You Know You Have Your Options in Tattoo Removal

So you didn't listen when your mom told you that one day you will regret that your skin has been inked? And now, you might be one of the many who is deeply contemplating on the removal of your tattoo. This is a truth: regardless of the design, size or artistry of your tattoo, once the pigment is punched into your skin there are no ways that you will regain the pure skin color you had before. However, you are still fortunate enough that medical science discovered ways for tattoo removal. Nonetheless, dermatological science argues that complete tattoo removal is close to impossibility since artificial pigments used in tattooing are meant to retire into your skin permanently. These tattoo removal options have high success rates yet cases of scarring and skin color variations are still likely. These possibilities are largely dependent on several factors including the location, size, complexity of the design, healing properties of the individual's skin, healing process the tattoo wounds have undergone, the lifespan of the tattoo and the quality by which tattooing was done. The latter pertains to the even distribution of pigments into the skin. Moreover, newer tattoos are much more difficult to remove as compared with those that had been imbedded into human skin for long. Choices for tattoo removal: Excision This method is normally employed when the tattoo size is significantly small. Since this method requires the removal of the entire pigmented skin, it is almost impossible that the method can be used for larger sizes. Although this definitely would cause the person some millimeters of his skin, he still has the advantage of total removal of the tattoo. Excision may be done in stages. The principle of which is to facilitate the gradual healing of the first portion of the skin which typically takes up the enter part. Afterwhich, the edges are removed. Laser The removal of some skin portions are definitely unnecessary for this method. Instead, the pigments that were driven into the skin are forced to undergo the process of breaking down due to pulses of laser lights. The natural mechanisms of the body will then finish the process by removing the ink from the treated areas. While this may be less risky than excision, patients are required to undergo a series of treatment before the tattoo is completely removed. Dermabrasion Acknowledged as a practical method of removing unwanted severe skin impurities, dermabrasion is said to help much in the field of tattoo removal. This works by peeling the skin by means of a rotating abrasive instrument that functions like a sandpaper. Bleeding normally occurs in this form of treatment thus the presence of wounds. Healing then will take several months depending on the intensity of treatment incurred. Salabrasion Probably the oldest method used in tattoo removal, salabrasion works by mechanically abrading the skin to remove the uppermost layer of the skin. Sometimes, treatment requires the vigorous abrasion of the dermis layer, which resides next to the top skin layer. This treatment calls for a device similar to that of the rotary abrasive instrument used in dermabrasion. Or a much simpler instrument such as gauze-wrapped wooden block. Most doctors specializing in tattoo removal assert that predictions for the exact degree of tattoo removal are not guaranteed. There are perhaps more than 100 kinds of tattoo inks circulating in the market these days. Each has its own property and there are still no standard removal techniques for each type, let alone for each ink.

Removal and Health Risks of Tattoo and Piercing Practices

It only takes hours or even minutes for one to complete a tattoo and piercing process but be sure that once you have decided to adopt the art, you are not doubtful of your decision even by a grain. Invest plenty of time considering your choices and know what it is you are truly delving into. Though tattoo and piercing convey coolness or self-expression, these still entail risks from which you must protect yourself. Unless you are ready to get caught with feelings of regret later. Tattoo is a permanent body art. And they were meant to be that way. Once the design is laid and the pigments are injected into your skin, you can never wash them off. Nonetheless, there are newly developed techniques to help remove the marks but scarring is inevitable. Depending on the expertise of the tattoo artist, the tattoo may either fade or drift. If the breaching of the skin is too shallow, the skin may not absorb much of the ink thus the design may be peeled off overtime due to the constant removal of the epidermis or the upper skin layer. If the penetration of the pigment is too deep, the design may not be as defined since too much of the upper skin may cover parts of the image. In each case, the removal of the tattoo may be easily accomplished or impossible. Body piercing on the other hand, is less painful and less permanent. There are pierces that may close unless they are large enough so as not to permit the skin segments to return to their normal states. Body piercing is primarily the insertion of specific jewelries into the openings made into the skin parts such as the ears, eyebrows, tongue, nose and in rare cases, the genitals. This art works by thrusting a needle through the target part, which will eventually become the place for the jewelry. Many practitioners make use of piercing guns but due to issues of health securities, many choose not to employ the method. This is because piercing guns are more difficult to sterilize and are likely to cause permanent damages on the skin. Like with tattooing, dissatisfaction with the art may cause one to facilitate the removal of body pierces. There are no major problems with this art in terms of removal since the skin, by nature, is able to heal at its own rate. Sometimes, this occurs quickly yet once the wound is large enough, the skin may be left with permanent open holes. Tattoo and body piercing alike are art forms that have went down with the passing of year. Both are seen used in diverse cultures, at different styles and varying widespread of acceptance. And both entails the process of skin puncturing thus, the issues on skin infection are inescapable subjects to risks. Oral complications: with tongue pierces, it is possible that damages in the mouth may be incurred. This include dental damages such as chipping and cracking of the teeth and gum damages. Blood-borne diseases: because not all tattoo and piercing equipments are disposable, it is likely that you have shared the tools with another person of a blood-borne disease. once the skin is open, it is more likely that contamination will easily penetrate into your bloodstream. Therefore, you have to ensure that the practitioner practices efficient sanitation. Blood-borne diseases typically include: tetanus, HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis A and B and tuberculosis.

What to Watch Out in a Tattoo Parlor

Tattoo, being an art practiced for ages now, should be a perfect art that must not bring you dissatisfaction. Its existence is thought to have lasted for 5000 years since its early beginnings. And its practice is extensively known among varied cultures. In the east, the custom of tattooing is thought to have started from the Ainu tribe of the Japan. These were fierce warriors and markings made from tattoos seemed to play vital roles in their ranks in the society. In the western world however, it all rooted from the islands in the Polynesia. No other culture in the world surpasses the Polynesian's adoration towards the art of tattooing. In the later years though, pirates who have penetrated into the Polynesian islands adopted the use of marking the bodies permanently and imported the practice into the European world wherein many struggles have been fought before the art has reached its recent status. In one instance, the Catholic church have banned the use of art since it was thought to disfigure the human body which is known to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, the American Indians were advanced in their time since they already have been practicing tattooing prior to the integration of this art into the western culture. In our culture nowadays, tattooing is becoming socially acceptable. With many viewing it as a form of self-expression. Thus, the rise of the industry is inevitable. However, with tattoo "artists" that mark themselves specialists in the field, many still prove to be failures in their profession. And tattooing, like any other commodity should deliver you the art that you so desire and the service they promised. A tattoo parlor, like a surgery room or a health care unit must have primary interest on sanitation. The practice of tattooing requires the breaching of the skin. And can therefore result to infections that range from mild to severe. Without proper measure, the infections that might have been driven from a tattoo session can aggravate and lead you to seeking immediate medical attention. Sharing of tattoo equipments is part of the process. However, there are devices that are easily discarded after each use. Any self-respecting tattoo artist knows the value of segregating reusable equipments from those that must be disposed accordingly. You are in grave risk of contracting communicable diseases if the tattoo parlor does not practice appropriate precaution. So it would be wise to ensure yourself that the personnel, as well as their devices and equipment are properly maintained. The next precaution is not so much with the health issues, but of appearance. The result of the tattoo depends on the skills of the tattoo artists. Thus, one needs to have a thorough research on the tattoo parlor you are eyeing on so you would know what to expect. If the tattoo artist is an amateur, it is likely that he will produce a blurred tattoo due to uneven spread of ink. It takes experience and time before a tattoo artist can truly drive ink into the dermis layer of the skin.

Temporary Tattoo: When You Want No Permanence

The only permanent thing in this world is change, so said a philosopher. Well, this philosophy perhaps applies for tattoos too. Once the property of specific skin section is altered, there is no way to reverse the condition. It is changed forever. And this occurs exactly for permanent tattoos. Tattoos are meant to make permanent marks into human skin thus they don't leave the skin easily even with the most sophisticated tattoo removal method there is. Tattoo had been in existence since who knows when. There are certainly some evidences that would provide links towards the dawn of this art. Yet, they still can't present any substantial evidence as to when really did tattooing emerged. Many resources say that evidences of early tattooing practices started some 5000 years ago. While evidences found in Egyptian mummies show that this practice only started around 3000 years past. Nonetheless, there is only one truth in here. That whatever the evidences may present, it is still a fact that tattoos leave permanent marks that even time cant wash away. This permanent effects might have led people in the industry to produce several types of temporary tattoos that would provide both fashion and option. To say the obvious, temporary tattoos do not penetrate deep into the skin. They somehow serve as body stickers that would peel off once their hold loosens. Not so long ago, it would be typical that children are partly covered with different images, which they called as tattoos. These, in themselves, provide an outlet for self-expression and creativity. Now, the record says that these days almost half of tattoo customers had their tattoos removed due to dissatisfaction, skin infections and regret. To be able to get around the complex process of tattoo removal (e.g. by means of laser, dermabrasion, salabrasion and excision), artists have created temporary tattoos that were patterned from the idea obtained from those that were collected free from chewing gums. The present options laid for us these days offer fewer possibilities of skin infections, a promising thought for health conscious people. In contrast with permanent tattoos, temporary tattoos require no more than soap and water for removal. It is also reassuring that even with the most decided people, temporary tattoos can serve as practicing ground to get the first hand experience of how the skin looks like with marks. In a sense, this allocates an experimentation period wherein one can virtually choose and try the design himself. Therefore, if you are not comfortable with the idea of peeling your tattooed skin off one day, temporary tattoos can help you decide better. Or if you cant stand the thought of struggling with an ink-punching needle (yet desperately need to have a tattoo), a temporary one may best suit you. Henna tattoos are the most popular temporary tattoos, there are still other types that you might want to consider. Airbrush tattoos is a type of temporary tattoo that is made from waterproof material, the person is still guaranteed of quick and non-risky removal. To be able to create images of the design into your skin, the artist will make use of a stencil and an array of non-toxic body paints. In many cases, top of the line temporary tattoos resembles the real thing. These can be obtained directly from online retailers or local tattoo parlors.

So What's Your Idea of a Tattoo

It all starts with an idea. Art did. Art is a tangible product of an mental image of something. And tattoo, being a practiced art, needs to have a constant supply of ideas. The good news is man, by nature is a creative being. He is able to produce new concepts every now and then. And all his ideas, gathered into a heap, only have one effect- astounding. Many tattoo seekers often find themselves awestruck with the infinity of tattoo ideas that will present themselves once the hunt onsets. Like a bride overwhelmed with excitement on her bridal dress shopping day, a tattoo seeker will also feel an unexplained overpowering sensation that will leave one with no idea of what tattoo must be chosen. As we have earlier noted, there are endless arrays of tattoos and each one has a character (and probably a soul of its own). The key is to identify one's self to the attributes a single design posses. After all, tattoos are for self-expression. If you cannot partake with that idea, there is no sense in adopting a tattoo design that will reside in your body for eternity. Each being has a character of its own. Man has a greater sense of what he is more than any other species. If he cannot live with the attributes that were given to him from the moment the first sparks of life ignited and those that he learned to associate with himself, then the purpose of being a human is spoiled. And that being said, let us continue with saying that each design is a character in itself. Once the being and the character share the same residence within an individual's personality, then one complements the other. This is the idea that constitutes your choice of a tattoo. You can choose to have personalized tattoos, why not. Say, an I love Missy tattoo imprinted near your heart. But come to think of this: will the message have its same meaning several years from now? If you can't answer that straight then go for more universal design. The majority of people with tattoos normally decide to remove a tattoo or two because the meaning is already lost. Perhaps this is due to dissatisfaction- the bane of the tattooing industry. An ideal tattoo design would be something that will retain its essence for long. It may not last long enough to maintain its meaning but it will be long enough that you won't find reasons to have them removed. Remember, a tattoo mark is meant to be permanent. While many technologies help peel off the pigmented areas of the skin, it is still inevitable that the skin will never recover its natural state. So what's your idea of a tattoo. It can be anything. Virtually anything! So long as you are perfectly sure that there are no possibilities for disappointment. If you want to be safe, your best option would be those that feature universality yet distinctive of your own personality. The most common choice would be those of the tribal and Celtic designs. While they are very artistic in nature, they still do not posses any implicit meanings that will change afterwards. Inspired by mysteries, myths and legendary characters, perception of religion and mysticism, tribal and Celtic tattoo ideas can fit any character.

Tribal Tattoo Designs: Tracing Back the Origins

With all the cultures that the world once nursed, nurses and will eventually nurse. With all the traditions it sees, has seen and will never see again. With all the civilizations that threaded its earth. All those that have left tokens of remembrance of their existence and those that did not. It is almost impossible that she was not able to capture enough of them in art. Art seems to be the most effective medium to preserve the passing of a specific age. Without art, we may not have known that primitive men knew how to depict their ancient lives in drawings. Without art, we may have descended to simple existence that knew nothing of the beauty that our pasts held. It is art that immortalized the history of our predecessors. In the absence of art, we may have been long deprived of self-expression. Self-expression is the main focus of tattoos. However, during its primitive years, the practice of illustrating designs into human body meant more than to express what the self dictates. Somehow, tattoos (more specifically tribal tattoos) meant a destiny, a social status, a belonging to a group. It is the life or death or a sense of accomplishment for an individual. They are artistic designs and symbolism that help define a person's passion, identity and beliefs. All these are true, depending on the tribes from which the art form originated. Tribal tattoos that we know of today are said to have gained their patterns from ancient origins. Let us inspect some of these tribes. The Celtic tribe While the people of this tribe have now vanished (but not completely) from history, it is good to note that their culture showered down onto us as they left. Their music and artistic expressions have gone down the years and even now, we still feel them with the artworks that they managed to preserve. Tribal tattoos patterned from Celtic arts composed mainly of intertwining laces, knots, spirals, abstract depictions of faunas and mythical figures. Because of the universality of Celtic themes, many people find themselves completely expressed with patterns that were presumed to be of Celtic descent. The Maori tribes These are the people of ancient New Zealand. They are superb wood carvers and are noted to have worn facial and leg tattoos. Their tribal patterns were mostly characterized with their artfulness in woodcarving that typically fashioned spirals. Their moko, as facial tattoos were called, are very personalized that these served primarily for identity. It was said that once a member of the Maori tribe died, the light will pass through his physical body yet the facial tattoo will show his true identity. The Marquesan tribes The Polynesians are mainly responsible for the development of the tattoo arts. Tribal tattoos used by these tribes normally to depict the history of the person wearing it, his identity and his social status. In most cases, the bodies of Marquesan tribe members are covered with tattoos. The Haida tribes Even the American Indians wore tattoos. They are warriors by nature and they love to have some representations of their accomplishments. They normally convey masculinity in their tribal tattoos through using images of animals. They believe that one will partly take some of the animal's strength once its image is imbedded into the person's skin.

Tattoo Designs: The Choice is Solely Yours

How does it feel like to be tattooed? It is painful, alright. After all it is an art. Art needs emotions (which presumably cover pain!) to bring out the best from an art piece. The money aside, pain in tattooing is part of the investment. And depending on the design of your tattoo, the process will get on more painful and painful. So please bear with it. The more decorative or the more symbolic your tattoo design is, the more artistic it will get. Tattoo is simply a means of self-expression. It is after all, used among wide scopes of culture and its history runs down from ages to ages. And understandably, as the 'ages' went, the tattoo designs became more elaborate that some developed more like living artworks rather than simple accentuations imbedded into human skin. There are literally myriad of tattoo designs that often leave customers overwhelmed. Let us take a look on some more popular designs these days so you and other people planning to get tattooed would have more defined ideas of what design to punch into the skin. Note: This isn't easy and the process is equally not handy so focus on what you truly desire and work on it until the last point of the needle. No culture in the world is more responsible with the development of the tattoo than the region of the Polynesia. The word itself came from its ancient language, which meant "to make a mark". The designs patterned from ancient ideas spotted in this region are normally referred to as tribal, one of the most intuitive and versatile designs there are. Aggressive bold lines and symmetrical patterns, tribal tattoos remain to be popular (and constantly working its way to extreme popularity) because it primarily allows the influence of other cultures, artists' personal expression and fusion with other designs. Like its tribal ancestors, designs patterned from Celtic ideas don't actually contain or convey a single concept, rather it communicates feelings and illustrations depending on the interpretation of the audience. Celtic concepts were typically borrowed from ancient Celtic culture tracing back from the 1st century. These designs don't present specific images, except for those that depict certain pieces of Celtic history and literature. Designs covered in this genre have no beginning and no end. They are composed of intertwining loops and knots. While unquestionably famous, Celtic tattoo designs should only be done by artists who have dedicated their profession in this single style. Yet it is not only the looks that matter in tattoo designs. Because it is for self-expression, people often find themselves content with adding specific religious symbols that make their faith more pronounced. No wonder, the extreme prevalence of angels, crosses and other religious tokens can be seen throughout many regions. Well, who would forget patriotism? (Or is it due to lack of choice? Probably not.) The eagle, the eagle, the eagle. Well, that's stereotypical. How many times have we seen myriad of eagle designs that depict the Great America? We've already lost count actually. Americans seem to have this special commitment towards the country that they are even willing to leave marks of its symbols into their skin. You may choose to follow after their practice but you may also not. That really depends on our preference. However, if you want to be unique, you can try looking for more seldomly used design rather than the American eagle or any other eagle of that sort. The only key here is to ask yourself what really matters to you. Will I love Mary mean the same thing a few years from now? Think.

Reveal More Than Mere Art with Celtic Tattoos

The Celts never wrote their history, except only when the Greek and Roman civilizations penetrated their culture and introduced a formal form of writing. Yet in the remainder of their golden age, art and literature that they nourished were transferred orally from one generation to the next. They were fierce warriors, great artists, uphold extreme faith with gods and very superstitious. Each of these contributed largely to their awesome art forms and all these attributes can be seen in their arts depicted in modern Celtic tattoos. One of the more popular design choices in the tattoo industry focuses more on Celtic designs. This trend may be attributed mainly to the universality of their concepts that even now, modern artists can modify designs that were patterned initially from Celtic art. Their concepts are unquestionably perfect and suited for self-expression that anyone can take a pattern and wear it without negating personal artistic expression. (That reason alone would help us presume why Celtic tattoos are extremely popular. After all, the idea with tattoos is to be able to express something that would maintain itself even after the real meaning of the design has gone.) Ancient forms of Celtic arts are typically characterized with interlacing symbols, elaborate patterns, perfect knotwork, zoomorphics, spirals, and colorful outlines that most consider abstract. Most of which illustrate a complete cycle, especially the Celtic knots. Many other tribal groups modified traditional Celtic art forms into their own. One classic example are the Viking raiders who embraced the art form and produced more chaotic effects that characterized their main culture. Another is the adaptation of neighboring lands of interwoven knotwork patterns in the manuscript that went down into the medieval and succeeding eras. While Celtic culture has considerably declined during the passing of years, many traditions were still in existence these days. Though the majority of us may not realize this fully, some of our conventional art forms were influenced by Celtic traditions. Some are subtly done while others have openly expressed Celtic arts. Say for example the Celtic tattoos that are popular these days. The knotworks as we have noted earlier, express something deep. And these must be seen that way. This is one reason why while many other traditional art forms have vanished, we still enjoy the beauty that may only be had from Celtic illustrations. Knotworks expresses the close association and repeated intertwining between the physical, natural and the spiritual world. The never-ending pattern (since knotwork shows no beginning and no end) portrays the tangling of the permanence and termination of existence, faith, love and life. Celtic designs modified for tattoos also convey underlying emotions that may not be simply addressed with stereotypical patterns that we normally see. Celtic tattoos try not to copy nature perfectly (after all perfection is no longer characterized with nature). They don't duplicate the natural world and they are not representational. Somewhat, they lean more on the abstract art forms that many people admire. We may say that an artistic heart shape (that is normally seen in tattoos) communicates passion but a crooked Celtic designs in the form of animal or a cross may mean more than just that. They can address indirect expressions, often bordering within mysteries and religious symbolism. With all these said it would now be easier for us to comprehend why, with all choices of tattoo designs that we can gain from other cultures, we remain to be passionate with Celtic art forms.

Cross Tattoo: a Reflection of Art and the Symbol of Your Faith

A cross. The symbol of power and spiritual beliefs. For centuries, the cross had been the symbol of faith in the Catholic world. It was adopted to be the eternal symbolism of their belief on the Christ who died and lifted the world from all its sins. In the name of the cross, many people have died regardless of their belief. It was the focal point of many battles and wars and had been the savior of many souls that were about to fall into the pit of immortal death. Our orientation to the cross is very much associated with religious perception. Even now, as we are living in the world of logic, rationalism and lessened belief towards supernatural interventions and the likes, it is still a great wonder how the symbol of the cross survive. All these further accentuate our interest towards the cross. While we are familiar with the spiritual symbolism the cross upholds, it is still good to note that its widespread use by means of body marks was first noted to have started during the crusades. In that period, travelers going to the Holy Land had their hands marked with a cross symbol (an initial trace of cross tattoos) so as to signifying their wish to be buried in the Christian manner. Nonetheless, other resources affirm that the cross even predates the coming of the Messiah. Thus, it was hailed as a pagan symbol. Many cultures, cultures that have existed prior to the BC years were known to have used some forms of the cross to represent their gods. The Aztecs, Egyptians and the Greeks alike had adopted the symbol long before the Christians did. And for many centuries, a number of civilizations are noted to have used the same symbol over and over and over again. Nowadays, the cross while still being used as the emblem of Christian faith, are one of the more powerful catholic and Christian tattoos. The pattern and designs are endless and there's no way telling how many variations have been produced over the years. All these being said could lead us to conclude what caused the cross to be one of the most popular art designs. At one look, anyone can point out that the cross is somewhat a mark of spiritual or religious importance. This probably is one reason why the majority of tattoo seekers decide to wear a cross tattoo as their initial design. Not only is the cross tattoo a safe choice because of its universal theme, it can also be transformed into more artful concepts. A good example of which is the Celtic cross. The Celtic crosses are unquestionably popular by virtue of their art alone. It may be characterized with loops, spirals, knotworks and anything where the line never begins and never ends. The Celts believed that the never ending loops and knotworks incorporated in their designs are the symbolism of the interplay between the corporeal and the spiritual world, including the continuous cycle of life itself. Celtic cross tattoos are indeed body arts within themselves. Celtic cross tattoos aside, other cross designs may be good options to permanently leave a mark on your skin. You may choose to adopt more Christian items like the Latin cross, the St. Andrew's cross and other more elaborate patterns. However, if you choose not to impress Christianity in you design, you may choose the Ankh, the Gothic, and the Tau cross.

Japanese Tattoo: Looking Into its Artistic Craftsmanship

People may get varied notions when it comes to the use and exposition of tattoos. But then today’s contemporary age sees tattoos as more accepted forms of body art. In fact, the use of tattoos on any part of the human body is now held to be extra popular. Individuals who are too much willing to get their tattoos would simply run to the tattooists and bare their skins. Those years too, only the men were regarded to be brave enough to endure the pain brought about by the needle used by the tattooists. However, today, there are also a lot of women who crave to get their own tattoos. The modern times have required tattoo artists to be more than innovative. Thus, the styles, designs, and techniques used have improved a lot. There is a high demand for unique and top quality tattoos supplies too. Tattoo is art. The Japanese tattoo therefore expresses a form of art that is gifted with antiquity. Yes, Japanese tattoo is one ancient art which traces back its beginnings several centuries back. Unlike the other forms of tattoos, the Japanese tattoos where once used in figurines, walls, and other things aside from the human body. They had in themselves special meanings and symbols. The Haniwa, those little clay figurines bore in them facial tattoos. When they were found in the tombs, they dated back to the early fourth and fifth centuries. For the interpreters, these Japanese tattoos symbolized a respectable social rank. They may have also been meant to fend off wild animals or evil presence. As time passed by, the tradition was soon forgotten. The practice of tattooing was diverted into the criminals as their faces were marked with tattoos as a significant form of punishment for them. Studies about ostracism in the society tend to favor tattooing as the people have discovered some artistic senses to hide the very discriminating symbols which they have been marked with. As a result, several other patterns and shapes came to evolve. The Common Subjects of Japanese Tattoo Among the most famous subjects or inspirations of the Japanese tattoos are religion and love. Most couples, lowly prostitutes, and courtesans were visibly seen with the names of their partners tattooed on their inner arms. The kanji, which often symbolized eternal love, were thus particularly added. During the 18th century, the custom of the Japanese tattoo as a symbol of religious rituals came to evolve as one popular fashion trend. Most of the adherents were members of the urbanized working classes. From 1989 up to the year 1801, Japanese tattoos got banned. But then, a large number of rickshaw pullers, laborers, artisans, criminals, firefighters, and prostitutes continued getting their skin tattooed. The Overall View about Japanese Tattoo The samurais and the merchants perceived Japanese tattoos as exotic sights. In fact, a lot of tattoo exhibitions matched with prizes and judges were held in the country. There came a time when the Japanese tattoo was greatly commended. The bans set by the government on the Japanese tattoo were simply ignored by the people. The Japanese tattoo is closely related to the popular Japanese woodblock print when it comes to the technique employed, coloring, and design. As time passed by, Japanese tattoo has become more innovative, lively, and subtle.

Choosing a Back Tattoo

Back tattoos are probably the best kind of tattoos around. And it is very popular too. Added to this factor, the even surface of the human back also counts as a plus in the aesthetic value of back tattoos. There are two things you need to consider in getting a back tattoo: symbolism and aesthetics. Symbolism - There are a number of symbolic meanings behind back tattoos. The placement of each tattoo often alters its meaning, and the placement of a tattoo in the back can have many interpretations. A back tattoo can mean that someone has turned his/her back on whatever the tattoo signifies. One may choose to have a tattoo of a vice or habit, an ex, and anything they wish to tell people they have left behind in their lives. In the east, having a back tattoo of an animal, or an organizational logo can mean that someone is “watching your back”. This would serve as a protection for those sporting the back tattoo. A back tattoo found near the shoulder, especially on a woman, signifies a sort of innocent sensuality. This enhances the sexual attraction to the wearer, especially if the back tattoo is revealed accidentally. Another symbolically sensual location of a back tattoo is at the small of the back. It just seems so sexy, somehow… doesn’t it? The use of back tattoo to convey hidden messages is evident in the fact that a slightly revealed tattoo on a person arouses another person’s curiosity and thus leads to social interaction. Of course, the symbolism of tattoos also involves the images themselves. With every image come a dozen or even more interpretations. You need to be careful in choosing a tattoo image that actually symbolizes or reflects your character. However, for all the interpretations of other people, you need to remember that you are the one getting the tattoo. What’s important is the meaning the back tattoo has for you personally. Everything else is just a matter of perception. Aesthetics – You need to make sure that the back tattoo you will be getting actually looks good. In aesthetics, you need to consider the skill of the tattoo artist. Some people tend to only look at the catalogues of the tattoo artist in order to see if they can get a good back tattoo. However, you also need to see examples of the tattoo artist work on actual akin. This way, you can be sure whether you are getting a quality back tattoo or not. Included in the aesthetic quality or factor of a back tattoo is its size. Some people prefer small, yet elaborate back tattoos while others choose big, yet comparatively simple ones. Some people would also prefer their back tattoos to be like frescoes on their bodies, with different elements, making a story on their backs. Colors are also an important part in back tattoos. Some people prefer “earth” colors, blending those colors with the color of the skin and thus, achieving a “natural’ look. Some people prefer to have back tattoos with colors that really stand out. This way, their skin color acts as the medium to truly express the image of the back tattoo. There are some tattoo parlors which offer colorless and 3-dimensional tattoos. More like piercing than actual tattoos, these are getting very popular because of their “modern” look.

Dragon Tattoo- Your Choices From East to West

The dragon, more popularly seen as a strange reptile that is fond of abducting damsels, breathing fire and mercilessly killing knights, and not to say hoarding treasures had been a part of human culture. For thousands of years, this mythical creature had been the subject of human curiosity and his adoration for art. And while they are often portrayed in the books, paintings and the likes, the modern world has seen the dragon's potential place in the tattooing world. Thus, its popularity as major tattoo designs. It is the symbol of power, of fear, of honor, of evil (and sometimes good), of protection, of virtually anything, depending on who you would ask. Nevertheless, dragon tattoos lend themselves so beautifully for the appreciation of both artists and audience. Both the eastern and the western world adopted dragons in a wide spectrum of art forms including depicting them in body arts. The cultures in Asia, more significantly the Chinese, Japanese and the Koreans were oriented to the belief that dragons are the benevolent protectors of humanity, the bringer of good fortune, the healer of the sick and the bearer of life. Eastern dragons were extensively used in marking human skin for ages. Eastern dragon tattoos are significantly more mythical-like than western tattoos. These usually have grinning flat faces, and a serpentine body that extends long enough so as to accommodate a number of feet (only in size). But actually, these dragons only have two pairs of feet, one pair as front legs and the other as hind legs. These dragon tattoos are also depicted large and elaborately designed, often seen wrapping a person's back or crawling on the surface of the skin. While the art of tattooing is perceived to have spread in many cultures around the globe, it is thought that the earliest tattoos were of eastern dragon designs since the formal art of tattooing actually started in Japan. Western dragons, on the other hand, were portrayed in the exact opposite of the eastern dragons. They are unmerciful, breath nasty fire, and wreak havoc against humankind. These dragons are often seen with more reptilian images. Scales cover their entire body and they are characterized with razor-sharp teeth and snouted mouth and face. Their wings are large and powerful as well. Thus, they were considered as the embodiment of evil and myths and legends testify to these attributes. Nonetheless, they are covered with certain degrees of mysteries and mystique that lead other people to conclude of their existence. In dragon tattoos, western dragons are beautiful creatures with less elaborate designs as compared with those crafted from the eastern dragons. Western dragon tattoos with smoking nostril are popular as well as those that depict impressive span of dragon wings. With the two types of dragon tattoos compared, it is likely that we discover that eastern dragon tattoos are more elaborately designed than the western dragons are. The latter are also smaller in size. The meaning dragon tattoos represent may vary with the person wearing it or the person observing it. In a sense, their implications are so varied that it is impossible to contain all them and define them in one heap. Not only do dragon tattoos testify to some symbolism, they are also so fluid that you may see them covering the entire or majority of the body parts. Some hard core tattoo enthusiasts even choose to adapt a dragon tattoo design that starts from their lower body towards the torso and the above parts.

Angel Tattoos- What Do These Images Represent?

Images of angels have filled man's art since no one knows exactly when. But the renaissance seem to have given much emphasis on this heavenly depictions that have made angels popular as the winged creatures hovering the earth to provide protection against evil elements. Atleast, that is our general image of what angels are. Our adoration towards their essence has made us preoccupied with our attempts to create physical manifestations of their being. Nonetheless, we still don't know for sure how they truly appear. After all, no one has seen a true angel yet. So what we now have are pairs of wings and lovely, charming faces. Nevertheless, they uphold extreme level of spiritual significance (and so do angel tattoos). They were normally depicted as Divine soldiers and messengers of the Most High. They are the deliverers of His word and the deliverer of affliction for those who have committed grave misdeeds. In short, they are thought to be the links, the beings that create the connection between the realms of Heaven and our earthly dwelling. Not only do the Christians have records of angels in their scripts. Both the Muslims and the Jews have kept watch on their appearances and manifestations in their history. While nothing material can provide us with evidences that angels truly exist, we still cannot deny the fact that art has been closely intertwined with images. And tattoo, being an art consequently followed the steps of higher (and more acceptable) forms of art. Although angels have extreme significance pertaining to religion, their popularity has been attributed much to their beautiful forms that are generously submitted to artistic concepts and designs. The wings, which in normal cases are the focus of tattoo designs, are artistic enough even when used alone. In fact, many depictions and tattoo ideas include only the wings of angels. And these wings, being the body of the full design are added with crosses, wordings and other elements that are used to complement their beauty. As we talk now, it may seem too natural that any one would wear an angel tattoo. But you see, some centuries past people were forbidden from tattooing, especially those that include spiritual symbolism such as the angels and crosses. And this is undoubtedly true among Christians. A thousand years ago, the Catholic church considered tattooing (of any forms or designs) as a deviltry since it utterly disfigures and disgraces the human body which is considered to be the "temple of God'. And that was a millenium ago. Nowadays, Catholics and Christians alike are forever changing their bodies with tattoos of angels, crosses and sacred hearts. Thus, the cultural fad becomes a statement of religion and faith. It is strange to think that the medium the pirates and prisoners used is now common among people of faith. Many see angel tattoos as effective means of reminding them of their beliefs. Say in one case, a man decided to have in his chest an engraved image of praying hands and an acronym of the phrase- see me through. Thus, he constantly feels that prayer is not only within his spirit, it has also crept into his body. This is not an unusual line of thought. After all, man has been for long, in search of protection. And representations of this compassionate images drawn in his skin are known to be the most potent types. The angles just happened to be the more popular forms of this protection in our part of the world.

Rediscovering Tribal Tattoos

Man by nature, is extremely creative. It is probably his instinct to modify, accentuate and to make something artistic from a rather plain and bare skin. I guess, that provides an explanation. But we're not done yet. The beginnings of humanity marked his earliest conquest to capture art into more tangible form. Like the Creator who Himself is creative beyond words, man seem to have caught grains of artistic expression that motivated him to make masterpieces from time to time. While we have different perspectives as to what is art and not, no one can still formally contend that tattoo is not. After all, it is an art form that man have been used to since he first discovered that a wound, when tainted with pigments will remain colored until the part of the skin is removed. And that, my friend, is the primitive principle of tattooing. Each tribe, at any given point in history, has a special feature to protect. And one of the more common forms manifest through tattooing. No area of the world has developed tattooing more maturely than the region of the Polynesia. And from this part of the world, the practice was handed down to neighboring areas that later transferred the practice to the borders of the west. The method that Polynesians used were primitive and so are the designs. Yet, whichever way one looks it at, the primitive designs seem to have conquered time. Until these days, this very era we still love to inscribe tribal designs into our precious skin. And that is one testimony that tribal designs are eternal. Tribal tattoos appeal simply, both to our psyche and emotions. They seem to convey specific emotions that communicate us to something beyond our comprehension. To something incoherent and coherent at the same time. To some elements more powerful than us and to ourselves, our deeply buried selves. They seem to allow connection towards ancient beliefs that hold truths and to things of mysteries and wonder. What did tribal groups possessed for them to create manifestations of intense meanings into their tattoo arts? Probably, it is their instinct that modern human comprehension would not grab. Tribal tattoos, though largely inexplicable in nature, maybe addressed with these words- simple, powerful and moving. These reasons may be enough to correlate the contemporary acceptance of some things that were developed centuries ago and by individuals who knew no art but the art they instinctually practiced. They immortalized tribal art in cave paintings, in literature (and with the exception of those that were consumed by the earth and fire), in their mummified bodies. It is startling to note that the mummified primitive man recently found have a body covered with tribal tattoos that depicted mythical characters and ancient practices and designs typical with this art form. And while for a century or two, tattoos were banned from the western world, we are now witnessing the rediscovery of the art. Not only do criminals, prisoners and other negative figures welcome this form of artistic expression. The 'commoners' are also so into the trend that many find themselves faced with the tattooing machine, ready to take flight with a new body ornamentation. With this widespread regain of tattoo acceptance, tribal tattoos seem to have conquered the topmost priority in choosing the design. It is after all eternal and versatile that artists, customers and designers themselves can put their own art into primitive outlines to create new designs appropriate with conventional tattoo concepts (but never loosing the essence of their ancient origins).