10 Truths To Know Before You Get Tattoo

A tattoo is a form of body modification, made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. The word tattoo, or tattow in the 18th century, is a loanword from the Polynesian word tatau, meaning "correct, workmanlike".

Many tattoos serve as rites of passage, marks of status and rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, sexual lures and marks of fertility, pledges of love, punishment, amulets and talismans, protection, and as the marks of outcasts, slaves and convicts. The symbolism and impact of tattoos varies in different places and cultures. 

Tattoos may show how a person feels about a relative (commonly mother/father or daughter/son) or about an unrelated person. Today, people choose to be tattooed for artistic, cosmetic, sentimental/memorial, religious, and magical reasons, and to symbolize their belonging to or identification with particular groups, including criminal gangs or a particular ethnic group or law-abiding subculture.

These are the ten truths you should know before you get that tattoo job done.

1. You could contract incurable diseases

The chance of contracting HIV is pretty high if you’re worked on by a tattoo artist who uses unsterilized tattoo equipment. Other diseases such as syphilis and hepatitis B and C can also be spread.
Remember, it only takes one contact to become a carrier.

2. Complications may result in amputation

There are usually complications. This, however, depends on the individual. Some people just try out one, tiny tattoo. While others, like Lucky Rich (the world’s most tattooed person), want 100% of their body covered with tattoos. Many of the complications are as a result of the ink colour used in printing the tattoo. Certain colours like red, pink, etc. tend to cause more problems compared to other colours. Red ink has even caused skin and flesh damages so severe that amputation of a leg or arm has been necessary.

3. Itching

Be prepared for minor troubles after getting the tattoo done. Emerging from under the tattoo machine sadly isn’t the end of the pain. Some tattoos have been known to become itchy or worse, become lumpy that they may have to be removed to cure the condition. Unfortunately, this annoying itchy feeling can crop up years after getting the tattoo.
        

4. Laser treatment for tattoo removal

While tattoos are generally considered to be permanent, it is actually possible to remove them, fully or partially with laser treatment.
Yeah, it’s good news, right? Right? Wrong!!!
The expense and pain associated with removing tattoos are typically greater than the expense and pain guaranteed with applying them. Pain is the keyword here. The laser surgery used in removing tattoos can be likened to little dots of hot grease being applied to the skin. Be ready for something meaner than your mama’s whip.
                                     

5. Black is the easiest colour to remove

It is not uncommon to find people stop the tattoo job midway into the process and ask for the one half-done to be removed. Even more widespread are the instances where someone is fed up with his tattoo, dislikes the location of his tattoo or embraces a new religion which forbids tattoo. And the decision is made to have the tattoo cleaned. Peradventure you may fall into any of these groups in future, know now that black is the easiest colour to remove. Though, green and red may seem cooler, they are way more difficult to remove.

6. Where do you want the tattoo?

You may not know Lucky Rich, but if you’ve seen Michael Scofield in Prison Break, then you’ll know there’s practically nowhere on a human skin that a tattoo job can’t be done.
Even inside the eardrums!!! But where do you want yours?
Tattoos done on elbows, knuckles, knees and feet are infamous for fading fast. That’s because not all skin on the body is the same and, therefore, will not take tattoo ink the same. The most popular spots for tattoos are: the lower back, wrist, foot, armband, arm, chest, breast and neck. Make your pick.

7. Tattoo is for those who have a high pain threshold

Answer this question first: How much pain can you bear?
If you are the type who cries every time mummy spanks you, then may be tattoo is just not for you. To get a tattoo, the skin is pierced between 50 and 3,000 times a minute by a tattoo machine. The pain can be hellish, understand that. It’s like nothing you have ever felt before. Pain is a part of the process.

8. The most painful areas

While the amount of pain experienced while receiving a tattoo depends on the individual, typically the most painful areas to tattoo are over the bone such as the ankle, collarbone, the chest ribs and spine.
Those are no-go-areas then if enduring huge pain isn’t one of your core virtues.

9. Tattoo symbols have meanings

Now, you don’t want to start running around town with your tattoo screaming that you are a gangster when you’re but a gentleman. Don’t go get tattoos that make you look like a crime lord if that’s not your intention. Every tattoo done signifies something.

Angels and Cherubs are symbols of protection. Bluebirds and Swifts mean good luck. Bull represents power. Butterfly stands for youth and femininity. Cards and Dice stand for chance. Cherry is fertility. Chrysanthemum (gold flower) equals perfection and simplicity. Daisy connotes innocence. Dove denotes peace. Dragonfly implies power of light. Jasmine suggests love. Rose intimates true love. Skulls signal death.

10. Aftercare is essential
When it is finally done, you need tips as to how to care for the tattoo. Usually, your tattoo artist will give you a few of these helpful tips. The common ones however are

• gently wash your new tattoo with warm water,
• Keep your new tattoo clean and
• Avoid exposing your new tattoo to the sun.

Note:  Never neglect tattoo aftercare!

8 Tips for Men and Women Healthy Hair

How you wash your hair and the items you utilize can go far toward looking after smooth, sparkly hair. The changes which occur as we age, as well as an inadequate diet, stress, hair styling and lifestyle, can all have an impact on the normal health of our hair. Having long hair makes women more likely to be the recipient of male chivalry.

Follow these simple tips from dermatologists to maintain healthy hair.

1. Wash oily hair more frequently. How often you wash your hair should be based on how much oil your scalp produces.

==> If your scalp is oily, you may need to wash it as often as once a day.

==> If you have chemically treated hair, your hair may be drier, so you may want to wash it less frequently. 

==> As you get older, your scalp makes less oil, so you may not need to shampoo as often. But if you see flakes in your hair, you may not be shampooing enough. This can lead to dandruff and other scalp diseases.

2. Protect hair when swimming. Protect your hair from the damaging effects of chlorine by wetting and conditioning your hair before swimming. Wear a tight-fitting swim cap and use a specially formulated swimmers shampoo and deep conditioner after swimming to replace lost moisture.

3. Concentrate shampoo on the scalp. When washing your hair, concentrate on cleaning primarily the scalp, rather than washing the entire length of hair. Washing only your hair can create flyaway hair that is dull and coarse.

4. Use conditioner after every shampoo unless you use a “2-in-1” shampoo, which cleans and conditions hair. Using a conditioner can significantly improve the look of damaged or weathered hair by increasing shine, decreasing static electricity, improving strength and offering some protection from harmful UV rays.

5. Concentrate conditioner on the tips of the hair. Because conditioners can make fine hair look limp, they only should be used on the tips of the hair and not on the scalp or length of the hair.

6. Choose a shampoo and conditioner formulated specifically for your hair type. For example, if you color your hair, use a shampoo designed for color-treated hair. If your hair is damaged or chemically treated, consider a “2-in-1” shampoo. Regardless of cost, many shampoo and conditioner brands provide the same benefits.

7. Have a balanced diet. There are a few essential nutrients that help hair stay thick and strong. make sure your diet is well-balanced to nourish your hair from the inside out. Using topical products will only get you so far if your diet isn't healthy for your hair. Here's what you need:

• Protein. Eat meat, eggs, nuts, beans, and other sources of protein to keep your hair healthy.
• B vitamins. These are found in meat, eggs, and leafy green vegetables. If you're a vegetarian, you may want to start taking a B vitamin supplement.
• Omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon, sardines, avocados, and walnuts have loads of this important nutrient.

8. Don't handle your hair roughly. Your hair will be more likely to break and fall out if you scrub it with shampoo, use hot water to rinse it and then scrub it again with a towel. Handle your hair with care at every step in your routine.

Note: If you have questions about caring for your hair, make an appointment to see a dermatologist (A dermatologist is the medical expert you should consult if you have any significant problem with your skin. Dermatology is the science that is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails).