Salads on the table
Interesting facts about tattoos. Unusual facts about tattoos and the most tattooed people in the world Guy with tattoos and facts

Interesting facts about tattoos. Unusual facts about tattoos and the most tattooed people in the world Guy with tattoos and facts

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years. And the attitude towards them was different in different cultures and at different times. Today, although images on the body are considered works of art, many people associate them with the underground. Our review contains the most interesting and little-known historical facts about tattoos.

25. Tattoos of the mummy Ötzi

The oldest known tattoos were found on the body of Ötzi's mummy (3300-3200 BC), which was preserved surprisingly intact in the ice. A black cross was tattooed on the inside of his left knee, six straight lines on his lower back, and parallel lines on his ankles, legs and wrists. When scientists scanned the mummy's body, they discovered joint diseases under many of the tattoos. This led them to believe that these tattoos were intended to relieve pain.

24. Ancient tattoo tools

Archaeologists have discovered tools in France, Portugal and Scandinavia that were probably used for tattooing. They are at least twelve thousand years old - that is, they date back to the last Ice Age.

23. Just TA

The word "tattoo" comes from the Polynesian word "ta", which describes the sound of a tattoo needle hitting the skin. The first written mention of the word "tattoo" appears in the works of Joseph Banks, the naturalist aboard Captain Cook's ship. Until then, Europeans called tattoos the words “marks” or “prices”.

22. Polynesian tattoos

Polynesian tattoos are considered the most skillful. To be more precise, those that existed before the arrival of Europeans in the South Pacific.

21. Ancient methods of tattoo removal

Ancient tattoo removal methods include using scum from the bottom of a pot mixed with very strong vinegar or pigeon feces mixed with vinegar. This mixture was used as a poultice "for a long time."

Nowadays, with the development of science and technology, laser surgery is considered the most effective and popular way to remove a tattoo. The laser light penetrates the skin and breaks down the tattoo pigments so that they are eliminated naturally by the body's immune system. Black is the easiest color to remove because it absorbs more laser light. Green and yellow tattoos are more difficult to remove.

19. Tattoos of the ancient Greeks

The Greeks learned the art of tattooing from the Persians and used tattoos to mark slaves and criminals (so they could be easily identified if they escaped). The Romans adopted this practice from the Greeks and tattooed "FuG" ("fugitive") on the foreheads of slaves.

18. Caligula - tattoo designer

Caligula is known as one of the craziest Roman emperors of all time. He amused himself by ordering his associates to get ridiculous tattoos.

In 787, Pope Hadrian I banned tattoos of any kind, even on criminals and gladiators. From this point on, tattooing was virtually unknown in most Western European countries until the nineteenth century.

16. Tattoo as revenge

Tattooing was viewed negatively in Eastern Europe, and to be more precise, in the Byzantine Empire. Tradition says that the Byzantine Emperor Theophilus took revenge on two monks who publicly criticized him by ordering eleven obscene verses to be tattooed on their foreheads.

Although tattoos have been seen on paintings and statues of both men and women in Egyptian art, all tattooed Egyptian mummies discovered to date are female. Egyptologists believe that these tattoos were symbols of fertility, virginity and rejuvenation.

14. Tattoo in the air

Rock star Tommy Lee entered the Guinness Book of Records in 2007. He became the first person to be tattooed in the air during a private flight to Miami.

13. One of the most popular tattoos

Continuing with Tommy Lee, his ex-wife Pamela Anderson was responsible for the rise in popularity of bracelet tattoos in the late 90s. She was the first celebrity in Malibu to get such a tattoo.

12. Tattoos are not for the poor

From the mid-eighteenth century to the early twentieth century, tattoos were especially popular among the English and Russian nobility. They were so expensive that only rich people could afford tattoos. As tattoos became more accessible, they were considered "improper" until their renaissance in the mid-twentieth century.

11. Yakuza tattoos

Although most gang members receive "honorary" tattoos, the most famous of all criminal tattoos are those of the Japanese Yakuza mafia. Its members wear intricate and traditional designs all over their bodies (most often hidden by clothing) as a sign of their allegiance to the mafia.

10. The invention of the tattoo machine

Samuel O'Reilly

The man who invented tattoo machines in 1891 was a New York tattoo artist named Samuel O'Reilly. His invention was based on a document copying machine invented by Thomas Edison.

Officially, doctors say that HIV can hypothetically be transmitted through tattoo needles. However, there are no reports of cases of the disease being transmitted through tattooing.

8. The snake is for the mother, the anchor is for the son

Winston Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, had a snake tattoo around her wrist. At official receptions, she covered it with a diamond bracelet. Churchill himself had an anchor tattooed on his forearm.

7. Tattoos for women and men

According to a 2012 survey, there are more tattooed women than men in the United States (23% and 19%, respectively). Women are twice as likely to have tattoos removed than men.

6. At least one tattoo

Recent studies have shown that adults with tattoos are more sexually active than those without. The same studies also show that adults who have tattoos are more likely to commit a crime.

The most tattooed man in the world is Gregory Paul McLaren, also known as "Lucky Diamond Rich." His body is 100 percent covered in tattoos, including his foreskin, mouth and ears.

2. "The Guy with the Disney Tattoos"

George S. Reiger, also known as "The Disney Tattoo Guy," has over one thousand Disney tattoos, including all 101 Dalmatians. He had to get special permission from Disney to get the tattoo because all images are copyrighted.

1. Just one nuance

For those who are planning to get a tattoo in the near future, there is one nuance worth knowing. During tattooing, the skin will be pierced with needles approximately 50 to 3,000 times per minute, depending on the shape and size of the tattoo.

Especially for those who have not yet decided on their first (or next) tattoo.

25. Tattoos of the mummy Ötzi

24. Ancient tattoo tools

23. Just TA

22. Polynesian tattoos

Polynesian tattoos are considered the most skillful. To be more precise, those that existed before the arrival of Europeans in the South Pacific.

21. Ancient methods of tattoo removal

Ancient tattoo removal methods include using scum from the bottom of a pot mixed with very strong vinegar or pigeon feces mixed with vinegar. This mixture was used as a poultice "for a long time."

19. Tattoos of the ancient Greeks

18. Caligula - tattoo designer

Caligula is known as one of the craziest Roman emperors of all time. He amused himself by ordering his associates to get ridiculous tattoos.

16. Tattoo as revenge

14. Tattoo in the air

Rock star Tommy Lee entered the Guinness Book of Records in 2007. He became the first person to be tattooed in the air during a private flight to Miami.

13. One of the most popular tattoos

Continuing with Tommy Lee, his ex-wife Pamela Anderson was responsible for the rise in popularity of bracelet tattoos in the late 90s. She was the first celebrity in Malibu to get such a tattoo.

12. Tattoos are not for the poor

11. Yakuza tattoos

10. The invention of the tattoo machine

Samuel O'Reilly

The man who invented tattoo machines in 1891 was a New York tattoo artist named Samuel O'Reilly. His invention was based on a document copying machine invented by Thomas Edison.

Officially, doctors say that HIV can hypothetically be transmitted through tattoo needles. However, there are no reports of cases of the disease being transmitted through tattooing.

8. The snake is for the mother, the anchor is for the son

7. Tattoos for women and men

According to a 2012 survey, there are more tattooed women than men in the United States (23% and 19%, respectively). Women are twice as likely to have tattoos removed than men.

6. At least one tattoo

About 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo. Americans also spend more money on tattoos than any other nationality (approximately $1.65 billion per year).

After Lindbergh's kidnapping in 1932, many parents across America began getting tattoos for their children. Allegedly, this was done to make it easier to recognize the child if he got lost or was kidnapped.

4. Tattoos and sexual activity

Recent studies have shown that adults with tattoos are more sexually active than those without. The same studies also show that adults who have tattoos are more likely to commit a crime.

The most tattooed man in the world is Gregory Paul McLaren, also known as "Lucky Diamond Rich." His body is 100 percent covered in tattoos, including his foreskin, mouth and ears.

2. "The Guy with the Disney Tattoos"

1. Just one nuance

Incredible facts

The tattoo, which was previously considered something exclusive to bikers, punks and the like, today is a very fashionable accessory, which can be found as often as an earring in the ear.

“It’s a completely different world today compared to the one I came into 10 years ago,” says tattoo artist Megan Massacre.

In this article, we take a look at the history of body art, what the ink is made of, and what's really behind the tattoo craze.

Facts about tattoos

Fact #1: Tattoos have been around as long as humans.

The oldest tattoo belongs to the 5,300-year-old human ice mummy Oetzi, who is the oldest mummy ever discovered.

Ancient tribes used tattoos to mark many important life events, such as turning a boy into a man, marriage, punishment, faith, love, etc. According to many researchers, Ötzi's tattoo was more therapeutic.

Each society had its own characteristics and ways of modifying the body, but, as a rule, the ink consisted of plant or animal tissue. One interesting ink recipe consisted of so-called black smoke (derived from wood or oil) mixed with a woman's breast milk.

While the Eskimos used threads soaked in ink to draw designs on their skin, the Maori people of New Zealand used tools to cut wood.

In almost all societies, the tattoo artist spent his entire life learning the dirty, painful process. In order to prepare the skin to accept the ink, sharpened sticks, needles, stones and other tools were used to cut the skin.

“In ancient times, without the proper equipment, tattoos were much more painful and time-consuming to apply,” says Massacre.

Fact #2: Being a tattoo artist is a very difficult job to get.

Constant, ritual modifications to the human body are years of training. As research by Michigan State University experts has shown, in ancient times this was a sacred profession.

Today modern masters are tattooists They also undergo training courses lasting several years.“Like other jobs, all craftsmen start out as apprentices, doing various kinds of menial work,” Megan explains.

In fact, in the first year of practice, no one allows a newbie to approach the client. Instead, he learns how to properly clean equipment, learns how to protect himself and the patient from bloodborne pathogens, and learns all the necessary medical conditions within which he must work.

Fact No. 3: Tattoo artists are not always people with the appropriate education.

While it was once the domain of roving criminals and other unsavory figures, today everything has changed. However, before this "phenomenon" became widespread in the 1960s, many craftsmen did not follow safety requirements and did not comply with proper standards.

Such tattooists, as a rule, never had the necessary knowledge and were probably never even trained in the business, but due to the lack of real regulation in this area, anyone who made good money could afford to get a tattoo.

In the second half of the 20th century, when tattoos regained their former popularity, artists, entrepreneurs, managers, accountants, teachers and many others began to become masters.

“At one time it was not considered art, but now it is an artistic profession, because so many craftsmen have a design or art education.”

Fact #4: Leather is very difficult to paint on.

Tattooing

"The tattoo doesn't actually go all the way through the skin. It goes through 4-5 layers." Craftsmen learn their craft without actually seeing what they do because of the blood, ink, and equipment.

Additionally, leather, unlike paper or canvas, is not uniform in color, texture, or thickness. A good master spends a long time learning to create a single picture, avoiding scars, unevenness and stains.

Fact #5: Many people are allergic to red tattoo ink.

Does your skin change color when you wear jewelry? You may be allergic to nickel. Nickel allergy is the most common form of allergic contact dermatitis (a rash caused by skin contact with a harmless substance).

However, when ink is injected under the skin, things are a little different. The ink can cause mild inflammation, which can take longer for the skin to heal. Some people may have severe allergic reactions to tattoos.

The results can be disastrous in some cases, so double check if you are allergic to red ink before getting a tattoo.

Fact No. 6: When you leave the tattoo artist, this does not mean that the procedure is finished.

You yourself can influence your tattoo, despite the fact that it is under the skin. A tan is the worst enemy of a tattoo. Laser tattoo removal uses ultraviolet light, which is the same as tanning, only in more concentrated quantities.

Since the tattoo penetrates only 4-5 layers of skin, the melanin, thanks to which our skin tans, is located at the very “top” of the design. Over time, white, yellow and orange ink colors lighten and oxidize.

Over time, even black ink oxidizes and takes on a bluish tint. If you cannot hide from the sun, then to preserve your tattoo for a longer period of time, cover it with sunscreen or do not wear revealing clothes outside.

Fact #7: Tattoos can glow, vibrate, and can be placed on any part of the body.

Vibrating tattoos were known about a few months ago, when Nokia patented magnetic vibrating tattoos - designs that inform you about the "activity" of your phone.

Tattoos can glow in the dark and even react to black light. Nevertheless, There is no such thing as an "invisible tattoo". Even completely transparent inks appear when human skin changes color due to the sun, emotions or seasons.

It is not news that people get tattoos on all parts of their body. This includes the inner surface of the lips, heels, and other more sensitive areas. Megan talks about a man who got a tattoo on the white of his eye.

A tattoo on the penis is not uncommon, however, in this case, for obvious reasons, heterosexual men prefer to contact a female artist.

Fact #8: Drinking before getting a tattoo is a bad idea.

A good artist will not undertake to tattoo a tipsy client. The key word in the previous sentence was the word "good". So many artists will just take your money, do their job, and send you home to deal with your hangover and ink reaction.

Alcohol may make you less sensitive to pain, but it will also thin your blood, causing you to bleed more during the process. In turn, in addition to harming the client, a large loss of blood will complicate the work of the master and will significantly prolong the process.

Thus, You should not drink alcohol either before or after the procedure, let the wound heal first. If you are looking for a product that will help numb the pain, then there are special products on sale, however, they are not designed to last throughout the entire procedure, so be prepared for pain.

What should you pay attention to in a tattoo parlor?

The most important thing, of course, is sterilization of equipment. Look around and see how clean the area is, if there is dust in the corners, if there are any foreign odors. This is the main thing that must be normal, the rest is up to your discretion.

The most unusual tattoos in the world and the people behind them

Tattoos on the body

Man - tattoo

10. Maria Jose Cristerna

This woman has an extremely unusual appearance, the history of whose acquisition is no less interesting than Maria herself.

This was the tattoo lover in 1998.

Today she is a mother of four children and a happy wife. Maria lives in Mexico, is a lawyer by training, and was an assistant judge for a long period of time. Now she has her own tattoo salon and is incredibly popular.

She loves to sing, act in various television shows, and also tattoo her clients with her own hands. In the photo below, Maria is shown with her husband David Pena waiting outside a school in Guadalajara for their children.

Maria became a woman – a vampire in her first marriage. Her husband often humiliated her and beat her, even causing the unfortunate woman to give birth prematurely. Changing the body became a kind of psychological protection.

She has long been married for the second time, and is happily married, but still cannot stop, constantly making herself scarier and scarier. Probably, everything is to blame for the subconscious, which is still afraid of violence and hides behind an ugly appearance.

Unusual tattoos

9. Tom Leppard

For almost 28 years, the Englishman Tom served in the British Army, but at some point, when the time came to end his service, he realized that the society of civilians was not close to him, and he simply could not live in their environment.

Having decided to escape from civilization, he got himself $10,000 worth of tattoos and moved away from the benefits of civilization to the Isle of Skye. The tattoos covered almost his entire body; the only “live spot” remained on the inner surface of his ears and between his toes.

At one time, Tom was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the most tattooed person in the world, but his record was soon broken.

The man turned into a leopard, even inserted fangs into himself that were the same as those of this animal. The only clothing he ever wore was a loincloth.

Once a week, Tom came to a town near the island to buy groceries and collect his pension. Now the almost 80-year-old pensioner lives in a small house on the same island, because he can no longer lead his old lifestyle due to his age.

Face tattoos

8. Tommy Wells

This great-grandfather is the most tattooed in Britain. For more than half a century, this man has regularly covered his body with a wide variety of designs.

As a result, almost by the age of 70, there was not a single millimeter of free skin left on Tommy’s body; he was completely “tattooed.”

He got his last tattoo after his wife died. These were the words: "Tommy, I will always love you." In fact, a woman who has lived her whole life with such a strange man is worthy of love.

7. Etienne Dumont

This man by profession is none other than a newspaper art critic who lives and works in Geneva, Switzerland.

For what exact reasons this young successful man decided to turn into a monster is not known.

It is likely that he was not so successful before he covered his body with drawings, acquired horns thanks to silicone implants and inserted huge circles into his ears, nose and lower lip, or maybe it was all about banal shocking.

The look is always topped off with stylish sunglasses that have writers lining up to get a review from the fashion critic.

6. Gregory Paul McLaren

Gregory got his first tattoo in London at the age of 17 after meeting a prostitute. This tattoo, according to the man himself, who performed in the circus since childhood, gave him incredible self-confidence.

Since then he has been traveling the world and getting tattoos. He underwent this procedure on 4 continents, in 17 countries and in 45 cities. Moreover, 136 masters worked with his body. In total, he spent almost 48 days under the needle for 1,150 hours.

The man gained great popularity under the pseudonym Lucky Diamond Rich, and he also became famous for breaking Tom Leppard's record for the volume of his tattooed body.

Skull Tattoos

5. Rick Genest

This 28-year-old guy is a famous Canadian model. However, few people knew him in wide circles until he decorated his body with skeleton tattoos and turned his head into a skull design.

The young man got his first tattoo at the age of 16 after he received a serious injury, as a result of which a thick scar began to appear on his right hand. He did the drawing to hide the scar.

The procedure for painting his entire body cost Rick 4,000 Canadian dollars, but at the same time, he earned a much larger amount from his new image.

In 2010, Rick, having gotten his tattoos, posted photos of them on his Facebook page. In a short period of time, more than 1.5 million users subscribed to his page. It was then that Lady Gaga's director noticed him.

Subsequently, he starred in the singer's video "Born this way", in which Lady Gaga’s face was painted to match Rick’s tattoos, and also took part in a very interesting advertising foundation from Dermablend.

Today he travels all over the world, he is a regular guest or participant in fashion shows, and sometimes even works as a DJ in nightclubs. All that remains is to act in a movie.

4. Michelle "Bombshell" McGee

Michelle is a very popular person, and, apparently, has become a collective image of all the vices that exist in the world.

Most of the girl’s body is covered with drawings of extremely dubious content, however, this is how she earns her living, just like the hero of the previous paragraph. But if Rick is definitely a bright hero, then Michelle is a manifestation of the dark side of life.

Deprived the popular actress Sandra Bullock of her equally famous husband;

White racist;

Greets people “Hitler-style”, because she is a convinced neo-Nazi;

Famous porn actress;

Star of women's fist fights.

Tattoos on scars

3. Julia Gnuse

Julia is a little different from all the people on this list, because she got tattoos in the first place not to make money or get any pleasure, it's all about her health.

Some time ago, the girl was diagnosed with a disease called porphyria. One of the manifestations of this disease is increased sensitivity to the sun (photodermatitis). There is treatment, but in most cases it is accompanied by a side effect in the form of loss of vision.

The woman began to develop a large number of blisters and burns, which naturally left scars. Julia decided to cover her body with tattoos to hide the terrible scars, and now 95 percent of the young woman's skin is covered with drawings.

You won't find anything on her body. These include popular cartoon characters, Hollywood stars, unusual flowers and plants, as well as beautiful landscapes of jungles and forests.

In the Guinness Book of Records she appears as the woman with the most drawings on her body.

Strange tattoos

2. Denis Avner

This man, better known as "Cat Man", is perhaps the most unpleasant character on the list. Before he began to transform into the tiger he always wanted to be, Denis served in the navy.

Gradually he began to realize his dream. First he decorated his body with tattoos in the form of stripes, then he implanted a mustache into a modified face shape. This seemed to him not enough, and Denis inserted artificial fangs into his mouth, sharpening his own teeth in the process.

He also had a real tail, climbed trees and ate raw meat every day. However, his life ended sadly. On November 5, 2012, Denis committed suicide; they say that the reason for this was prolonged depression. The cat man was 54 years old.

1.Erik Sprague

This eccentric is already over 40, and more than 10 years ago he began to gradually transform himself into a lizard. First, he tattooed his body with the scales of this reptile, which took more than 700 hours. Eric then took hold of his face. Five implants took root above each eyebrow of the man, which imitate the growths of a lizard. Sprague's lips are dark green.

Moreover, this man is considered the father of body modding because he was the first to sharpen his teeth to match the sharp teeth of his favorite reptile.

Later, Eric changed the shape of his tongue, cutting it into two parts, and stylized his nails as claws. Now he only lacks a tail, but Eric refrains from this operation, because it is impossible to implant a real one, and he does not agree to anything else.

It's no surprise that the man earns his living from his appearance while traveling as part of the Jim Rose Circus, where he has his own show.

Moreover, eyewitnesses of the show talk about him as something enchanting, because the man performs a huge number of tricks, jokes cheerfully and shows his bright intellect. Eric is married, and the couple lives in their house with another family pet, in addition to lizards - ferrets.

And you are waiting for the onset of summer fully armed - without excess fat on the torso and with new muscles on the limbs - then the idea may come to your mind to somehow decorate with fresh reliefs. What could be more beautiful than a cool tattoo? And besides, who among us hasn’t at least once thought about stuffing ourselves with something? or memorable or just daring?

Attention, grandma

If you opened this article to write in the comments that tattoos are bad, and only fools get them, then go do some squats for 15 minutes and let them go.

If you're brave enough to put something on your body that won't wash off with soap and water, read on.

Disgusting Men talked to Ivan Hack, an international tattoo artist who works in an ornamental geometric style. Everything you need to know before you sit down in a chair, rolling up your sleeves in front of a frantic needle, is in our material.

What tattoos are relevant now? Which ones are done more often? What not to do need to?

In the last few years, black and white styles have been gaining more and more momentum: graphics, dotwork, ornaments. However, the classics - Japan, old school - are no less popular than before. There is a contingent for every style. I don’t recommend making inscriptions - they usually get boring quickly, and the bearer is often ready to cover up the once dear message to descendants with anything, even blackwork. The same applies to copies of other people's tattoos. It's just disrespect for yourself.

And what tattoos will always be relevant?

Tattoos made by a professional artist are always relevant. If you know what I mean.

Everyone's pain threshold is individual. Men and women experience pain in the same places differently. In my experience, girls tolerate back pain more easily. Places such as ribs, abdomen, hands, and head are more painful than others. Clients are most comfortable with pain on the shoulder or forearm.

How long does the application process take?

There are no universal statistics here. It all depends on the size and detail of the tattoo. Small jobs are performed in one session (up to three hours). The sleeve or back, of course, takes many sessions.

How to care for a new lifelong pattern? Is it possible to take a shower? What about the bathhouse?

After the session, any smart artist will explain to the client the main points of tattoo care - or give a reminder about proper healing.

During the first days, be sure to wash the tattoo site with warm water and soap in the morning and evening. Blot with a napkin and, after allowing to dry, apply Bepanten or D-Panthenol cream, or special tattoo creams.

If we talk about the restrictions in brief, then you cannot take a bath (steam the skin), go to the pool, bathhouse with a fresh tattoo, swim in reservoirs, or sunbathe. Under no circumstances should you rub the skin with a washcloth, exfoliate, or scratch.

Until complete healing, it is necessary to moisturize the skin with creams containing Panthenol.

If you want your tattoo to please you for many years, protect it in the summer with sunscreen with spf+50.

What if the client has allergies? What paints are used during the procedure? During the application process, the drawing area is constantly lubricated with something - what is this substance?

If you are allergic, prone to dermatitis, or have chronic skin diseases, consult a dermatologist about the possibility of getting a tattoo. I have seen allergies to pigments more than once. In my experience, most often an allergic reaction occurs to the color red.

As for the products used during the application process, in addition to antiseptics, this is usually special Vaseline.

This is how I did it: first a sketch on paper, then with a marker on the skin, then with a needle, as if using a stencil. How does a typical process work? What types of needles are there and what are they for?

I don’t see the point in describing the process step by step, since all masters work differently. Some people use thermal transfer paper to transfer the image, others work freehand. Sometimes the master uses both in his work.

As for needles, now manufacturers produce so many modifications that it’s hard to keep track of everything. The only way to figure it out is to buy different types, look for what is more convenient for you to work with for specific tasks. Some companies, for example, Vladblad Irons, produce promotional sets - when one box contains needles of many types, several pieces of each.

There are people who come and say: draw, don’t care what, but with your whole hand. How does a master act in such a situation? How can you not get hit in the head?

I wouldn't work with a client like that. I work in a narrow style, so people come to me specifically for a tattoo using my technique.

Let's say I want to hole up at home, on my own. I color the left one with the right one. What do I need for this?

The brain will be required, first of all. This is a completely frivolous approach. We live in the 21st century, so entrust this work to a professional.

What if I am self-confident enough to become a master and open my own salon?

In many cities, at large tattoo parlors, there are courses for beginners, where they can show the basics of tattooing and explain how to work with equipment. But to become a good master, you will need more than one year of practice. Many craftsmen work for hire, and in some ways it’s easier. But an already confident master with an established clientele can open his own salon, which, by the way, must be maintained. That is, in order to open a salon, you do not have to be a master. First of all, you need to be a businessman. Well, understand the subject, of course.

More cool tattoos - in Ivan's Instagram.

A common misconception that tattoo artists around the world are simply desperate to dispel.

There is no ink or technology that would allow you to wear a tattoo for a year or two and then safely wash it off. The only type of temporary design is children's "interruptions" and stickers, which last no more than a couple of days, as well as henna designs, which are washed off with water in about a week. A real tattoo is once and for all.

Fact 2. All inks affect the skin differently

Depending on the manufacturer, the composition of tattoo ink can range from completely safe to downright questionable. In general, it is believed that the most harmful ink is red, since metals are used in them to brighten the color. But black ink is made from burnt animal bones and sometimes resin. True, with the spread of vegetarianism, “vegan” ink without ingredients of animal origin began to be produced.

Fact 3: Tattoos fade over time.

And those made poorly may even begin to lose their shape. There are several reasons for such deformations. Firstly, our immunity tries to remove foreign ink from the body (it fails, since the ink molecules are several tens of times larger and penetrate deeper than the small antibodies of the immune system). Secondly, tattoos fade from tanning and frequent exposure to the sun. Thirdly, don’t forget about the quality of the paint and tools used to apply the design - it’s not for nothing that prison tattoos, after a few years, look more like smeared gray-blue spots than tattoos.

And even if you got a tattoo in a good salon from a trusted artist, there is still a high chance that after a while you will need to come in for a correction of the design.

Fact 4. What is a tattoo for our skin?

A beautiful design is just a pleasant consequence of getting a tattoo. And so initially for our skin the process of getting a tattoo is real damage. Depending on the size of the design and the color of the tattoo, the tattoo machine pierces the skin from 50 to 3000 times per minute (!).

In terms of pain, the process is often compared to scratching a cat - it seems painful, but completely tolerable. This, however, is very dependent on the area being painted, as well as the person's personal pain threshold. This is why reviews about getting tattoos are so different: from “I didn’t feel anything” to “I fainted.”

Fact 5. Tattoos cannot be removed at home.

Miracle recipes for tattoo removal at home floating around the Internet are an extremely dangerous lie. Removing the design with melted soap, potassium permanganate, a grinder, dubious creams and ointments - all this not only does not help to remove the tattoo, but also leads to chemical burns, bleeding, open wounds (and subsequently scars) and infections. But the tattoo itself remains in place, since its ink penetrates deep into the skin. Even if you cut yourself in the place of the drawing, the new healed skin will still be the color of the tattoo.

Remember, the only real way to get rid of a tattoo is to go to a salon for laser removal.

Fact 6. Tattoo meanings

We have all heard about how many different connotations prison tattoos hide behind. But they are not the only ones full of symbolism. So, over the years, sailor tattoos have also had a variety of meanings. For example, a turtle indicated that a man had crossed the equator, a dragon meant that a sailor served in China, and an anchor meant that he had crossed the Atlantic Ocean.