Introduction

Young, Screwed and Tattooed

Blank Canvas is an organization which has been founded to help advise people who do not have a tattoo to - 'Think before you ink'. This blog has been put together to correlate all information from our own words as well as different books, studios and blogs into one so that we can advise you on one site rather than having you google everything, the aim of this is tattoo awareness. (we make no money off this blog information) The blog will consist of various sections which contain some of the following:

• Why get a tattoo?
• What are the risks?
• How does it work?
• Who had the first?
• What are the laws?
• How do I choose what I want?
• How do I take care of it?

Tattoos can be beautiful things if it has a personal meaning to it, However, there are endless cases of bad tattoos and the reasons they came to be, whether it be age, patience, lack of thought, ex boy/girlfriends etc

Life Magazine, 1936

'10 Million Americans (about 6%) have at least one tattoo'

This basically states that in America alone, that tattoos were becoming a fashion phase.

May, 2003 statistics show

'76% of people say that the biggest issue that would prevent them from getting a tattoo is not finding the right design'

'10% of people say that either finding the right tattoo artist or having the money for a tattoo are the biggest reasons preventing them form getting a tattoo'

67 years after Life magazines quote, statistics have started to state that 96% of people all around the world take having a tattoo into consideration. However I believe that the crucial killer for these statistics is patience, these statistics rely on what put people off, just because they don't have the money at the time doesn't mean to say they are not going to get a tattoo the week after when their paycheck clears, or not having a right design doesn't mean they will get eager and have a small tattoo of a red devil on their arm.

16% of all adults have at least one tattoo

36% are aged 25-29

34% feel more attractive for having a tattoo

29% feel more rebellious

and a whopping 17% regret them (that is a lot of people)

March 05, The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found out:

'24% of Americans have at least one tattoo'

'17% have thought about having a tattoo removed'

'5% of them have had a tattoo covered up with a different design'

This proves the point that people jump into getting tattoos before they are ready and make an embarrassing mark on their body for the world to see.

In April 05

It was reported that more than 45 Million people had at least one tattoo, over 72 years the figures have doubled over 4 times.

'36 of 18-35 year olds have at least one tattoo'

This goes to show that more people are getting tattoos, and the age is dropping that people get tattoos.

A brief History

What was the first tattoo and how did it get so popular?

The word 'Tattoo' originates from the Tahitian word 'Tattau' which means 'To Mark'

Some Scientists believe that the earliest known evidence of tattooing dates back to markings found on the skin of the study 'Ice man'. A mummified human body that dates back as far as 3300 B.C. His lower back, ankles, knees and foot were marked with a series of small lines, made by rubbing charcoal into vertical cuts. x-rays revealed bone degeneration at the side of each tattoo, leading researchers to believe that Otzi's people, ancestors of contemporary central and Northern Europeans may have used tattoos as medical treatment to reduce pain.

Later on tattoos were found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies dating from about 2000 B.C. Tattooing was custom in Egypt during the third and fourth Dynasties whilst the pyramids of Gizeh were being built, Evidence found in Archaeological and anthropological digs suggest that the Egyptians had already started the process of tattooing using needles.

Amunet, who was the priestess of the goddess Hathor at Thebes during the 11th dynasty was another tattooed Egyptian. The mummy was very well preserved and had parallel lines tattooed on the arms and thighs, as well as an elliptical design below her navel.

Tattooing was rediscovered by the Europeans when they came into contact with Polynesians and American Indians through their explorations. At the time tattoos were considered so exotic in Europe and U.S. societies, The tattooed amazed crowds at circuses and fairs during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The practice of tattooing has different meanings to various cultures. Decoration was the most common motive for tattooing and that still holds true today.

The last tattooed women of the dulong people

'The Dulong people have two main folk explanations for their practice of facial tattooing - the first is that it was a practice undertaken in resistance to other ethnic groups to prevent chieftains and landowners from kidnapping young girls and making them slaves, the second explanation is that their faces are tattooed for cosmetic purposes that the Dulong people use the procedure to beautify members in their own society'

Now there are only Forty Dulong Women left in the world who have traditional face tattoos. The oldest is over one hundred years old and the youngest is fifty-three, their average life span is 73 years.

'In the future, as these tattooed women gradually depart from the Earth, their unique custom of facial tattooing will disappear from the world forever.'

In some cultures tattoos served as Identification of the wearers rank or status within a group.

For instance the early Romans tattooed slaves and criminals, Tahitian tattoos served as rites of passage, telling the history of he wearers life.

Moving on to the 1900's, The early Americans received tattooing from Polynesian immigrants although today it is widely believed that the art in the US came to them from sailors who had traveled around exotic places and brought back tattoos as memories of their voyages.

Whereas today we practice tattooing in most countries with ancient method styles and art.

With millions of tattoo shops world wide and a dramatic increase in body art obtained yearly, leaves us all with one question on our lips... What is the next step for tattooing/tattoo art?

Tattoo Facts

What do you think you know about tattoos?

• Tattoos last longer than you do
• Tattoos have been around since 33,000 BC
• The Bible states 'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourself. I am the Lord'
• The first tattoo gun was based on the design of a doorbell
• There are at least 100 different colours of tattoo ink
• Brick dust use to be used as a red ink in the 1800's
• Urine was used to sterilize needles
• Sailors tattoos meant different things

- A full rigged ship shows he has sailed around Cape horn

- An anchor indicates he has sailed the Atlantic Ocean

- A dragon denotes that the bearer has served on a China station

- A shellback turtle shows the sailor has crossed the equator

- 'HOLD' tattooed on knuckles of one hand and 'FAST' on the other were said to allow the bearer to grip the rigging better.

• Tom Leppard from the Isle of Skye, Scotland, has 99.9% of his body covered with Leopard skin tattoo:

Tattoo Process

What is a tattoo gun?

A Tattoo machine is a hand-held device generally used to create a tattoo, a permanent marking of the skin with ink

The tattoo machine has remained relatively unchanged since its invention by Samuel O'Reilly in the late 1800s. O'Reilly based his design on the autographic printer, an engraving machine invented by Thomas Edison. Edison created the printer to engrave hard surfaces. O’Reilly modified Edison’s machine by changing the tube system and modifying its rotary-driven electromagnet isolating unit to enable the machine to drive the needle.

Modern tattoo machines have several basic components:

• A sterilized needle
• A tube system, which draws the ink through the machine
• An electric motor
• A foot pedal, like those used on sewing machines, which controls the vertical movement of the needle.

Why do tattoos last so long and how?

The human skin is made up of two principal parts - the epidermis and the dermis. The outer, thinner epidermis consists

of four or five cell layers. The inner dermis is made up of two portions: the upper papillary region and the reticular region. Tattoos are made by ins

erting ink into the deepest layers (the Dermis portion) of the skin, which shed cells at a much slower rate than layers closer to the surface. That is why a tattoo can last a lifetime.

This is the reason that getting a tattoo may sometimes pose a serious health risk. Inserting needles into the Dermis layer can lead to skin infection or even a blood infection, If the tattoo shop conditions are unsanitary. That is why

all tattoo shops should have a certificate labeling them legal to tattoo the public. If they do not have a certificate stay well away from them for your own well being.

(below is a diagram showing the tattoo process and what makes the tattoo stay in)

What process can I expect to happen when I am ready for a tattoo?

When you are old enough and have found a design you are confident you want on your body for you and you alone,

find a tattoo studio which you can trust and has a good healthy reputation and that you are confident with.

Then bring the tattooist a image to scale of what you want (if it isn't already in the tattooists portfolios or flash art)

Then book an appointment. When it comes to the day and you are back in the studio. The artist should have already

drawn up your design onto some special tattoo transfer paper. they will then ask where you want it 'my back' for example. The artist should then shave your back to get rid of any hairs, as when the tattoo scabs over the last thing you want is bits of ink falling out due to hairs in the way. Now your skins smooth the transfer is applied and you are shown what it lo

oks like. All being well you are happy with the positioning, If not make sure you say so because it is going to be on you forever. The tattooist will then wash off the transfer and re apply if this is the case. When the transfer

is on, it is then time for the work to begin. The tattooist then draws on your 'back' with the tattoo gun, He/She will

start with the outline of the design and then add shading, colour or both to the piece. When finished the artist will whipe the tattoo clean and apply some cream on it to keep it moist (so it doesn't scab over straight away. They will

then show you the work before they cover it up with cling film in order to protect it from it sticking to clothing or getting into the oxygen and scabbing up.

Ink strokes

The tattoo itself involves several steps:

• Outlining, or black work: Using a single-tipped needle and a thin ink, the artist creates a permanent line over the stencil. Most start at the bottom of the right side and work up (left handed tattooists generally start on the left side) so they don't smear the stencil when cleaning excess ink from the permanent line.

• Shading: After cleaning the area with soap and water, the artist uses a thicker ink and a variety of needles to create an even, solid line. Improper technique during this step can cause shadowed lines, excessive pain and delayed healing.

• Colour: The artist cleans the tattoo and then overlaps each line of color to ensure solid, even hues with no holidays -- uneven areas where color has lifted out during healing or where the artist missed a section of skin.

• Final cleaning and bandaging: After using a disposable towel to remove any blood and plasma, the artist covers the tattoo with a sterile bandage. Some bleeding always occurs during tattooing, but most stops within a few minutes.

Window Shopping

Finding the right tattoo artist/ shop

I want some body art. How do I choose a tattooist?

All tattooists have their own approaches on designs, choosing one you want is very much a matter of taste. some examples vary, old school, new school, portraits, greyscale, colour, traditional etc

The Tattoo Club of Great Britain recommends you visit the tattooist's studio, preferably when it's busy, and take a look around. It's a chance to see the designs the tattooist has done as well as to look at the way they work.

You'll also need to check that the tattooist's studio is registered with the local Environmental Health Department.

Can anyone be a tattooist or are tattooists regulated?

Tattoo parlours have to be licensed by the local authority, and tattooists should display their certificates to prove it. This is to make sure tattoo parlours meet relevant standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

What sort of standards are we talking about?

Standards of cleanliness should be extremely high. For example, all equipment used for tattooing should be single service. This means that it should be individually packaged and sterilised using a machine called an autoclave. Ask about safety policies before you make your choice.

Does having a tattoo hurt?

According to tattooists, thanks to modern equipment it doesn't hurt a lot. Generally, getting a tattoo hurts more if it's done over the bone. So being tattooed on a fleshy part of your body shouldn't be too excruciating from my personal experience (having my hip to neck done) areas around the hips, ribs, abs and sternum are the most painful.

Is it OK for teenagers to be tattooed?

By law, tattooists are not allowed to tattoo anyone under the age of 18. If they carry this out

the tattooists could lose their license and have a jail sentence for braking the law.

I've gone off my tattoo. Can I get rid of it?

It's possible, but expensive. There are several ways to remove tattoos—laser treatment, dermabrasion or simply cutting away the tattoo, although the latter may involve a skin graft. Another option, of course, is to get another tattoo to cover the one you don't like. statistics

prove that many cover ups are from drunken mistakes or impatience.

How do you become a tattooist?

There's no clear career path to joining the ranks of tattooists. Sometimes tattooists take on apprentices who are expected to buy their own equipment and sterilising units. It takes between three and five years for tattooists to become fully trained. A shop in Wigan I use to get my tattoos from the women Laura did Graphic Design prior to her apprenticeship. You need to be able to draw to be a good tattooist.

How much do tattooists charge?

It depends on the size and design of the tattoo. Some tattooists charge by the hour for larger tattoos. I use to get my tattoos for £50 an hour, now I pay £100 an hour and a half and I am much more satisfied with the outcome of my tattoos.

Tattood

Aftercare

After a tattoo has been done the tattooist should wrap you up in cling film and tell you to wait 3 or 4 hours, but what after? In my personal experience after this time and the three times a day you should wash the tattoo with warm soapy water, Note: do not drown the tattoo. after this is done you should then dry it off, dabbing with a towel is the best way, if you use a tissue, it will brake apart and get stuck on your skin which will then irritate it and cause it to itch which then leads to scratching and ink falling out. Once dry I have found that Bapanthen is the best option to buy as it has healed all my recent tattoos with reduced scabbing over, in fact my half sleeve didn't even scab over.

Savlon, Vaseline, Alcohol, Sudocrem and other scented creams will make the tattoo scab over near enough instantly which will make ink fall out and possible change in colour, the most common is black to blue and especially faded ink:

Here is a video on aftercare and tattoo prep:

http://www.luckyfish.com/pages/articles/tattoocare.htm

Other Considerations?

Tanning is what you should avoid as it is already not good for the tattoos and the ink will fade very fast due to ultraviolet rays which drain the life out of your tattoo and the more your tattoo turns from a brilliant one to a boring one

ALWAYS be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your new tattoo. Contact with dirty hands is a major contributor of infection.

Once tattoo is exposed, wash it thoroughly with antibacterial soap and warm water. Be sure to rinse away any & all secretions and be sure that all soap residues are rinsed off.

After washing tattoo, lightly pat dry with clean towel, apply a small amount of Bacitracin ointment and massage into tattoo. DO NOT apply a thick coat as your skin must be able to breathe (If Bactracin is unavailable, alternatives are Neosporin or A&D ointment. If rash develops, Lubriderm or Dermassage lotion may be applied).

Depending on the nature and extent of your tattoo, it may be necessary to wear clothing heavy enough to protect it, particulary if you work around grease, oil, dirt, metal, etc.

Be sure that any clothing that touches your tattoo is soft and clean.

Your new tattoo will develop a layer of dry skin, DO NOT PICK this off. Apply ointment three times daily until the layer falls of on its own. After the dry skin has fallen off, there will be a period of adjustment for the new skin. It is advisable to use a skin lotion during this time.

DO NOT let the tattoo dry out.

DO NOT reapply bandage as the tattoo needs to breath to speed healing.

DO NOT use Vaseline, petroleum jelly, alcohol, or peroxide.

DO NOT rub, scratch, or pick at tattoo.

DO NOT expose new tattoo to direct sunlight for 2 weeks. After that, you can use sun block (SPF 35 or above) to help keep tattoo from fading.

DO NOT submerse tattoo in water for 2 weeks. This includes baths, swimming, and saunas. Saltwater and chlorine act as a bleach and can ruin your tattoo and too much water exposure can cause wrinkling and puckering of skin which can also damage your new tattoo.

The healing process usually takes between 2-3 weeks, but can vary from person to person.

At the end of the day

the tattoo is you're responsability

Standard living

Jobs

A lot of people fail to consider the future aspects and consiquences of tattoos. As a result many people struggle to gain employment. If you can't cover it, don't get it (unless you have a strong financial background and can support yourself)

Here is a diagram, the red areas are key elements of were tattoos can be seen on the the body in average uniform.

Below is an image of prejudice characteristics of who someone is by where they are tattooed:

Prejudice

When people get tattoos they don't think about what some people may think.
Many will judge you to be a jouvenal criminal. (dependant on age) and what not.

'The only difference about a tattooed person and a person without tattoos is the tattoeod person doesn't care if you have tattoos'

Abroad tattoos

Why shouldn't I get tattoos abroad?

You should follow the same practice as you would with getting a tattoo anywhere:

Sterilisation: How do they sterilise their equipment?

Do they use fresh needles everytime, can you see them open them for each tattoo?

(Dont take their word for it, ask to see their autoclave) Sonic cleaners and bleach do not mean sterile!

Does the shop look clean, well lit and sanitary?

A good tattoo shop should have the same feel as a dentists office, very clean and you should see the artists using a lot of disposible plastics, gloves, barrier film, aprons etc etc.
Ask to see their portfolios, Good artists have records of their work. Ask for real photos as many scam artists simply take other peoples digital work off the net and print it out.
If their work looks good then see if they can provide the peice you want, if it looks shady there is no reason for you to settle for that. If you don't find a place you want you can always come back and get it.

Finally: while over there, remember that when you have a fresh tattoo you can not expose it to sun or submerse it in water for three weeks without risking irreparable damage.
e.g. No sunbathing and no swimming with a fresh tattoo, If you think you can do that for your entire holiday go for it, However if you can't, don't get one, unless you would like to pay off the roof prices to fix the tattoo back in the Uk.

Here are some Bad examples of what tourists tend to get on holiday:

Traditional tattoos are good.