Saturday, August 25, 2007

Tattoo Art Tips : How To Take Care Of A New Tattoo

If you finally decide to get a tattoo you will go to a recommended tattoo artist. He will probably show you some designs to pick from. If you don't like any of them you can ask him to do a custom one. Be careful when choosing the design of your new tattoo because you will live with it all your life. anyway, after getting a tattoo done you should know some aftercare tips that cannot be ignored.

If you go to a good tattoo shop than the tattooist will clean and apply antiseptic ointment to the tattoo while creating it. This is the healthiest way to make a tattoo.

After the job is finished the artist will clean it and use another coat of ointment. Then will apply a piece of cellophane or soft tissue.

After all that is done the tattooist will explain you how to take care of your new tattoo or he will give you a sheet with detailed instructions. in case none of this happens i will explain you in the rest of this article what you should do.

1. First of all, when you get home, don't jump immediately in the shower. My advice is to keep it dry(but also clean). Be sure to wash your hands very well before touching the new tattoo. This way you won't have any complications or infections.

2. Next, go to the first drug store you find and buy a tube of A&D Ointment. Apply it on the tattoo the first four too six days. After it gets dry remove the old application with a piece of soft cloth and then apply another one. Be very careful not to rub too hard the new tattoo. Do not use soap in the first few day, it's not recommended.

3. After few days you can stop using the A&D Ointment. Try to use some kind unscented, unmedicated body lotion, as some scents may irritate the still-tender skin of your tattoo.

4. After you have applied the body lotion for around week you can stop doing that. A problem is that when the tattoo heals it will scab in some portions. When you will try to pick this cabs be very careful not to damage your tattoo design. So the best for you and your tattoo is to let it heal alone.

So after you get a new tattoo and fallow this after car instructions you can be sure that you won't have any problems. I use this methods my self and i can sincerly recommend it.


http://www.a-zz.com/Article/Tattoo-Art-Tips---How-to-Take-Care-of-a-New-Tattoo/91

Ankle Tattoos

Tattoos were once thought to only be for big and burly men. They’d have an image tattooed onto their forearm and often it would symbolize a major event or a special person within their lives.

Tattoos have changed a great deal since then but the general idea of placing a mark on your body in a permanent way is still very appealing to many people today.

A discreet place for a tattoo is on the ankle. Ankle tattoos are one of the most popular types of tattoos. Most ankle tattoos are small and the design can reflect a part of the personality of the person who has it.

Some common designs in ankle tattoos are a tribal symbol, a floral arrangement or an initial. An ankle tattoo can be small enough that it isn’t noticeable unless the person is very close. Many professional women choose this type of tattoo because it isn’t overbearing and at the same time it allows them to carry something personal on their bodies always.

Once you have decided on a design and coloring for your ankle tattoos you’ll want to visit a reputable establishment that does tattoos. Looking through the yellow pages is one route but if you know anyone who has a tattoo you should ask them about their experience. Quite often they’ll be happy to share with you and they may recommend a place for you to visit.

After deciding on a tattoo parlor you’ll want to discuss with the artist your concept. If you come there without a design in mind they will be able to show you a range of images that you can choose from. Most people prefer a smaller design for ankle tattoos and if the artist feels that yours is too large, they will work with you to bring it down to a scale that is more appropriate.

At this time they will also explain the procedure involved with receiving ankle tattoos. It does involve the use of needles and therefore most people find eating a light meal about an hour before their appointment preferable. This helps to keep the blood sugar levels up and if you are even a bit uncomfortable around needles this can be very important.

It’s very important to care for your ankle tattoos. Tattoos can become infected without proper care and this can occur on any part of your body.

When you first receive your ankle tattoos you’ll be given a list of instructions to follow. This includes the proper way to clean and care for the tattoo.

Avoiding sunlight is important within the first few days after your tattoo. This means you’ll want to keep your ankle covered if you spend a significant amount of time outside. This also helps to keep the colors of the tattoo vibrant for years to come.

Salt water or chlorinated water is also not advisable for an ankle tattoo. Therefore you’re wise to stay out of any pools or hot tub in the days immediately following your tattooing. The chemicals can alter the look of ankle tattoos and lead to bleeding of the colors. This means that the color will be altered and for anyone who has recently received a tattoo that can be disappointing.

Ankle tattoos are a fun way to try a tattoo. They are also a great way to express your individuality and unique sense of style.


http://www.a-zz.com/Article/Ankle-Tattoos/995

Nautical Star Tattoos The History, Meaning And Symbolism: What A Strange Mix!

The history, meaning and symbolism of nautical star tattoos is a hotly debated topic. Today many different groups have adopted the Nautical star tattoo as a symbol for their own movement and they have all ascribed their own meaning and history to the symbol. Thus has lead to a wide disagreement as the the meaning of the tattoo.

Historically most everyone agrees that Sailors were the first people to get nautical star tattoos. In fact the very word nautical relates back to sailing. So this connection has been pretty firmly established. Most people would agree the sailors were a pretty superstitious group historically and sailor lore abounds with superstitious and fantastical stories of life and death and being lost at sea. Early on sailors navigated by the stars at night and the north star became the symbol for finding ones way home. Once you know where the north star is you can point your ship in the right direction to get home. So the star became a symbol for finding ones way home or more symbolically even finding ones path in life. Therefore many sailors would tattoo nautical stars on their forearms as a good luck symbol in hopes of returning home.

However their modern day meaning is a more debated topic. Many believe that groups including gay and lesbians, punk rockers and those in the military have adopted the nautical star tattoo as a very important symbol. The diversity of these three groups has lead many to argue the meaning of their tattoos.

For the military the connection is pretty obviously point back to the early sailors and the symbolism and meaning is the same as the early sailors. Many military people get a nautical star tattoo as a symbol for finding ones path home safely. Of course this can also include more symbolically just finding ones way in life.

Here is a quote we found from a member of the armed services and his interpretation of the tattoo:

"I am in the United States Army, an MP who searched towns and villages for Al Quida and insurgents. I was in Iraq for 1 year. I have a red and black nautical star on my wrist. The reason I got it was because when I was out there, I felt it was a guide to guide me home to my family safely. I got it so that it would remind me that I am going to make it to see my son grow up. I am not gay, it doesn't matter what you believe it represents, it means something different for everyone. Out in the desert, I would look up at the stars and think about home. So anyone can think what they want to, that is what it means to me. "

Punk rockers have also adopted this as a popular symbol to have tattooed. The punk movement traces its history and use of the nautical star tattoo back to Sailor Jerry. Sailor Jerry is historically one one of the most famous tattoo artists ever. He was well known for his innovative and "cool" designs. Punks have taken this symbol and it has very much the same meaning of finding one way in life. Being the rugged individualists type Punks are drawing to the symbolism of true north and finding one own unique way in life. So the Nautical star has become a symbol for this. You see many punk bands that have full sleeve tattoos typically incorporate nautical star tattoos either on their elbows or elsewhere.

The lesbian and gay connection is the one that does not seem so obvious at first. Historically back in the 1940's and 50's when alternative lifestyles were not the norm and often women had to hide their alternative choices they would sport a hidden nautical star. Often they would get the star tattoo done on the inside of their wrist where it could easily be hidden by a watch during the day but shown off in the evening when out on the town. Today many lesbians where the nautical star tattoo to show their connection with their early pioneering sisters. Here is a little evidence to support my points.

"Here's the passage (with some pieces dropped) from "Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community" by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Madeilne D. Davis copyright 1993 p. 189.

(talking about the 1940's and 1950's):

"...During this same time period, the cultural push to be identified as lesbians- or at least different- all the time was so powerful that it generated a new form of identification among the tough bar lesbians: a star tattoo on the top of the wrist, which was usually covered by a watch. This was the first symbol of community identity that did not rely on butch-fem imagery. We can trace this phenomenon back to an evening of revelry in the late 1950's, when a few butches trooped over to "Dirty Dick's" tattoo parlor on Chippewa Street and had the tiny blue five-pointed star put on their wrists. Later, some of the fems of this group also go the idea one night and did it...The community views the tattoo as a definite mark of identification..."the Buffalo police knew [that] the people that had the stars on their wrist were lesbians and they had their names and so forth. That it was an identity thing with the gay community, with the lesbian community". The fact that the star tattoo was created by those who were firmly into roles, in fact by the group that was considered the butchy butches and their fems, suggest that the force to assert lesbian identity was strong enough to break through the existing traditions of boldness based in butch-fem roles. The stars presage the methods of identity created by gay liberation. In fact, the mark has become something of a tradition in local circles and has seen a revival since the 1970s."

This meaning of the symbol has of course created a lot of problems and arguments among the other two groups of bearers of nautical stars. Most puck and military people do not want to have a nautical star that points back to anything from the lesbian movement so many will say that there is no connection there and this is false.

Here is a quote from another armed forces member about the symbolism of the nautical star among the gay community:

"This "gay symbol" is a load of hooey that someone made up VERY recently. The nautical star tattoo has been around nearly as long as tattooing itself. The late Celts (or early Irish, depending on your view of World History) were said to have been the first to have the tattoos, although evidence of it being used on ships in Spain has been found pre-dating the Irish claim.

As a Marine, it's a very commonplace symbol amongst us if we have been part of a Boat Raid company, red for port, green for starboard on varying parts of the body. On ship, I saw about a million different variations on the Sailors I was was serving with, obviously harking back to the sailor roots."

Here is a quote from a punk rocker and his feelings about the symbolism of the tattoo:

"what idiots..even the military boys dont know what it really means....JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW!!!!!it was used by OLD sailors.. and the symbol represents North on a Map ...and it is the North Star the sailors would use it as a baring to get home....you can find it on Really really old maps and old navy vessels... Punk Rock.. well we use it because we can and because Sailor Jerry made the coolest tattoos who started putting them on everyone.. my grandfather even had one thus being used as a traditional icon"

It just goes to show that when the same powerful symbol is used over and over again over decades of time it can taken on very different meanings for different groups. So all of those that you see sporting a nautical star tattoo might not all have the same interpretation of its symbolism.

So do you have a nautical star tattoo or think about getting one in the future? Which meaning of the symbol will you get the nautical star for? As long as you know what the symbolism behind the star is for and you have gotten it for the right reason to either support the lesbian movement or as a symbol to finding your way!


http://www.a-zz.com/Article/Nautical-Star-Tattoos-The-History--Meaning-And-Symbolism--What-A-Strange-Mix-/1213

Tattoos For Women? You Bet!

It’s not really known how long tattooing has been around but it’s quite possibly as long as 12,000 years and we do know the ancient Egyptians practiced the art of tattooing.

One may think the art of tattooing has its history mainly with men. Not so. Women from various cultures tattooed their bodies for a variety of reasons. Take the women from Borneo. They would mark themselves to show what they were skilled at, such as weaving or the gatherer of medicinal herbs. This communicated their rank as marriage material. In western Asia, girls were marked in such a way as to show their place in society.

In the last 100 years tattooing was common among criminals, motorcyclists and gang members but in the last 20 years this has drastically changed, so much so that approximately 50% of all tattoos are done on women. And who are these women? These are the soccer moms, and professional women, the women from ages of 18 to 40.

Tattooing has gone through its ups and downs over the centuries, and has even been banned many times in different cultures for periods of time. It appears though that tattooing will never really go away. During periods of a ban it seems to go underground until such time it is free to resurface.

Tattooing, (which is a Tahitian word meaning “to be marked”) in some cultures, has only the women being allowed to do the markings.

Today’s women are free to make their own choices in regards to tattooing. It is becoming more and more popular to have artistic designs placed just about anywhere on the body. You commonly see tattoos adorning an ankle, or husbands or boyfriends names on a forearm. Some women like to have a private tattoo for their spouse only.

Even celebrities are getting them such as Pamela Anderson and Christina Applegate.

As little as twenty years ago, you did not see tattoos on women very much. Now you can go to any beach and see a design on the lower back of many young girls tanning in the sun.

There are many types of tattoos to choose from such as gothic or Celtic design, Polynesian or Tahitian. Our current day artists are becoming more creative in their custom patterns.

Taking the time to choose just the right design is of utmost importance because this is something you will have to live with for the rest of your life. Tattooing the name Bob just because he is the most current flame is probably not a wise choice especially when the real Mr. Right comes along. He may not appreciate the constant reminder.

Should you choose to get a tattoo, make sure you are dealing with a reputable shop that is safety conscious.

Women getting tattoos? Absolutely!

http://www.a-zz.com/Article/Tattoos-For-Women---You-Bet-/1789

Everything You Need To Know About Tattoos

If you are considering tattoos, keep in mind that they are a permanent part of your skin. Because tattoos are created with permanent ink being placed underneath the skin, they are a lifelong fixture unless you later decide to have them removed. Having a tattoo removed involves surgery, which is very expensive and carries it’s own risks. As with any surgery, there is always the possibility of complications. If you are thinking of getting tattoos, it’s best to make sure that you really want them in order to avoid having to later go through surgery just to remove them.

Tattoos can be very expensive depending on the size of the design. They can range from the tiniest of symbol to a large detailed image. Because tattoos can be priced very high, many parlors offer an unconventional, yet practical, way to purchase your design of choice. Many businesses offer a convenient layaway plan with the tattoos being created after the last payment is made. If you have the cash to pay upfront, you may be able to make an appointment and get the design imprinted on the same day as payment. Depending on the design and complexity of the tattoos that you select, the process can be brief or may last for hours.

When considering tattoos, it is important to do some research on the design parlor before hiring them. How long have they been in business? Have there been any complaints lodged against them with the local Better Business Bureau? If you have friends who also have tattoos, who do they recommend and what was their experience? It is very important to follow up with references and as much of a background check as you can possibly get before agreeing to have your tattoos created.

In your research, try to find out which businesses have the best history with make sure their equipment is clean. This is the most important thing to consider about tattoos because, if the business is not licensed or the artist is not a professional, there is no guarantee that their instruments are clean or properly maintained. Your health is your biggest concern so, if you are considering tattoos, be sure to select the best parlor for the job.

Tattoos are colorful and can be an expression of art if done correctly. They often reflect a person’s lifestyle, name of a spouse or other sentiment. At the same time, they can cause a concern of infection.


http://www.a-zz.com/Article/Everything-You-Need-To-Know-About-Tattoos/2910

Tribal Tattoos And Tribal Tattoo Designs Uncovered

They’re one of the most popular tattoo designs in the entire world, and although they have become so mainstream, people around the world are still buying into the traditional tribal tattoo design.

Tribal tattoos are absolutely fascinating. There are so many different types that it’s impossible to say anything bad about the design in general. There are so many different people and tribes throughout culture and history who have practiced this traditional tattoo. To call a tattoo tribal simply means to be of a tribe, but the style hasn’t been taken from one specific group of people. Instead it is characteristic of bold, solid black patterns similar to the styles of Polynesia and the Pacific.

Tribal tattoo art is significant of its sweeping curves and sharp points that work together to form patterns. The tribal style can easily be a part of any type of image and can portray just about anything at all.

The tribal tattoo was not originally intended to be something that looked cool. The main intent for the tattoo was power, in that the Samoans believed a body suit of tattoos was a great step toward becoming a man. American Indians used the style of body art to protect themselves while in battle, and Burmese villagers believed that tattooing a design over the heart will protect the area of the body from bullets. Tribal tattoos are not meant for looks, but more for the extreme symbolism saturated within the design.

Tribal tattoos were once significant only to Pacific Islanders and Africans, but now are one of the most popular throughout the entire world. Within the Maori culture of New Zealand, tribal tattoo symbolism is a huge part of their lives. Many believe the Moko style of tattoo, in which the tribal tattoos are drawn on a face, believed to be a necessity in the afterlife. The Maori people believed tribal tattoos helped spirits find and identify dead Maoris.

The Maori people used small chisel-shaped pieces of bone when creating their tribal tattoos. The bone was dipped in pigment, and then struck with a mallet to create the grooves and characteristics of the desired tattoo. But when creating the Moko tattoo, artists needed for the bone to penetrate deep into the skin and cuts were often so deep that they went straight through the cheek. But the pride of the Maori warriors kept caused them to continue the fascinating body art.

The decorative art of the tribal tattoo was said in earlier times to reflect their character and the fierceness of their nature. Even if the ancient warrior was killed by their enemy, the untattooed body would be kicked aside, while the tattooed would be treated with respect.

Today tribal tattoos are so rarely looked upon for their symbolism, but more for the beauty of the design within itself and what it means to the individual person holding the art.


http://www.a-zz.com/Article/Tribal-Tattoos-and-Tribal-Tattoo-Designs-Uncovered/21148

The Meaning Of Floral Tattoos

Flower tattoos are most popular among women. The majority of people choose to select floral tattoos according to the meaning of different flowers.

The rose is one of the most popular among flower tattoos, along with baby’s breath, which means pure heart, the buttercup and it’s symbol of riches, the carnation and it’s meaning of love.

The daisy is a favorite among floral tattoos as it symbolizes innocence.

The sunflower means beauty and the tulip with it’s meaning of enchantment.

As you can see, each flower is not only different in appearance, but in symbolization as well.

A men who choose floral tattoos will often accompany it with a name or other symbol. An example may be a rose with the name of his spouse or mate.

This article is for information purpose only. Before the purchase or application any tattoo, an individual should make sure that the artist is properly trained and licensed to produce a safe and quality tattoo. Any tattoo is not to be applied by an amateur or anyone who has not been properly trained in the handling and sterilization of tattoo equipment.


http://www.a-zz.com/Article/The-Meaning-Of-Floral-Tattoos/49038