Body Modification

The concept of body modifications has long been prevalent in the human race. Put in simple words, ‘body modification’ refers to the process of making changes in the body. The changes incorporated can be temporary or permanent in nature. Primarily done for the purpose of beautification, body modification has emerged to be very different from what it had started as. The need as well as the ways for body modification has undergone transformation. This concept of making changes in the body has various implications and differs from culture to culture. While sharp objects, to tattoos to amputations are all categorized as ways to modify any part of the body, jewelries are the most common element that is used in body modifications.

Apart from being a fashion statement, body modifications in early days were done for purely religious reasons. This thing still prevails in the modern times where examples can be cited from various regions. Believers do so with this faith that their sacrifice and pain will satisfy God and they will be granted their wishes. The pain inflicted on the body while doing so becomes immaterial at that time.

Tracing back to the times of Indus Valley civilization, ornaments or jewelries has played a crucial role in body modifications. Earrings, anklets, necklaces, nose rings all excavated from the ruins have proved that they were in use in those days. The Bronze statues of a dancing girl excavated at one such site bore proof of the same fact. Bangles, rings, head bands also found at the excavation sites are evidence of the fact that even men used these for body modifications.

For many cultures across the world, body modifications have an altogether different need and importance. It is an inherent part of their culture and they are taught to imbibe this from their very childhood. Say for example in Myanmar, the women of the Padaung tribe has this tradition to wear tight neck rings around their necks. The practice starts at a tender age of 5. While at this time, the number of ring put around the neck is one, the number soon increases with time. It’s quite prevalent among them to wear as many rings as possible around their calves too. The ultimate reason for doing so is to modify the neck as in the process it gets elongated at times to alarming rates. Other body modifications followed by tribes related to this use jewelry extensively for elongating their ear lobes or ear piercings done previously.

Instances of body modifications can also be found in the American culture where the use of labrets is common among First Nations people inhabiting the North west coast. Modifications of the lips with the use of lip plates are common among Sara and Mursi people, mostly of African origin.

Body modifications can hence be categorized as common and ‘extreme’. While some are temporary and easy to do like body piercing, ear piercing, dermal anchoring which is placing a small steel bead on the skin, neck rings and tattooing – some can be really dangerous and harmful. The extreme kinds consist of tongue splitting and extra ocular implant.

With time, the sense of fashion has undergone a considerable change. For so long, footwear, jewelry and handbags co ordinate perfectly with stylish attire drew the attention in the crowd. Now is the time, when a ethnic embroidered apparel from India or a chic Indo western wear is well complimented by a perfectly done body modification.


Sources
La Sumisa
Tattoo Articles


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Arizona Tattoo Expo

This coming weekend, the Mesa Convention Center hosts the 11th annual Arizona Tattoo Expo, where the tattooed and those looking to get tattooed can explore styles and designs by nearly 150 artists.

The convention draws upward of 7,000 people a year and is an opportunity to promote tattooing, said expo founder Sage O'Connell, who owns Urban Art Tattoo in Mesa.

Most of those who attend sport the full-range of tattoos, from sleeves to back pieces to tiny ankle tattoos, but O'Connell says nearly 25 percent get inked there for the first time - a phenomenon he attributes to the success of cable television series like "L.A. Ink," "Miami Ink," and "Inked."

"I see people that might not have gotten a tattoo that now have seen the show(s) where they saw other people that were like-minded and said, 'You know, I really want to do something that commemorates my father,' or, 'I really want to do something that shows my kids how much I love them,' " O'Connell said.

Sean Dowdell, owner of Club Tattoo with five Valley locations, said the TV shows have made tattooing more mainstream, showing that tattoos are a way of expressing people's individuality. In 2006, nearly 24 percent of American adults, aged 18 to 50, had at least one tattoo, according an article that year in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Dowdell, along with his wife and Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, opened Club Tattoo in 1995,when tattooing was just infiltrating the mainstream. Now, Club Tattoo participates in nearly 20 conventions a year.

"I think years ago, people associated tattoos with kind of a biker mentality or lifestyle," Dowdell said. "Now people will come up to you on the street and check out (your work) and recognize that particular style."

When he opened Club Tattoo, Dowdell estimates there were maybe four tattoo conventions each year worldwide. Now, "there's one every weekend, probably at three different locations in the United States alone," he said.

"There are so many tattoo shows that it's a bit saturated," he said.

One thing that separates this weekend's convention from similar ones is the focus on area art, Josh Gargalione said.

Gargalione, who goes by the name "Uncle Josh," has been tattooing for more than a decade and works at Lady Luck in Tempe.

Gargalione said a lot of the work done by artists at the convention is the result of pre-booked appointments. Last year, Club Tattoo had 18 appointments for four artists. Usually artists tattoo regulars or spend the weekend finishing large pieces.

The expo is more of an opportunity for artists and the Valley's tight-knit tattoo community to socialize, Gargalione said. More than 70 area shops are represented at the convention, though there will be an international artist from Spain and a few more from around the country.

"A lot of time, people will get tattoos from people that are out of town, because you don't have the opportunity to go into another state to go get tattooed," Gargalione said.

Like many conventions, the Arizona Tattoo Expo conducts contests - best black and white, best themed, most erotic - and seminars, including one on piercing by Dowdell, for tattoo artists.

Contest winners earn cash prizes, including $250 for the best tattoo of the day and $500 for best of show, and gain public recognition for their work, which often results in new and repeat customers.

In an effort to differentiate the convention, O'Connell is hosting a fine art show. The art, featuring everything from sculpting to airbrushing to oil painting, is all done by tattoo artists to showcase artistic ability, he said.

Arizona Tattoo Expo

What: The expo includes more than 150 artists from 70 area shops as well as seminars, contests and an art show. When: Noon-11 p.m. Saturday, May 21 and noon-8 p.m. Sunday, May 22. Where: Mesa Convention Center, 201 N. Center St. Admission: $20 per day, $30 for the weekend. Ages 15 and under free with adult. Details: 480-644-0812, www.aztattooexpo.com


Sources
La Sumisa
AZ Central


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Beware of Scratchers - Tattoos Gone Wrong

They're part-time tattooing wannabes called "Scratchers." It's a group of people who have taught themselves the art of "permanent ink." It's growing in popularity and leaving people right here in the Tri-state with more than just a design on their body.

From the beginning, Steve Cupp - the owner of Vertigo Tattoo in Oxford - has been outspoken about safe tattooing practices. He's been creating body art since 1997, but what he's seen grow in popularity lately is just plain shocking.

"You know they will come in with holes in them, puss and all kinds of stuff and they end up hospitalized," said Cupp.

Steve's talking about the aftermath of "scratching."

"As a general rule we'll get five or six clients a week or so they will come through the door with something God awful," said Cupp. "As it grows people think they want to be a part of it and they'll get on the Internet and find a machine and find some needles and with absolutely no training what so ever start trying to tattoo their friends."

This may sound harmless enough in itself, but Scratchers have been coming under serious attack by real tattoo artists because the un-trained practice could be deadly.

"There are tons of infections you can get - Hepatitis A, B and C, there's Staph infection there is MRSA," said Cupp.
Scratchers usually teach themselves how to ink with the help of videos and homemade tattooing equipment, then those Scratchers put their services out there for un-knowing takers.

Alex Cooper became a victim at 16.

"I talked to one of my friends who I went to school with and he got a tattoo from a guy in a house and I didn't know the dangers of it so I got one," said Cooper. "Saran wrap on the kitchen table, no kind of clean substance, basically dry wiping."

"You could be Picasso with a tattoo machine but what your doing is not right," said Doug Paxton, a professional tattoo artist. "It's always been and up and down phenomenon that it will be a fad for a couple of years then it goes up and down its always been that way but these other reason is it's a fast and easy way to make money."

Doug Paxton told us this type of tattooing could literally be the death of a customer if proper health procedures aren't strictly carried out.

"It's nasty and if it's not taken care of properly, you're going to the hospital or worse," adds Paxton.

So how popular is a tattoo? The Pew Research Center in January of 2007 said 36 percent of 18-25 year olds have at least one tattoo.

"I feel like I was extremely lucky to not have any of that happen like the mesa or any kind of staph infection…really," said Cooper.

Professionals say if you're thinking about getting a tattoo make sure the artist follows strict health and safety precautions with sterilization techniques monitored by health officials. They say if a studio is run by a professional you're going to see equipment packaged in a protective pouches that remain sealed until it is opened in front of a customer.

Local health departments regulate tattoo studios in many jurisdictions, which should give the person getting a tattoo some piece of mind about health risks but you want to do your homework. Make sure you ask a lot of questions before you decide to let someone put that tattoo design on your body.



Here are some of the question you should ask.

What are the laws in your city/state on tattooing?

What certifications and/or licenses are required to tattoo legally in your city/state?

What is the procedure of operating an autoclave? what temperature must the autoclave reach and for how long?

What is a blood-born pathogen and how do you prevent the spread of it, and cross-contamination?

How do you thoroughly clean and disinfect needles and tubes before autoclaving?

What layer of epidermis of the skin must you not enter to prevent scarring of a tattoo?

What is plasma, and what does the leakage of plasma during a tattoo indicate?

These are only a few of the things that are absolutely necessary for a tattoo artist to know, and if you can't answer all of these questions with concise understanding, you are not ready to be a tattoo artist.

Here is the Cincinnati Health Department's Requirements of Operators:

(A) Compliance. All operators of tattoo and/or body piercing services must comply with all provisions of OAC 3701-9-05 and 3701-9-06.

(B) Training and Education. All person(s) involved in the operation that have access to the tattoo and/or body piercing equipment shall have annual training for:

(1) Basic first aid, similar in content to course offered by American Red Cross.

(2) Universal Precautions against blood-borne pathogens that meet requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) specified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1030.

(C)Operator Responsibility. The operator shall be responsible for all persons performing tattooing and/or body piercing within the operator's establishment.

(D) Other Requirements. Any additional requirements requested by the Health Commissioner.


Sources
La Sumisa
Fox 19


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Andrei Kirilenko's Tattoo

It is hard to understand why people try to act like if they could choose a design for someone, in this case Andrei Kirilenko's Tattoo on his back. I believe his tattoo looks awesome and is a gret piece of artwork but some people think is tasteless, etc.

It is funny that people who don't have much knowledge of Body Art attempt to comment on it. I can't stand when people don't appreciate the detailing and skills involved in such great work. Sometimes those who enjoy giving a non requested opinion of tattoos say it looks great even though the artwork might not be finished cause they simply have no clue on what they're saying.

A while ago while I was at a Tattoo Parlor a few young ladies walked in and one of them wanted to get some Ink, then complained when they were told how much it will cost her. The awesome thing about this whole thing was that the artist told her "if she wanted a twenty five dollar Tattoo she should go to another shop down the road".

Sometimes people want quality and quantity but don't want to pay the right price or simply want to give a negative opinion of a Tattoo they simply can't afford. The Tattoo on Andrei Kirilenko looks awesome and yes it is detailed, quality can be observed and apreciated. Those who got nothing better to do or say about someone's work knowing that everything is on point can simply go screw themselves or simply find another hobbi. Stop talking non-sense and learn a little.

Sources
La Sumisa


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Female Genital Piercing

Genital piercing is a form of body piercing and is considered a form of body modification. It involves piercing a part of the genitalia and subsequently inserting and keeping a foreign object in the opening until the wound heals. This forms a tunnel of skin around the foreign object, thus creating a suitable place for wearing different types of jewellery. In the United States, it is illegal for anyone under 18 to have one. Laws in other countries vary.

Types of Female Genital Piercings

1) Isabella piercing is a female genital piercing. This extremely deep clitoral shaft piercing starts below the clitoris and just above the urethra, and then goes up through the clitoral shaft and exits at the top of the hood (where the entrance hole is for a Christina piercing).
This piercing was first documented in issue 17 of Piercing World Magazine. As an Isabella piercing intersects the shaft of the clitoris, some piercers maintain it has the risk of nerve damage. Nerve damage can result from piercing a clitoris that is too small or from piercing through the shaft of the clitoris and through the dorsal nerve. Piercing through the shaft of the clitoris can also result in excessive bleeding and blood loss to the clitoris. This is an extremely rare kind of piercing, and like most female genital piercings this is also highly anatomy-dependent. Healing time is 2-3 months. The Nefertiti piercing was invented in response to the inherent dangers involved with the Isabella piercing.

2) A clitoral hood piercing is a female genital piercing through the clitoral hood surrounding the clitoris. There are two main types of hood piercing, the vertical clitoral hood piercing and the horizontal clitoral hood piercing. As the name indicates, the difference is in the direction the piercing is oriented in the skin above the clitoris. Neither of these piercings penetrates the clitoris itself.

Like most genital piercings, these piercings have relatively short healing times, due to the amount of blood flow to the area. During the healing period however, the piercing is a wound and can increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

3) A Christina piercing, also known as a Venus piercing, is a female genital piercing. It is located where the outer labia meet, below the pubic mound. Unless the recipient has an extremely sympathetic anatomy, Christinas are usually considered surface piercings and have a high rejection rate. Due to anatomical variation, it is not possible with every woman. The piercing does not facilitate sexual stimulation and can be found uncomfortable when pressure is applied, for example when wearing tight pants.

4) Labia piercings are one type of female genital piercing. This piercing can be placed either through the labia minora or the labia majora. They are one of the simpler and more common genital piercings performed on women, and are often pierced in symmetrical pairs. Like all genital piercings, depending on jewellery and placement, they may provide additional stimulation to one or both partners during sexual intercourse.

5) A triangle piercing is one of several forms of female genital piercing. The piercing passes from side to side, beneath the base of the clitoral hood tissue where it meets the inner labia and under the clitoris. In addition to serving as adornment, it increases the intensity of sexual stimulation, particularly during sexual intercourse. The name is derived from the tissue where the labia meet the clitoral hood, which looks like a triangle when pinched. This is the only genital piercing that can stimulate the clitoris from behind it, although it does not pass through the clitoris or the clitoral shaft. It is said to be one of the more painful genital piercings because it passes through so much tissue and so many nerves.

Most women do not have the proper anatomical features for this piercing. It requires that the back of the clitoral hood extend outward from the body somewhat.

6) A fourchette piercing is a female genital piercing. It is a piercing done at the rear rim of the vulva, in the area of frenulum labiorum pudendi. Many women do not have a pinchable flap of skin in the area, and are not suited for this piercing. If the correct anatomy is present, placement and piercing tends to be relatively easy.

7) A Nefertiti piercing is a female genital piercing that is a combination of a vertical clitoral hood piercing and a Christina piercing. Healing can be lengthy due to the amount of tissue the jewelry must pass through. Flexible bars are recommended by professional piercers for jewelry due to pressures that could be put on the piercing by being passed through so much flesh.

8) Princess Albertina is a female genital piercing, where a ring enters the urethra and exits through the top of the vagina. Anne Greenblatt describes the Princess Albertina as another "relatively new and experimental piercing. "Its name comes from the fact that it is analogous to the male Prince Albert piercing." This is a relatively rare piercing, as placement is difficult and the potential for urinary tract infections may be increased by this piercing. This piercing requires the bearer to have a large enough urethra for it to be viable. This piercing can be extremely sexually stimulating, as its presence stimulates the nerves of the urethra during intercourse or masturbatory activities. It is an advanced piercing and many piercers may not be willing or able to perform it. As noted above, the primary concern with this piercing is that it can lead to an increase in urinary tract infections. While many male genital piercings are transurethral, the longer length of the male urethra reduces the risk of urinary tract infection due to transurethral piercings. In addition, the urethral sounding play often used to enlarge the urethra can be dangerous if done improperly. The presence of this piercing can alter or divert the flow of urine from the body and may require extra attention during and after urination.

9) A clitoris piercing is a piercing through the clitoris itself. It is a relatively uncommon piercing and is often confused with the more common clitoral hood piercing, which pierces only the hood of the clitoris. Depending on the anatomy of the individual, they can be oriented either vertically or horizontally. This piercing, like male genital piercings which penetrate the glans penis, can be extremely sexually stimulating. This piercing requires that the piercee have a large enough clitoris to make the piercing viable.

To see a few examples of Female Genital Piercings click on the link below.


Inked Plus Raw



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Mom Tattoos

Having a Tattoo dedicated to one's Mom is nothing new. Lots of people have done this for a very long time and it shows no sign of slowing down. Tattoos have a deep meaning to those who wear them and usually tend to relate to something or someone who is part of our lives in a great way.

Sources
La Sumisa


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Goldfish Tattoo

Some people just find a fascination with an animal species, and feel the need to have it tattooed on their body while others may have a spiritual connection with the animal.

The goldfish is considered to be a classical Chinese symbolism to represent gold, wealth, abundance, and harmony.

It is one among the eight sacred symbols of the Buddha where they represent fertility, abundance and harmony with the flow of life.

Ancient Greeks believed goldfish enhanced good luck in marriage and relationships. In ancient Egypt goldfish were kept in the house as a lucky omen for the family and helped cheer up domestic situations.

They invite wealth, prosperity, and harmonious movement, especially in business and personal affairs.

Sources
La Sumisa


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