Tattoos are a permanent marking applied to the body by a special instrument and ink. Tattoos are often used as a form of self-expression though it is part of some cultural traditions. There is a large variety of tattoo design, styles, colors, and shapes. Professional tattoo artists often will design an original creation based on the consumer’s request. There is no lack of places on the skin where people have received tattoos. From the head to the toes, tattoo designers and consumers are consistently getting more creative when it comes to getting “inked”.
Tattoos need to be especially cared for to prevent infections and fading. Using sunscreen on the tattooed area does assist with reducing the amount of color fade and an antiseptic cream should be used to cover the entire area immediately after the procedure to promote the healing of the skin. It is possible for the tattoo to be permanently removed but it requires a long, expensive and sometimes painful procedure.
For people who do not wish to have a permanent tattoo placed on their body, there is a wide assortment of fake or temporary tattoos which can be purchased in stores. The tattoos are applied by cutting out the design and using the self-adhesive side of the tattoo to stick onto the skin then completely wet the tattoo with a sponge or washcloth. Apply steady pressure for approximately 30 seconds and carefully peel back the paper backing. The tattoo will remain on the skin from a day to several weeks, depending on what area of the body the tattoo is applied, how often the skin is disturbed by touch, motion, or bathing. The tattoos typically do not wash off with just soap and water but can be removed with baby oil or lotion applied with a cotton ball or washcloth.
Temporary tattoos come in a variety of styles and are often marketed towards younger children and feature popular cartoon characters, animals, and gender-based designs, such as pink flowers for little girls, and sports themes for little boys. Teenagers and adults also have a large selection of popular designs to choose from. There are many designs which are created for specific body regions, such as the neck, ankle, wrists, upper arm and lower back. Tattoos for these areas generally resemble a bracelet-like design which wrap around the area.
