Tattoos served as amulets or status symbols, declarations of love, religious symbolism, and social identification markers. Additionally, tattoos were used as punishment, particularly among criminals and enslaved people.
Scythian tribes, for instance, used tattoos to indicate status. Ice-preserved mummies of Scythian women reveal tattooed animals or mythological scenes on their arms.
Techniques
Tattoo creation involves techniques such as cutting, scarification, and skin piercing.
- Puncturing:This involves pushing a needle through the skin.
- Cutting:This is a form of skin scraping. Both techniques have a rich history in various cultures.
- Coloring:This requires an artist to fill in design areas with color using multiple interlocked circles or applying pressure with needles on certain skin regions.
- Shading:This technique creates color shades, and despite seeming simple, it’s hard for even experienced tattooists to master.
Pain
A study in BMJ Case Reports mentions that infections and allergic reactions are two primary risks of tattooing. Tattoo pain usually ranges from mild to moderate. It can intensify if the tattoo is near a bone or an area with few nerve endings. The shoulders, biceps, and thighs are among the least painful places to get a tattoo.
Reactions
tattoos can trigger allergic reactions like itching, swelling, and redness at the ink placement site. If you notice any such reactions, seek medical assistance immediately.
Reactions can vary from mild to severe. Mild reactions may require medication or creams for a few days to alleviate discomfort.
Safety
For safety, tattoo and piercing studios must strictly adhere to infection control measures. The equipment, especially the needles, should always remain sterile.
Studios should also protect client bodies by covering surfaces that come into contact with them. Using plastic covers can help reduce contamination, preventing the transmission of germs directly into their bodies through accidental contact.
