What Is a Tattoo?

Tattoos are the application of coloured pigments and inks into the dermis layer of the skin to create a permanent motif.

Over the last 20 years, tattooing has become very popular among young people in developed countries. People aged 18–20 are among the most common clients.

Today tattooing is described as personal decoration and fashion. But the first appearance of tattoos in human history was not so simple.

PURPOSE:

Indians, Japanese, Native Americans and some African tribes made tattoos as decoration, but in many societies tattoos were used as protection against disease and evil spirits, or as a sign of status and belonging.

HISTORY:

Tattooing is very old. Tattoos were found on mummies from ancient Egypt around 2000 BC. Besides the Egyptians, the Britons, the Gauls and many other peoples also tattooed their bodies.

HOW IT IS DONE:

Several methods are used. In one type of tattoo, a pointed bone, horn or steel needle is gently pushed into the skin and the holes are filled with pigment.

Modern tattooing hurts less than these older methods and uses pigments that are less harmful to health.