about things that you enjoy or have meaning to you.

3. If your tattoo is to honor someone else, think about the things they enjoy(ed) and have meaning to them.

4. Look at other tattoos, but don't limit your imagination to what someone else already has.

5. Look for designs in stationary, books, posters, stickers, and everything else you come across.

6. If you find something similar to what you want, ask your artist to make whatever changes you want.

7. Keep in mind the image you choose will be a reflection of yourself.

8. Be creative. You don't have to draw yourself, but take your ideas to your artist.

9. Keep in mind how your tattoo may or may not affect your employment.

10. Decide whether you want your tattoo in black and grey, or full color.

11. Take your time. This is not something to rush into.

Tips:

1. Any design or image you find can be altered, or the colors can be changed.

2. Tattoo artists are exactly that - artists. If you can't draw, they can do it for you.

3. Your only limitation is your own imagination.

You've decided on the artist for your new tattoo, but now the question: what to get and where to put it. Although this is all really a matter of personal preference, there are some things that can possibly help you in making this decision.

The Pain Factor The question I get asked most is, "Where does it hurt the most?". Well, there are no hard and fast rules about this subject, but based on many opinions over the years, here are some ideas:

* Most Painful Areas:

* Men - Abdomen, Spine, Chest

* Women - Ankle, Spine, Ribcage

* Least Painful Areas:

* Men - Buttocks, Arm, Back

* Women - Abdomen, Buttocks, Thigh, Shoulder

Consider Your Professionalism It's great to see that many white-collar professionals are getting tattooed these days. It is becoming more main-stream and acceptable on all levels of education, background, and professions. Unfortunately, though, this does not mean it is acceptable to the employers or clientelle of the professional worker. Before putting a tattoo in a very visible area of your body, you will want to consider how it will affect those around you.

Your Tattoo Is A Reflection Of You You can pick up the latest tattoo-related magazine, and you will see some examples of great artwork of some very "outspoken" tattoos. Demons, serial killers and sexually explicit tattoos can be artfully perfect, but this may not be how you want people to view you. Whatever you have tattooed on you is the impression people are going to get about what kind of person you are. Granted, this is no-one's business but your own, but if you want to project a certain image, your tattoos should reflect that.

Need some ideas for your new tattoo? Check out our Tattoos for some great tattoo pictures gathered from all over the world.