Tattoos and the Art of Tattooing Are Taking the World by Storm

According to a July 31 press release, TV shows and a number of online "how to tattoo" instructional and informational sites have prompted what some say is a growing trend in not just bearing a tattoo, but learning the actual art of creating and applying tattoos.

In times past, when people heard of someone sporting a tattoo, the very word conjured up thoughts of bikers, ex-cons or tough guys. Now, according to the press release, tattoos are everywhere. In fact, it's estimated that 1 out of 8 Americans have at least one tattoo, and more are getting tattoos each year. And no longer do tattoos carry the stigma they once did; neither are they found just on bikers or prison inmates. Today it's not uncommon to see tattoos on everyone from housewives to celebrities to professional athletes to artists to businessmen to young women - although some are not openly displayed.

A contributing factor is no doubt the popular tattoo TV shows, such as Miami Ink, which promotes tattoos and tattooing as a hot new art form.

There are even online tattoo sites, such as "The Ultimate Tattoo Guide Series" and "The Ultimate Tattoo Bible," which provide information on everything from basic tattoo skills, tattoo tips and tricks, tattoo shading and outlining, and how to make a tattoo business plan.

The Alliance of Professional Tattooists, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 to address health and safety issues related to tattooing - definitely in response to the huge increase in tattoos and tattooing. Prior to that time, tattooing was not as popular as it is today, and there were no industry standards. With the boom in tattooing that occurred and continues, concerned professionals in the art formed APT to educate tattoo artists in regards to autoclave sterilization, sterile equipment, the use of gloves, etc. Although HIV and hepatitis are the usual concerns people have about getting a tattoo, APT promotes professional tattooing as a safe art form.

The HIV virus is delicate and doesn't survive long outside the body. Neither is it spread through casual contact. APT says that tattoo needles are structured in such a way that they do not lend themselves to HIV transmission. They also assert that tattooing has never caused a single case of HIV in the U.S.

Hepatitis, on the other hand can be easily transmitted, and professional tattoo artists follow OSHA guidelines, use EPA registered products to clean areas between tattoo clients, and use gloves. According to APT, these are now Standard Precautions, and today's tattoo industry is safer than it has ever been.

With that said, the popularity of tattooing is expected to grow and spread throughout the world, the press release says. And more and more people are learning the art of safe tattooing as a business, as well.

Sources:

Press release, Tattooing Buzz: The Art of Learning How to Tattoo Booming in Popularity; http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/7/prweb542860.htm

APT; http://www.safe-tattoos.com/