Tattooing
Anatomy 1B
What is a tattoo?
What is the process of tattooing?
1. Payment and paperwork - Must have valid proof of identification and be 18 years of age, most parlors require you to pay in advance before your tattoo is finished.
2. Seat in the comfy chair - The tattoo artist get's you situated and comfortable in the room, private if you prefer.
3. Clean shave - The area where you are receiving the tattoo is shaved, so there is no chance of the tiniest of hairs causing any problems.
4. Applying the stencil transfer - The artist prepares your stencil for transfer and then moistens the skin around area and transfers the paper onto your skin leaving a blue/purple residue trace of your tattoo.
5. Machine preparation - As you are getting comfy the artist will prepare the ink that will be used in your tattoo and sterilize all other equipment.
6. Line work - Ointment will be placed over the transfer to make it easier for the needle to glide, and then the beginning line work starts.
7. Shading and color - Once line work is finished your artist will begin to get creative and add color and shading to parts of the tattoo.
8. Picture time - Once your tattoo is finished the artist will most likely take a picture and clean up the tattooed area.
9. Bandaging - Ointment will be applied to protect your skin from any infection and then a bandage will be applied, *note* it is important to keep the bandage on for the appropriate time your artist instructs.
10. Aftercare - Instructions will be given to you verbally and on a piece of paper for continued care.
Why get a tattoo?
- Tribute to someone/something (also a form of mourning, gives people a way to still feel connected to a loved one and to not completely forget about them)
- Display art (just like art museums, you body is an opportunity to display your artwork to the world)
*Interesting Fact*
What makes a tattoo so permanent?
Effected
Not effected
- Subcutaneous Layer (hypodermis): Innermost layer of the skin containing a network of adipose and collagen cells)
- Sensory receptor: Located throughout the skin that generate impulse when activated