Tattoo+Procedure

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 * The needle deposits a drop of ink each time it pierces the skin.**

Tattoos are created through the process of inserting ink into a person's skin. To do this they use an electrically powered machine that is similar to a dental drill. The machine moves a solid needle up and down to puncture the skin between 50 and 3,000 times a minute. The needle penetrates the skin by about a millimeter and deposits a drop of insoluble ink into the skin with each puncture.



**A tattoo machine involves a magnetic vibrator driving the machine up and down**. **The needle is than controlled by a foot pedestal that the tattoo artist will step on.**

**A sterilized** **needle**
 * Modern tattoo machines consist of:**



**A tubing system, which draws ink through the machine**




 * An electric motor**




 * A foot pedal which controls the vertical movement of the needle**

The tattoo is visible through the first layer of skin known as the epidermis. The ink is actually stored in the second layer of skin known as the dermis. This is because the cells in the dermis are more stable stopping the ink from dispersing. Throughout a tattoo's existence, the tattoo will have minor fading and dispersion.

Due to the fact that all puncture wounds have the vulnerability to infection and disease transmission, much of the application procedure is concerned with sterilization for safety. Tattoo artists use sterilization, disposable materials, and hand sanitation to protect themselves and their client. To eliminate the any possibility of contamination, most tattoo material, including ink, ink cups, gloves and needles, are all made for single use only. Many single use items arrive in sterilized packages which the artist will open in front of the customer. For reusable items, such as the needle bar and tube, are sterilized before every use. The only accepted sterilization method is using the autoclave, which applies steam, heat, and pressure to kill every organism on the equipment during a 55 minute cycle from a cold start.
 * An autoclave sterilizes tattoo equipment before each use.**

applied as part of the disinfection process.**
 * Razor blades are used to shave the hair of areas before a tattoo is

The artist here is using a thicker needle to fill in the tattoo itself.

The tattoo itself involves 4 stages of outlining, or black work, shading, color, and the final cleaning and bandaging.

a single-tipped needle and a thin ink to create a permanent outline of the design. The artists traces over a stencil that is usually pressed onto the skin, or drawn on with a marker, usually a permanent marker that will not smear.**
 * The process of outlining or black work consists of the tattoo artist using

to create an even solid line. Improper technique can result in proportions.**
 * After the outline is cleansed, the artist uses a thicker ink and variety of needles

During the color or fill process, the artist will use a think needle to go over solid lines to ensure solid and even color through out the tattoo.

the tattoo using a sterile bandage. Bleeding usually occurs, but people must remember that is because the ink needs to settle.**
 * After the tattoo is cleansed and completed, the artist will bandage

The bandage will be removed 1 - 2 hours after to begin the healing process. The healing process will be when the tattoo needs to be taken care of because of scabbing. After 2 - 3 weeks of scabbing, the scab should peel off and reveal the permanent tattoo. Any of the scabs that are picked off during this process will result in loss of ink. The tattoo during this process will also need to be kept moisturized.