9781422273845

“I believe tattoos are a form

of healing, personal growth, and embedding lessons learned throughout life. Even a silly tattoo can bring about a healing smile.” —Tina Poe, tattoo artist

with your tattoo artist, who may have useful feedback about size, colors, and placement. Some artists are very skilled at creating original art; others are not. Shop around beforehand, so you know that you’ll be working with someone who can create the look you want. Once the design is settled, a paper stencil will be made— usually using a machine called a thermal fax. After the site is cleaned and any hair is removed, the stencil will be placed onto your skin. Then colored ink and sterile needles are put into the tattoo machine, and it’s time to insert the pigment. The tattoo artist usually does the outline of the tattoo first, and then follows up with color and shading. Be sure to take deep breaths and try to relax! Many people say that the first minute or two hurts the most, and then the pain fades as the work continues. You might be wondering, why does this process even work? Why does the ink stay in the skin, rather than just disappearing into the body or washing off? The answer has to do with the way the human body responds to injury.

Teen Guides to Health & Wellness: Tattoos, Piercings, and Body Modifications

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