The word tattoo comes from Tahesian word "Tatu," meaning to strike. Tattooing is an old custom that is practiced around the world dating as far back as 4000 BC. It is used to identify social status or acceptance.
In some tribes, a person without a tattoo in the lower arm is an indication that the person is afraid of being subjected to painful procedure, a sign of cowardice. There are customs that confine tattooing only to women particularly to beautify, to designate fertility and nobility. In others it is used to identify and punish criminals.
Some believe that tattooing helps to cure illnesses, preserve youth, and charm the opposite sex. It is also used to protect against evil spirits and a safe journey after life.
Christians through the 16th century were forbidden to tattoo their bodies because anything that deforms the body is considered the work of Satan. It was not until the 19th century that tattoos were accepted in many European countries. However, tattoo decorations were not popular in America. The practice was only noted among criminals, later on with sailors then among members of the armed forces and subsequently with the American working class. Only in the latter half of the 20th century that tattooing became fashionable.
About 24 percent of adults have tattoos, increasing to 36 percent in younger adults. In the pediatric age groups 8-13 percent of children, 12-18 years of age have a tattoo and those who do not, about 50 percent considered having one. The age of the first tattoo in children is getting younger from sixteen years to 14 years of age.
Gangs use tattoo as a mark to indicate membership. In others to indicate their status as a leader and in some gangs it is used to designate a member for having done something respectable and feared by the memberships. For instance, an inverted cross tattoo in the inner aspect of the left wrist is to indicate that the member is a killer.
Tattooing is the production of a permanent mark, pattern or figure upon the body by inserting an ink or pigments under the skin using needle(s) or sharp instruments. Professionals use electrically powered instruments that hold several needles dipped in colored ink prior to use.
Ink color depends upon the pigment contents: red (cadmium selenide), green (chromium oxide), purple (manganese or aluminum salts), blue (cobalt aluminum oxide), yellow (cadmium sulfide), black (India ink, ferrous oxide), brown (iron oxide), white (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide). FDA regulation now limits the content of lead and mercury in the ink. However, tattoo artist mix the inks before tattooing according to style and preference, mostly unregulated and often not sterile.
Pigments of most ink colors are mixture of carbon, wood and metal powders combined with a carrier either alcohol, water or glycerine. Pigments that are difficult to remove are red, dark green and yellow. The ink color that causes most of the skin allergies is the red pigment.
Tattoos are divided into amateur or professional. Amateur tattoos are done by inexperienced individuals mostly on him or her rarely on others. Instruments used are needles or any sharp objects such as sharp pencils, pens, or straight pins. Needles may be used singly or bounded together by a thread or a rubber band placed at an estimated distance from the sharp point to prevent deep penetration.
The sharp point of the instrument may be dipped in the ink before repeatedly pricking the skin, or the ink is spread on the desired area then pricking the skin repeatedly carrying the pigment into the skin. Penetrations of the instrument used are irregular.
Since amateur tattooing is self inflicted needle penetrations are not deep enough making the pain more bearable. However, ink or pigment once applied is permanent and mistakes cannot be corrected. Ink or pigment used in amateur tattoo is usually black derived from charcoal, soot or commonly from India ink. Common designs are names, crosses and hearts mostly pierced by an arrow. Incidence of infections and reactions to the materials used are higher in tattoos done by amateurs.
Professional tattoos are performed by experienced individuals who use electrically powered needle instruments that repeatedly puncture the skin about 50 times per second in which pigments are deposited at constant depth. Most of the procedures are done in antiseptic condition, the tattooist wearing gloves and the equipments are sterile and are disposable.
After the procedure the area is cleaned with alcohol and water and an antibiotic ointment is applied. The tattooed skin is covered or bandaged for 24 hours. Then wash with soap and water, allow to dry and more antibiotic ointment is applied. Avoid swimming and exposure to sunlight as tattoo may incite photosensitivity skin reactions sometimes severe.
Tattooing maybe accidental, often post-traumatic where foreign bodies or debris are embedded within the skin after an abrasion or a wound. If the wound is not properly cleaned, foreign bodies are permanently entrapped within the skin producing the accidental tattoo. Dirty abrasions of the face and extremities are the common sites of post-traumatic or accidental unwanted tattoos. Dirty wounds should be cleaned and scrubbed gently using a soft metal brush. If dirt or foreign particles cannot be removed by scrubbing the contaminated skin may be excised surgically.
Tattoos can be used medically to cover or mask malformations of the skin such as large facial birthmarks. Sometimes tattoo is used to design an areola around a nipple after breast reconstruction following removal of the breast. Cosmetically, tattooing is used to apply permanent lip color, eyeliner or tattoo eyebrows. In this situation, one should ask the artist whether the tattoo pigments used are MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) compatible. Since some of the tattoo pigments are metallic and MRI is a giant magnet, there is a chance that the permanent tattoo pigment maybe moved, displaced or will travel during MRI examination. It is possible that a "kilay" (eyebrow) tattoo may travel and become a "bigote" tattoo after an MRI examination. (To be continued)
