Tattoology - The science of tattoos and tattooing

The lower back understandably is a very popular location on the body where more and more women these days are having their tattoos done there. The problem with having a tattoo in that location, according to many anesthesiologists, is that when a woman is pregnant, and the procedure of doing an Epidural is about to be performed, a serious consideration for them is whether or not the Epidural needle, will push the ink of the tattoo into the central nervous system. There are instances where anesthesiologists have actually refused to do the procedure out of concern for the patients well being, as well as to prevent any potential malpractice issues.

To set the record straight on this issue, for an anesthesiologist to refuse to do the procedure outright because of this specific concern, is outrageous, and indicates that the anesthesiologist should stop practicing and should go back to medical school. Anesthesiologists have more than one location on the spine where they can insert the epidural needle. Even if the woman’s tattoo is so large that it is located in every possible upon the spine, still does not precipitate the decision for the anesthesiologist

The fact is that tattoo pigments do not stay “loose” within the dermis or connective tissue, but are rapidly assimilated by macrophages during the healing process. Many of these pigment-laden macrophages stay in the dermis, and the dermis only, for the life of the tattooee. The amount of pigment that is used in the tattoo process is quite minuscule, also.

The pigments are made of inert metal salts and different structures of a phenolphthalein base, and allergic problems are nearly nonexistent. You should have no concern whatsoever in placing a needle through a tattoo and into the spinal or epidural space, as the pigment particles are “fixed” and stationary within the dermis, and cannot be mobilized by the needle or migrate along the needle track. There is really no danger at all in inserting a needle through tattooed skin.

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According to scientists, the art of tattooing has been practiced by humans for at least 5000 years if not even longer than that. During that massive span of time, many vastly different cultures and peoples and ethnicity’s were familiar with tattoos and tattooing, but what their words were for tattoos and tattooing and how they were pronounced, and how they tattooed are mostly lost to us now. However all is not lost to us completely, in the possession of Museums, Universities and Institutes all over the world are fragments and pieces of tattooing history.

The Jewish Bible or also known as the Hebrew Bible or  as it’s known in Hebrew as the Torah , (Heb. Instruction), also  as well as The Five Books Of Moses, is as far as I know the oldest document in the world that specifically refers to tattoos with a specific and special word. The oldest physical Torah is found among the legendary Dead Sea Scrolls, which were written at various times between the middle of the 2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE.

“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”
Vayikra 19:28 (Leviticus 19:28)

Here is the Hebrew for Leviticus, which is read from right to left. The word tattoo in Hebrew, in the language that God spoke to Moses in on Mt Sinai, is the second word from the right on the second line.

Leviticus 19:28 Hebrew

Vayikra 19:28 (Leviticus 19:28) is the only location in the entire Torah where (Ka ‘ aka) is written. What we can deduce from this is that tattoos existed in the Middle East at the time of Mt Sinai, which is thought to be around 1500 BCE, otherwise the text of 19:28 would have differed in how it was written. There is one other instance in the additional Jewish books that discusses tattoos and that is in the story of King Yehoakim, written in the second book of Chronicles, chapter 8.

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Getting a tattoo should never be because of peer pressure and for the purpose of fitting in with a crowd, or because it is the cool thing to do, but yet people are getting tattooed left, right and center for those very reasons.

Selecting a tattoo artist should not be a spontaneous decision because your tattoo is something that will be with you forever; therefore choosing a tattoo artist that will do a great job in a safe manner is essential.  Too many people get overly excited when they make the final decision of getting a tattoo that they rush to the nearest tat shop to get inked, however choosing the right tattoo artist for you involves several steps.

The very best way to choose a tattoo artist is by word of mouth.  If a friend has recently gotten a tattoo that they were completely satisfied with, maybe they can recommend the tattoo artist that did such a good job.  Maybe you will come across some people in the streets with some great body art-it wouldn’t hurt to ask them where they got it.  On a contrasting note, if they were dissatisfied with a tattoo recently, make sure to stay away from that same mistake!

Before you rush into your nearest tattoo studio ask around to see how long they have been around for. Feel free to call the tattoo studio up and to ask them a few questions like: are they certified in any way, has any of the artist on awards at a tattoo convention, how long has the artists been tattooing for, has any artist been featured in any tattoo magazines?

Another good idea is to inspect the portfolios of tattoo artists which they all have available at their studios. The problem with going by the portfolio is that more than one tattoo artist has posted other people’s work photos as their own and so you will never rally know if that artist did the tattoo in the photo

Good luck!

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Good Tattoos Are Not Cheap, And Cheap Tattoos Are Not Good!

Think Before You Ink!

The Only Difference Between Tattooed People And Un-Tattooed People, Is That Tattooed People Are Cooler, And They Can Kick Your Ass!

Think Ink!

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By Kat Von D of the hit TV show LA Ink

Tattoo-care instructions vary from artist to artist. However, the bottom line is that if your tattoo is done correctly, very minimal aftercare is needed. Most aftercare instructions are designed to speed up the healing process.

Kat Von Ds Steps to Follow

1. Remove your bandage, after an hour or so. Once the bandage is removed, gently hand-wash your tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap.

2. Apply very thin coats of Aquaphor for the first five days. (You can find this fragrance-free ointment in the lotion section of any drug store.) You can apply the ointment two to three times a day. However, never over-saturate the tattoo.

3. Once the tattoo starts peeling lightly, you can switch to a non-fragrant white lotion.

Remember to Avoid

* Direct sunlight for the first two weeks.

* Submerging your tattoo in any type of water for the first two weeks.

* Picking or scratching at your tattoo.

* Washing the area with soaps or lotions that contain lots of ingredients, especially fragrance.  Fragrance can irritate your skin or even cause you to have a more serious reaction. The least amount of chemicals you put on your tattoo, the better.

Once the tattoo has healed, however, you can pretty much put anything on it!

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This guy got ‘Bad Ass’ on one arm and ‘White Boy’ on the other arm and when his sleeves were down on his shirt all you could see was ‘Ass Boy.’

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