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Thursday 28 January 2010

Why Choose Henna Tattoos

Although in existence for thousands of years, the usage of traditional henna has so far been restricted to the Middle East, Africa and India. However, in the past few years, the concept of temporary tattoos has gained ground even in western countries, especially the US and the UK. The major advantages offered by the henna tattoo are that they are natural, easy to apply and remove, and low in cost. The absence of chemicals is what makes the henna tattoo a much sought after temporary tattoo.

Henna tattoo and its geographical roots

Traditional henna has been used for beautification and decoration purposes for thousands of years. While it is known as Henna or Hene in the Middle East and Africa, people in India and Pakistan know it as Mehendi. The Henna plant, Lawsonia Inermis, generally grows in hot and humid climates and is cultivated in several African countries, including Sudan and Morocco, Asian countries such as India, and some of the countries in the Middle East. It was the Mughals who encouraged the cultivation of henna in India and Pakistan and used the traditional henna for beauty and decorative purposes rather than just for its medicinal value. Although the use of henna tattoos has spread across a vast geographic area in recent years, it continues to be largely used as a beauty product.

A new age for Henna

Henna is one of the best alternatives to permanent colour and is much in demand for its cosmetic value. Henna tattoos are made from henna paste that is formed from ground green henna leaves, mixed with water and other natural products. The paste, when applied to the skin or the hair, leaves a colour that can vary from orange to rich mahogany, depending on the quality of the henna being used. A major reason for henna's growing popularity is that its colour is temporary and fades away with time and washing. So people who wish to get intricate designs on their body, but are afraid of or dislike piercing the skin can opt for henna tattoos, which are not only attractive but also cheap and simple to apply. Henna tattoos match the advantages offered by other forms of temporary tattoos in that they are available in various designs and varied colours. Tattoo artists have evolved newer designs over the years, besides using contemporary designs to suit the requirements of the modern day customer. The latest use of henna tattoos is for various other cosmetic products as well. Due to its chemical-free nature and cooling properties, it makes excellent eyeliners, lipsticks and gels for soothing the skin.

Henna tattoo: preferred by all

Henna is preferred as a temporary tattoo because of the variety offered by it in terms of colour and design. While you can have elaborate designs with varied colours for special occasions, simple designs can be used in your daily routine. Application of the henna tattoo has also become easier with the availability of several Henna based products that have given a new lease of life to the varied uses of henna. Even better, now henna is available in easy-to-use Henna Pens that make applying henna tattoos as easy as drawing on paper.

About the Author: Juell Rahman has written numerous articles on the subject of skin decoration and use of the henna tattoo, he is an expert in this field.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juell_Rahman

Tattoo Shading - The Key Secret To Great Tattoos!

Tattooing is a booming industry and growing every single day. Now there are even TV shows dedicated to the art that are catching fire. When you look around, tattoos are everywhere! Now you see them on people you know, see them in advertisements, and even on famous celebrities. So what makes a great tattoo? Of course it is great design, but there is one very big component that is critical to a really stunning and beautiful tattoo.

What is this component to a great tattoo?

It is simple...

Tattoo Shading.

Tattoo shading is the part of the tattoo where a two dimensional tattoo becomes a three dimensional tattoo. It is the part of the tattoo where flat lines take shape and holds a certain degree of depth to make the tattoo "pop" out. There is even a whole style of tattoo shading now that focuses only on black and grey tattoos...no color, just black and white.

If a tattoo artist does not learn the technical yet critical aspect of tattoo shading, then a tattoo just falls flat. It is as simple as that. This one aspect of tattooing can be learned but it takes some real practice and some technical skill. Mastering tattoo shading and becoming known for doing great black and grey tattoos can really boost a tattoo artists reputation in the tattoo industry. Those who have mastered tattoo shading at an expert level are very well revered and respected.

Now there are great information resources online to help aspiring tattoo artists. Of course, the best way to really learn the skills is through an apprenticeship, but gaining the basic knowledge is first and foremost of importance. Learning all you can about tattoo shading and other steps in the tattoo process are key and luckily information is gaining in popularity. An example of a great source or brand for tattoo information is "The Ultimate Tattoo Guide" series. These guides help budding tattoo artists get the basic tattoo knowledge needed to start tattooing including aspects like tattoo shading, etc.

So if you want to break into doing great tattoos that will get make people turn their heads, it is CRITICAL to master the art of tattoo shading. Without it, a tattoo is just not a real tattoo...a piece of real art.

Master the art of tattoo shading the easy and simple way!
Now you can learn the tips, tricks and techniques of black and grey tattoo shading with The Ultimate Tattoo Shading Guide. See it at: http://www.ultimate-tattoo-shading.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Brown

Sunday 24 January 2010

Sexy Tattoos - Tattoos For Women is a Growing Trend

Tattoos for women have become quite popular in the past few years. Tattoos have been around since man first began walking on the earth. Tattoos were a symbol of bravery, or a sign of the god that they believed in. Some tattoos may even tell a short story, or could be a bloodline. There are many things tattoos could represent in today's society. They are still used in many tribal activities today.

Many women think that they are very sexy. A person is never too old to get a sexy tattoo; one woman was 62 years old when she got her very first one. Most women choose to have their sexy tattoos printed on one of their breast, or around the ankles, however, other women like for it to go on their lower back or the stomach area just above their bikini line.

Many women like sexy tattoos so much that they have tattoos all over their bodies; but take it from a guy, too many tattoos on a woman takes away from their natural beauty, however, a few sexy tattoos do look very good, especially if they say something that lets a man know what she wants. Such as, a tattoo on the abdomen that says, "The fun starts here", and has an arrow that points down.

Tattoos for women are much better to have if they are colored in, more than a sexy tattoo that has no color at all. There are thousands of sexy tattoos for women not only at the tattoo studio, but you can find many beautiful ones online. Once you find the one that you feel is perfect for you, you can save the picture in your documents, print it out on your printer, and take it to the studio. The artist should not have any trouble transferring the print to you.

Sexy tattoos can be pictures of a girl's favorite animal, or even something mystical; it could even be of something that has a particular meaning to them. There are many mystical creatures that supposedly have mystical properties by wearing one. Such tattoos for women, as a gold fish, or an ankh, even fairies and wizards. Symbols are also a very popular item for sexy tattoos.

After your new sexy tattoos has been imprinted on your arm, of course, the artist will tell you to keep it clean, and this is very important. If proper care is not taken, the tattoo could become infected. If you feel abnormal pain, or more pain than you think you should, or if there is an increase in swelling, more than likely it has become infected. This is not due to the artist using a bad needle or anything like that, it just happens. Just like getting a piercing sometimes it becomes infected. You can use a good antibiotic cream to help keep your sexy tattoos clean, this should be applied as soon as you get home. A little preventive medicine will help keep the tattoo from becoming infected.

No matter which sexy tattoos you decide to choose, tattooed women can be proud to have a few on their body. Tattoos for women will continue to be very popular.

For information about how to find over 1000 designs of sexy tattoos for women, visit us at www.Squidoo.com and see our site dedicated to tattoos for women.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Jamison

Worst Body Parts to Get Tattooed and Why

Tattooing the foot is a bad idea for several reasons not the least of which is hygienic. Obviously the feet are the lowest part of the body and are submitted to the most uncleanliness. For this reason extra care must be taken to insure the foot tattoo remains clean while at the same time is not overly covered as a new tattoo must be exposed to the air. So while keeping the tattoo clean you must also not have the foot covered by a sock or bandage for several days while the new tattoo is healing. Also a skilled tattoo artist is required for the foot as there is not a lot of room to rest the hands and the artist will have to take extra care with the designs detail

Tattoos on the neck often heal looking bad with unclear lines and colors that look smudgy. There are many reasons for this some of them resting in the fact that the skin of the neck is some of the worst on the body for tattooing. Ideal skin for tattooing is tight and firm while neck skin is often flabby and hard to stretch. Colors tend to look cloudy on the neck a skilled tattoo artist will be able to implement techniques to limit the smudgy colors, but the neck will never delivery the color clarity that other body parts will

Tattooing the rib cage may be the single most painful part of the body. The area is fine for the artist there is plenty of room to wrest the wrist while tattooing and the skin is all ready stretch out due to how the customer must lie to receive the tattoo. The problem with rib cage is there is not a lot of skin tissue between the outer skin and the actual rib cage which results in blown out lines. That is lines that are thick and often cloudy along the edges,this is common with rib cage tattoos even among skilled professionals

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Lower Back Designs

Heart Back Designs

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Alexander

What makes a tattoo painfull?

Saturday 23 January 2010

Tattoo After Care

So, you need to know about tattoo after care because you are ready to get a new tattoo!

It may be your first time, or it may be your tenth time, but in every case, you should review your tattoo after care instructions prior to getting your new tattoo. You might wonder about the logic about looking at the instructions before getting your new tattoo, but it is like baking a cake, you just don't want to make any mistakes with these instructions because new tattoos are open wounds and susceptible to infection.

You must be attentive to your new tattoo, and keep it as clean as possible to ensure that it heals as cleanly as possible so you prevent infection and end up with the nicest looking tattoo possible.

While the healing stages of a tattoo will be as unique to each individual as there are people in this world, the tattoo healing process does follow a general pattern. The specifics of each tattoo's healing process will depend on the different skin type of the individual, the location of the tattoo on the body, an the techniques of the tattoo artist. These factors can all cause a variance in the healing process from individual to individual.

You will be given aftercare instructions by your tattoo artist. These aftercare instructions differ from artist to artist. My recommendation to you is if in doubt about anything, always go back to your tattoo artist before seeking the help of a doctor. Your tattoo artist can take a look at your tattoo and tell what to do if their is a problem to correct any healing problems.

If your tattoo artist cannot help, they should send you for medical attention from a doctor. If they do not, then of course, you must go yourself to make certain that your health is not at risk. This is your responsibility.

Many times doctors don't know much about tattoos and will prescribe unnecessary medications that may harm your tattoo's healing process. Some doctors may even be biased against tattoos. That is why I suggest that you go to the tattoo artist first if you suspect their is a healing problem with your new tattoo. The artist works with tattoos day in and day out and is familiar with the best way to heal their work.

When you leave the tattoo studio, you will have a bandage on your new tattoo to protect it from outside contact. This bandage should be removed 2- 3 hours after getting your tattoo. Your tattoo may bleed a little for the first 24 hours, remember, your new tattoo is akin to an open wound.

Before you remove your bandage, make sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water, in between the fingers, and under the fingernails. Then dry your hands with a clean paper towel. Do not use any old towel that is laying there, or even a clean towel as lint may be transferred to your hands.

Make sure you have not let a large amount of blood dry on your bandage so that it sticks. Be very, very gentle as you remove your bandage so as not to start the tattoo bleeding again. If you just rip off your bandage, you can mess up the appearance of your new tattoo, and you don't want to do that, now do you?

Wash your tattoo gently, very gently with anti-bacterial soap and water to clean it. Do not scrub your tattoo, do not use a washcloth, or anything else other than your fingers or hand to clean the tattoo. Do not rub, but "pat" the tattoo as you wash it. Then, when you are finished, pat the tattoo dry with a clean dry paper towel. Or, use clean toilet paper even, if you don't have any paper towels on hand.

Let your tattoo air dry for 15 minutes or so. This will promote healing.

After your tattoo has dried, apply a few drops of Emu Oil to your tattoo. The presence of essential fatty acids along with the hyper-oxygenation of Emu Oil naturally increases the circulation to the applied area which is why Emu Oil works so well and so quickly to heal.

Even though it is an oil, it has been proved that Emu Oil does not clog pores (unlike most commercially made tattoo aftercare products that are petroleum based), therefore allowing the skin to breathe during the healing process. Emu Oil penetrates through all seven layers of the skin and is rich in nutrients (essential fatty acids) that feed the skin to aid in new cell development that can hasten the healing process. Emu Oil is also a natural emollient keeping the skin moist and pliable.

The application of the Emu Oil immediately after the tattoo has been cleaned will also relieve the discomfort and reduce the inflammation and redness of the new tattoo. Emu Oil will help set the new colors due to its deep penetrating properties and will help reduce plasma oozing.

Using Emu Oil 2-3 times a day after repeating the cleaning process while the tattoo heals will keep the area moist reducing or eliminating the flaking or scabbing that often occurs as new tattoos heal. Emu Oil can prevent the need for touch ups which saves the artist time and money, and makes for a happy tattoo customer.

New tattoos will look red and swollen immediately following the tattoo procedure. The tattoo will continue to appear this way for a few days throughout the tattoo healing process. Within a week to ten days the skin surrounding the tattoo should be more back to normal - most tattoos are completely healed in three weeks time.

While it is healing it is important not to do the following things or you may damage your tattoo:

- Do Not scratch your new tattoo

- Do Not pick at your new tattoo

- Do Not expose your tattoo to sunlight or tanning beds under any circumstances

- No swimming, hot tubs or baths the first two weeks after getting your new tattoo

- Do Not shave the tattooed area for at least 30 days following the tattoo procedure

- Only touch your tattoo with clean hands, do not let others touch your tattoo

Not only is Emu Oil good for healing new tattoos, it is good for restoring older, aged, sun damaged tattoos as well. This is due to the natural hyper-oxygenation of Emu Oil which brings blood and oxygen to the surface of the skin. This, coupled with Emu Oil's ability to moisturize through all seven layers of the skin, allows users to see quick results when the oil is applied to older tattoos.

With the proper care of your tattoo from the start, there is no reason why you shouldn't enjoy the beauty of your tattoo for a lifetime.

Julie Chrisler writes articles on a wide variety of topics. She has been fascinated by tattoos for some number of years now after her 27 year old daughter started getting tattoos years when she was 16 and has grown to love them. Coupled with her love of tattoos is her fascination with Emu Oil, the "wonder oil from down under", which has helped her with her daily pain from Osteoarthrithis, among many other marvelous uses she has discovered for this wonder oil. Visit http://hubpages.com/hub/Tattoo-After-Care for more detailed information on Tattoo After Care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Chrisler

tattoo laser removal

7 Secrets About Tattoo Laser Removal That People Don't Tell You

Did you know that there is a lot more between tattoo laser removal and fade creams to get rid off a once dearly loved tattoo? Did you know that 50% of people with tattoos want their tattoos to be gone? The reasons why they want to remove their tattoos are many. You have got your reason, and maybe you ask yourself what kind of procedure will help you to to get rid of your tattoos in a safe way? One way that is very popular is tattoo laser removal. Before you undergo any tattoo removal procedure, inform yourself well as it is a very personal decision, and not all solutions fit all.

Before undergoing tattoo ink removal with a laser watch out for these key pointers:


Medical professionals (MD, nurse, dermatologist, physician) should be trained in removing tattoos; ask them for credentials.
Area to be treated with laser needs to be infection free; no laser treatment for pregnant and breast feeding women.
It is important to use a specific laser to remove tattoos, not a laser used for other procedures as hair removal or vein treatment.
Ask for a free consultation.
Avoid sun exposure before treatment as sunburns make tattoo laser removal impossible.
Make a list of medications that you take because some drugs make the skin more sensitive to laser light; the practitioner/nurse/physician then has to make a clinical decision if tattoo laser removal is advisable.
Session lengths depends on tattoo size, ink color, and location of the tattoo/s on the body. Older tattoos seem to be easier to remove because of sun exposure (fading), and because of the body's attempt to break the ink down (foreign element). A small tattoo can be treated within 2-3 minutes, a medium-size tattoo within 10-20 minutes, and a large tattoo needs several sessions to disappear.
Pain experienced with laser removal depends on the location of the tattoo. Some body areas are more sensitive than others such as feet, hands, underside of arms, etc.
Possible neurological side effects of tattoo laser removal are a tingling feeling on the back that has been described as very uncomfortable, and irritating.
Before undergoing a tattoo session, chose a "healthy" ink, an ink that can be completely removed from your body when you decide you don't want it anymore.

Since removing tattoos is en vogue because people want to reverse bad decisions, it becomes very important for you to be well informed about the tattoo removal procedure that you are going for. Tattoo laser removal is only one of many.

I hope that knowing more about tattoo laser removal made you curious about other procedures and methods that are less painful and costly.

Choosing a tattoo removal procedure is a very personal decision. Choose the right method for you personally the first time, so you don't have to pay for your mistakes for a lifetime. Inform yourself well, and go to http://www.squidoo.com/tattoo_laser_removal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Anne_Popp

Tattoos:Safety and health issues


The Eternal Search and 26 Tips of How to Find a Good Tattoo Artist

1) Of course the studio must be clean and the material properly sterilized, the artist must wear gloves all the time, and the ink should be poured into small containers, avoiding contamination of the material.

2) Look at the artist's portfolio very carefully, not only to appreciate it; you will be searching for very small imperfections.

3) The lines on a tattoo have to be smooth, jagged lines and shaky lines are a big no go.

4) The color has to be well applied through the entire image, without leaving empty spots.

5) The way in which the artist uses and combines colors is also very important. Especially if you are looking for the water-color effect.

6) Big tattoos are easier to master than small tattoos. Even if the sleeves and the full backs get more attention, small tattoos are much more complicated to make. So while looking at the artist's portfolio, check out his small and more detailed work. A good hint is to look for some tattoos of birds and check out the feathers and the bird's face.

7) Also pay attention to the work that the person does when reproducing cartoon characters. This kind of reproduction is very complicated due the amount of details, the perfect thickness of the lines and the coloration.

8) If the price is an issue on the size or the type of the tattoo that you are getting, I suggest you wait and save some more money. It is better wait and to do exactly what you dreamed about than settle for less.

9) You have to get along with the artist and not feel intimidated by him. A good artist will allow you to give your input and will not feel offended by a comment or a suggestion. Remember it is your body and you want to enjoy every second of the experience.

10) Many people have the idea that the tattooer has to be crazy, always high and someone in line with a dark figure. It is a myth; many of those artists are lovely, sometimes married and often proud parents. If you suspect that the artist is under any substance influence, or has any addictions you should think before allowing him to work on you. It is a well known fact that alcoholics and junkies have problems with shaky hands.

11) Also respect it when the artist gives his honest opinion. If you don't agree just try to find another person to make the tattoo. This way you will avoid to feel like the work was not properly done due to personal reasons.

12) If you choose an image from a catalog, and want to do some changes on it, a good artist will do those changes with pleasure, and will not complain if you want more changes on it on when the sketch is already redone, of course you should know where to draw the line between some more changes and be unreasonable, don't forget this person makes a living out of making tattoos.

13) A good professional is not always the one that just makes a tattoo properly, to do a proper job is an obligation of a good professional. To me a good professional has to make the client aware of few details about tattoos.

14) If you are a woman, and want to have kids, a tattoo on your stomach or on the lateral of your waist line, no matter if horizontally or vertically, might not be a good idea; it will stretch due the pregnancy and loose some of its beauty.

15) Again if you are a woman, it might not be a good idea to get a tattoo during your period or while in the PMS process. Due some hormonal changes you will be more inclined to feel pain or worse, the healing process can be compromised.

16) Every tattoo when fresh looks great. The artist should remind you that what you see is what you get, for a while. The ink will fade away. Of course you can delay the process taking good care of it, but eventually, it will fade and partially lose some of its beauty.

17) The black ink after few years will become bluish. There is no way to avoid it. To fix the color you will have to retouch the tattoo. You can also try to understand that it is a part of your body and such as it has the right to age. In my case I do not retouch my tattoos. To me my tattoos are part of a moment lost in the past, and because they are memories they will tend to fade with time.

18) While big and bulky tattoos will only have the color fade problem, small and very detailed tattoos, will lose the sharpness on the details, and often will look like if they were poorly done.

19) It is a good idea to get a tattoo during winter. During the summer you will have problems with the plastic bandage; it will keep the tattoo constantly moist. The moist can delay the healing, opening a window for infections. The healing process will also be very, very itchy.

20) If you can't avoid getting a tattoo during the summer, be ready to use of antihistaminic pills. They will come handy.

21) If you must to scratch the tattoo, it is better if you pat yourself. Never use your nails.

22) Don't drink or use drugs before getting a tattoo, it won't ease the pain and alcohol can actually make you bleed more.

23) Depending on your line of work a visible tattoo can be a problem. Something that one day I hope will change, but so far, if you are one of those professionals, try to make a tattoo in a place that is easy to hide while you are wearing any kind of clothing.

24) The hardest thing to say is; never do a tattoo because it is fashionable, or because your idol has one. A tattoo is something personal. It will be with you every single day of your life. It is much more difficult to get rid of one than to get rid of an ex-spouse.

25) When choosing the image for a tattoo, choose something that means something to you. Sure a butterfly is lovely so are flowers, a cute star on your wrist is very sexy. But how will you feel about them when you are sixty?

26) And last but not the least. Never get a tattoo on impulse. There are many other things to do when you are bored, if you need a "quick fix" try to get a drastic hair change or buy some new clothes. Tattoos are something to really think about. Something to be seen and carried as art. If well thought and well chosen the process of getting a tattoo, can take years to happen, but it can definitely change your entire life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_Zimbarg

Want a Tattoo?

Before taking the step to have a permanent tattoo affixed to your body, you must first do some thorough thinking. Take into consideration that any tattoo will be with you for the rest of your life and is VERY expensive and painful to remove. Choose the location of the tattoo on your body very carefully. It may be a good idea to wear a non-permanent tattoo for a while to make sure that the tattoo you're getting is exactly the right size and design you want.

Tattoos are reasonably painful to get, but you may stop the tattooist at any time during the procedure, until you feel ready to go on again. Some people feel pain more acutely than others. Most people feel inclined to get another tattoo soon - which is an indication of the bear ability of the pain. Large tattoos are done over a period of time, to give the wearer time to rest after each session. And yes, when the tattooist perforates the skin, there will be moderate bleeding. It is a good idea to be well rested before your first tattoo!

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Friday 22 January 2010

It was never a big issue...in fact they were only seen on sailors mostly..now they have become a way for people to express who they are, what they have been through and who they may have lost in their lives!....others mearly say it's only a fashion statement...what is it?....Tattoos!!!!
When it comes to getting a tattoo wether it's your first or you're 12th we all want to know we are in safe hands and that are tattooist is nothing but the best!...So you want a tattoo but dont know where to start? Well read on because this blog is all about helping you find the best tatooist, the right design and the best products for after-care and the healing process.