Tattoos - A Living Form of Art

Tattoos and body piercings have grown in popularity over the past few decades. Once only reserved for tribes, sailors, or criminals, the meaning of tattoos and the reasons for people getting them have changed dramatically.

A Brief History

Like body piercings, tattoos are created by the constant application of ink just under the subcutaneous layer of the skin with a needle. At first, many tribes, sailors, and other groups used to apply the ink by hand. This was a long, painful process and the marked people were usually of high status. The tattoos were often a sign of respect, rank, and social status. Since the tattoos are permanent, the owners were guaranteed respect for life.

The interest of tattooing for the general public spread throughout the world in fads. A sailor would bring over a fully tattooed indigenous person and interest would spread like wildfire. In London, a sailor brought over a tattooed Polynesian from the South Pacific, and many of the people of London began to acquire their own small tattoos in secret places. However, interest in tattooing waxed and waned due to its long, arduous process of applying every dot of ink by hand.

The electric tattoo machine is a relatively recent invention, created in 1891 by Samuel O'Reily, and has revolutionized tattoos into an art form. Tattooing can still be long and painful but now the many punctures in the skin are done automatically at thousands of punctures per minute and can allow for better detail and shading. Skin is the most unique canvas and a tattoo that is placed onto the skin is permanent, requiring extra consideration for the right tattoo, the right artist, and the right placement. That piece of art will follow throughout one's lifetime.

In New York City, Samuel O'Reily trained a partner named Charley Wagner, who continued teaching after O'Reily's death. For a brief while, Chatham Square flourished with tattoo artists while the rest of the world remained unimpressed with tattooing. For a long time tattooing was generally stigmatized and most people with tattoos were stereotyped to be scary, dangerous, or freaks. During the 1920s tattoos began to be recognized for where a person has been in their travels, as tattoo artists set up shops in Coney Island. An outbreak of hepatitis, blood poisoning and other disease even worsened the prospects for tattooing in American culture.

Finally, a tattoo artist named Lyle Tuttle changed America's perception of tattooing by introducing celebrities to the art form. He tattooed them, mostly women, and used the media to change their stereotypes about the types of people who got tattoos. Together with the heightened awareness of the importance of sterilization and the improvement of training, tattoo popularity began to surge in the last few decades.

Changing Views

Today, the tattooing industry booms with new talented artists, schools and apprenticeship for budding tattooists, enlightened knowledge about sterilization, and health code regulation. Tattoo suppliers are well known and there are a wide variety of brands to choose from inks, tattoo machines, needles, and even tattoo shop supplies such as flash designs, chairs, and more. Younger generations are catching onto this art form and have made having a tattoo almost a rite of passage when one turns 18 in America. As more and more people of all walks of life have tattoos, the old stereotypes of tattooing that previously kept tattooing underground and unsafe has become outdated.

Now getting a tattoo is easier, mildly less painful, and relatively faster than ever before. The results of sitting in a chair in one position for a few hours are much more satisfying to see a beautiful piece of art with the outbursts of new and unique tattoo artists, each with their own style. Some tattoo designers stick with what is known as Old School tattoos, which have the look of tattoos done before the Second World War. They include traditional designs like nautical stars, pin up girls and mermaids, Old English letters, sparrows, skulls, hearts, roses, symbolic animal spirits (tigers, eagles, fish), and more. Old School tattoos keep the look simple with mostly black ink and a little bit of color because in the older days of tattooing there was not a great variety of ink colors to choose from. Old school tattoos are also notorious for featuring a ribbon with Old English letters writing a word or name inside the papyrus. The infamous Sailor Jerry Collins was the man who designed most tattoos that are now considered traditional or Old School. Today many women interested in 1950s retro fashion choose Old School tattoos and place them on their arm like a sailor would back in the day. Many sailor tattoos are symbolic. For example, the nautical star means that a person has gone through an important event or has been somewhere far and has returned safely.

New School tattoos include any new techniques done after this war. After the 1961 hepatitis outbreak which forced the tattoo movement underground for a while, tattoo designs were picked up by younger generations. They used bold, bright colors and utilized more shading thanks to advancements in needle variety and better quality ink. The health code regulations and better use of sterilization machines brought tattooing back in the forefront again. New school tattoos still have the same list of tattoo designs as old school but are captured in a unique way that is difficult to explain but easy to see the difference. Also many people today get new school designs that are custom made, compared to the old school tattoos which were generally picked off a wall of flash.

Today there are dozens of interesting tattoo styles to choose from: Celtic, Japanese, religious, spiritual, tribal, bio-mechanical, feminine, military, black and gray, traditional, neo-traditional, modern, and more. The best part about getting a tattoo is designing a custom piece. Then it is completely unique and meaningful for the person. Today, tattooing is more than ink on skin; it is expression of the soul.

Dehlia Buckley has four tattoos and a few piercings. Dehlia is a creative college student majoring in Psychology and also offers her freelancing skills to the world en mass. You can visit her portfolio at http://cacoethes.webs.com and her blog at [http://cacoethesblog.wordpress.com]

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Show Your Personality With Upper Back Tattoos

The original tattoos were used to signify membership within a clan or tribe. Sometimes they were used as a representation of status and rank. And tattoos were used this way for 1000s of years in many different cultures all around the world.

Later on, tattoos were used by sailors, bikers and those who have been incarcerated in prison as a symbol of membership. Which of course gave tattoos a disreputable look that prevented its acceptance into the mainstream for a long time. Until today. Now, tattoos are virtually everywhere and on everyone.

Tattoos are so accepted these days as a form of self-expression and as a way to respect the important memories that we have in our lives.

And one of the more popular tattoos are the upper back tattoos and for a good reason. The upper back is a very nice location for all tattoos because it is flat and has a lot of area to work with. You can put smaller stylish tattoos around the upper back or you can extend a full back tattoo up to the neck or arms.

In fact, going with an upper back tattoos is a great way to get started if you don't have one yet. And I say this because the upper back seems for most folks, the least painful part of the body to place a tattoo on. However, I'm NOT saying it won't be uncomfortable or painful! It depends on the person and the threshold for pain.

Another good reason for an upper back tattoos if of course that you can hide it with clothing so your boss or the world doesn't see your ink when you don't want them to see it.

Some folks prefer to have a medium sized tattoo placed on their shoulder blade area. You could even use both shoulder blades and create a mirror imaged tattoos for great effect. Those tattoos could be butterfly wings, angel wings, fairy wings or other similar tattoo designs. Another way to do it is to place these mirror imaged tattoos on either side of your spine. When done right, it is a beautiful pattern to show off.

Many guys prefer to use the shoulder blade area for symbolic tattoos. It can be animal tattoos or other tattoos that symbolizes the family, membership, beliefs or strengths. Something that reinforces the guy's personal identity.

Now, upper back tattoos can get a little complex because it spreads out across your entire back. It can even envelope the neck, wrapping around the shoulders and down to the arms. Usually, these tattoos are continuous or based on a theme.

Now you could look for tattoo pattern ideas for your upper back. Places to look are the tattoo magazines, tattoo design websites and the photos of work done by your local tattoo artist. Those are usually found at the tattoo studio. But I would urge you to discuss with your tattoo artist BEFORE doing anything. Make sure your artist is capable and creative.

After all, the upper back tattoos can get quite large and if it is done badly, I can't begin to describe how disappointed you will be because you are going to be stuck with that tattoo you don't like for the rest of your life. So be slow and careful. Be absolutely certain that this is the tattoo design or theme that you want to cover your back with.

So look around. Kick some tires. Check out all the possible tattoo patterns that you would consider. It could be a tribal pattern that stretches over your back or a smaller tattoo of a heart with your children names inside. While it is OK to be unique and personal. Be sure that this is what you want to proudly wear on your back forever.

Make your upper back tattoos meaningful. It is a way to express yourself to you and those close to you. And besides, you are going to want to show off your beautiful tattoo so be sure that it is exactly what you want before you get it inked on.

So there you go. If you do your homework, the upper back tattoos can be a wonderful source of pride for you. You need to put in the time and energy to plan everything so there are no surprises like waking up with 56 tattoos on your face! And make sure that it is the tattoo that you really want and would love seeing on you every single time you see it.

Becky McClure believes that the MOST important word after you made the decision to get inked is patience! Pick the right tattoo design for you. Pick the right location on your body to have it done. And then pick the best artist you can find for your new body art. Her website at http://www.dream-tattoo-design.com provides a wealth of informative articles and directions to a huge tattoo design gallery.

Don't forget to sign up for the FREE tattoo newsletter and grab your freebies too!

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What Makes Star Tattoos So Popular? Everything from Shooting Star Tattoos, to Nautical Star Tattoos

Star tattoos seem to be a pretty old and yet a very popular design. It is one of the most requested custom designs. Why are they so popular and are they over rated? You know there is this on going controversy between the "tattoo traditionalists" and the new generation of "tattooers". I put those in quotes because they are terms that I made up for this article.

A "tattoo traditionalists" like the old school tattoos. Things that are done in black ink and nothing that would be considered popular. They feel that each tattoo should be unique and say something about the individual. They are strongly against anyone that gets a tattoo because it is a popular design. For example they are against star tattoos because of their popularity. They would most likely be against the good old tribal arm band tattoo or a barbed wire arm band etc. You know the tattoo designs that are so popular and done over and over again. The "tattoo traditionalists just hate these.

The new generation of "tattooers" are pretty much the opposite. They like what is cool and hip and want to get tattoos done that are popular and in style. They will often look at celebrity tattoos or the tattoos of friends to get their ideas from which they might do some customizing and etc. Their designs typically feature a lot of color and are bright!

I have written more about these groups in other articles so for now I will stick to the topic at hand of star tattoos. You see there is a phenomenal growth in star tattoo designs. Tons of people want to get everything from simple star tattoos, groupings of moon and star tattoos, nautical stars, and even shooting stars. Star tattoo designs are pretty much everywhere.

So why are they so popular?

1. Star tattoo designs and celestial tattoos are especially popular themes among women and this is a rapidly growing market.

2. Star tattoos can be very gender neutral. Men and women can get star tattoos done.

3. Star tattoos are often inexpensive to get designs of and cost very little to get done.

4. Star tattoos often make a great first tattoo design for someone who is a little worried about getting started in tattoos. They are small and easily covered up and also less painful to get because of their size and therefore popular among first timers.

5. Star tattoos because of their size can fit into or among other existing designs or can make great cover up of a bad tattoo.

6. Stars are pretty universal symbols of good things. Most all religions have some type of star symbolism and star and stars don't make a strong statement about the world but just kind of thought of as fun and light hearted.

So who is right? Are star tattoos a great design to get done like the new generation of tattooers is doing or should you avoid them at all costs because they are not unique and they are overdone like the traditionalists would say?

Well, like all great questions in life and in the world of tattoo design the decision really is your to make. It will be your tattoo and one that you will live with for a long time. I think the best middle ground between the two groups is to just get something you like. If you like star tattoos for their own sake if they are popular or not then go ahead and get one and who cares. However if you are just getting a star tattoo because your friend just did or because the latest pop diva got one then it might be better to wait. Either way the choice is your to be made.

Chris is an avid tattoo enthusiast, as well as an observer and writer of the tattoo scene. He has run numerous tattoo related website business in the past. However, now he provides great tattoo information in the form of articles and web pages for everyone to enjoy free. Check out this page for more on tattoo sleeve designs, or here for awesome Free Star Tattoo Designs.

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So You're Thinking of Getting Your First Tattoo - A Look at the Pros And Cons Of Tattoos

On Getting Your First Tattoo: Pros And Cons Of Tattoos

So you're thinking of getting your first tattoo. Well, you're not alone. Tattoos are more popular than ever. And getting a new tattoo seems to be on our minds more than ever. On a recent trip to the beach, it seemed as if over half the sun worshipers were showing a bit of skin art somewhere on their bodies.

These days tattoos are more common than ever. Tattoos have gained quite a bit in popularity over the years, giving people a chance to stand out and broadcast who they really are. Men and women alike have tattoos, some covering their entire body. The choice is entirely up to you though, as you can get a tattoo in virtually any size you want.

Now I'm not knocking tattoos at all. You see, I got inked twice in my younger days. So I know the urge to get inked can be quite strong. I also know that tattoos can be addictive. But before getting inked, think about the pros and the cons of a tattoo.

The Pros of Tattoos

Tattoos allow a person to show the world their personality. Tattoos allow a person to stand out in a crowd for sure. Depending on the design of the tattoo, it might carry a symbolic meaning.

For the young person, a tattoo can definitely make you feel better about yourself. A lovely young woman with a beautiful butterfly on the shoulder can be very sexy. And the well-known tramp stamp tattoo on a ladies lower back can raise the passion fires in a male observer.

Yes, tattoos can make you feel good about yourself, but think about the cons of tattoos.

The Cons of Tattoos

For the weak of heart, let me tell you -- tattoos hurt. If your pain threshold is low, expect the pain to feel like red hot needles puncturing the skin. Now for some people, the pain is no big deal. But yes, tatts hurt for most of us mere mortals.

You also have the risk of infection when getting a tattoo. Always check out the tattoo studio for cleanliness and sanitation of all tattoo machines and inks.

Now here's the biggy of tattoo cons. TATTOOS ARE PERMANENT. Think about this for a second. Tattoos don't wash off. If you get a design you later regret, well sorry. It's permanent. And it will cost you an arm and a leg to have it removed.

My Personal Tattoo Removal Story

Here's a little personal note about tattoo removal.

When I got inked in Hong Kong while in the navy -- I was 19 at the time -- that beautiful tattoo cost me just $20US. Later, back in the states, I had the tattoo removed. (That's another story.) The tattoo removal cost $1,800.

And this was before laser tattoo removal. Back then the only way to remove a tattoo was to grind it off or do a skin graft. My surgeon ground it off (known as dermabrasion today). I still have the large ugly scars on my forearms now decades later.

Yes, there are pros and cons about getting your first tattoo. Take a little advice from a guy who has been there and done that. Think long and hard before getting a VISIBLE first tattoo.

You see, that was my big mistake when I got my first tattoo. I got it on my forearm.

Well, back in the real world that one forearm tattoo caused me much grief from employers, college admission officers, girls I wanted to date (and especially their parents), and even caused me problems advancing up the corporate ladder in health care management (my first job out of college).

Think Far Ahead Into Your Future...

Think ahead 10, 20, or 30 years. How will that tattoo fit into your career plans and lifestyle in 10 years? What if you go into a profession, or politics? Have you ever been treated by a doctor with a full sleeve tattoo? In all my years, I haven't. Just think about it.

For your first tattoo, get it somewhere not visible when wearing everyday clothes and a short sleeve shirt.

Yes, I know. Your mind's made up and you're going to get inked anyway. Well, I fully understand how you feel because I've been there and done that. Just remember this article before getting inked in a visible place on your body. And choose your first tattoo design carefully. You'll most likely be living with it the rest of your life.

If you're going to get inked and no one is going to change your mind, then check out this site: http://www.SexyTattooDesigns.info Thousands of designs and loaded with good tattoo info.

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Tattoos For Girls - Choosing the Right Tattoo For You

Nowadays there is a vast variety of tattoo design and body location combinations that make fantastic tattoos for girls and it can often be difficult to decide which tattoo design to ink, and where to site it. This article is dedicated to girls looking for ideas and advice to help them plan their next tattoo.

In the past it was mainly men who decorated their bodies with tattoos, however over the past 50 years or so tattoos for girls have also become incredibly popular. The rise in the popularity of tattoos among girls followed the women's rights movement, as social attitudes changed to embrace equality. While many girls still prefer the classic tattoo designs styles and body locations that are also popular among men, recent decades has also seen an explosion in incredibly feminine and elegant tattoo design styles that have been developed especially for female tattoo enthusiasts. There are so many different design styles around that there really is something for everyone.

There are so many options for girls planning a new tattoo that choosing a design and where to ink it can be rather daunting. It is incredibly important to really take your time making a decision. Tattoos are permanent and girls who get inked on the spare of the moment usually live to regret it.

The two biggest choices to make when planning a new tattoo are which design to ink, and where on the body to ink it. Some girls prefer to pick the design first, and then think about where best to have it tattooed, while other girls pick the body location first. There is no right or wrong way, although I personally recommend considering both the design and body area simultaneously when planning a new tattoo.

There are a wide range of tattoo designs available, and I strongly suggest you browse through as much top quality artwork as possible to get some initial ideas about what you like. A tattoo is a very personal thing, and I recommend choosing a design that not only looks fantastic, but also has some significance to you. Some of the most popular design styles that make for fantastic tattoos for girls include (in no particular order) bird, butterfly, Celtic, cross, dolphin, eagle, fairy, fish, flower, heart, rose, star, tiger, tribal, and zodiac tattoos, although many more design styles are widely available.

In addition to the design itself, it is also important to think about the colours that you want to incorporate in to your tattoo. Some girls love really colourful tattoos, and choose to ink designs such as butterflies, birds, and flowers. Other women prefer more classic tattoo designs inked in black, such as the very distinctive tribal and Celtic design styles.

Some of the most popular body areas for girls include the wrist, arm, back, lower back, belly button, foot, leg, neck, and shoulder. When choosing where to site a new tattoo, there are a number of factors that must be carefully considered. Firstly, many girls must consider how visible they want their tattoo be to. A large number of women have employers who enforce strict no tattoo policies, and will therefore need to select an area of the body that can be covered up easily. Other girls prefer to ink highly conspicuous designs that are easily shown off to the world.

Another factor that will greatly influence your body location options is the size of the tattoo that you plan to ink. Very large tattoos will obviously need a big canvas such as the back, chest, arms, or legs. Many girls, especially girls planning their first tattoos, prefer to ink relatively small designs, and these can be sited pretty much anywhere. Some areas of the body can only accommodate small tattoos, such as the wrist, ankle and foot.

Pain is another factor that is important to many people, especially newbies inking their first tattoos. Generally speaking, bony areas of the body, such as the ankle, are more painful to ink than more flesh areas such as the upper arm. The size of the design is also important, as larger designs take longer to ink, meaning that the associated pain has to be endured for longer.

I hope that you found the information in this article helpful, and that you will heed some of the advice given. I cannot stress enough the importance of taking your time to think about your options. Far too many people rush the planning stage and end up with tattoos that the don't like. Don't be one of these people, think long and hard about what you really want, and never be afraid to seek advice. Tattoo artists are great sources of advice, and I recommend that you talk with a reputable artist in your local area. I also strongly recommend browsing as many top quality designs as possible. By showing your artist some of your favourite designs, they will have a better idea for the sort of tattoo that you want. Carefully planning your new tattoo should ensure that you will ink a design that you will love forever.

For more information about planning a new tattoo, please visit the Tattoos For Girls section of the Premium Tattoo Designs website. For more information about ankle tattoos for girls, please check out the Ankle Tattoo Designs For Girls page of the Premium Tattoo Designs website.

Pete Wood is a passionate tattoo enthusiast. Pete's passion for the art of tattooing, combined with his anguish at the huge number of people that end up regretting their tattoos, lead Pete and a friend to create the Premium Tattoo Designs website. The ethos of the Premium Tattoo Designs website is to provide high quality information and advice so that people can make informed decisions when planning a new tattoo.

The premium tattoo designs website contains a vast amount of information and advice about a wide range of tattoo designs and commonly tattooed areas of the body. The website also contains detailed information about selecting tattoo artists and shops, tattoo safety considerations, tattoo aftercare, and much much more.

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An Introduction to Tattoos

Tattoos... Everyone has a different reaction to that word. It always got my attention. I think the first one I saw on a live person, was my cousins. I must have been 7 or 8 years old. He had a funny caricature of a devil on his arm with "born to raise hell" written over it. I was amazed by it and although it wasn't until my mid 20's when I christened my skin, I wanted one the second I saw that little devil.

Today, tattooing is far more accepted in society than it was back in the 60's, still; there are people that frown upon the idea of marking your body with ink....forever. Whether it's a religious issue, or their own personal preference, they can't deny that the tattoo is almost as old as civilization itself.

The word tattoo is derived from the Tahitian word "tatu", meaning to mark or to touch something. The earliest known tattooed person is the infamous "Iceman" found in 1991, in the Otzal Alps, located in Italy. Carbon dating proved that he had lived about 5,300 years ago. Fifty-eight tattoos were noted on his body!! Archaeologists think he was an important figure in his society. The tattoos were charcoal and water based.

Ancient cultures used tattoos to ward off sickness or bad luck. The Egyptians were the first to use needles to tattoo the body. Archaeologists exhuming tombs, have even found children's dolls decorated with tattoos. Tattooing spread through Greece, and Arabia, and By 2000 BC., the tattoo had arrived in Asia.

The Japanese first used tattoos to identify criminals. Later it was transformed into an art form, producing some of the world's most beautiful tattoos. The Yakuza (Japanese mafia) use their tattoos to intimidate their rivals. Japanese style of tattooing has influenced hundreds of artists today.

Polynesians have also contributed greatly to the art. Their instruments consist of sharpened pieces of bone, or ivory, tied to a stick. They "chisel" the ink into the skin by hitting the top of the instrument with a mallet type object. The tool might consist of one sharp object, or a whole row of objects, resembling a rake.

Members of certain tribes underwent grueling hours tattooing their bodies as a right of passage. Those tools are still used today, for those same rituals, but it is a dying art form, performed only by those preserving their culture. They also developed a facial tattoo called the "Moko". This facial tattoo consisted of lines drawn about the face that would tell that persons life story.

Centuries ago in Europe, it was common to have family crests tattooed on the body, but when the Normans invaded in 1066, tattooing disappeared. 600 years later, a sailor named William Dempher, ran into Prince Giolo, known as the Painted Prince. He was brought from Polynesia to London, put on exhibition, and became a sensation.

In the 1700's, on one of his many trips to the South Pacific, Captain Cook came across Oami,a heavily tattooed man, whom he also brought back to England. The English were amazed, and soon tattooing became a fad amongst the upper class. Still it would be another 100 years before tattooing would have an influence in America.

The first electric tattoo machine was invented by Samuel O'Rielly in 1891. It evolved from an electric pen that Thomas Edison had invented a few years earlier. This machine is very similar to the one used today. With this invention, it was very easy to obtain a tattoo, so the upper class gradually turned its back on the art, and by the 1900's the glamour of being tattooed had lost its appeal. Tattoo artists found themselves working the seedy areas of neighborhoods, and tattooing went underground. Only by word of mouth could someone find a tattoo artist, or even see tattoo art. Tattooing became a secret society.

Once again, Samuel O'Rielly to the rescue. He moved from Boston to New York City and opened a tattoo shop in very popular Chatham Square, the Times Square of its day, and the birthplace of American style tattoos. There he met Charlie Wagner.

O'Rielly taught Wagner the art of tattoo until Sam's death in 1908. Charlie then met Lew Alberts, a wallpaper designer. Alberts incorporated his designs into tattoo art, and started making flash designs. Tattooing flourished in Chatham Square for nearly 20 years, until the depression hit. The soul of tattooing then moved to Coney Island. Shops opened up wherever military bases seemed to be. Mostly sailors would get tattooed, and each tattoo brought a different story from a different place.

After the Second World War, tattoos were less popular. Their association with bikers, and jailbirds had a great impact on the decline of tattooing in American culture. An outbreak of hepatitis in the 1960's brought tattooing to its knees. Needles weren't being sterilized, and reports of blood poisoning flooded the newspapers. New York outlawed tattoos and shut down its shops in Coney Island. Tattooing moved to New Jersey, Philadelphia, and all the way to San Francisco.

Today, tattooing is legal again in New York, and just recently made legal in Massachusetts. Artists hold international conventions, where they display work, perform work, and give seminars on tattooing. Many have an art degree. Cleanliness is an unwritten rule in the business these days. Shops would not survive if the proprietors did not keep a clean place of business. Tattooing has once again reached the upper echelon of society. Movie stars, rock stars, and corporate executives now grace their bodies with tattoos. Every tattoo has a special meaning for the one who wears it. Whether it's a tribute to a lover, or a child, mom or dad, a simple line or a detailed body suit, tattoos have made its mark in the history of the world.

R.Scott

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Tattoos - Which Tattoo Designs are Most Popular?

What are the Most Popular Tattoo Designs?

Tribal Tattoos - Tribal tattoo designs have been around for hundreds of years and are becoming more and more complex and constantly evolving and morphing into what has become known as neo tribal tattoo styles. Tribal tattoos can be traditional 'black work' on the arms and legs or more colorful styles characterised by the 'Modern Primitive' look covering the entire body.

'Old School' Style Tattoos - Anchors and swallows seem to be making a comeback and not just amongst old sailors and bikers. A lot of females are asking for tattoos of swallows and anchors on their neck and chest while many guys are going for the ol' sailor Jerry tattoos on their forearms. This style is further fueled by the 1950's revival characterised by retro vixens such as the Suicide Girls.

Lower Back Tattoos - These are a perennial favorite particularly amongst females. The most popular lower back tattoos are still tribal designs but dragons, lotus flowers and eastern symbolism seems to be popular as well.

Dragon Tattoos - Dragon tattoo designs are another style of tattoo that seems to be enjoying a revival. There are so many styles of dragons from the traditional chinese dragon tattoo to more mythical dragons.

Celtic Tattoos - Celtic tattoos are being done on people with a celtic heritage but also by many people with no celtic origin. Some of the celtic symbols are universal in nature and have universal meanings common to all races. This may explain why celtic tattoos are being mixed with tribal tattoos creating a style of tattoo known as tribal celtic tattoos.

Tips for Getting Tattoos

Choose your tattoo carefully. Don't go for some off the wall 'flash' tattoo. A good tattoo artist is capable of doing 'custom work'.

Try not mix different tattoo styles such as Japanese and Tribal styles. It doesn't work!

Go to a reputable tattoo artist not some backstreet 'scratcher' who is cheap but you will inevitably regret later. Build a relationship with the tattoo artist if you plan of getting a lot of tattoos.

Take proper care especially of newer tattoos. In summer many people get tattooed and can't wait to flash their tattoos in public. Be careful that you do not expose your new tattoos to too much sun which will fade them. Use plenty of sunscreen to avoid them fading prematurely.

Looking for tattoo designs? Visit Tao of Tattoos for more ideas.

Subscribe for FREE to 'Kinky Ink' ezine for the kookiest tattoo pictures of the month.

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Problems With Healing Tattoos

Signs of Normal Healing

At first the tattoo looks shiny, swollen and the colors are extra bright. Within 24 hours the scab forms, this should be very thin, looks like the tattoo and with proper care is slightly flexible.

After about 4-5 days the tattoo will go through a period of peeling. This looks similar to a sunburn peeling. The scab that peels off will be the color of the tattoo, and it will look like your tattoo is flaking off. Sometimes this stage is accompanied by mild itching which can be relieved by rubbing it gently with more ointment or lotion.

Do not ever leave your tattoo slick or sticky.

Always blot off any extra ointment or lotion.

When the tattoo is completely done pealing you will notice a layer underneath the new tattoo that contains healing skin cells that will cause the skin to seem milky rather than transparent. Don't worry about this; it's all part of the healing process and only takes about a month to go away. If you want, you can put lotion on the tattoo to help it look brighter and more healed during this final stage of healing.

Symptoms of Bad Healing

When healing goes wrong there are very few things that can happen. Some of the signs that things are going wrong are; extreme seeping, heavy scabbing, excessive inflammation, and sometimes a rash (little bumps) or pimples.

Often when things go wrong people assume that the tattoo is infected. Unless you work or live in a very dirty environment (see below) it probably isn't. You should always show the tattoo to your artists before heading for the doctors' office.

Most doctors know nothing about tattoo after care and some of them are prejudice against tattoos. They often time prescribe unnecessary drugs and treatment that can make the healing even worse.

A professional tattoo artist has been trained in healing correction. They know what infected tattoos look like and will only send you to a doctor when necessary. Seeing the right person can save you time and money, not to mention the finished look of your tattoo.

Aftercare Mistakes

Neglect -

If you don't practice good personal hygiene, pick your tattoo, wear tight clothing or let clothing stick to it, scrub the tattoo, or take too long or are not careful in the shower, your tattoo will not look nice when it is finished healing. It can have ink missing and sometimes heavy scar tissue over it.

Always follow the care instructions. If you feel like you don't understand them, please call and ask for help. Though we can not correct healing issues without actually seeing the tattoo, we are happy to teach you more about our healing instructions.

We'd rather spend a few extra minutes helping you to have a good healing than to have to try to fix up a tattoo healing gone wrong.

Your Health -

If you have any immunity deficiencies, blood disorders such as diabetes, or are on certain medications such as steroids or blood thinners your tattoo could be affected. It could take longer to heal and not turn out very well.

It is a good idea to consult your doctor before getting a tattoo if you suspect there may be a problem. It is a good idea to inform your artist of any health issues so they can tailor the healing to meet your needs.

Damaged Skin -

Long term cigarette smoking, drinking too many soft drinks, eating poorly, and over exposure to the sun damages skin. A tattoo on damaged skin will rarely look as good as one on healthy skin.

Sometimes the colors and lines aren't as bright or clear as they would have been and the artists can not do anything about it. If you have damaged skin you will have to keep your expectations reasonable. Sometimes if the skin is damaged the artist will want to do the tattoo in stages as avoid overworking* it and to hopefully make the healing process easier on you.

If your skin is older, thin, weak, or sun damaged it can also be harder to heal. However, with a little patience and care the tattoo can heal out fine. So be sure to follow the directions carefully and for the full length of time, which can be longer than healthy skin

(*When the skin is damaged it is very easy for the artist to accidentally overwork the tattoo. Doing this it can also cause the scabbing to be thicker. If this happens it isn't the end of the world. Just be patient and when the tattoo is completely healed your artist will want to touch it up for you.)

Sun Exposure -

The sun is your tattoos worst enemy, if you expose your healing tattoo to the sun it can fade the ink before it is even healed. Tattoos that are exposed to the sun too soon look faded, blurry, washed out and much older than they should. Under no circumstances expose your healing tattoo to prolonged direct sunlight or tanning.

Even a healed tattoo, with time, will fade when exposed to the sun or tanning beds. If you must expose your healed tattoo to those evil UV rays are sure to use a high SPF sun block (at least 45)

Allergic Reactions to Latex -

If you are allergic to latex you will more than likely know before you get your tattoo. Let the artist know so they can accommodate you. The signs of an allergic reaction to latex are extreme rash/redness in the case of latex (from gloves worn by the artist) we can use non-latex gloves and tape on you.

Allergies to Tattoo Ink -

Allergic reactions to tattoo ink are very, very, rare but unfortunately possible. Most professional tattoo pigments are made out of natural ingredients that shouldn't cause a problem. They have been proven by their use successfully in the tattoo industry for many years.

Most people don't have any idea they are allergic to certain colors of ink until after the tattoo has been applied. However we have noticed that people who are allergic to metals and have reactions to cheep jewelry often do react. At our shops, we have only seen reactions with one particular red which we rarely use.

If you are allergic to a pigment it will be evident by just that particular color bubbling and raising off of your skin. It looks like a blister or a raised red mole. It will itch and not look completely healed no matter how long it has been.

You have two choices. One is to remove the offending color or to use hydrocortisone cream to control the itching and promote healing which can take up to 5 years. Removal is not any more painful than the tattoo process and after it heals another color can be used to finish the tattoo.

If you are concerned about having a reaction to tattoo ink ask your artist about doing a "prick test" where a small dot of each color to be used in your potential artwork is tattooed under your skin at least 10 days before your tattoo. This will cost you extra money, but if you have a lot of allergies sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry.

Exposures to Toxins or Bacteria -

If you work/live in an environment with dirt and filth you run the risk of infection. Emergency rooms, nursing homes, hospitals, being around animals & their waste, toxic chemicals, and filth of all kinds can cause serious infections.

It is nearly impossible to get an infection in a professionally applied tattoo. Tattoo shops are required to use more safety precautions than hospitals, doctors, and dentists do. Most shops are inspected regularly by the local health department and display a certificate of their status. If you are still worried about the shop, go someplace else.

Be smart and use common sense. If you have a dirty job, wear loose protective clothing and do not touch your tattoo unless you have washed your hands. Dirty bedding is another problem. Put fresh sheets on your bed if you haven't done so within a few days of getting your tattoo. Wear clean clothing. Use clean towels and washcloths.

Advices from Family & Friends -

When things go wrong people tend to panic. Tattoo healing problems are not an emergency.

If you think that you are having a reaction to your tattoo or the aftercare, the best thing to do is to go back to the tattoo shop where you got the tattoo. It is very important that you consult your artist.

After looking at the problem and asking a few basic questions they can tell what the issues are and help you over come them. Very few healing problems are unsolvable or require medication.

Do not go to your friends and family for advice. They do not have the training to help you. There is a lot of out of date tattoo folk lore going around. Everyone you talk to will have a different opinion and idea of what to do. This can be dangerous.

Advices from Other Tattoo Shops -

Do not go to another tattoo shop. Each artist uses the care instructions that they know will heal their work the best. This is usually different from one artist to another. What works well for one artist can mess up someone else's work.

Another problem with going to a different shop is that tattoo shops are very competitive with each other and an unethical unprofessional tattooist will lie to persuade clients to switch artists. They will sometimes go so far as to give out bad advice to ensure the failure of the tattoo.

Do not call around, or look for advice on the internet. NO ONE can help you without seeing the tattoo first.

Your artist knows how you can save your tattoo if you deal with the situation right away. Do not rely on outside sources.

Do the right thing. Take care of your investment. You're going to have it the rest of your life...

Kita Kazoo has 20+ years of tattoo experience and is co-owner of Happy Valley Tattoo & Piercing in American Fork, Utah. You can see photos of her studio and some of the tattoos she has done at her website - tat2me.com.

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Dallas Tattoo Removal - The Ten Most Common Tattoos that are Removed

Tattoo removal is an increasingly common aesthetic medical procedure in Dallas, Houston, and other Texas cities. Current laser technology is able to safely and effectively remove tattoos with a minimum of side effects - primarily swelling and redness for a few days after the removal procedure. Most tattoos need 3 to 10 procedures to remove the tattoo completely, with more treatments generally required for newer and brighter tattoos, and fewer treatments needed for older and more dull tattoos.

But why would a patient wish to have a tattoo removed? Dallas tattoo removal clinics remove a wide range of tattoo designs - here are ten of the most common tattoos removed

1) Cursive name tattoos - these tattoos are written in the black/dark green tattoo ink and range in size from 1 inch by 1 inch to as large an across the entire torso. These tattoos are removed when a relationship is over, patient no longer wishes to have the name of their partner displayed on their body, or the tattoo no longer looks as desirable as it did in the past.

2) Tattooed names written in block letters - similar to cursive names, but these tattoos are generally larger, with independent letters either filled in with shaded ink or empty. These tattoos are generally larger than cursive tattoos.

3) Rose tattoos - these tattoos incorporate red ink with green leaves and a stem. The red ink is relatively easy to remove with a Q-switched Nd:YAG medical laser, but the green ink is significantly more difficult. These tattoos are easiest to remove when they are older (5-10 years old+) and on a part of the body that has received significant sun exposure.

4) Star tattoos - a very common tattoo that is either filled in or left empty. Some of these tattoos are black and some multi-colored.

5) Barbed wire tattoos - most common among male patients, these tattoos are often found on the upper arm in black or dark green ink. These tattoos are slightly more difficult to remove due to the challenge in maneuvering the patient's arm to completely remove the entire band.

6) Tribal tattoos - there are thousands of varieties, often with high ink density and contrasting colors.

7) Dragons tattoos - popular among male patients, these tattoos are often on the lower leg, lower arm, and back. Some dragon tattoos can cover the entire back and may take hours for a single removal session. Black ink is the most common color, but multi-colored tattoos that are quite beautiful may also be presented for removal.

8) Butterflies tattoos - women often present these tattoos, to be removed because the ink has faded and is no longer attractive, the body has changed shape and stretched the tattoo, or because that patient no longer feels the tattoo is part of their desired lifestyle.

9) Japanese/Chinese character tattoos - presented less frequently than commonly thought - these tattoos represent some message of wise saying, personal motto, or unknown but attractively-designed character. These thick and dark letters can be difficult to remove given than they tend to be newer tattoos with high pigment density.

10) Tear drop tattoos - these tattoos are associated with the death of another person. They are controversial because while some tear drop tattoos are meant to indicate the death of a loved one, others represent or purport to represent that the tattooed patient has killed another individual. Tear drop tattoos are placed immediately below and to the side of the eye and are removed with caution due to the proximity to the sensitive eyes.

Bio: Ryan Lambert, President of New Look Laser Tattoo Removal. I own tattoo removal clinics in Houston (http://www.NewLookHouston.com) and Dallas (http://www.NewLookDallas.com). Our Houston tattoo removal and Dallas tattoo removal clinics have removed thousands of tattoos. I can be reached at info@newlookhouston.com

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The 10 Best Designs of Tattoos Today - The Most Popular and Desirable Tattoo Designs Available

When your considering getting a tattoo you have a wide variety of different tattoo designs to choose from. You can also design your own tattoos and be as unique as possible. However, have you ever wondered what are the best designs of tattoos?

Well if you have then you will find the list below very interesting. These are the 10 best tattoos by their popularity and high demand.

Cross Tattoos: These are one of the most popular tattoos available today. They symbolize hope, faith, belief and sacrifice. Cross tattoos are sometimes used to represent a family member or someone close who has passed away.

Butterfly Tattoos: Butterfly tattoo designs are often chosen by women. These tattoos have a lot of different meaning and also have a variety of different designs.

Dragon Tattoos: Dragon tattoos have always been popular. These classic tattoos are popular among men and women. Originating from the Chinese and Japanese culture these designs of dragon tattoos represent the basic 4 elements water, wind, earth, and fire.

Crown Tattoos: The designs of crown tattoos symbolize leadership and authority. A lot of people use crown tattoos to display command and power.

Love Tattoos: Love tattoos have always been popular and there are many different variations of this tattoo design. Most people use these love tattoo designs as a way of showing love and devotion.

Angel Tattoos: Angel tattoo designs usually represent protection and the faith a person has in God. These designs of tattoos also symbolize guidance or a guardian.It's not uncommon to see people using angel tattoos as a memorial for a loved one.

Tribal Tattoos: Tribal tattoos seem to continue to become more popular. Tribal has always covered a wide variety of tattoo designs.

Star Tattoos: Star tattoos are often looked at as the symbol of truth and hope. These designs of tattoos are very popular and it has been said that star tattoos represent the struggle against the dark forces. Some of the more popular designs of star tattoos include the pentagram and hexagram star.

Phoenix Tattoos: The pheonix is a legendary bird which represents fire. The designs of pheonix tattoos represent rebirth and resurrection.

Wing Tattoos: The designs of wing tattoos have inspirational and spiritual meaning. These wing tattoos symbolize elevation, freedom, and speed. Wing tattoos are sometimes associated with angel tattoos.


These are the 10 most popular tattoo designs today and most of them will continue to remain popular for years to come. Most of these tattoos have many different design variations and meaning so it's up to you to find the one that represents you the best.

For more Popular Tattoo Designs, you should head over to Heart Tattoo Designs And More and check out the Best Tattoo Gallery Online which will give you access to over 4,000 original and quality Tattoo Designs so you can create your own unique tattoo----> Click Here

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A Brief History of Tattoos

Tattooing has been a part of human society for thousands of years and can be found among ancient and native cultures throughout the world. The earliest tattoo to date was found on the famous "Iceman" mummy. Estimated to have lived around 3300 BC and discovered in 1991 in the northern Italian Alps, the mummy revealed approximately 57 tattoos on its ankles, back of the knees and lower back. It is believed that these tattoos were for medicinal purposes, possibly a form of ancient acupuncture.

Tattoos have also been found on Egyptian mummies (though only female) and are evidenced in many cultures worldwide, including Greek, Ainu, Mayan, Aztec, Norse and Saxon. Tattooing in Asia is thousands of years old.

Polynesians have one of the richest tattooing cultures in the world. The word tattoo comes from Tahitian word "tatu" which means "to mark something." The history of the tattoo in the Polynesian culture reaches back over two thousand years, and Polynesian tattoos are considered among the most detailed and complex. For Polynesians, tattooing is considered spiritual and sometimes can cover the entire body. Even today, the tradition of tattooing by hand is considered almost sacred by Polynesians, and the craft is passed from father to son, much like serving an apprenticeship.

The Hawaiian culture is renowned for its tattoos. In the Hawaiian society, traditional tattoo art, known as kakau, is performed not only for the purposes of individualism and ornamentation but also to guard one's spirit, health and well-being. Hawaiian tattoos are typically intricate, mimicking elements of nature such as leaves, reeds, plants, and certain creatures of nature such as lizards, tortoises, butterflies or fish.

Around 1000 AD, Polynesian settlers found their way to New Zealand and became known as the Maori. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Maori had developed their culture significantly. One notable aspect of their culture was the development and use of the tattoo, which was called the moko. In this culture, the tattoo or moko, was used to depict societal status, tribal affiliation and ancestry. Known for the full face tattoo, the Maori tattooing was actually performed by carving and chiseling the skin. Being master carvers of wood, the Maori used their skill to create intricate designs in their skin too. The tradition of tattooing or carving also expanded to the lower torso, extending from the waist to the knees.

All Polynesian peoples have a common thread when it comes to tattoos. They believe that a person's spirit or life force can be represented in their tattoo and thus it has a tremendous significance among their society.

Regardless of purpose, tattoos have played an important role in ritual and tradition. As described above, the motivation for having a tattoo can stem from a variety of reasons. Over time, society's elite such as royalty and czars have had tattoos to distinguish themselves from the rest of their social order. In a negative sense, some cultures have used tattoos for just the opposite purpose -to distinguish an element of their society for the purpose of discrimination or segregation.

Regardless of the reason or the society, there can be no dispute that the tattoo has a place in history. This is also true in American society, where the tattoo has evolved tremendously. It was in the United States that the first electric tattoo gun was developed, based upon the technology and principles of Thomas Edison. It was this tattoo gun that revolutionized the art of tattooing by making the process simpler for artists and also for those getting tattoos.

Prior to the seventies, the tattoo was considered the mark of bikers, sailors, freaks, and carnival ride operators and was held in disdain by most of American society (except for Hawaiians). While in the 1940's during World War II many in the service got a tattoo, the process of getting a tattoo was considered an "underground" activity subject to health concerns, and considered dangerous by many. However, in the seventies, tattooing started to take on a new significance during a time when the American society was undergoing many cultural changes. These cultural changes, included the development and increased popularity of civil rights, as well as gay and lesbian, peace advocate and women's lib groups. The peace sign and the marijuana leaf became very popular in the late sixties and seventies as a sign of counter-culture beliefs as tattooing started to creep into the middle class of American society. Today, tattooing is more popular than ever with some claiming that as many as a third of Americans under the age of forty have a tattoo. With this popularity, the tattoo parlor has largely evolved to become a safer, more acceptable place in society and even tattooists are now being considered among the ranks of American artists, more and more having an education in art and/or health.

Alan Mischler is an Internet Marketer and a Business Consultant. He has a wife and three daughters and his wife and oldest daughter have tattoos. While he does not have a tattoo himself, he is interested in learning more about tattoos, their origin, history and safety aspects. His blog is dedicated to learning more about tattoos from the "layman's" perspective.

Everything Tattoo
History Of Tattoos

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Expressing Yourself With Tattoos

Have you noticed that there are a lot of people that have Tattoos these days? In the past you may have only seen tattoos on people such as sailors, outlaws, and biker gangs but now tattoos are a very popular body decoration for many people. The types and styles of tattoos has also come a very long way. It is no longer crude pictures of pinup girls, skulls, and anchors. Tattoos have developed into very sophisticated art work ranging from Celtic crosses to very personalized symbols. People have found and created designs that express themselves in a very personal way.

What is a Tattoo?

Very simply a tattoo is a puncture wound made in the skin that is filled with ink. Although done differently today than in the past the technique is still somewhat similar. Today, tattoo artist use a tattoo gun that has one or more needles that penetrate the skin and delivery ink into the skin. Tattoos last a very long time due to the fact that the ink is placed deeply into the skin. The top layer of skins is called the epidermis and it is constantly shedding and being reproduced. If the ink from a tattoo was in this layer of skin it would not last very long. The layer of skin that the ink is injected to is called the dermis, which is a deeper layer of skin that is very stable and makes the tattoo stay visible almost permanently.

Tattoos in the past were done manually with a tool that they tapped on the skin to make the puncture wound and then the ink would be injected by hand. Most tattoo shops today have tattoo guns or machines to do this today, although you can still find areas around the world that still use the older style of tattooing. The tattoo guns make tattooing much more quickly today because the machine is able to deliver the ink into the skin as it is puncturing the skin. The tattoo artist can change the tip of the machine to contain one needle or group of needles depending on if they are drawing the outline of the design or shading part of the design. Most tattoo artist today are very skilled and know just how far to drive the needle into the skin to produce a good tattoo. Not going deep enough can result in ragged tattoo and going to deep can result in excessive bleeding, not to mention the pain would be much worse.

Does It Hurt?

Getting a tattoo can hurt and can take several hours or even days to complete depending on the size and design of the tattoo you are getting. The amount of pain can and will very depending on the location of the tattoo. Everyone has a different threshold to pain also. The art has a bit to do with it also. A good tattoo artist can provide less pain over a new or less experienced tattoo artist.

So you want a Tattoo!

First and foremost, if you are going to get a tattoo, get it done safely! Remember, a tattoo is a puncture wound that needs to be taken care of just like any other scrape or cut that you may get. By taking care of your tattoo you will be less likely to have it get infected. It may sound a little silly but you need to make sure that your immunizations are up to date. Tattoo shops today have implement steps to help you avoid infections and disease but it doesn't hurt to take an extra step for your own safety. Have a plan to get medical care if your tattoo does get infected. Some signs of infection are excessive redness, prolonged bleeding, pus or changes in your skin color around the tattoo.

If you have a prior or existing condition such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes or a condition that effects your immune systems by all means consult with your doctor. He may be able to recommend precautions that you can take before getting your tattoo.

Choosing the place to get your tattoo is very important. You want to be sure the tattoo shop is clean and safe. Things such as needles, gloves, mask should all be disposable and should never be used on more than one person. The guns themselves and other equipment that is not disposable should be sterilized after every use. You can contact your local government agencies(county, city, local health department) that can inform your on licensed tattoo shops, standards or complaints against a specific tattoo shop.

Here are some things to look for:

Does the tattoo shop you are looking at have an autoclave to sterilize equipment? An autoclave is a piece of equipment that uses steam, pressure and heat to sterilize with.

Is the shop licensed? You can check this through you local government agency and the tattoo shop you are looking at should be able to provide you with references.

Make sure the tattoo shop the regulations that outline procedures to be followed when dealing with bodily fluids that are provided by the Occupational Safely and Health Administration's Universal Procedures.

Just keep in mind, if the tattoo shop you are considering looks dirty or just doesn't feel right to you for any reason it would probably be best to find a tattoo shop you are more comfortable with.

What to expect

First of all you will need to find your design that you are wanting tattooed on your body. The tattoo shop you are going to will most likely have thousands of designs that you can look through. You may also be able to have the artist create a unique design for you. There are also may designs to choose from on the web. Once you have decided on a design you will need to decide on a location. You may already have a location in mind and be able to choose the tattoo you will be getting for that particular location. The tattoo artist will then clean and even shave if necessary to area getting tattooed and apply a type of stencil of the tattoo on that area and allow you to see it. This will give you a good idea of what it will look like. As the artist is getting the ink and gun ready they will explain things about the needles and the procedures in order for you to become more comfortable with the whole process. When you are both ready they will begin the outline. Once the outline is finished the tattoo artist will once again clean the tattoo area and most likely change the needles in the gun to do the shading or fill in. After finishing the tattoo the artist will again clean the tattoo area and apply some type of antibiotic ointment and then it will be covered with a bandage. Congratulations! You now have a new tattoo. It will take a few days to heal but soon you will be able to remove the bandage and show off your new art.

Tattoo Care

The last step you will need to follow in very important. That is taking care of your new tattoo until it is fully healed. The tattoo shop will give you instructions that you should follow and will most likely give you ointment to use on your tattoo. Just remember to contact your doctor if something about your tattoo seems out of the ordinary (as discussed earlier). Make sure that you keep your tattoo bandaged for the first 24 hours. This will help in the healing process greatly. You will want to avoid touching the new tattoo and picking at any scabs that may form. After all, it is a wound and will most likely form some scabs in places. When you wash it for the first time try to use an antibiotic soap and just pat it dry. Re-apply some antibiotic ointment and also re-bandage it. This will only help your tattoo to heal. You want to avoid getting your new tattoo wet(pools, hot tubs, long showers) until the tattoo has fully healed. The other important step is keeping your tattoo out of direct sunlight. Even after it is fully healed the sun can cause fading of your tattoo a great deal. So it is suggested to use a sun screen on your tattoo for quite some time so that your new tattoo does not begin to fade to soon.

Rick Watson

Find out more about tattoos and other body modification at http://www.tatsandthings.blogspot.com where you will find related information on tattoos and piercings with links and more showing you where you can go to get tattoo designs and body jewelry.

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Tattoo Designs, Tattoos, Tribal Tattoos. Choosing Your Tattoo Design Has Never Been Easier

Tattoo Designs are something you need to think about seriously. Do not make one of the most important decisions of your life an embarrassing mistake. Your choice on tattoo designs, which will be permanently inked into your skin, has to be some sort of tattoo designs that YOU are comfortable with, one that truly rocks and makes heads turn in awe.

It can be difficult making that important decision on tattoo designs. It is something you do not want to rush then regret later on.

What you need to know about tattoo designs is that in this day and age tattoos are very common, in fact a study done in 2006 by the American Academy of Dermatology, estimated that roughly 1 in 4 people between the ages of 18 and 50 had at least one to two tattoo designs. Even with tattoos being so common, many people do not know much about them. Tattoos are sometimes still considered odd, questionable and even taboo.

Tattoo Designs are patterns, pictures or markings made by dye inserted into the pores of the skin by perforating the skin with immense caution. People in the Tattoos industry refer to them as tats, work, ink or art. In scientific terms, tattooing is actually micro-pigment implantation.

Globally this type of art practice is gaining approval and many mainstream art and design galleries hold expos of tattoo designs and tattoo pictures. The popular name for tattoo designs is Flash.

Tattoo Designs more often than not reflect the personality of the person wearing them and so they should, they are on your body. Often people search for the tattoos they want in the actual parlor for something that will suit them. It would be hard to choose your tattoo designs from only what is on display in the chosen tattoos parlor. You should do extensive research on tattoo designs first. I have found numerous sites online that offer a plethora of tattoos, tattoo designs, tribal tattoos, pictures and information. The time it took to find as much information and ideas that I could was massive, but worth it in the end as we can be very specific to what we want when deciding on tattoo designs and location to place the tattoos.

Weather it be an extreme concern for your cultural roots or something of significant importance to you, the tattoo designs that you choose will be one of the most important decisions of your life.

I have heard countless horror stories of bad decisions related to tattoo designs. People excited to rush out and get those 'Perfect' tattoos that they saw on their favorite celebrity like Britney Spears, Alyssa Milano, David Beckham or Robbie Williams. Or even seeing some tribal tattoos in a movie like Blade, only to realize after coming out of the parlor that the tattoo designs just do not suit them, or wasn't what they expected. The fact then hits that they are stuck with those tattoo designs for the rest of their lives.

Their problem was a lack of research in tattoo designs and tattoos in general, because the excitement of actually getting some tattoos finally, blurred their judgment and made them hasty to rush out and get those tattoo designs that they saw or thought up and then trying to describe it to the artist. Definitely not the smartest thing to do.

Also the location of your tattoos is key. You must consider some things when thinking of the location of your tattoos. Will others see it easily? Do I want my tattoos to be easily seen by others? Do I want my tattoos in more of a private place so only those close to me would be able to view them? Which body parts hurt more than others? Generally, places that have thinner skin tend to hurt more. These places include, but are not limited to, due to differences in all of our bodies, the ankles, head and the lower back.

Less painful places include the upper arm, back of the shoulder and the chest. And it also depends on your pain threshold when getting tattoos on how bad it will actually hurt.

I bet you have heard of or been with some people who just rock up to the tattoo parlor, look through the tattoo designs in the books and all the pictures of tattoos on the walls, pick something that looks cool and jump right into the chair to get what should be meaningful tattoo designs inked into their skin. They either want to go the extremely cheap option and choose simple tattoos, (more common tattoo designs are generally less expensive and take less time) or they have just been out on a heavy night on the Britney Spears - (Beers) and just stumbled into the parlor, only to wake up in the morning wondering why they have a Superman tattoo pic on their butt.

Another really bad mistake.

Do not make these mistakes. Ultimately at the end of the day, it's YOUR body; think about this very important decision. What kind of tattoo designs are you after? What kind of tattoos do YOU really want? Remember, whatever you choose to decide for your tattoo designs and the location on your body, it will last FOREVER!

Make the decision a GREAT one.

Weather your looking for tribal tattoos or Celtic tattoo designs, Japanese or Chinese tattoos, exotic or fantasy related tats, superman tattoo pics, Robbie Williams tattoo, Brittany Tattoo, important after care information, choosing a good parlor, artist, safety precautions or even free tattoo designs, you need a source where you can grab everything you could want in one place.

Here is a site that will save you days, weeks and months as it has already researched the BEST the internet has to offer. This will save YOU time and money as it can be your SOURCE of Tattoo Design information. Tattoo Design Universe [http://www.tattoo-design-universe.com]

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Girl Tattoos - How to Find the Right Design For You

If shows such as Miami Ink and L.A. Ink show us anything, it's that tattoos are not some passing fad. What once was a form of rebellion is now seen by many as an outward extension of who they are. Women today are becoming increasingly tattooed and searches on the net for girl tattoos have skyrocketed. Some tattoo studios (once called tattoo 'parlors) can even have a female to male ratio of 60% to 40%.

What drives a woman to get a tattoo? The most heard reason in studios is that they just broke up with someone. Some get their first ink after a divorce or other major change in their life such as losing a loved one, childbirth, marriage or even religion (think cross tattoos or The Virgin Mary). This is a practice that dates back thousands of years.  

What are women having done tattoo-wise? The most popular are typically flowers, tribal designs, butterflies, fairies and cartoons. These tattoos are also starting to get larger and more customized. There was a time when women usually "hid" something very small on their shoulder or ankle. Today popular spots include the small of the back, arms legs and even chests. Although, the ankle and shoulder are still tremendously popular locations...the tattoos are just larger. Typically being more stylish that men, women are more concerned about tattoos they want and where on their body to put it. Part of the tattoo artist's job is to help the client select a design or possible location that will accentuate a certain part or shape of the body.

Women also seem to be better than men when actually getting tattooed. Men like to think they are tough can take the pain. But when the needle hits their skin they pass out in the chair. Women, on the other hand anticipate the pain and will have a higher tolerance.

Have you been searching the internet looking for tattoo designs, a tattoo finder or more particularly girl tattoo art? Finding the right design can be downright exhausting. People with tattoos will tell you how long it takes to choose the right one. After all, they last forever and shouldn't be rushed. It could take 20-30 hours to find the right tattoo design, so don't get a tattoo on a whim or go with cute and trendy. A feminine tattoo should be unique and should speak about who you are and not copied from someone else.

If you are like most women, you have searched and searched for the right design; be it a cross tattoo, a floral tattoo or butterfly tattoo. You may have searched the internet, looked for a tattoo finder or even searched the books of your local tattoo studio. Take your time and try to visualize the type of tattoo you want before you get it. Try to find examples that resemble your idea to see what it may end up looking like. Never be tempted to 'just pick one off the wall'...never settle for less just because you can't make up your mind. The first half of 2008 shows the 5 most popular girl tattoos to be Traditional Japanese tattoos (koi fish, dragons, etc.), Traditional American tattoos (pin ups, classic cars, etc.), Floral tattoos, Anime (although I think this is a passing fad) and Indian / Hindu tattoo designs. Be careful, though, some designs can have totally different meanings than what you thought and can also be associated with particular cultural groups; such as gang tattoos.  Also be sure to have any foreign tattoos, such as Japanese lettering, translated before having them permanently affixed to your body! The estimate is that 25% of all translation in tattoo studio is wrong! There are tons of cases of people going to get a Japanese tattoo of "strong will" and the lettering actually spelling out "small fish" or something worse.

When getting a tattoo, remember that fads come and go, be aware of any regulations your employer may have against them and remember that having one removed can cost up to ten as much as the original tattoo!

People have said that getting a tattoo is like losing your virginity! The rush, the smell, even the pain are extremely memorable and intense. People even say that tattoos are addictive!

So if you are thinking of getting a tattoo and are looking to girl tattoos, remember to make it your own, consider the placement and above all...have fun.

Did you know that women are quickly becoming the most tattooed member of society? Find your perfect design; be it a cross tattoo, a butterfly tattoo or any of a thousand at http://www.leeo5150.com

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Tattoos - Finding the Right Tattoo

Whether you are getting your first tattoo or already have half your body covered with tattoos I am sure you will find some valuable information here. As a tattoo addict and someone who spends most of his waking hours coming up with tattoo ideas I would like to share some of what I have learnt over the years.

I have spent a great deal of time amongst tattoo artists in tattoo studios around the world and have encountered a wide variety of different people coming through the doors of the tattoo studio to permanently mark their bodies. Many times I have questioned why it is so many people go under the gun to get inked.

People get tattoos for lots of different reasons. Some people simply because they love them and think they look good or enhance their appearance, others to be a part of a 'tribe' or group, while others to mark a significant event in their lives such as a bereavement or to express love for another person. You could say that there are as many reasons for getting tattooed as there are human experiences. Because of the uniqueness of each persons life journey no two reasons are ever the same.

In these situations the person wanting a tattoo has probably put a great deal of thought into the tattoo and perhaps the tattoo itself will have some kind of psychological meaning; for example when someone gets a portrait tattoo of a loved one who has recently died that psychologically they want to keep close to them for the rest of their lives. Or maybe a person has been jilted by a spurned lover and wants a tattoo of a broken heart or caged bird to signify their loss.

Human beings have being modifying their bodies with ink and steel for many thousands of years. Many people see tattoos and body modification as a spiritual practice. Before the advent of modern pain management, pain was seen as a natural part of life carrying a variety of spiritual and social meanings. But as time rolled on we began to deny the very existence of anything beyond our physical bodies.

As a result many people without tattoos cannot see past the image etched onto the persons body to the deeper meaning or symbolism behind the tattoo. It can often cause a wide variety of reactions in the 'uninitiated' from mild curiosity to extreme disturbance resulting in fear and mistrust of the person. Tattoos by their very nature cause a reaction especially on those who do not have them.

This begs the question on why anyone would want to get a tattoo without considering the wider implications and deeper meaning behind the tattoo. So many people wander into a tattoo studio and have no idea why they want to get a tattoo other than seeing their favorite rap artist or basketball player and thinking it looked cool. So they waste the tattoo artists time by saying they want a Nike swoosh on their butt or a tattoo the size of a button on their back. Many tattoo artists will just put up and shut up because they see this as 'bread and butter' work.

The implications of this are two-fold. Firstly the person is left with a really 'dumb' tattoo that most likely will be regretted at some stage in their life. This can lead to many years of regret perhaps leading the person to be forced to cover up their bodies as a result. Ot it can result in many hours of painful tattoo removal costing ten times as much as the original tattoo.

Secondly getting a tattoo without due consideration can often lead to a badly placed tattoo or badly thought out tattoo design. The results of this are obvious but this is the number one reason why people get tattoo removal in worst case scenarios or tattoo cover-ups. Some tattoo artists are becoming renowned for their cover-up work as they are for their actual artistic skill. Yet people do not realise the placement of a small unambiguous tattoo may have later on if they want to get another tattoo or the social restrictions it may bring.

Finally before getting tattooed (either for the first time or the twentieth!) is important to deeply consider the design as well as the placement of the tattoo and how it may interact with other tattoos further down the track. Many people have gotten tribal armbands (when they were cool!) and later decided that tribal tattoos carry no meaning to them and that traditional style tattoos or celtic tattoos may have been more suitable. I myself have been guilty of this and as a result had a poorly thought out tattoo covered up.

Don't make the same mistake!

Looking for Tattoos? 100's of Unique Tattoo Designs HERE

Copyright Declan O'Reilly 2006

*This article may not be reproduced without prior permission.

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Script Tattoos

Various Script tattoos are pretty simple, but there are elegant pieces that show only the letters themselves which can be of different kind. Usually, These are composed of words such as faith, love, or peace and Other people like to have quotes.These are usually names,quote song lyrics, bible verses or quotes from famous people. It is often done for memorial pieces or portraits or like " dedicated to the memory of " or " in loving memory ". They also get their names, dates and other vital pieces of message to the finished piece and have a very appealing or stunning style.

most popular letters and script commonly used for tattoos:

HandwrittenCalligraphyRomanCursiveOld SchoolTribalGothicOld EnglishCelticGraffiti

Tattoos permanently mark various areas on the body like shoulders, arms, chest and ankle and also on the hidden part of the body. It is well popular on the upper side back. There are various category exist but the script tattoos are one of the most accepted choice among people. Mostly Girls, top actress, women use to get script tattoos.

Letters can be blended with other tattoo design like Celtic tattoos or tribal tattoo only to get stunning look. Calligraphy letters is most popular among these. Man usually get script tattoo on fore arm. It has served as unique statements, marks of status and rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, bravery, sexual lures, pledges of love, punishment, body decoration, protection, and as the marks of outcasts, slaves and convicts.

People usually get lettering to reveal some important statement to other. As far as tattoo is concerned, script tattoo is most widely search since last few years. Chinese script are popular for its appearance. The most important thing you should keep in your mind that you should take proper precaution while getting is done. The ink and needle should be hygienic. The most common ink color used is BLACK. Dark color ink are most preferable.

Ambigram tattoos is different from script tattoo. This tattoo are known for its well concept design, you can see the effect. The 180 degree rotation of ambigram tattoo gives the same effect with different word. It is quiet difficult for a tattoo artist to design ambigram tattoo. you can see the ambigram tattoo describe on link mentioned below. It has well description of All tattoos category including script tattoos. It is also called as tattoo lettering.

View the original article here

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Tattoo Designs - Strength Tattoos Of The Heart

Tattoos of the heart are a sign of strength of belief and strength of commitment. When we give our heart to a belief, to a cause or to a person we give ourselves and we give totally. That's why we put out hand on our heart when we make a promise or dedicate ourselves to a cause or to honor our flag. Even when we were young we would say things like, "Cross my heart and hope to die." That was our way of saying we were telling the absolute truth. We could not think of a stronger way of emphasizing that.

Wearing a heart tattoo is a way of telling the world you are passionate about your beliefs or about your commitments. The fact you wear a permanent symbol lets others know how deeply you feel. At the same time it is your reminder of your heartfelt passion and of your dedication. You are reminding yourself and the world of what or whom you stand for and that you are proud of it. If you are tempted to falter, you have your symbol, your reminder, to keep you strong. Your strength tattoo of the heart is your banner and your badge of honor.

Heart Strength Tattoos

The image of the heart can express our deepest feelings and heart tattoos can connect us to these feelings. We say things like "in my heart of hearts," meaning in the deepest part of us, where our truth lies, maybe our souls. This goes to the core of our being, our best and strongest part. Deep down we want to be strong and we know we are. It's only when we are faced with some situations that make us doubt ourselves that we are afraid of not measuring up. Heart tattoos can remind us of that deep strength we have. We simply need a reminder to trigger it.

Heart Tattoos As Mementos

Heart tattoos are ideal as mementos. Mementos make us strong. They connect us to someone we love who made us feel good about ourselves. Unless we are very lucky, we only ever meet a few people who have this effect on us, maybe only one or two - one or two people who loved us for ourselves alone just as we are. We did not have to prove anything to them to win their love. Wearing memento tattoos of the heart can remind us of these people and of the way we felt when we were with them. It reminds us of how strong and confident we felt. It helps us to feel that way again.

3 Steps to Finding a Great Tattoos Website

You can visit a tattoo website whether you are just looking for data about tattoos in general or seeking for the best tattoo design for you. The top sites will offer comprehensive information about meaning and history of each design, specially for those tattoos with very old origins. If you want to avoid poor quality sites with inaccurate and misleading information, you should follow the following steps.

The search engines

Search engines are great places to start looking for high quality sites. The hottest is Google, but many individuals also use Yahoo and Bing. If you want more data about tattoo designs you can also use the second largest search engine in the world: YouTube. This is one of the best search engines you can stumble upon. You should provide details while searching. You can search for "tattoo" + "your location" if you want a tattooist near you. In case you need Celtic designs, you just need to use these words in your searches. You will find what you need sooner using these tips because search engines will be far more effective.

Features of a quality website about tattoos?

You should bear in mind the following qualities that are common to all the top tattoo websites. The best tattoo sites will invest heavily in a top quality presentation of both data and design. They will make sure the site offers great information and good navigation. The site should have testimonials, recommendations from other tattooists and quality information about great local tattoo parlors.

A couple of less-than-favorable reviews will show the site is run by trustworthy individuals. You can choose the right tattooist for you by just reading the feedback on the sites. You should avoid sites with poor design, negative feedback and general information.

Bookmarking your favorite sites.

Its a good idea to bookmark the sites you like or write them down in case you lose data while switching computers. Every time you need a tattoo site you can use this list. You will also discover that some sites are better than others for diverse aspects of tattooing. One site could be a great source of quality information and another could have cool designs.

You can find the most reliable and top quality sites using the above steps.

Tattoo Designs - Strength Tattoos Of The Sacred Heart

The heart is the great and universal symbol for love. The constant and overriding message from Christ was one of love. The image of the Sacred Heart speaks to us of this love. In that image we have a heart burning with love for us. It says, "I can give you no more than my whole heart". There is no more anyone can give. But it says more than this.

It speaks of openness, acceptance and forgiveness - all the attributes of a loving and generous heart. It is a welcoming heart open in its invitation to us to come with our worries, our fears, and our needs. It is a symbol of great strength that has supported, consoled and given hope to millions. It is a strength tattoo for those who wear it and for many who look upon it.

Why The Sacred Heart

The images of the cross, of Christ and of his mother and the saints help give the faithful the spiritual strength they need. From them they can derive comfort, strength and hope.

Special prayers and observances that help in devotion to God and to those close to him generally accompany the images. In the end, they are a constant reminder of God's eternal presence.

Devotion to the Heart of Jesus goes back to the early days of Christianity but it was not until the 11th and 12th centuries that devotion was practiced to the Sacred Heart. This happened mainly in religious congregations. It was after visions of Christ to Margaret Mary Alocoque in the 17th century that the Sacred Heart became known and spread among the faithful. Christ asked her to spread this devotion and it has become one of the most popular and best-known devotions in the Church.

Symbolism Of The Sacred Heart

The image of the Sacred Heart is often drawn as a flaming, bleeding heart radiating with divine light, pierced by the lance, surrounded by a crown of thorns and surmounted by a cross. It can be depicted in Christ's bosom with his hands pointing to the wounds he suffered. His hands show the wounds from the crucifixion.

It reminds us of the unconditional love he has for humanity and the suffering and death he was prepared to endure for us. The fire reminds us of a heart burning with love for us, a divine love, which can transform us. We are drawn into that all-enveloping love so that we can return it by loving Christ through his heart. His heart speaks to our heart.

We are also reminded that for all the love he offered us it was rejected, which is symbolized by the bleeding heart, the cross and the crown of thorns and, in some images, by a broken heart.

By wearing a Sacred Heart tattoo you are making a statement of faith. But you are also saying to yourself and others, you are sharing the great love Christ has for humanity. You are gaining strength from what it symbolizes and you are sharing that strength with others.

Discover The True Meanings Of Japanese Dragon Tattoos

One of the most symbolic tattoos is the Japanese dragon tattoos which are not only beautiful but also extremely colourful. Its origins are filled with myth and folklore and what also adds to the appeal of dragon tattoos is the mystery surrounding them. In ancient times the dragon was perceived by many; including the Egyptians, to be a source of wealth and good luck and also represented both good and evil.

Dragon tattoos also meant freedom and were thought by many to be a sign of 'being fearless' which even today are deemed very good qualities to possess.

The word 'Dragon' was sourced from 'draca' in the Greek language and actually means 'serpent'.

The Japanese dragon also shares the same meaning as the 'angel' which is guardianship, 'protecting those that were directly associated with it'. It was also associated with many other meanings, power, strength, wisdom and supernatural powers.

The Japanese dragon came in 6 different forms:

In an age of drought there was an all-powerful king dragon named Sui-Riu who was in control of rain.

One of the largest dragons was in fact 40 feet long and full of stripes, this was named Han-Riu.

One of the most misunderstood dragons was Ri-Riu who was in fact a rare breed of dragon who was known to have incredible eye sight.

One of the smallest dragons when compared to the others; was a brilliant red dragon called Ka-Riu.

One of the most favoured dragons by many is Faku-Riu, who was also the symbol of luck.

As Chinese mythology evolved so too did the dragons, and one of the most advanced was Hai-Riyo, otherwise known as 'Dragon Bird'.

The colours of dragons also have great significance and meaning. A black dragon indicates that it originated from old and wise dragons whereas green dragons which are normally smaller in size, represent life and earth. A gold dragon had many special attributes including kindness, wisdom and the ability to meet challenges head-on.

Dragons that are yellow in colour are fantastic companions but can be a little self-absorbed from time to time. They represented the east and the west was represented by blue dragons who were both forgiving and compassionate but could also be uncaring and lazy when it suited them.

There are many different varieties of dragon tattoos about these days that to choose a single design for yourself can be a real challenge. There are many free ways to get great ideas for dragon tattoos, the first is to search the internet and some of the great sites that offer free designs, but to really find unique and uncommon designs you need to maybe search your library and look into Japanese Dragon pictures, this could also be a great source for you to actually design your own dragon tattoos.

I have researched the internet and found one of the best resources for fantastic dragon tattoos online, go check it out and look at some of the most incredible designs and information on dragon tattoos.