So You Want a Tattoo?
by Adam Levesque & Karla Wilmott
The Process
1. cleaning the area, use rubbing alcohol to wipe the area, shave any hair even if you can't see any2. thermal fax is used to make a stencil of te design, transfers design onto thermal paper, skin is moistened with water or deoderant so that the design will stick to the skin3. the artist will prepare the tattoo machine, remove sterile needles from packaging and ink will be placed in ink caps which have to be with water every time you change colors4. ointment will be placed over the tattoo design which helps keep the transfer on longer and helps the needle slide along the skin smoothly, linework5. for shading and coloring the artist will switch to needles called magnums6. cleaning7. a protective layer of ointment is put on the tattoo to prevent infection, a bandage will be applied, your artist will instruct you how long to keep it on based on your tattoo.
The Effects
Ink must be injected into the dermis, or second layer of skin.If you put it on the epidermis it will fade more quickly over time through skin shedding. If you go any deeper it will cause bleeding and intense pain.
The risks
infection- use of unsterile equipment can lead to diseases like hepatitis, keep tattoo clean especially in the first week. removal- removing a tattoo is painful and expensive and can cause scarring. allergies- allergic reactions to tattoo pigments are rare but possible. granulomas- nodules that may form around ink because the body doesn't know what it is. MRI- can cause complications with MRI's making the tattoo burn and swell.
The Future Consequences
color fades, details aren't as sharp, skin begins to sag with age