Lucky Diamond Rich
May 14, 2008
Ondergrond.TV visited the Tattoo Convention Amsterdam where they met Lucky Diamond Rich- the guy Guinness Book Of Records has recognized as the most tattooed guy in the world. Here is the interview.
Japanese Tattoos- Horimono
May 13, 2008
This is an interesting piece of tattoo history in Japan. During the latter half of the Edo period (18th and 19th century CE), as the power of the common people of Japan grew, traditional Japanese tattoos or Horimono, began to flourish as an art form.
Based on images from watercolour paintings, woodcuts and popular picture books of the time, the ultimate reward for the long endurance of pain would be a tattoo of immense beauty. To fully understand Japanese horimono it is important to understand their history and background, and it is equally important to continue to preserve the tradition behind them.
The Risks Of Getting A Tattoo
April 23, 2008
While tattoos can be a beautiful display of body art, there are risks involved. These risks are sometimes exaggerated by those who are against such forms of expression but the risks are real and must be factored into the decision to get a tattoo.
The most important thing to notice about a tattoo shop is how clean it is. The cleaner the shop, the more likely that the equipment being used is sterilized. However, it is best to have the needle sterilized before you. All studios should have an autoclave for sterilizing equipment. If this is not done then the risk of infection with diseases such as hepatitis and HIV will be higher due to the fact that the needles comes in contact with blood and other body fluids. It is also advised that the client be up-to-date on immunizations for hepatitis to further reduce the risk of being infected. If the area of the skin is not cleaned or if ink is shared between persons this may lead to infections such as dermatitis. It is important to be aware of all the procedures regarding cleanliness in a tattoo shop and ensure that these are followed.
Persons who have skin diseases, extra-sensitive skin or illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease should consult their doctor before getting a tattoo. The tattoo artist also needs to know about any possible allergic reactions to latex or other products. Although rare, some persons have been found to be allergic to certain pigments that work well for others. To avoid reactions such as swelling, artists or clients may suggest doing a test patch to see how the body reacts to the injection of that pigment. Some tattoo artists do not use latex gloves to avoid the possibility of a client having a reaction due to being allergic to latex. However, it is the responsibility of the client to notify the artist of any known allergens.
Tattoos are meant to be permanent body alterations. Therefore, one risk of getting a tattoo is that it will not come out the way you want it to look or after a while due to a change in lifestyle or circumstances, the tattoo must be removed. Tattoo removal can be expensive and painful. Complete tattoo removal is not always possible. Sometimes the skin is left with permanent scars due to the removal process. Therefore, whenever having a tattoo done you are always at risk of being dissatisfied with it in the future.
There are various risks that can be associated with getting a tattoo just as there are ways to avoid or lessen the probability or those risks occurring. However, not all things can be controlled. The decision is a personal one and is best made with accurate understanding of the risks and how to avoid them.
Tattooing Equipment
April 23, 2008
Tattoo equipment includes not only tools such as sterilized needles and tattoo iron but also basic items such as bandages and disposable razors. There are a variety of tattoo machines specialized to complete certain types of tattoos. Most can also be modified to monitor the depth of the needle, the force of application and speed at which it is done. The basic parts of the machine include the foot pedal which regulates the current flowing through the electric motor of the machine and thus controls the movement of the needle. It also has a tube system which connects to the needle and facilitates the flow of ink and a grip (the part that the artist holds). Each of these parts are detachable. Needles, for instance, vary in size and allow for varying flows of pigment so the artist can choose the appropriate one for the job.
Any reputable tattoo artist must ensure that he has adequate sterilization equipment. This includes rubbing alcohol to clean the area of the body that will be tattooed and soap and water to moisten it. Needles and tubes that will be used need to be kept in sterile pouches and sterilized regularly using an autoclave. This should be done in front of the client so they are aware that the instruments to be used have been cleaned. The area on which the tattoo will be done such as the chair or table surface should be covered to prevent transfer of contamination from from one client to the next. Gloves should also be worn by the tattoo artiste and disposed of as soon as the procedure is complete. These should be non-latex gloves as some persons are allergic to latex. The needles must also be cleaned with distilled water when switching from one color to the next.
One important procedure is the stenciling of the design. Manual tracing can be done but to save time most tattoo artistes use a machine called a thermal-fax. This transfers the design from the machine onto a special thermal paper which can then be transferred to the skin of the client. This leaves an outline of the design on their skin which is easy to see and follow. Once it is time for the tattoo the various deposits of ink will be placed into ink caps. Various brands of ink are available. To find the one that is suitable, the artist may have to go through a trial and error process, trying several until he is satisfied with a particular one.
Other helpful equipment includes a hazard bin in which needles and other disposable or possibly contaminated items will be thrown. These need to be properly disposed of according to local hazard waste requirements.
