Tattoos – Choose A Tattoo Design That Has Meaning

For thousands of years small tattoo designs have been part of our culture. These small tattoo designs were used by ancient Christians as a way to recognize fellow Christians. The oldest tattoo that was ever found on a human body dates back some 9,000 years.

Captain Cook brought the word tattoo into our language after he and his men began to have them done in places such as Tahiti. All sailors started to have tattoos done on themselves after that. Over the centuries that followed, tattoos earned a negative reputation. People associated the tattoos with the lower class and criminals. Unfortunately, this stereotype has been prevalent since the beginning of the 19th century. Tattoos carried this reputation until recent years. Now tattoos are considered to be a form of fashion statement. And women love the small tattoo designs because they’re considered chic, as well as subtly symbolizing their gender.

The decision to be inked is one that is very important. But little is considered about the actual art work produced by the tattoo machine. The tattoo ink is the most critical item in the tattoo artist arsenal. Without it a tattoo would be nothing more than a pretty, albeit temporary, design on the skin that would wash away or wear away within a few days.

Tattoo ink is produced through a chemical process. It is comprised of a pigment or dye that is mixed with a carrier. Depending on the quality level of the ink, a carrier solution can be any number of products some of which can be toxic and deadly to the human body.