The Art and Science Behind the Tattoo – How Tattoos Actually Work
Tattoos are nothing new. But do we all really understand how they work?
The tattoo process in Atlanta is one which is actually a fascinating marriage between art and science.
What’s the science behind this ancient art?
Today, we’ll show you how tattoos work, how you can keep them looking great for years to come, and why finding the best artist is worth the money.
The Science Behind Getting a Tattoo – How the Tattoo Process Works
To fully understand the tattoo process, it’s important to understand your skin.
We all have three layers of skin: The epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.
The epidermis is the outermost protective layer. It is this layer which has pigment in it which determines the color of our skin.
Next is the dermis, which is where the hair follicles are located. Glands and connective tissue also make up this layer of our skin.
Finally, the subcutaneous tissue contains fat, as well as more connective tissue.
Tattoo needles puncture the first two layers of the skin and deposit ink in the dermis. The reason for this is because the epidermis is continually regenerating.
This happens naturally over time, and is helped along any time we exfoliate or use a brush on our skin or get a bad sunburn (peeling skin).
If the tattoo ink was deposited in the epidermis, it would quickly disappear. In order for body art to be permanent, the ink needs to be deposited into a deeper layer of skin.
When we puncture the skin, we are, in essence, wounding the skin. The body’s immune system jumps into action right away with the goal of healing the wound.
The white blood cells start the healing process, along with cells called microphages, which “eat” foreign material to rid your body of it.
In this case, it’s trying to rid the body of the ink which has been deposited.
These cells end up trapped in what’s known as the gel matrix of the dermis, which can be seen through the epidermis. So, while the wound itself heals, the pigment remains in the skin.
How to Keep Your Tattoo Looking Great for Years to Come
According to Smithsonian magazine, permanent body art has been around for over 5000 years. How’s that for staying power?
Unfortunately, over time, the tattoos we get don’t always look as great as they did when they were brand new.
They’re still there and they’re not going anywhere – they just don’t look as fresh and vivid as they used to.
Is there anything which can be done to keep a tattoo looking great for life?
Thankfully, there is.
The first step you need to take is to follow the after-care instructions provided by your tattoo artist.
When clients leave Mystic Owl Tattoo, they have clear, detailed instructions to ensure proper healing and prevent fading.
Fading can occur within weeks or even days of getting a tattoo. However, if our instructions are followed to the letter, our clients can avoid this eventuality. And they might even be able to avoid drastic fading over time.
Besides proper care, sun and aging can also play a role in the fading process.
To protect your tattoo – and reduce your risk of getting skin cancer – we highly recommend wearing sunscreen on exposed skin.
Is there anything to do about the aging process? Actually, yes – you do have some control over this.
In order to avoid the effect of aging on the skin, we all need to take preventative skin care steps.
This includes:
Daily moisturizing
Wearing sunscreen
Eating a nutrient-rich diet
Drinking plenty of water
These steps will not only make our skin look younger longer – they’ll keep tattoos looking crisp and vibrant.
The Art of Getting a Tattoo – Why You Need to Find the Best Artist
Do a Google search for an Atlanta tattoo artist and you’ll come up with hundreds of options.
You can find a lot of good artists out there, but being a good artist isn’t enough.
When searching for the best tattoo artist, you want someone who is a great communicator – someone who really listens to what you want and who can explain the tattoo process thoroughly.
Your artist should be someone who is willing to provide you with a paper draft of what your art will look like. All too often, people end up with a tattoo they’re not crazy about because they skipped this step.
In addition to being a fantastic artist and great communicator, your artist should be on board with the
latest hygienic practices. The best artists around would never compromise your health and safety just to save time or a buck.
It might take some time to find the artist which is right for you, but when you find them you’ll realize it was all worth it.
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