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A tattoo being created.
mediaphotos/Getty ImagesIn the past, tattoos were often linked to sailors, bikers, and circus performers. However, their popularity has surged, attracting a wide range of individuals who choose diverse styles and designs. Even those who avoid traditional tattoos opt for permanent makeup, a form of tattooing, to enhance features like eyes and lips.
This article explores the mechanics of tattooing, along with the safety measures and legal considerations involved.
Tattoo artists craft tattoos by inserting ink into the skin using an electric tattoo machine, which operates similarly to a dental drill. This device rapidly moves a needle up and down, piercing the skin between 50 and 3,000 times per minute. Each puncture penetrates about a millimeter deep, depositing a tiny amount of insoluble ink into the dermis.
Since its creation by Samuel O'Reilly in the late 19th century, the tattoo machine has seen minimal changes. O'Reilly adapted his design from Thomas Edison's autographic printer, originally an engraving tool for hard surfaces. By altering the tube system and adjusting the electromagnetic oscillating unit, O'Reilly transformed it into a device capable of driving tattoo needles.
Today's tattoo machines consist of several key components:
- A sterilized needle
- A tube mechanism that channels ink through the machine
- An electric motor
- A foot pedal, similar to those on sewing machines, regulating the needle's vertical motion.
When observing a tattoo, the ink is visible through the epidermis, the skin's outer layer. However, the ink resides in the dermis, the second layer. Due to the dermis's stable cell structure, the tattoo's ink remains largely intact, with only slight fading, throughout a person's lifetime.
Next, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of how tattoo artists craft tattoos, starting from preparation to the final details.
Mytour extends gratitude to Sacred Heart Tattoo in Atlanta, Ga., and Sean Beck from Naked Art tattoo studio in Raleigh, N.C., for their valuable contributions to this article.
Creating a Tattoo: Sterilization
Tattoo equipment is sterilized using an autoclave before every session.Each time a tattoo machine injects ink into the skin, it creates a puncture wound, which carries a risk of infection and disease transmission. To ensure safety, tattoo artists prioritize sterilization, use disposable materials, and maintain strict hand hygiene to protect both themselves and their clients.
To prevent contamination, most tattoo supplies, such as inks, ink cups, gloves, and needles, are designed for single use. These items often come in sterile packaging, which the artist opens in the client's presence before starting the procedure.
Reusable tools, like the needle bar and tube, undergo sterilization before each use. The only approved method is an autoclave—a device that uses heat, steam, and pressure, commonly found in hospitals. Most autoclaves complete a 55-minute cycle from a cold start, effectively eliminating all microorganisms. This is achieved through a combination of time, temperature, and pressure, using one of two settings:
- 250° F (121° C) at 10 pounds of pressure for 30 minutes
- 270° F (132° C) at 15 pounds of pressure for 15 minutes
Small tattoos—under one inch—typically cost between $50 and $100. Custom or larger designs are pricier, and intricate pieces may require multiple sessions. The cost of elaborate tattoos depends on market demand, as noted by tattoo artists.
Creating a Tattoo: Prep Work
Before sterilization, the artist thoroughly cleans each piece of equipment and places it into a specialized pouch. A color-changing indicator strip on the pouch confirms when the contents have reached a sterile state.
Tattoo artists must wash and examine their hands for cuts or abrasions before starting work. They then follow these steps:
- Clean the workspace using an EPA-approved viricide.
- Cover spray bottles with plastic bags to avoid cross-contamination.
- Inform the client about the sterilization process.
- Unpack all sterilized equipment in the client’s presence.
- Shave and cleanse the tattoo area with a mix of water and antiseptic soap.
Next, we’ll examine how the artist brings the tattoo design to life.
Traditional tattooing techniques involved tools like picks, rakes, combs, and chisels to pierce or cut the skin before applying pigment. Some Arctic and Sub-arctic tribes even used soot-coated threads pulled through the skin to create tattoos.
Creating a Tattoo: Outline, Shading and Color
The tattoo artist uses a thicker needle to fill in the tattoo design. Watch the needle in action.Clients collaborate with artists to design custom tattoos or select from flash, which are pre-drawn designs showcased in the studio. The artist sketches or stencils the design onto the skin, accounting for skin stretching during the tattooing process. The artist must also gauge the correct needle depth to avoid excessive pain, bleeding, or uneven lines.
The tattooing process includes several stages:
- Outlining, or black work: A single-tipped needle and thin ink are used to trace the stencil permanently. Artists typically start at the bottom right (or left for lefties) to prevent smudging while cleaning excess ink.
- Shading: After cleaning with soap and water, thicker ink and various needles create smooth, solid lines. Poor technique here can lead to uneven shading, pain, and slower healing.
- Color: The artist cleans the tattoo and layers each color line to ensure even coverage, avoiding holidays—spots where color fades or is missed during healing.
- Final cleaning and bandaging: After wiping away blood and plasma with a disposable towel, the artist applies a sterile bandage. Some bleeding is normal but usually stops quickly.
Some tattooed Americans report feeling more confident (34%) and attractive (26%). However, many without tattoos perceive those with tattoos as less attractive (42%), more rebellious (57%), and less intelligent (31%). [Source: Harris Interactive]
The sensation of getting a tattoo is often compared to bee stings, sunburn, or being pinched. Others describe it as a slight tickling or "pins and needles." Pain levels vary based on individual tolerance, tattoo size and style, artist skill, and location—skin over bones tends to be more sensitive.
Health Risks
Tattoo studios take precautions such as using gloves, sterilizing equipment, and covering bottles and tools to ensure safety.Tattoos involve needles and blood, posing risks like hepatitis, tuberculosis, and potentially HIV transmission. When artists adhere to strict sterilization and sanitation protocols, the risk of disease transmission is minimal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states there’s no documented case of HIV transmission via tattooing. However, non-sterile practices can lead to infections like syphilis and hepatitis B.
New tattoos can become infected without proper aftercare. Some individuals may also have allergic reactions to tattoo inks. While pigments may be FDA-approved for other uses, the FDA does not regulate tattoo inks. Additionally, metallic pigments can cause pain or burning during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and permanent makeup pigments may distort MRI images.
Most states impose restrictions on blood donations from individuals with tattoos due to hepatitis risks. The American Red Cross prohibits donations from those tattooed within the past year unless the tattoo studio is state-regulated, which is rare. [Source: American Red Cross]
Tattoo artists follow universal precautions to prevent disease transmission during tattooing. These guidelines, part of the Bloodborne Pathogens Rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also apply to medical facilities. The CDC provides detailed information on these precautions.
Additional tattoo-specific safety measures include:
- Inspecting gloves for tears during tattooing, as petroleum-based ointments can degrade latex
- Pre-pouring ink, using clean tissue to open bottles, and avoiding nozzle contamination
- Drying tubes by patting after rinsing during color changes—never blowing on them
- Applying liquid soap to a tissue instead of directly onto bleeding areas to prevent airborne blood
- Providing clients with sterile, medical-grade pens for skin marking
Tattoo artists must also prioritize hand safety. While gloves prevent disease transmission, the warm, moist environment they create can harbor bacteria. Therefore, artists must take extra precautions to maintain hygiene.
- Frequently and thoroughly wash hands
- Check hands for cuts or sores and cover them with bandages
- Trim nails short and remove hangnails to avoid glove punctures
- Avoid tattooing if experiencing lesions, dermatitis, or allergic reactions
Minors must obtain parental consent to get tattoos legally. However, some teenagers resort to unprofessional methods, using tools like pens or paper clips without proper sanitation. This poses significant health risks, as professional equipment and hygiene practices are essential to prevent infections and diseases.
Some individuals use their entire body as a canvas for tattoos, while others combine tattoos and surgeries to transform their appearance into animal-like features. One notable example is Stalking Cat Dennis Avner.
Finding a Tattoo Parlor
A trustworthy tattoo parlor is characterized by cleanliness and organization.Beyond universal precautions and parental consent laws for minors, tattooing has minimal regulations.
Licensing typically requires completing a health department course on infectious diseases and passing an exam. However, no governing body inspects tattoo studios. Anyone can purchase equipment, obtain a license, and start tattooing, regardless of artistic skill—a practice criticized by professional artists. Therefore, thorough research is essential before getting inked.
Here are some key steps to ensure you choose a safe tattoo studio:
- Assess the studio’s cleanliness and professionalism.
- Inquire about equipment: Is there an autoclave? Are needles and materials single-use? Are EPA-approved disinfectants used? Do artists wear gloves? Reputable artists will welcome these questions.
- Observe the artist’s adherence to health and safety practices.
- Ensure the artist opens all needles in your presence before starting.
- Ask about the staff’s professional affiliations. While not mandatory, memberships indicate updated knowledge on trends, innovations, and safety.
Next, we’ll discuss how to care for your new tattoo properly.
Caring for a New Tattoo
Proper aftercare for a new tattoo can prevent health issues and maintain the tattoo’s appearance. Most artists provide clients with a detailed aftercare guide, which typically includes instructions to:
- Remove the bandage after one to two hours.
- Gently wash with cool or lukewarm water using a mild antibacterial soap.
- Pat the area dry—avoid rubbing.
- Apply a thin layer of antibacterial ointment, working it into the skin. Excessive ointment can fade the tattoo’s color.
- Avoid soaking the tattoo or exposing it to direct shower streams.
- Stay away from the sun, ocean, and swimming pools until fully healed.
- Do not pick at scabs; they will naturally fall off within one to three weeks.
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling or redness if needed.
- Contact a doctor at the first sign of infection.
For additional information on tattoos and related topics, explore the links on the following page.
Around 17% of tattooed Americans regret their tattoos, often due to including a person’s name. If this sounds familiar, learn how to remove or fade a tattoo in How Tattoo Removal Works. [Source: Harris Interactive]
