Tattoos have become a fashion trend. People get inked to look impressive. Even a tattoo can tell about interests of tattooed person. There is no problem in saying that tattoos are way too old form of body art. Each country has a different story of how tattoo culture started there. Whether you like tattooing or not, these interesting facts about tattooing and piercing will add more to your knowledge about tattoo culture.

Here you have a of Fun Facts about Tattoos

Original Name of Tattoos

In the beginning when the word tattoo was not originated this body art was known as Pricks or Marks. In Polynesian culture the word ta-tau, tatao, tatu or tattow. All these words means “to mark something on skin” or “to tap or strike”. In 18th century, Captain Cook visited Samoan where he first saw tattoos. He brought the word to England.

Introduction in Western World

As I mentioned Captain Cook brought the word “tattoo” to England. Since then, sailors started to have tattoos of turtles. But in 1970’s tattoos became famous.

Tattoos Cause Skin Problems

Many tattoo artist may not tell you this but tattooing can cause skin allergies. However, the allergy can occur right after you get tattooed or after sometime. Colored tattoo ink contain chemicals like Mercury sulphide, Iron oxide which can have dangerous side effects on skin. Black tattoos without pigments are quite safe as compared to pigmented.    

Tattoos Can Cause Difficulty in getting you a Job

Believe it or not. A survey report show that in hiring process preference is given to person without tattoos by HR department. A tattoo on your skin gives a negative impact of your personality. Be sure to hide your tattoo before going for job interview.

But the case is different if you are searching for a bartender’s job. Being tattooed can help you.

Tattoos Have Their Own Significance in Different Cultures

In New Zealand the Maori civilization thinks of tattoo as sacred rite. While people in United States don’t consider them good. American warriors used to tattoo their skin whenever they won a battle.

Don’t Regret After Getting Tattooed

Yes! Think twice before getting this body modification. Because reports have shown that almost 25 percent people regret their tattoos. Especially, those who tattooed the name of their partners.  

But there is a Good New Too

Before the invention of laser, there was no proper method to remove them. Although some tattoo removal procedure are there but they were so painful that people were scared to remove their tattoos. Fortunately, if you have tattooed something that you have regret on you can remove it easily with laser.

Wait! Are You Vegan?

If you are vegetarian than you should avoid tattooing. Until, you know all the ingredients of tattoo ink. The inks that contain vegan components are not common. Mainly tattoo ink consists of animal fats, skin and charred bones.

Most Common Tattooed part Among Men and Women

Well, both men and women have different preferences when it comes to which body part they have to tattoo. Men love to tattoo their arms while women get tattooed mostly on ankle area.

Solution to Mix Tattoo Ink

Would you believe? Hundreds of years ago urine was used to mix tattoo ink ingredients. Beware guys do check your tattoo ink.

Lindbergh Law

In 1932, Aviator Charles Lindbergh son Charles Augustus Lindbergh got kidnapped from the upper floor of his house. The baby was only 20 years old. This incident was so heartbroken that the Federal officials made kidnapping a criminal act and hence Lindbergh Law was approved. After this scene parents in United States used to tattoo their children with their surnames.

World Record Holder Tommy Lee

Can you think tattooing is so important to someone that he got it done even on a plane? The answer is yes. In 2007, American singer Tommy Lee was tattooed on his private jet to Miami. Nobody had done this in the history of Guinness Book of World Record. That’s how Tommy set the World record.

Some Guys Take Tattooing Seriously

Gregory Paul McLaren is one of them. Gregory was born in 1971 in New Zealand. He holds the World record of being the most tattooed person on this globe. He is also known as Lucky Diamond Rich. Gregory’s whole body is covered in tattoos even his ears, penis, and eyelids too.

Most Tattooed Country

Italy being the luxury fashion destination has about 48 percent of adult population tattooed which makes it most tattooed country in the world. Sweden is second country on this list with 47 percent tattooed population.

Stick and Poke Tattoo

In ancient days people used to get tattoos by hand. A hand held needle filled with ink used to pierce the skin. These tattoos were known as stick and poke tattoos. Many tattoo artists still use this method. Stick and poke tattoos are permanent but they get fade with the passage of time.

Electric Tattoo Gun

The idea of making an electric tattoo gun was taken from Thomas Edison’s electric pen. In 1891, Samuel O’Reilly was the person to replace the nip with needle and placing an ink reservoir inside the electric pen.

The History of Tattoos Dates Back to 10,000 BC      

There are many tools discovered by archaeologists mainly from Scandinavia and France. The archaeologists suspect that these tools are 10,000 years old and were used by ancient humans to pierce skin.

Mummy of Otzi

The Tyrolean iceman’s mummy is 5,300 years old. It is older than Giza pyramids. Scientists have discovered that Otzi belonged to Italian Alps could not survived the cold temperature and died. His intact skin had signs of tattoo mostly on his joints and ankles. Otzi had simple dots tattoos of carbon ink on his painful joints. It shows tattoos were used for healing purpose.

Oldest Known Tattoo Ink

The oldest know black tattoo ink was composed of iron oxide and carbon black. To give red hue to ink compounds like mercury sulphide was base. Ancient humans use natural materials to make ink such as leek juice, vitriol, corroded bronze, insect eggs and Egyptian pine tree bark. Leek juice was used to rinse the skin before starting the process of tattooing.

What Status Do your Tattoo Signify

Tattoo represent a different status in different countries. In America and New Zealand warriors of war got tattooed to signify success. While in Europe tattoos are mostly related to criminal minded people. Tattooed people symbolize as slaves in Greece. Tattoos mark the status of refugee in Rome.

There are Four Parts of Tattoo Gun   

A needle to pierce the epidermis of skin, an ink reservoir tube, an electric motor which forces the needle to prick and the last foot pedal to control the movement of all parts of gun. Being a tattoo lover you should know this fact.

Speed of Tattoo Gun

The tattoo machine perforate the skin causing the needle to go one millimeter in the skin. skin is gored with tattoo gun 50 and 3,000 times per minute. Well, it’s quite painful.

Women Get More Tattooed Than Men

Definitely it’s hard to accept but women are more likely to get tattooed than men. Around 58 percent women have at least one tattoo. Women preferred to pierce their skin with more than one tattoo. On the other hand, 41 percent men have only one tattoo. The ratio of removing tattoos is also more in women.

Black Is the Easiest Hue to Remove

No matter how much you love your tattoo but at some point you might think of removing it. So choose ink color wisely. It is always easy to remove a black hue tattoo because of its absorption properties. Colored pigments like yellow, green and red are difficult to take out.

The Butterfly Art Barbie

A Barbie cartoon series called The Butterfly Art Barbie was released in 90’s. During this era tattoos were considered a taboo. This series became the most hated series because people thought it would encourage children to get tattooed. The doll got banned soon.

Temporary Tattoos Are Dangerous

Being a tattoo lover you have heard about Henna Ink Tattoo. These tattoos are temporary. In comparison with permanent tattoos they are pretty dangerous due to the presence of para-phenylenediamine or PDD. This agent can cause scarring.

Americans Are Crazy after Tattoos

Seriously, Americans are crazy after tattoos. Do you know they spend $1,650,500,000 each year just to get inked? And the most interesting fact is many of them feel bad after body modification.

Most Common Tattoo Images

Well, women are leading in body modification. The most common tattoo designs that are popular these days are angels and hearts. A survey conducted in 2012 showed that 59 percent women are tattooed.

Tattoos become fade with Time

Yes! It’s true. Our skin has super repairing ability. So when you get inked your skin begin to heal. As you skin grows old your tattoo gets fade too. However, the tattoo doesn’t remove completely.

Richest Tattoo Artist

The riches tattoo artist in the world is Scoott Campbell. It is fun to know that Scoott works on weekends only. Well, his rates for work is quite high. Scoott charges $1000 for just one hour.

Tattoos Are Illegal in Some Countries

May you consider it a body art in some countries it is completely illegal to have a tattoo. These countries are United Arab Emirates, Iran and Turkey.

Most Costly Tattoo in the World

Well, I will definitely tell you how much this tattoo cost. But first let me tell you that nobody has dared to get it done yet. Instead of using ink half a carat diamond is placed all over the design. Keep $924,000 in your pocket if you have wished to pierce diamond in your skin.

Russian Prisoners

In Russia tattoos are related to prisoners. Prisoners with tattoos of Russian Leaders are not allowed to hang because they consider it is not illicit to kill someone with images of respected leaders like Lenin on the body.

Tattoo for Advertisements

In 2005, Kimberly Smith had no money to pay for her daughter’s education. She tattooed the name of casino, Golden Palace.com on her forehead. For which she got $10,000. It was the first advertisement tattoo.

Tattoo Artists Get Practice on Fruits

The reason is the texture of fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and tangerine is similar to human skin. So it only feels a little difference whether you tattoo on human skin or on these fruits.

Tattoos Were Banned in New York

Until 1997, tattoos were banned in New York. There was a huge outbreak of Hepatitis B at that time. Therefore, people feared of having a tattoo. But the reason is still not clear.

Extremely Painful Tattoo Area

Do like to have an inner lip tattoo? Well, think twice before getting it done. Because it is the most painful tattoo. The texture of skin of inner lips is different from outer skin. The area has a lot of nerve receptors also. It takes 3 days to heal the tattoo.

Tattoo Shops in Miami

The people of Miami are tattoo friendly. There are around 24 shops for 100,000 people. While Florida, Carolina and Oklahoma are states with tattoo bigotry. On the other hand, in states like California, and Montana people love to have tattoo.

James Polk and his Tattoo

James Polk was the first white U.S president who inked a Chinese design on his body.