100 Things I've Learned - As I Learn Them #3

[rabid1st]

There is a new employee at my local bakery. She has a beautiful tattoo of a lotus blossom on her forearm. When I complimented her on this lovely bit of personal artwork, she thanked me and told me that her tattoo artist was very accomplished as an artist, but was not that good at tattooing. It seems he went too deep on her accompanying inscriptions and now the lettering tattoos are blurry and raised. I did not realize that raised tattoos could be caused by the artist going through too many layers of skin. Or rather, a raised tattoo is caused by a skin reaction that is commonly the result of the artist going too deep.

Tattoos it seems are only supposed to penetrate the first three layers of skin. If the tattoo artist penetrates too few layers of skin the tattoo will fade over time. But if he or she goes too deep the skin may react by creating scar tissue, leading to a bumpy or blurry tattoo. I also learned that it is not only important to have a fresh, sterile needle for your tattoo, but also to make sure the ink tube used is fresh. I, confess, I wouldn't have thought about contamination of the ink in the tattoo gun, but that is a real concern to avoid infections and reactions at the tattooing site.

In case you are wondering, I do not have a tattoo of my own. I have never felt that level of commitment to anything. But I often admire those people who do exhibit such commitment.

To learn more about tattoos and tattooing, I went to http://www.tattooingtips.com

To Learn More About the 100 Things Challenge...go here...http://jdbracknell.livejournal.com/165714.html

Comments

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

Interesting.

I think many tattoos are beautiful, but I know I'm far too indecisive -- or far too long-thinking -- to permanently affix any one symbol to my body. I know what I'd want would change.

Also, as someone who used to have aspirations to art, I'd find it hard to choose one other person's artwork to affix to my body, in one particular style. It feels so personal. I'd want my own art, but my own art isn't good enough for me. (Also, most tattooists say you should give your tattooist ideas and images but let them make it their own -- so even if my own art pleased me so outrageously I wanted it forever on my skin, it would become someone else's.)

[phdelicious.livejournal.com]

I love the idea of tattoos, and the execution of some of the ones I've seen. However, I hate needles and thus idea of actually getting a tattoo. Plus, like you I have trouble committing to the idea of a single image embedded on my skin forever.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

There is that as well. I mean, you wouldn't be original if the tattoo already existed in a collection. On the other hand, you can only interpret another person's art.

Mostly, however, we are the same in our reluctance to have something as permanent as a tattoo. Perhaps we know our own mercurial minds. :GRIN:

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

In a recent Murdoch Mysteries episode they showed us the method used in 1899 for tattooing. It was not for the faint of heart nor those with a needle phobia. I cringed and looked away, so, I can imagine you would not even want to contemplate the process.

I am happy to know that there are more people like me who don't feel the level of commitment required for permanent branding.

[np-complete.livejournal.com]

I've always felt that for there to be something in my life important enough to commemorate on my skin, it would have to be something huge, something that divided my life into "before" and "after". The only thing I can think of that is big enough would be giving birth to a child. But that's highly unlikely to happen, so I'll probably remain tattooless. :)

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Interestingly, that is why most people get tattoos, to commemorate something life changing. I wonder that Adam Levine has had so many life changing experiences. Though, perhaps, if I was dating a Russian supermodel and had platinum albums I would feel like getting a few tattoos. :grin:

[np-complete.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking of doing a "Hundred Things I've Learned, As I Learn Them" series of my own. Perhaps ten things to start with. :) Would you mind? I think it's a great idea.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

No, I don't mind. Have at it!

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

I used to think perhaps the death of somebody close to me would prompt me to get a tattoo to commemorate them. I actually have thought about getting one in honor of my father -- there's even a beautiful bit of math he did (that I even mostly understand! the result if not how he got it) that would work for that. But, I still get stuck on two things -- would he think it was foolish? (yes), and would it turn a part of my body into less mine? (still not sure about that).

[keswindhover.livejournal.com]

All mildly interesting, but no one is going anywhere near me with a needle gun full of ink, oh no.