How much do you know about rumors and truths about tattoos?
Salvador Dali had a beard, Van Gogh left ears, and Andy Warhol had a wig. Artists always stand out in their work and life, decorating themselves as an extended form of creative expression.
Like these artists, tattooists are advocating their own way of self-declaration to make tattoos more popular in mainstream society.
For years, they no longer belonged to sailors, prisons or rough motorcycle gangs. It leaves an indelible mark on the culture. Here I list some of the most common misconceptions about tattoos today.
1. The tattoo machine contains only one needle.
Misunderstand: In fact, tattoo guns contain multiple tattoo needles, which are usually grouped according to how much shadow the tattoo needs to cover.
2. Scratching or exfoliating the healed tattoo will not harm the result of the tattoo.
Misunderstand: Scratching on the tattoo may cause the color of these areas to disappear permanently.
3. Applying a lot of ointment to a healing tattoo will help it recover faster.
Misunderstand: Applying too much ointment to the tattoo can cause blisters on the skin surface, which can lead to healing complications. On the other hand, a tattoo that is too dry can cause skin cracking.
4. Medical grade autoclaves are always needed to ensure the disinfection and sterilization of tattoo tools.
Truth: Always! Tattoos have to pierce the skin.
5. Walking into the chlorinated swimming pool, the tattoo will fade.
Misunderstand: Chlorine cannot enter the skin's first layer like a needle, so it does not cause discoloration. However, it is not a good idea to enter the swimming pool if the tattoo still does not heal.
6. If you have a tattoo, you will never be able to donate blood.
According to the American Red Cross, if your tattoo at a tattoo shop that uses proper disinfection and is regulated by the state government, you will be able to donate blood immediately. Otherwise, don't donate blood until one year after tattooing. Tattoo shops are currently managed in 32 states, making it easier for residents of those states to donate blood.
7. Drinking alcohol or aspirin before tattooing will help reduce pain.
Misunderstand: Alcohol and aspirin are actually blood thinners and cause more bleeding during tattooing. This, in turn, can lead to healing or shade issues.
8. You should not have a red tattoo on your body, it is more likely to fade or have an allergic reaction.
Although some people may be allergic to certain inks, tattoo inks designed specifically for red have been improved over the years to better respond to human skin. Any tattoo without proper care will fade, no matter what color it is.
9. Tattoos are much more painful than giving birth.
Tattoos do not cause the same pain during delivery. The pain of a tattoo feels more like a scratch or severe sunburn.
10. Lighter colors are more painful than darker colors.
This misunderstanding comes from the fact that when your skin has been scratched for hours and becomes sore, it is usually light or shiny before the end of the tattoo.
11. Having a tattoo means that you will not be able to have an MRI, because the ink responds to radiation in the machine and causes the skin to swell or rupture.
Although tattoo inks may have contained high levels of metals in the past, safer pigments now no longer contain metals such as mercury. The absence of metal in the ink means no response during the MRI.
12. Every tattoo artist has artistic talent.
Misunderstand: Professional tattoo artists spend most of their time repairing or covering up the "art talent" of others.
13. Any good artist can do any tattoo.
Myth: Although most professionals have the ability to tattoo multiple styles, they often have their own unique tattoo style. For example, a tattoo artist known for his complex tribal style may not be the right choice for that portrait of the mother and father. Remember to match the design style you want with the tattoo artist.
14. My tattoo doesn't look good, so I want to go back and ask the tattoo artist to change it for me.
Misunderstand: This is just a bad idea. Strangely, if the first attempt fails, the second, third, and fourth attempts will also fail.
15. The certificate on the wall proves that this is a good tattoo shop.
Misunderstanding: Except for the "APT" certificate, which indicates that the artist is affiliated with a professional organization related to safe, aseptic tattooing procedures, most other "certificates" claiming professional status are only free wallpaper.
16. The sketch is the best way to judge an artist's talent.
Partially correct:: The best way is to see real tattoos on real skin. Although painting may reflect the taste and artistic ability of the tattoo artist, they may not know anything about design skills such as tattooing on the skin.
17. Do not get water on your tattoo.
Partially correct: Just scratch the body and not soak in the pool, but it must be rinsed gently. It is necessary to remove harmful bacteria because it is healing.
18. The tattoo bleeds a lot.
Partially correct: This varies from person to person. Usually, most people bleed at least a little while tattooing. However, depending on the amount of time spent, tattoo area, etc., there may be little or no bleeding.
19. When the tattoo is old, it turns blue.
Misunderstand: This only applies to tattoos made 50 years ago or earlier. Since then, the ink used in tattoos has improved a lot.
20. Laser tattoo removal works by burning off the tattoo.
Misunderstand: Older laser machines may do the same, but newer lasers work differently in removing tattoos. They crack tattoo pigments with photothermal therapy and rely on the body's immune system to remove them.
21. Fading cream is better than laser for tattoo removal.
Misunderstand: There is no data in scientific journals supporting the removal of tattoo creams.
22. Unable to remove multicolor tattoos with the laser.
Partially correct: Black tattoos are known to perform better than most other colors in laser removal. Yellow, pink and white are the hardest to remove. However, the more ink pigments contained in a multi-color tattoo, the more likely one of them will come off.
23. Many people get HIV from tattoo needles.
Misunderstand: In the United States, there have been no reports of HIV infection caused by tattoos, but there are 3 cases in the dentist's office.
Click here to buy tattoo kits
