Biomechanical Tattoo Designs and Their History
Biomechanical Tattoo Designs and Their History
Popularized in the late 1970s, the biomechanical tattoo style may be a relatively new one. But it still has quite the interesting history to offer. Learn more here!
Have you seen an intricately detailed tattoo which resembles something along the lines of half forearm, half machine?
This is known as a biomechanical tattoo. It’s one of the most identifiable, statement-making tattoo styles on the market today. It’s also one of the newest tattoo styles with a very unique history and background influence.
If you’re keen to learn more about this influential tattoo style, read on! We’ll outline everything you need to know in this post.
A Brief History of the Biomechanical Tattoo
Also known as a biomech tattoo, this style of tattoo artistry was actually born in an era where tattoo traditionalism was at its peak.
As you can imagine, this controversial style which combines the human form and mechanics truly made itself known. The style itself was both pioneered and popularized by two well-known tattoo artists of their time: Guy Aitchison and Aaron Cain.
However, the true history of biomechanical tattoo designs is credited to H.R. Giger, the architect of this organic meets mechanic style.
Both Aitchison and Cain’s tattoo style brought with it bold color and an element of luminescence. Conversely, Giger’s original style was described as devoid of color and highly concentrated on his signature airbrushing technique.
Over the past few decades, since the biomechanical trend took off in 1979, both Aitchison and Cain’s original biomech style has fluctuated in popularity.
The Birth of the Biomechanical Aesthetic
The year was 1979. The sci-fi/horror film genre was about to be forever changed with the birth of the cult classic film, Alien.
The artistic genius behind the forms in this graphic film was H.R Giger, the artist credited with developing the biomechanical aesthetic.
Essentially, biomech combines a greasy, visceral form with hard, metal-like structures. Put simply, it’s a combination of both organic matter and mechanics. This artistic style still carries some serious weight throughout the film, music, and art industries today.
As a painter and artist, Giger worked to create a medium that combined human forms with alien shapes and viscera. His work became massively popularized in the 1980s, thanks to his association with outsider art groups in the horror film and punk music scenes.
His signature biomech style was then cultivated into what it is today. We now know it as biomechanical tattoo designs, along with many other artistic variations.
What’s the Meaning Behind Biomech Tattoos?
Most people prefer to view their love for biomechanical design as a love for all things sci-fi and horror related.
Art is always open to interpretation. Therefore there could be any number of reasons a person chooses a biomech tattoo sleeve. It’s been said that many people choose biomechanical design as a representation of something ”dark” or ”alien” living inside them.
This could refer to dealing with inner demons or a dark past. The wearer may even be harboring some sort of ”alien” alter-ego that not many people know about.
This tattoo style has also become popular simply because of its intricate aesthetic that many people want to replicate.
Key Characteristics of Biomechanical Tattoos
Most commonly, biomechanical tattoos will be represented by the following characteristics:
- Torn flesh or an open, gaping wound on the tattoo wearer.
- This open wound usually reveals mechanical joints, tubes, and wires which replace muscle and bone.
- The tattoo may represent something mechanical, technical, or alien in nature.
- Most tattoos are designed to depict a sinewy appearance using bold color.
This being said, there are two subsets of this tattoo style present today. One subset tends to focus on the mechanical, technical side of biomech design. The other focuses on the alien, organic, visceral aspect.
4 Quickfire Tattoo Facts
How good is your tattoo knowledge? If you’re looking to brush up on a few interesting facts, keep on reading.
1. Tattoo Identification
Tattoos were once used as a simple form of identification by Native Americans and sailors. Due to the fact that many Native Americans were illiterate, they used pictures and tattoos as a way of signing their names.
Likewise, sailors who failed to keep track of identity documents would rely on tattoos to confirm their identity.
In 1936, the social security number was invented. This saw hoards of people having these numbers tattooed on their skin as a form of identification.
2. Thomas Edison Invented the Electric Pen
The electric pen was an incredible invention in the world of tattoo artistry. It was invented by none other Thomas Edison.
The electric pen went on to streamline the tattoo industry, making it quicker, cheaper and more accessible to everyone. Originally, the electric pen was invented to reproduce handwritten manuscripts.
Soon it evolved into the artistic tool it is today.
3. Tattoos Used to Be a Symbol of High-Class America
In 1862, the Prince of Wales visited Jerusalem and got a tattoo. This spurred on a similar trend amongst other European royals.
By the 1890s, the trend had made its way across the ocean to the shores of America. Much of high society was keen to join the trend.
In 1900, up to 75% of New York’s high-class socialites sported a tattoo design. It was a true sign of upper-class indulgences at the time!
4. The Macy’s Logo Is a Tattoo Design
The highly successful department store logo is none other than a simple tattoo design. It’s taken from the hand of Mr. R.H Macy himself.
As a teenager, he had the five-pointed red star tattooed on his hand when aboard a whaling ship in 1837. The star was meant to represent the American flag.
Later, it went on to be used as the popularized logo we know today.
Looking to Get Inked?
Are you going to be in the Las Vegas area and looking to get inked? Make your way to Skin Factory Tattoo & Body Piercing for expert artists.
At Skin Factory, we take pride in offering a truly personalized service. Whether you’re looking for a biomechanical tattoo or something simpler, our artists can do it all.
For a high-quality tattoo experience at affordable rates, we are your Las Vegas go-to! Take a look out our Vegas artistry work here.
Neo-Traditional Tattoos: History and Design Ideas
Neo-Traditional Tattoos: History and Design Ideas
As the name suggests, neo-traditional tattoos are a take on the earlier traditional style tattoos. Learn more about this unique style here!
Tattoos have long represented the diverse history of humans. The earliest evidence of tattoos date back to around 2,000 BC in ancient Egypt. And they’ve been present across every major time period since.
Although tattoos are much more evolved today, their significance remains the same. Tattoos have always meant something personal to the individual. And today, the possibilities are endless when it comes to design and style.
With that said, there are dozens upon dozens of tattoo styles practiced all over the world.
But if one style stands out most in the modern age, Neo-traditionalism takes the win.
Neo-traditional tattoos have deep historical roots. They’re a distinguished Western style with a strong global presence. And this style on its own is continuing to evolve stylistically every year.
So, what exactly is a Neo-traditional tattoo?
In this article, we’ll explore the history of Neo-traditional tattoo art. We’ll also explore what makes this style so unique and renowned. Let’s begin!
The Roots of Neo-Traditionalism
Have you ever seen a person bearing a tattoo of a skeleton with a sailor hat on their bicep? Perhaps you’ve seen someone with a tattoo of a swallow carrying roses in its mouth?
Did these tattoos incorporate black ink and maybe one or two other colors? Were the lines bold and defined?
Did the tattoos seem 2-dimensional? Perhaps they seemed outdated in comparison to the kinds of tattoos you see today?
The tattoos we’ve described are of the American traditional style. And it’s likely a style that you’ve seen before in movies or photographs, if not in real life.
Senior citizens are likely the only people around today with these kinds of tattoos. After all, traditional tattoos reached their height by the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Though outdated, these tattoos are pertinent to the prominence of Neo-traditionalism.
To understand Neo-traditional tattoos, we first have to understand the American traditional style. So, what exactly is American traditionalism and when did it first develop?
American Traditionalism
The style of traditionalism was first developed by sailors hundreds of years ago.
Sailors were initially inspired by tattoos innovated by the indigenous communities they encountered. To commemorate their voyages, sailors would tattoo sea-related emblems, like ships and fish.
By the 20th century, the traditional style began to stray away from sailor culture. The first electric tattoo machine, patented in 1891 by Samuel O’Reilly, made this evolution possible.
American traditionalism of the 20th century became known for its simplistic style. These tattoos are not only 2-dimensional. They implement well-defined lines, bold shading, with few contrasting colors.
With that said, traditional tattoos incorporate few details. This was likely attributed to the limitations of older tattoo machines.
At the time, however, the traditional style was the most evolved style. And they were certainly popular with not only sailors, but soldiers, blue-collar workers, and people on the fringes of society.
The Rise of Traditional Tattoos
Traditional tattoos were not always representative of sailor voyages.
By the 1970’s, tattoos of birds, American flags, roses, skulls, and panthers tattooed in the traditional style grew in popularity. These types of tattoos are what distinguished traditionalism as a romanticized style.
By older standards, no other style was ever as intricate as American traditionalism. The earliest traditional tattoos were entirely done in black. Other colors, like red, were later introduced later on.
The color palette was still limited up until the middle of the 20th century. But as the years went on, the traditional style evolved.
Defining Neo-Traditionalism
If you were to look up tattoos on Instagram, it’s likely that Neo-traditional tattoos would appear.
So, what categorizes a tattoo as Neo-traditional?
The Qualities of Neo-Traditionalism
In the simplest terms, Neo-Traditionalism is a modern expansion of American traditionalism.
Its techniques involve deeper dimensions and a variety of line widths and colors. Because of modern techniques, Neo-traditional tattoos also take on a more 3-dimensional appearance.
Modern ink and machinery paved the way for the emergence of Neo-Traditional tattoo art. By the 1970’s, tattoo artists not only began to develop a wider array of ink colors. More refined techniques also made it possible to design more intricately.
Neo-Traditional Symbols & Motifs
To recap, a tattoo is Neo-traditional if it includes:
- Clean lines
- Bold outlines
- Use of black ink
- Shading
- Use of a few (or less) colors
Yet, it’s not only these qualities that make up the Neo-traditional style.
Neo-Traditional tattoo designs haven’t strayed far from traditional motifs and symbols. Animals, lighthouses, flowers, and skulls are still tattooed today in the Neo-traditional style. The same roses, birds, and panthers that were popular 50 years ago are still tattooed today.
Yet, Neo-traditional tattoo designs have expanded significantly upon these traditional symbols and motifs. Tattoos of owls, foxes, snakes, and portfolios of women are popular. People can tattoo just about any type of flower in the Neo-traditional style, as well.
The Evolution of Neo-Traditional Tattoos
The essence of Neo-traditionalism incorporates the traditional style with modern aesthetics and symbols. This is largely why Neo-traditional tattoo art continues to evolve today.
Sugar skull tattoos are a great example of popular Neo-traditional tattoo designs. Sugar skulls are typically drawn in the 2D, traditional style.
Modern shading techniques give them more dimension, however. Additionally, sugar skulls resemble “Day of the Dead” art made popular in Latin America.
But sugar skulls not only incorporate a variety of colors. The skulls themselves are distinctly outlined in black. These qualities are what makes sugar skulls a popular Neo-traditional tattoo design.
The Future of Neo-Traditionalism
Some tattoo artists have combined Neo-Traditionalism with other tattoo styles.
Watercoloring, for example, is another popular tattoo style. Many Neo-traditional tattoos incorporate watercolor techniques. Still, they uphold the traditional qualities of well-defined, black outlines and shading.
More and more tattoo enthusiasts are finding inspiration from the Neo-traditional style. Many people have full arm and leg Neo-traditional sleeves.
Is a Neo-Traditional Tattoo Right for You?
It’s safe to say that the style of Neo-traditionalism isn’t going anywhere. It will be interesting to see what Neo-traditional tattoos look like 10-20 years from now!
Are you looking to get a tattoo done in the Neo-Traditional style? Not sure if the Neo-Traditional style is right for you?
Skin Factory Tattoos is a collective tattoo experience with locations in Nevada and Hawaii. Our team of tattoo artists provides a diverse array of tattoo styles, including Neo-traditionalism.
To find out more about which tattoo styles are right for you, contact us today!
15 Meaningful Tattoo Quotes
Tattoo Quotes – If you’re dreaming of a tattoo that is both beautiful and meaningful, you can’t go wrong with a quote. Use these 15 tattoo quotes for inspiration.
Whether you’re considering your first tattoo or your tenth, a tattoo is an important statement. Depending on its location, it’s a way for you to either publicly (or intimately!) share your values, beliefs, or personality quirks.
And not that we need to remind you, but a tattoo is also permanent. So whatever tattoo quotes you’re considering today also need to be considered when you’re sixty, eighty, or even a hundred years old.
Below, read about 15 meaningful tattoo quotes that will not only make a statement in your life now, but will still hold meaning in the years to come.
Tattoo Quotes for Motivation & Strength
Many tattoos are meant to inspire and encourage ourselves. Here are a few ideas.
Just Breathe
Paired with an image of a feather, leaf, or some other natural element, this is a powerful reminder to remain calm in stressful scenarios. The perfect ink for a high-stress or high-anxiety person. Place this tattoo in a highly-visible location, like the inner wrist.
Let It Go
For someone struggling with past demons – breakups, family crises, or just the day-to-day drama of life – this tattoo reminds us of what’s important now. This tattoo also works well in a visible location, or on the foot to remind oneself to always look forward, not backward.
One Day At A Time
Let’s face it: life’s hard. Every day feels hard for many of us. If you can’t look too far into the future for fear of giving up, this may be the perfect quote for you. If you can make it through today, you can make it through anything.
Affirmations: “You are strong enough to do hard things”
Affirmations are powerful statements (often spoken aloud) that remind us that we are good enough, strong enough, able enough, and loved enough. Why not make it a permanent reminder? Choose an affirmation that applies to your own struggles or insecurities.
In Memoriam
Looking for a tattoo to remind you of someone? Consider these unique ideas.
Date of birth and/or death of a loved one
In traditional date format or masculine roman numerals, this is a popular way to permanently trace the importance of someone into your own skin, and a constant reminder of the impact they had on your life.
Signature of the individual, or a phrase they wrote
If you can get a copy of someone’s signature (think old birthday cards or legal documents) consider having a tattoo artist trace the image. You may also consider a phrase they wrote, like “I love you” or “See you soon, my love.”
A “sound wave” of a recorded phrase or song
This has gained popularity in recent years as a creative replacement for an actual quote. Instead, the pitch and volume of a recorded phrase is visualized.
Spiritual & Religious Quotes
Some people desire tattoos that remind them of a larger force at work in their lives. A few ideas include:
Bible verses
Many tattoo quotes reference Bible verses that are meaningful to a person. For inspiration, glance through the Psalms or Proverbs. Some people also use meaningful Bible verses from an important event, like readings at a wedding.
Quotes by spiritual leaders or writers
Spiritual quotes don’t need to come from a religious text. Your favorite authors or leaders may also be considered. A hopeful quote from C.S. Lewis is, “Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
Connection with Others (Spouse or Friends)
Friends and significant others hold a special place in our hearts. Keep them close with these tattoo ideas.
Two hearts, one soul
Consider placing this quote alongside a pair of hearts with ivy wrapping them together, or another object meaningful to your relationship. You can even place them on the same location of your bodies. Consider a secret or intimate location, like the pelvic bone, for something that remains just between you.
Wedding date
A wedding or anniversary date is one of the more popular tattoo quotes. It makes sense, as this is often remembered as one of the best days of our lives! This is one of the shorter tattoo quotes, so it would work well on an ankle, wrist, or collarbone.
Love poems
There’s no shortage of sweet love poems from which to draw inspiration, like E. E. Cummings’ i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart). Since poems may be a bit longer, these tattoo quotes will need more space, like on the back or ribcage.
Creative & Unique Quote Ideas
Want to think outside the box? Look no further.
Longitude & latitude of a meaningful place
For a creative spin on the location of an important event – like where you grew up or met your spouse – consider looking up the longitude and latitude of the location. This can make an attractive tattoo with a combination of numbers and letters, perfect for the shoulder, ribcage, or wrist.
Tattoo quotes in another language
Why not consider getting inked in another language? Latin has an air of mystery about it, or consider a language of your heritage. One popular option is “la vie est belle,” translated in English to “life is beautiful.”
A favorite movie or book quote
Movie and book quotes are all the rage in the land of tattoo quotes. These can be inspirational and encouraging, like the famous line from Dumbledore in Harry Potter: “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
A Great Tattoo Quote Can Add Meaning to Your Life
There’s no doubt about it: choosing from one of the meaningful tattoo quotes listed above can add a creative, inspiration spin to your collection of ink. It’s key to choose a quote that will be relevant for the entirety of your life, so give this decision plenty of thought.
For more tattoo ideas and other inspiration, check out our blog. We can help you choose the perfect ink to fit your personality and values, and create a permanent reminder of the people and things that are most important to you.
10 Types of Piercings You Need to Know About
10 Types of Piercings You Need to Know About
Thinking about getting a new piercing? Before you head to the tattoo parlor, check out these 10 types of piercings you need to know about.
Are you trying to experiment with the canvas that is your body, but you’re not quite ready to make the ’til-death-do-us-part commitment?
Then you’re in luck, because a tattoo’s closest ally is the piercing.
Body Piercings
Piercings are a great way to express yourself creatively: they’re not permanent (unless you want them to be), you can put them almost anywhere, and you can change out the jewelry to fit your mood. That’s just a few reasons why they’re worth considering.
We’ve compiled a list of the types of piercings that you’ll see most commonly – and then some not-so-commons. Ranging from the subtle to the extreme, you’re sure to find something you like here.
Let’s celebrate your unique aesthetic and get pierced!
10 Types of Piercings to Consider
As long as you’re 18 years and older (or younger, with a guardian’s permission), what you get pierced and when is up to you. Go into your session armed with knowledge about your future piercing, and don’t forget to breathe.
We’ve separated the very broad range of piercings into a few key categories. This list of piercings touches the surface.
Ears
You already know about the standard lobe piercings. Those grace the ears of many a six-year-old. Let’s step up our earring game with one of these.
1. Rook
Located right above the ear canal, this piercing sits on the inner part of your ear, hugging the little fold that dips into the canal. A tiny hoop wraps snugly around this area.
2. Tragus
You know that little flap that everybody has right inside their ear? Why not stick a pretty silver bar through it?
Tragus piercings look great with either a hoop or a bar. We recommend piercing with a bar and then changing to a hoop after it’s healed. The bar will allow the piercing more room to breathe and move naturally when cleaning.
Don’t worry. There’s over a dozen other ear piercings to choose from if these two don’t suit your tastes.
Perks of earrings: these are likely to be allowed everywhere, whereas some careers may disapprove of the following types of body piercings.
Facial
For those that can rock any type of piercing (heck yeah!), read on.
3. Eyebrow
If you’re ready to take the piercing plunge, go all out with an eyebrow piercing.
Typically pierced at an angle perpendicular to your brow, earring will bookend the brow hair. In some cases, people choose to get the anti-eyebrow, which is a vertical piercing and located above the cheekbone, acting as an eyebrow itself.
4. Nose
Since the 16th century, nose rings have been celebrated and worn by Indian cultures. Women would pierce one or both sides of their noses and commonly connect their nose rings to an earring by a long chain.
You don’t have to do that – but you can!
Nose piercings will occur on the nostril itself (sometimes two or three on each side, depending on the surface area); in the septum between the nostrils; or on the bridge of your nose, aptly called a bridge piercing.
Mouth
Oral piercings can be on both the inside and outside of the mouth, occurring on the lips, on the tongue, sometimes even the webbing underneath the tongue or underneath the upper lip.
5. Lip
There’s no shortage of body piercings for your lips.
Don’t get bogged down by all the names. Snake bites. Angel bites. Labret. Just know that the possibilities are there.
6. Tongue
A typical tongue piercing involves one barbell down the middle, careful to not sever any sensitive veins.
Like every other body mod on this list, it’s not limited to just the one. Tongue piercings can occur vertically as well, or can be in multiples. It all depends on you, your body, and the piercer.
Surface
Just like it sounds, a surface piercing is anything that is on the top of your skin, and not hugging a fold or piece of cartilage. Barbell will be shaped much like a staple so that it can reside deeper in the skin.
Because of this, these types of piercings might be at a greater risk for rejecting from the body. If you choose to take that risk, here are some things you could try.
7. Nape of Neck
The back of the neck, a few inches below the hairline, is a common surface piercing area.
The barbell will usually lie horizontally at a convenient spot just before the bones of the spine begin to protrude.
8. Above the Hips
Commonly done on each side, the symmetrical aesthetic of hip piercings can look really nice and dainty. A barbell will typically be pierced at an angle, following the natural V shape of your body.
If you like the idea of these, but want something less invasive, dermals would be your best bet. Having just one point of entry on the skin, they are at less risk of pushing themselves out, also.
Genital
Feeling ballsy? Pun intended.
Then these body piercings will be right up your. . . alley! (What did you think we were gonna say?)
9. Christina
A dainty name for a dainty spot.
A Christina is a vertical piercing located right above the clitoral region, so it will get tucked in with the natural folds of the body. This is also a surface piercing on the top of the skin; piercing the actual clitoris is a lot less common.
10. Frenum
This is a horizontal surface piercing that lies on the underside of the male shaft.
Some people are reading this and thinking: “Ouch!”
Others are thinking: “Bring it on!”
Whatever you decide, proper care and cleaning must be done after each and every piercing.
A Timeless Expression of Self
Piercings have been utilized as a means of self-expression since ancient civilization. Then, it was used to tell stories: who you were, what you did, your social class, and your hierarchy.
Tell your story in any way you’d like. Try out a dainty nose ring. Or get a secret nipple piercing that only you know about.
Piercing culture is thrilling, ever-changing and growing, and if time has told us anything, it’s that these body mods aren’t going anywhere.
With all the types of piercings out there, you’re at no loss for ideas and inspiration. If you’d like to join the ranks of the pierced, contact us for a professional consultation.
Exploring the Bold Elegance and History of Blackwork Tattoos
Blackwork tattoos have been around for centuries and have a simple, bold elegance. Learn about the origins of the style and get inspired for your next tattoo.
Exploring the Elegance and History of Blackwork Tattoos
Roughly 15% of people in the United States have a tattoo. Tattoos have been around for thousands of years. One of the first civilizations to practice tattooing was the Polynesians. Though most cultures have their own traditions and styles of tattooing, only some have seen a revival in the modern day.
Polynesian tattooing is one such tradition that has found new life in an art style known as Blackwork tattoos. But what is Blackwork, and where does it come from? The answer to those questions awaits you below.
What are Blackwork tattoos?
This isn’t an easy question to answer. The simplest definition is that it’s a style of tattooing that uses large amounts of black ink–hence the name–to create the image of the tattoo.
Oftentimes, Blackwork tattooing incorporates themes and symbols from tribal and geometric designs. It’s also known to have thick lines and uses no color.
Technical definitions aside, describing Blackwork tattoos as ‘a style that uses a lot of black’ is like describing impressionist paintings as ‘made entirely with dots.’ Sure, it’s true, but it only tells us how it’s made, not why it’s done, what it’s about and what inspired it.
Blackwork tattoo artists
This is especially true with Blackwork tattoos because the style as a whole has great range. While some may use it specifically for tribal designs, and others for geometric designs, some artists do both themes and more.
Some artists infuse them with futuristic designs to create an amazing image and a fitting metaphor for the timeless conflict of past versus future, tradition versus change, and where we come from versus where we hope to end up.
History and tradition are important topics when it comes to art. Our perception is heavily based on who we are and what we’ve experienced.
For instance, think of the famous piece American Gothic. Looking at it may bring a lot of different thoughts.
History and tradition
Some viewers might experience national pride. Others may gain a renewed strength against the struggles in their own lives, while others might yearn for a simpler life.
However, knowing that someone created the piece during the Great Depression may change your perspective. Perhaps you don’t see the painting as an image of pride anymore, or strength or simplicity. Perhaps those original feelings are even stronger now.
If things have changed, maybe it’s now an image of fear or hope. The painting seems to say ‘this is all we have and all we know, and we can only hope it’ll be here tomorrow.’
With the relationship between art and perspective in mind, let’s look at the history of Blackwork tattoos.
History of Blackwork
Blackwork traces its origins to the Ancient Polynesians, who used tattoos to identify themselves. Polynesians had tattoos for everything from age, to gender, to the status of the family.
The Polynesians weren’t the first culture to use tattoos for identification. Maori’s are famous for their tattoos. The more tattoos one had, the better warrior they were. Much like the Maori, the Ancient Celts wore their tattoos proudly, and today Celtic symbols are among the most common in tattooing, including Blackwork.
In the latter half of the 18th century, Polynesian tattooing found its way west with the help of the famous Captain Cook.
While in Tahiti
Cook took a liking to the Polynesians’ style of tattooing. When he returned to England, word of the tattoos went with him, and soon tribal tattoos became common among blue-collar Europeans.
It took a while for the practice to become acceptable at other levels of society, but they did catch on. This development is somewhat recent. Ask your parents or grandparents. Chances are, they still remember when soldiers and bikers were the only ones with tattoos.
Originally, tattoo artists inserted ink under the skin with a sharpened instrument. They used a blunt object to tap the back of the sharp instrument, thus depositing the ink under the skin.
Traditional methods
This is the process modern tattooing is based on. Even so, some tattoo artists still insist on the traditional method.
Among this latter group are many of the peoples whose traditions inspired modern tattoos, practicing their traditions in the same way they have always done. We should preserve traditions, even with the passing of time.
With the advancement of technology and the changing of attitudes over time, tattoos are more prevalent, and today a large percentage of people have them.
As the popularity of tattoos increased, so did the creativity put into them. What was once a style exclusively based on Polynesian and other tribal designs has now evolved into a genre all its own
Tattoo it Black
The word ‘tattoo’ comes from a Tahitian word, and, in a way, it is the perfect metaphor for the artwork it describes. Many cultures use tattoos for different purposes.
The Romans used them to identify servants and slaves. Egyptian women used them for healing and to symbolize their status as a priestess. Polynesians had tattoos to represent everything about themselves, from who they were to who they loved.
In these past few hundred years, tattoos have spread across the world. Styles are often preserved, altered, and re-purposed. Blackwork tattoos have gone from traditional to a beautiful hybrid of tradition and the present.
Black Ink Tattoos
In its signature black ink, you can find structure and freedom, familiarity and mystery.
Through the years, tattoos, and even the word ‘tattoo” has not changed completely. Through it all, there has been one constant, started in Polynesia and kept around the world: tattoos are about identity.
They tell the world who we are and what’s important to us. They are a reminder amidst all the confusion, something permanent in an ever-changing world.
If you want to learn more about tattoos or where you can get one, please contact us. We have locations in Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada and Maui, Hawaii.
How to Prepare for Your First Tattoo
How to Prepare for Your First Tattoo
Getting your first tattoo is both exciting and potentially nerve racking. Here’s what you need to know before getting a tattoo and how to care for it after.
Are you ready to join the 45 million Americans who have at least one tattoo?
Getting a tattoo can be a fun, memorable experience, but it can also go wrong very quickly if you’re not prepared.
If you want your first tattoo experience to be a good one, read on for some tips to help you prepare for the big day.
Choosing Your First Tattoo
The first step to having a great tattoo experience is choosing a tattoo design that you absolutely love. Don’t rush yourself. Take your time researching designs and figure out exactly what you want.
Remember, this design is going to be on your body for life, so you need to make sure you won’t get sick of it.
Talk to a Tattoo Artist
If you have an idea for a tattoo but aren’t sure how to articulate it, you might want to consider sitting down with a tattoo artist for some help putting it together.
Even if you do know exactly what you want, it’s still helpful to sit down with a professional. They can provide guidance and give you their professional opinion on the design.
Find the Right Shop
Not all tattoo shops are created equal. Take your time looking for one that employs qualified artists with a good reputation.
Be sure to read online testimonials to see what people are saying about a particular shop and its artists before you go there for your first tattoo.
Think about Placement
Tattoos are big commitments, especially when you choose somewhere highly visible for your first one. Face/hand/neck tattoos definitely aren’t for everyone.
Depending on your lifestyle and the field in which you work, it might be in your best interest to get your first tattoo in a more discrete location.
Remember You Get What You Pay For
When you meet with an artist and have your tattoo drawn up, they should give you an estimate of what it will cost.
Tattoos are expensive, and, when you hear a high number, it can be tempting to try and find someone who will do the same tattoo for less.
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with tattoos. A good tattoo from a talented artist will cost more than a subpar finished product. But, it will be worth it when you have a tattoo that you want to show off.
A Few Days Before Your Appointment
There are some things you can do in the days leading up to your appointment that will help you have a better experience, including the following:
- Avoid the sun: Sunburned skin isn’t just painful, it also can affect the outcome of your tattoo
- Moisturize: Dry or uneven skin is difficult for artists to work with and can cause your tattoo to come out less clear
- Get a doctor’s note: If you have any conditions that could affect you during the tattoo process, you’ll legally need your doctor to give you the go-ahead
Remember, there’s no need to rush to get a tattoo. The wait for your sunburn to go away or for your skin to clear up will be worth it if you get a better end result.
The Day Before Your Appointment
Keep these tips in mind to set yourself up for a successful appointment:
- Avoid alcohol: High blood alcohol levels will thin the blood and lead to excessive bleeding during your appointment
- Stay hydrated: This will keep your skin moisturized and help you stay alert
- Get plenty of sleep: Being unrested might make you more fidgety, which can affect the outcome of your tattoo
Don’t forget to make sure you have enough money on hand, too. In addition to the cost of the tattoo, you may also need to pay for food, aftercare products, parking, and a tip for the artist.
The Day of Your Appointment
On the day of your appointment, make sure you’re prepared with these items:
- ID: If you look like you might be younger than 18, the shop will need to confirm your age when you arrive for your appointment
- Bag of essentials: Bring a small bag with a snack, a charged cell phone, water, and maybe a pair of headphones if you want to listen to music or a podcast during the appointment
You’ll also want to do the following to make sure you’re in a good physical state:
- Eat before your appointment: Getting a tattoo is stressful on your body, and you’ll need to keep your blood sugar up to avoid getting dizzy or nauseous, especially if you’re getting a large tattoo
- Take a shower: Clean skin is better for tattoos, and your artist will appreciate you cleaning up before the appointment
- Wear old clothing: It’s likely that some ink will get on your clothes, so you don’t want to ruin anything that’s new or expensive
- Don’t shave: You don’t want to show up with razor burn or cuts — if your skin needs to be shaved, the artist will do it
- Avoid caffeine: This will probably make you shaky or jittery, which will make things harder for the artist
Finally, take some time to check your attitude before you go to your appointment. Accept that there will be some pain. It’s unavoidable when you’re getting a tattoo.
But, if you go in with a positive attitude and believe in your ability to handle the pain, you’ll be more likely to make it through the session.
Taking Care of Your First Tattoo
In addition to preparing for your appointment, you should also be prepared to care for your first tattoo once it’s finished.
Proper aftercare is essential if you want your tattoo to last. Some things you’ll need to do after getting your tattoo include:
- Remove the bandage in a clean bathroom after two or three hours
- Once the bandage is removed, wash the tattoo immediately with warm soap and water
- Only wash your tattoo with clean hands
- Apply a healing ointment like Aquaphor to keep your tattoo moist
- Don’t panic when your tattoo starts to “weep” in the days after your appointment
If you have any healing-related issues, be sure to call the artist who gave you your tattoo. They’ll give you proper instructions for caring for the issue.
Are You Ready for Your First Tattoo?
Now that you know how to prepare for your first tattoo, it’s time to pick your design and start planning!
If you live in or around Las Vegas, Henderson, or Maui and are looking for a qualified artist contact us at Skin Factory Tattoo and Body Piercing to schedule an appointment or meet with one of our artists.
Stop by our Maui Tattoo Shop, Las Vegas Tattoo Shop or Henderson Tattoo Shop
