Exposé Anglais - Le Tatouage

The Tattoo

A tattoo consists of the insertion of a pigmentation in the second layer of the skin. The ink is deposited by the needle in a precise space at the border between the dermis and the epidermis. The depth of the implant can vary between 1 and 4 mm, depending on the part of the body worked or the type of skin. The dermograph make a fast and regular movement back and forth in the skin, it will deposit the impregnated ink on its tip.

Getting a tattoo - the process step by step :

1. Sitting in the Chair of Horror :

After your paperwork is filled out, you will be seated in the tattoo chair. Sometimes this is in an open work area  and sometimes a private room depending of the location of your tattoo.

1. A Clean Shave :

The area of your body that  you have chosen for your tattoo will be cleaned, usually with rubbing alcohol. Then, any hair will be removed from the area by shaving it with a disposable razor. Then, the  area will be cleaned again to make sure it is smooth and ready for the transfer.

1. Making and Applying the Stencil Transfer

The tattoo artist will draw, or take your pattern already draw, and transfer it to a Stencil.

1. Preparing the Tattoo Machine and Other Equipment

Your artist will start preparing his tattoo machine. Indeed, the inks will be placed in little tiny cups called "ink caps” (It’s like Nespresso capsules). The needles and tubes will be removed from their sterile pouches and placed in the machine.

Distilled water will be poured into a cup for cleaning the needles during the tattoo process and to change from one color to the next

1. Starting the Linework

A little ointment will be placed over your transfer design. After the ointment is applied, it is time for the first line.

1. Shading and Coloring

Now it's time to get creative with a little shading and possibly color. Depending of the size of your tattoo, your artist may switch to a different set of needles called magnums (or mags) which are designed for coloring and shading. He may even switch tattoo machines altogether.

1. The Finished Tattoo

He will clean it up and sometimes even apply a hot towel to it first. This is a good time for you to get a shot, if you brought a camera along.

1. Dressing and Bandaging

Now that your tattoo is finished and clean, it needs to be treated just like a wound. A protective layer of ointment will be applied to the tattoo to prevent invasion of airborne bacteria that can cause infection. Then a bandage will be applied.

1. Receiving Aftercare Instructions

Your artist will now give you aftercare instructions. It is your responsibility to make sure that your tattoo is well taken care of. The artist cannot be blamed if you get an infection because you didn't follow directions.

Conclusion :

The tattoo remains a much criticized practice today. But, it is more than accepted 10-20 years ago. Besides, the tattoo would not be the 10th art just after the comic strip ? To meditate.. “Tattooing is an eternal work on an ephemeral being.”  Pascal Tourain

...