Inked
By: Thao Le
Choose a design that screams YOU
In a Simple Word
Your Passion
A Cliche Saying
The Artist Knows Best
The artist will check the application area for any bruises or scars that may interfere with the tattooing process. He/She will also bring out all the appropriate supplies for the job―sterilized tools and disposable materials. This is done to eliminate the possibility of contamination and to insure the safety of the artist and you.
Cleanliness is Key
Applying the Stencil and Letting it Dry
Your design is hand-drawn and placed into a thermal-fax machine where your future tattoo will be transferred to a thermal paper, ready to be applied. Soap and water or another special transfer solution is used to make that purple-ink stencil last longer.
Preparing the Machines and Equipments
Ink is poured into little ink caps and all other tools (needles and tubes) are removed from their packaging. Distilled water is poured into a cup for rinsing purposes, and paper towels are prepared to wipe the ink and blood during the procedure.
How Deep?
You have three layers of skin: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer. The needle will pierce through the top layer and make its way to the dermis, making it permanent. If the tattoo is too high up, it will heal "patchy or light." If it is too deep, irreversible scarring is guaranteed, and the tattoo will fade.
Shading and Color
For shading, thicker needles will be installed on the tattoo machine. After cleaning the area, color is injected.
The Final Product
Risk Factors and Other Problems
Infection
- Poor sanitation at the tattoo parlor (sanitation is very important)
- Sharing of ink between patrons (blood-borne diseases)
- Poor aftercare by the customer
Allergic reaction to dyes
Skin problems
- Eczema/dermatitis
- Granuloma
- Keloid (raised areas from an overgrowth of scar tissue)
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Pus
Dissatisfaction may result in one wishing to remove the tattoo
- People change, so styles change
Removal Problems
- Painstaking (several treatments)
- Costly
- Hypopigmentation (loss of skin color)
- Hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin)
- Scarring
MRI
- Discrepancy in image
- Swelling/burning
Permanent makeup
- Cover up scars or restore a natural look (surgical, ect.)
- Enhance skin due to discoloration
- Replace what is lost (eyebrows, ect.)
- Clash with change in skin tone or facial/bodily shape
- Altered during cosmetic surgery
Henna (mehndi) tattoos
- Should only be used as a hair dye, not on skin