Montreal Tattoo Convention

How To Remove Tattoos At Home - Side Effects You Might Experience With Tattoo Removal Cream

Many people look to remove tattoos at home as it's easier, doesn't require appointments or prescriptions and most importantly is a lot cheaper than going through all the surgical options that many people have to go through for laser removal or the dermabrasion option. The only problem with taking matters into your own hands with a product such as tattoo removal cream is that you might end up experiencing some side effects.

Irritation

The first thing that you might find that you're going to experience is that you might be getting irritation around the area that you have applied the cream to. Sometimes when you are using a cream (or an acid) that is too strong against your skin it will cause some irritation and redness.

Sometimes this can also be caused by the fact that you are going to be allergic to something that may be in the formula so make sure you look into what is in there before purchasing and if you happen to suffer a reaction or any irritation then it will be worth talking to your doctor or dermatologist so that they can advise you on what the next step is going to be for you to go through.

Skin Discolouration

Something that can also occur is skin discolouration. The area that you are going to be applying the cream to means that there is going to be a lot of pigment breaking up here. This can end up leading to that area of skin being lighter than the original colour. Sometimes this is only temporary until the body generates new skin cell, however this could be longer for other and maybe those with darker skin tones as well which is going to be something that you're going to have to be looking out for.

Avoid Sensitive Areas

This isn't really a side-effect but something you need to make sure you do is avoid the sensitive areas of the body where the skin is really thin as this can cause irritation. These areas include the face, neck and genital areas but you also want to make sure that you try and avoid rubbing the cream on any areas of your body that already have irritation or that are cracked and injured. Also try avoiding getting it into the eyes for obvious reasons and if it happens seek medical attention ASAP.

These areas are going to be very painful to put the removal cream on and can end up causing trouble to you.

These are the main side-effects that you might experience through the process, however most tattoo removal creams that are available are gentle enough and come with plenty of instructions that will mean you will be able to avoid going through all this pain and trouble when you try to remove tattoos at home. Many people have said that this method is very effective when it comes down to getting rid of unwanted ink and with the benefit of it being a lot more cheaper than other methods makes it a smarter option.

If this isn't an option that you want to go through or if this is an option that hasn't worked for you then there are plenty of other methods that you can use to remove tattoos at home not only just this one so make sure you look into those as well. If you really want an effective way to remove your unwanted ink then you will want to check out the methods on our blog which gives you more information on tattoos and alternative removal options plus a guide which will naturally help you fade and remove tattoos.

Rebel Art Tattoo Commercial #4 by Television Noir

Laser Tattoo Removal - Reducing Your Tattoo Removal Cost

Going through methods such as laser tattoo removal has been said to be really expensive and that many people have trouble with affording the costs of getting rid of their unwanted ink. However, there are methods that you can go through that can help you to reduce how much money that you have to be spending when it comes down to removing your tattoos and most of them can actually be done in the safety of your own home which makes them even better to go though.

The first option that you have is going with a removal cream. These are known to be cheap and are great for fading away the area that you wish to have removed. They are simple to do and can be done in the safety of your own home. Some may require you to use a loofah or a machine that they provide to get rid of the first layer of skin (a lot less painful as it may sound, this is the layer that will normally shed) and then applying the cream to make it easier to be soaked up into the area. Once it has been soaked up it then breaks down the pigment in the skin where the ink is kept where then the body works to get rid of it all.

Another option similar to this for people who have newer pieces of skin is the use of aloe vera. This natural method works because aloe vera is a water based solution and some of it will be able to get into the skin and be able to trap any ink pigment that isn't properly formed together which is why people never recommend aloe vera for moisturizing on a new piece of ink that you may have and want to keep fresh.

An option which is used but not as much as the above is the use of chemical peel. This is the use of a weak acid (TCA) which is applied to the area and slowly starts to peel off the skin until it reaches the pigment and breaks it down to then be removed by the body. Obviously this method can be slightly more dangerous for those who may end up getting irritated by it all and some may find that without following instructions may actually end up harming themselves unnecessarily. Even so this has been said to be a method that does show promise and works.

You can go on to use all of these methods to help you fully remove your unwanted ink but there are some people who just use it as an option to fade it out and then go under laser removal so that it is fully removed. The logic behind this is that the three methods explained above might not remove the ink fully however by going with a faded piece you won't have to worry about spending as much money as you would with laser tattoo removal which is always an added benefit to help you reduce your overall cost.

laser tattoo removal is a very effective method and will have a high success rate, the only problem is the cost of it. If this is something that bothers you then looking into other option might be worth it as some of them will still work with you. If you really want an effective way to remove your unwanted ink then you will want to check out the methods on our blog which gives you more information on tattoos and alternative removal options plus a guide which will naturally help you fade and remove tattoos.

Rebel Art Tattoo Commercial #5 by Television Noir

How To Remove Tattoos At Home - Apricot Scrub, Aloe Vera and Other Home Theories

One of the methods to remove tattoos at home that has been rumoured to work is the use of things such as apricot scrub, aloe vera, salt and even sand paper has appeared a number of times. These home methods are ones that people will look into as they are cheap to go through than using other simple methods but do these methods really work or are they just theories?

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is used a lot by people who have gone under laser tattoo removal due to the fact that the water based solution will be able to bring out the broken pigments of ink in the body after the process of getting the laser to break it up.

With removal alone however this method has been said to be very effective for those with newer pieces of ink. The reason for this is that aloe vera is a water based substance and therefore with a new tattoo will trap parts of the ink and make it harder to stay in the skin.

There is sense behind this method however it cannot be said that what will happen will actually work for the full piece, it may just fade away parts of the tattoo.

Apricot Scrub (and Salt)

Some suggestions have been said to go through using apricot scrub and salt as well (acts as an exfoliation).

The salt would act as an abrasion to get through the first layer of skin and then the apricot scrub would do the rest (some people actually mix aloe vera and vitamin old in as well to try and break up the pigments).

One again the best something like this would be able to do is to go and fade parts of the unwanted ink, not the whole thing as effectively as you would like.

Home dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is the method of rubbing the area and peeling away at the skin, for home made methods you would be looking to mix sanding powder into aloe vera and rub this gently on the skin with a pumice stone to break down the skin and ink pigments.

What Method To Choose?

With natural home methods like this what you're trying to achieve is the act of breaking down the skin layers and the ink pigment in the skin.

Now what you're going to have to understand is that methods such as this are going to take a lot of time to work and at the same time they might not be as effective as you might be hoping they will be as well.

Variations

There are other methods out there that you can easily do such as tattoo removal creams which actually are proven to work and still will be cheaper than what you would pay for a surgical dermabrasion or undergoing a laser tattoo surgery (even though this is the most popular method that is going around at the moment) these creams are proven to work on breaking the tattoo pigment and fading/removing a tattoo over a course of weeks (or months depending on the size) and best of all you can use it to remove tattoos at home.

Some of these homemade methods might not seem effective to you however there are plenty more ways to remove tattoos at home such as the use of removal creams, laser, dermabrasion, acid etc. If you really want an effective way to remove your unwanted ink then you will want to check out the methods on our blog which gives you more information on tattoos and alternative removal options plus a guide which will naturally help you fade and remove tattoos.

Rebel Art Tattoo Commercial #3 by Television Noir

Tattoo Removal Cream - Thoughts On The FadePlex System

A new tattoo removal cream that has come into play is the fadeplex system. This cream is a new one to hit that market and is said to be one of the most effective ones due to a special ingredient which has been added into it.

There are many people that come down with tattoo regret a while after they have gone through the trouble of getting it done; some due to failed relationships, some for jobs and some just for the pure reason that they don't like it. Using creams has been said to be a lot more cost effective for those who would struggle when it came down to having to pay for things such as laser removal or even dermabrasion etc.

With fadeplex there are multiple benefits that can be seen which show that this is something which may be in league with the other big products such as the wrecking balm.

All Skins Types

Some of these products don't work when it comes towards darker skin because of the pigment and sometimes those that do end up leading to skin discolouration on the area as well which sometimes is temporary but sometimes can last longer than preferred.

No harsh chemical and gentle on skin

The benefit of not having harsh chemicals is that there is less chance of having the problem of irritation on the skin. Some people have thinner skin and there are those who will react badly when it comes down to the chemicals.

Such reactions such as this has caused many irritations and many people to give up ion the treatment as well before the course is actually due which is not something anyone wants to happen with their product as this can lead to bad reviews.

Easy to apply

Just like the other produce this is simple to apply and works in the same way. All you have to do is clean the outer layer with a loofah and then just add the cream onto the area you wish to fade or remove.

Just like the other products this seeps into the skin and goes onto breaking down the ink pigments until allowing the body to go ahead and remove them by itself.

No TCA

TCA is a chemical product that has been known to be used to help with the removal of unwanted ink, it has said to be very effective to some people however the fact that it is an acid can be problematic for others.

As mentioned above the main thing you want from one of these products is the reduced chance of going through irritation and skin discolouration and other side-effects and by avoiding adding this ingredient into their product then fadeplex are actually avoiding this option for the customer.

Overall in my opinion as a new tattoo removal cram fadeplex seems to be running along the right lines that it needs to be when it comes down to removal of any unwanted pieces of ink and only time will tell if it is good enough to battle with the major creams.

Apart from fadeplex there are plenty more tattoo removal cream out on the market and some have a great reputation as well if you'd feel safer using those. There are also other ways that you can use to remove any unwanted ink that you may have. If you really want an effective way to remove your unwanted ink then you will want to check out the methods on our blog which gives you more information on tattoos and alternative removal options plus a guide which will naturally help you fade and remove tattoos.

Psycho Realm Tattoo Tribute -TattoosbyOmar 2013 (Trailer: SneakPeak)

Beauty Archetypes: Tattooed Ladies (Part One)

Tattooed Ladies! Even though we missed the circus sideshows that ran from the 1800′s well into the twentieth century, the name itself conjures up images of exotic lives, lived on the edge by fascinating women.

Tattoos on women aren't new to us, and they really weren't new to the ladies of the circus sideshows either. Tattooing and women have a long history, which twists and turns with changing ideals about adornment, modesty, independence, and function.

The earliest proven tattooed ladies were Egyptian: many female mummies have net-like patterns of dots over their abdomens, thighs and chests. Early explorers assumed that these women - ancient Egyptian men didn't have tattoos - were prostitutes, echoing the biases of the time. But newer interpretations (and understanding of diverse tattooing practices) suggest that these tattoos were probably given as talismans to assist women in pregnancy and childbirth.

The ancient Greeks learned tattooing from the Thracians in what is now Turkey, and they used the technique to tattoo the faces of criminals and slaves with such charming inscriptions as "stop me, I'm a runaway". That you wouldn't want one of these tattoos lives on in the word "stigma"-the ancient Greek word for tattoo was "stig", meaning "prick" or "stitch".

In northern Europe, the pre-Celts tattooed themselves for decorative purposes, with moons, stars, and animals as favorite motifs for women. And despite periodic bans on tattoos from religious authorities, Medieval Christians were returning from crusades and religious pilgrimages with tattoos of religious and alchemical symbols - souvenirs from and proof of their adventures.

When Captain James Cook returned from the Pacific Islands in 1769 with accounts of "tatau-ing", the word "tattoo", which was also used to describe military drumming, came into the lexicon. A new craze for tattoos arose in England, starting with sailors, working up to the officers, then to royalty. And women got tattoos as well - even Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston's mother, got a tattoo of a snake around her wrist. But while women were flirting with raciness by getting tattoos, they were still subject to the demands of Victorian society, and made sure those tattoos were easily coverable - to be safe from overly judgmental eyes. The trend for ornamental tattoos spread to the United States as well: in 1876, The New York Times was reporting on it. But in 1882, something strange happened: several women decided that they would become tattooed ladies.

We don't know whether the first tattooed lady was Nora Hildebrandt or Irene Woodward, but both contenders for the honor decided to become tattooed ladies in 1882, allowing Martin Hildebrandt, the most prominent tattoo artist of the time, to help them recreate themselves and an industry. And their success was immediate - although there had been plenty of tattooed men in circuses for over 80 years, once tattooed ladies began working the circuit, the combination of exotic stories and showing of skin was too strong a force to be resisted. Nora was given a tragic story of capture by the Lakota Sioux and enforced tattooing by her poor father, who finally opted for an early death rather than continue torturing his daughter. Irene's exotic story told of her father tattooing her to pass the time in their rural cabin before he was killed by Native Americans, who - frightened by her tattoos - released her unharmed.

Others followed in Nora and Irene's footsteps: a tattooed lady could make between $35-100 a week at a time when skilled clerical workers made about $22 a week, and domestic workers made a whole lot less. And even though we think of women as staying home then, lots of working-class women had to work for wages as well. One of these women, Anna Mae Burlingston, had been helping support her mother as a domestic servant when she met her husband, a tattooist named "Red" Gibbons. Soon after they were married, she decided to change her game: she let Red tattoo her (with religious imagery - she was a devout Christian), and by 1919 she was performing as Miss Artoria, traveling with her husband in sideshows that featured her on stage - and him working as well. And she worked a long time: even with the rise of television (and the reduction in need for "freaks" in live entertainment), Artoria worked in carnival sideshows until 1981.

There's no denying that part of the appeal of a tattooed lady is her sex appeal. The stories of danger and pain, along with the opportunity to look at more skin than ordinary society might allow, were irresistible. But female audiences were also drawn to the ladies - who were, after all, a lot like them. Most tales included obvious references to the ladylike behavior and good morals of these women. After all, tattoos were still regarded as racy - as late as 1955, an editor of a sociology anthology wrote that "most tattooed women are prostitutes." Not that they were: most were like the rest of the working women, taking care of husbands and children as well.

But tattooed ladies had obviously taken control over their bodies, and that came with some risk of isolation. Lady Viola (born Ethel Martin in 1898) got herself tattooed(with images of people she admired) when her first marriage ended. She worked - as "The Most Beautiful Tattooed Lady in the World" - until she retired in 1932 to raise nine children with her second husband. When he died in 1969, she went back out on the road, both to raise money and to not be lonely. But later, when she died, there was no mention in her obituary of her career as a famous tattooed lady - her fellow churchgoers never knew. Not only was tattooing still taboo, but working in a circus sideshow would have seemed seedy by then.

Tattoos also carried connotations of class - they were seen as adornments of the working class. Even if society ladies had them (and they did), the stigma(!) of tattoos was that they were vulgar. While the tattooed ladies were given exotic stories that often included noble birth, they were really working-class girls who decided to take a chance - a big one - and get paid more than their conservative sisters. One tattooed lady - Betty Broadbent - was quoted as saying she regretted getting her first tattoo. Now I'm sure she didn't regret everything - she was one of the more successful tattooed ladies - but once they went in, there was no going back.

And it's not entirely different today, even if lots more women are getting tattoos: there's a definite class divide within the tattooed world between who has good work and who doesn't. And while industry legend Lyle Tuttle credits women's liberation with the latest renaissance in tattoo art, there's still some divide between those women who have a discreet surprise (or more) and those who've gone full-force into decoration. The opportunity to be a professional tattooed lady may have ended because so many women are getting designs inked into their skin now, but today's full-on tattooed ladies still work in creative jobs. So even if we can't imagine their being abducted to the islands of the South Seas to get all that ink, we know they won't be going straight anytime soon.

Meli Pennington in an internationally acclaimed makeup artist and writer on beauty and culture. Visit her at her site Wild Beauty, at http://wildbeautyworld.com.

Rebel Art Tattoo Commercial #1 by Television Noir

Beauty Archetypes: Tattooed Ladies, Part Two

When we look at Tattooed Ladies, we often think of them in the context of individuality, self-expression, and self-ownership. And in the United States, the history of women and tattoos is generally one of self-determination and independence. But in Asia, the relationship between women and ink is very different. Tattooing in Japan, especially, has many threads of cultural legacy that still inform the practice and its connotations today.

In antiquity, the Japanese were known to favor tattooing and decoration. Visiting Chinese remarked on the practice as "barbaric", since most "civilized" Chinese subscribed to the Confucian ideal that tattooing was polluting to the body.

The Chinese did practice tattooing, however - but mostly in the form of marking criminals for life. Outside the sophisticated Confucian elite, soldiers were readying themselves for battle by getting talismanic tattoos of axes, and women living south of the Yangtze River were decorating their hands with tattoos of insects and snakes.

By the middle ages, decorative tattooing had been replaced by penal tattooing in Japan. Serious crimes were punished by tattooing symbols of the crime on the arms and even faces of the criminals. Such a punishment often resulted in being shunned by family and friends, as well as strangers - a dreadful outcome in a culture where relationships are central.

But in more remote areas of Japan, tattooing was alive and well. The Ainu people - who have lived continuously in Northernmost Japan for over 12,000 years - have a tradition of tattooing that is exclusively female. The Anchipiri ("Black Stone Mouth") women were tattooed around the lips by a "Tattoo Aunt" or "Tattoo Woman" to repel evil spirits and show that they are ready for marriage. The pain of having a tattoo placed in such a sensitive area was also supposed to help the young woman endure the pain of childbirth. Though the pain may have been eased by the incantations given along with the soot: "Even without it, she's so beautiful. The tattoo around her lips, how brilliant it is. It can only be wondered at."

Ainu women also tattooed their hands and arms with braided geometric patterns. These patterns, which were begun while a girl was as young as six, were also designed to protect women from evil spirits. They were also similar to braided "girdles" worn secretly by women, and their designs were handed down from mother to daughter.

In the early 1800′s the Japanese shogunate outlawed the practice, banning tattoos in general. But the Ainu still tattooed their girls - who wouldn't be able to marry or be welcomed into the afterlife without them. Still, the custom died out in the early twentieth century - the last remaining Ainu tattooed lady died in 1998.

And tattooed ladies didn't just flourish in the north of Japan, either. On the southernmost Ryukyu islands, women had the backs of their hands and fingers tattooed during the winter months, after the field work had been done. While some of the tattoos were family crests and husbands' ancestral signs, many of them were designed to show that the woman wearing them had mastered complex weaving patterns:

Tattoos on women were not always markers of beauty and great skill. During the Edo period, tattoos in Japanese society were worn by courtesans to mark the names of their lovers - or favorite clients. While new clients might be jealous of the names that preceded them, tattooing was less damaging to the "merchandise" than the alternative - sometimes women would chop off a segment of one of their fingers and present it as a gift to their beloved.

But tattoos were also becoming more widespread among men during the 17th and 18 centuries. Penal tattoos were given until 1870, and criminals would seek larger designs to cover their markings. Firemen were also getting tattoos, and were the first of the era to seek full-body designs. Since firemen often fought fires wearing only loincloths, these were considered show-off tattoos, but they were also markers of strength and camaraderie. And with the rise of the organized Yakuza criminal networks and their elaborate full bodysuit tattoos, tattoos became a thing for men - very tough men. That these tattooing traditions often criss-crossed with more traditional art forms didn't prevent their stigmatization from association with these "tough guys".

This legacy of tattooing from "the floating world" for women and from organized crime for men has left its mark on the attitudes towards tattooing in modern Japan. While tattoo artists from the US travel to Japan for inspiration and training, and lots of people get Japanese-inspired tattoos, Japanese people in general are not comfortable with inked skin. Moreover, for women, the impetus to get inked - with the exception of tribal peoples - has historically come from one's involvement with a man, and usually one from the criminal underworld.

This hasn't stopped more forward-thinking Japanese women from jumping into the tattoo world. But modern Tattooed Ladies tread a fine line between Good and Bad Girl. Many people still see tattoos as a criminal-only endeavor: most public baths don't allow tattooed patrons, as they don't want people involved in organized crime to scare away their other patrons. Banks routinely deny tattooed people loans, and people will stare in horror at tattoos on the subway. So most Japanese women - especially outside the big cities - won't be getting inked any time soon.

But as tattoos as decoration become more widespread outside of Japan, it's pretty much inevitable that Japanese women will want them more often. Already pop stars and hairstylists are flaunting feminine designs that say "Hey, I'm fabulous" more than they say "Hey, I'm devoted to my criminal lover". And more female tattoo artists have arisen, for women who not only want more feminine designs, but may be uncomfortable showing skin to a male tattoo artist. But it'll take some time for tattoos as ornamentation to be seen as just another choice: until there are some tattooed grandmothers around (or a new trend of tattooing our skills on our hands), Tattooed Ladies in Japan won't get the respect they deserve.

Meli Pennington is an internationally acclaimed makeup artist and writer on beauty and culture. Visit her at her website Wild Beauty, at http://wildbeautyworld.com.

Hello Kitty Tattoo Designs! [Hello Kitty Tattoo Ideas]

UV Tattoos: The Latest Trend

UV tattoos are becoming the latest craze within the tattoo community. For many people getting a UV tattoo is the best of both worlds; they get to have a unique piece of art adorning their body, while at the same time remaining discreet and professional at the office or workplace. Some professions permit their employees to have tattoos only if they are discreetly placed.

Even though this type of tattooing is gaining popularity, there are still very few tattoo artists who offer this the service. However, there is one tattoo artist from Castro Valley, California who has been offering this particular service for several years. Greg Kulz is considered a pioneer of the UV tattooing form and believes people are attracted to this method because they will not be instantly judged by their ink as so many other people are.

The process of having a UV tattoo is still the same as having a normal colored tattoo; however, the ink is thinner so it means the artist has to take his/her time and concentrate more and a black light that is used to ensure the image is exactly as it should be.

Even though this seems like a great alternative to getting a colored tattoo, many tattoo artists avoid using UV inks because they believe that the special ink that is used may compromise the patients safety and overall health.

Tattooing with UV ink can cause bad reactions for some people including blistering, skin rashes, burning sensations and pain. Some tattoo artists simply feel that the risk to their customers isn't worth taking.

As with any tattoo, some people eventually grow tired of their ink, or they encounter circumstances that prohibit body art of any kind which ultimately leads them to laser removal. The cost of removal for a UV tattoo is much more painful and costly due to the ink used and is much harder to get rid of than traditional colored ink. So if you are considering getting a UV tattoo make sure that you are mindful of the removal processes and cost.

Ultimately, UV tattoos are ideal for those who want their ink on their face, neck, or hands but still want to be accepted by all classes of society. However, considering the current popularity and acceptance of tattoos, I'm sure it won't be long until your CEO eventually comes to work with a brand new bicep or forearm tattoo.

If you have any questions about UV tattoos or just a question about tattoos in general, visit tattoo.com where they provide everything that relates to the tattooing industry.

STRETCH - Part 5 - Heather O'Shaughnessey - Tattoo Artist

Tattoos As Primitive Tools Have Evolved Into Body Art For The Rich And Famous

There is a sense of universality of the tattoo.

Tattoos are found everywhere in the world among different races, cultures and people who follow different sets of beliefs and attitudes. The tattoo has been used probably even before other tools were invented to allow people to interact. And it was not originally used or intended as a form of art, let alone body art.

Historically, tattoos were used in tribal communities to denote or signify an aspect of life. It meant that a certain level or phase in one's life had been reached like attaining puberty or adolescence or engagement in marriage.

The tattoo also announced a variety of other events usually about positive and desirable accomplishments like achieving freedom from slavery or becoming a noble, lord or chieftain or other elevated status. They also indicated victory in battle against other tribes or in some friendly competition involving physical strength.

We can probably say that early tribal communities utilized the tattoo more as a medium of communication through symbolism than as an art form if at all.

Additionally the early tribal communities might have found the tattoo useful to support their language requirements and the imagery created by the tattoo improved their ability to convey thoughts among themselves and other communities as well.

Today there are as many different kinds of tattoo designs as there are people who can visualize them. Tattoo artists can easily create forms that evoke amazing artistic talent and it is just a surprise why they haven't been recognized in the same category as regular artists.

Did Salvador Dali paint any of his masterpieces on the human body? I doubt it. But a look at current trends in tattoo artistry can make Dali's works seem like child's play.

As well, tattoo ink can now be easily applied on and removed from the skin if the idea is for a temporary fashion statement. Angelina Jolie and Dwayne Johnson do this every time.

The flower tattoo is the more exquisite and gentle expression of the tattoo so much that it takes away the connotation of the tattoo as the exclusive property of convicted felons and prisoners in the penitentiary and rehabilitation facilities.

The designs of the flower tattoo are breathtaking as the human skin mysteriously morphs into a natural canvass in living color as life is infused into the images thanks to these incredible tattoo artists.

The cosmetic make-up is basically a tattoo in form and substance the only difference is that it is not involved in facial make-up in the usual sense. It may refer to changes in color and shade of portions of the body like lips, eyelids and brows. The cosmetic make-up can make one refreshingly young and beautiful and not appear to having had a "make-up" or "make-over" on themselves.

The traumatic tattoo is a no-brainer and refers to discoloration of skin pigmentation whether permanent or temporary as a result of abrasive contact with hard objects like asphalt in a road accident resulting in injury.

Another type is the medical tattoo. Like the traumatic tattoo the medical tattoo is another type of skin discoloration that may result from medical procedures that impact on skin color. The traumatic and medical tattoos can hardly be classified for the purpose of body art.

In any event, the tattoo has come around to make a clear statement: that it is not the exclusive attribute of persons living an undeserving and low-quality life whatever this statement may mean. And that it is not a symbol of immorality and irresponsibility either. It is a very high expression of an art form using the human body itself as the canvass for its own expression.

This article was written by Frank Q. Aurillo, Jr. (EzineArticles Expert Author)

For more information on the subject of this article you may click on these links:

http://populartattoodesigns.net/

Taboos and Tattoos - Are tattoos art?

Mendi Designer

Do you like tattoos? Many people have a thing for body tattoos but are skeptical about wearing a permanent one on their body. Well, good news for them, as they can try out temporary tattoos. One popular temporary tattoo that is also organic is mendi. It is made from plant extracts. The deep reddish brown color of this tattoo looks fabulous and you can easily wear it for parties and social gatherings.

The first thing that you should know before you get a mendi tattoo is the way it is applied. Mendi patterns can be drawn on the body with a liquid paste made from plant extracts which is then allowed to dry. Over a few hours, after it has dried, the mendi design takes a deep red color and looks like an absolutely beautiful piece of body art. Remember that it will fade out eventually as it stays on for just 1 to 4 weeks.

But for the design to stand out, selecting the right mendi designer is very important. Pick someone who is skilled and knows all the patterns.

Mendi designs can be drawn on many parts of the body but the most common ones are drawn on the hands and feet. Other body parts on which they look good are the waist, belly button, back and arms. Just about every part of the hand can be covered with mendi tattoos like the hands, back of the palms, fingers, wrists, upper arms and forearms. Delicate mendi designs on the tips of fingers and toes also look classic.

Mendi tattoos are actually popular in many parts of the world like India, Middle East and Africa. Many different patterns are available in this style and therefore one should ensure that the mendi designer chosen knows about all of them. For instance, there are tribal designs and also patterns which imitate jewelry pieces like bracelets, bangles and rings. Arabic patterns and floral motifs are a total knock out. Delicate lines imitating paisleys and lace are also loved by many people.

A vine or trailing plant running across the back, legs or hands will also look phenomenal. Some designs even chalk out animal motifs. Butterflies, birds and peacocks are very common animal motifs seen in mendi tattoo art. The North African mendi designs use thicker lines and geometric shapes such as diamond, square, rungs of steps and also ciliated chevron shapes. While Indian designs use lines of average thickness along with shapes like circles and teardrops. Arabic patterns usually have very thin lines along with floral motifs.

If you are fussy about the mendi being organic then inspect its color closely. The all natural mendi has a reddish brown or reddish orange tinge. But the mendi in which chemicals are used has a deep black color. If you are all for organic then you might want to avoid wearing the deep black mendi.

Mendi tattoos are mostly applied during religious festivities, weddings and other occasions. Many celebrities have also been spotted sporting mendi designs. Some of them are Prince, Madonna and Demi Moore. These chic and ravishing designs compliment many outfits and can be worn for many occasions. The trend will definitely pick up and stay in fashion.

For more information about mendi designer kindly visit the our website http://www.bridetouchofart.com

Masterpiece Tattoo Video - STATEN ISLAND, NY - Entertainment

The Truth About the Samoan Tattoo (Tatau)

It seems like everybody's got an opinion about the Samoan tattoo - who should be getting them, how they should be given, how they're meant to be worn or displayed, etc. It's understandable. While tattoos in general are very popular, Polynesia is often credited as the origin of this kind of body art, and as Samoans, we feel a certain obligation to the craft that is such a huge part of our cultural heritage.

A few years ago, I took an advanced Samoan language and culture class with the late Afioga Tofaeono Tanuvasa Tavale. If you ever come across a book that details aspects of the Fa'asamoa, chances are it was written by Tanuvasa. He was a prolific author with 8 matai titles of his own and decades of experience educating in this field, so his authority on the topic was largely unrivaled.

I loved sitting in his class, listening to his stories about old Samoa, absorbing his profound wisdom about the Fa'asamoa - but I was probably the least knowledgeable of all his students. I was the only one who would reply to him in English when he asked a question. Yes, I know. Shame on me.

But he was always very kind and patient. I found out later that his English was almost as flawless as his Samoan, and one day he even graciously allowed me to interview him (in English) outside of the classroom. I had so many questions, and with great enthusiasm he helped me to understand.

In my time with Tanuvasa, this is what I learned about the Samoan tattoo:

The origins of the Samoan tattoo

We call it 'Tatau', and according to legend, it was brought to Samoa by two sisters.

The story is beautifully preserved in the traditional, chant-like song: O le Vi'i o le Tatau Samoa. Says the song (a loose translation):

This is what we know
of how the art of tattoo came to Samoa
Two women (sisters)
swam across the deep ocean from Fiti

They carried a basket with them
(filled with tatau equipment)
and repeatedly chanted the song:
'Only women receive tattoos, not men'

The reason men receive tattoos today
is that their song was sung incorrectly
They arrived to the coast of Falealupo
and encountered a huge faisua

They dove into the water for it
and when they surfaced again
they began singing that it is men who receive tattoos
and not women

This song, which continues on to talk about enduring the pain of a tattoo for the sake of pride in your culture, is a great way to begin learning about tatau, but Tanuvasa taught us that it only tells a very simple version of its true, often controversial origin story. (Like how Disney re-packages fairy-tales for children.)

The sisters in this story were actually demigods, Siamese twins named Taema and Tilafaiga. Because of the 'Fiti' reference, it's commonly thought the tattoo was a gift to them from chiefs in Fiji.

Deep Samoan tradition, however, maintains that the tatau is purely Samoan, so Tanuvasa believes that the 'Fiti' referred to in the song is actually Fitiuta, which is a town on Ta'u, one of the Manu'a islands in what we now know as American Samoa.

I doubt that many would agree with this interpretation, but it makes sense to me because Manu'a is known in our history as the birthplace of Samoa's first kings, the true origin of our Fa'asamoa.

So a 'faisua' is a giant clam. Its meat is apparently so amazingly delicious (says my mom, I'd love to try it!) that it's considered a delicacy in Samoa.

In Tanuvasa's version of this story, the faisua that distracted the swimming sisters was enchanted. It was a deliberate effort (by who? I don't know) to prevent the twins from reaching their destination and sharing the art of tattoo. They nearly drowned diving for the faisua - which turned out to not even be a faisua - and when they finally resurfaced, their disorientation caused them to forget that it was women who were meant to be tattooed.

But the sisters carried on and brought the practice to a certain village in Samoa. They taught everything they knew to the ancestors of one family, and then for some reason (a complication of some sort) they also took the skill to another village and another family.

'Tufuga' is our word for a person who is specially skilled in a particular trade. The most prominent tufuga of the tatau today can trace their genealogy back to one of these two original families - and I'm not going to tell you who they are or which village they're from because I can't remember, sorry. I'm sure this information is in one of Tanuvasa's books, though. You should look it up.

The Samoan Tattoo for Men

The malofie (often incorrectly and informally known as the 'pe'a') is what we call the traditional tattoo given to men. It begins at the waist and covers just about every bit of skin, right down to the knees, with intricate designs.

Because of a lot inaccurate information floating around, I grew up thinking that only matai (chiefs) receive the malofie, and that it carries great spiritual (almost occult even) significance - as if you're suddenly a superhero when you get it, or you'd be cursed if you got the wrong kind of tattoo or something.

Corrections: The malofie is simply a bodily decoration, that's all. But it is a piece of art so highly valued in our culture that to be allowed to receive one is a gift. Because of the pain involved, though, it is also considered a rite of passage into adulthood.

Young, untitled men in a village are called 'tauleale'a'. When they work hard and prove themselves honorable, they may find favour in the eyes of their elders, and might even be offered the opportunity to be tattooed.

In my experience though, it's usually the young man who approaches his elders with the desire for a tattoo, and as long as the he hasn't done anything horrible to make his family hate him, his request is usually approved with pride.

The only requirement now is that the young man find a 'soa', another worthy relative who will receive the tattoo at the same time as him. I'm not sure how the tradition of the soa came about, but I have heard that having a loved one with you through all that pain is often a great source of comfort, a real bonding experience. It's kinda beautiful.

Once a tauleale'a receives a malofie, he is now known as a 'sogaimiti'. This word is often misused, especially amongst younger Samoans today. I hear a lot of them refer to the tattoo itself as a sogaimiti, but please be clear: the ink is the malofie. The man is the sogaimiti.

A Samoan Tattoo for Women

Contrary to the instructions in the legend, women DO get tattooed, actually. The malu is what we call the girl version of our body art, but the protocol surrounding the malu is completely different from that of the malofie.

So we're all familiar with a taupou, yes? In family and village politics, the taupou title ranks almost as highly as the ali'i, or high chief. It's a pretty big deal.

While all daughters of ali'i are referred to informally as taupou, a 'real' taupou must be officially appointed, her title bestowed upon her in the same kind of ceremony (a 'saofa'i') as for a matai.

Each extended family will have at least one (official) taupou, but in a village, a family's ranking determines how much authority each taupou has over village affairs. This means that being a taupou in your own family is one thing, but being the highest ranking taupou in the village is something else altogether.

This distinction is important because, according to Tanuvasa, back in the old days, only the highest ranking of taupou ever received a malu. We're talking, not just a daughter of a high chief, but the daughter of the highest chief of a district, or the daughter of a king.

These taupou of high ranking were island celebrities and were called on to dance the taualuga at the most prominent events. In those not-so-Christian days, when a taupou danced, her skirt was always hiked up HIGH to show what she was working with, and apparently, pasty pale legs were not the deal. This is the reason, says Tanuvasa, that these ladies' legs were decorated with the malu.

SO, traditionally, the malu was very rare. Only a few women ranked high enough to receive it - as opposed to how just about any young man could get a malofie - but it was still essentially decoration for the body, something used to enhance beauty. Like permanent make-up.

Time for a Part Two

So I'm just realizing how long this post is getting... and how much more I've got to report (i.e. how many of my questions poor Tanuvasa tolerated from me). I still have to cover:

• The Symbols and Patterns in a Samoan Tattoo
• Getting a Samoan Tattoo in the Old Days
• Getting a Samoan Tattoo Today
• Variations of the Samoan Tattoo
• Wearing a Samoan Tattoo with Respect and Pride

... and maybe one other heading. I think I'm going to save those for a second post.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments (or complaints or death threats) please let me know so I can address your concerns in Part Two.

Ia manuia.

See the original article, with photos and helpful comments, over at One Samoana. 'The Truth About the Samoan Tattoo - Part 2 ' is there, too.