Three Amazing Facts about tattoos

How much do you know about tattoos? Well, we are willing to bet you didn’t know this!

Check out these three amazing facts about tattoos to impress (or bore) your friends with the next time you’re at a party.

Thomas Edison invented the tattoo gun

Well, sort of. Thomas Edison is known as America’s greatest inventor, having over 1000 patents to his name, including the lightbulb, the motion picture camera and the phonograph. Although anyone who knows anything about Edison knows he was a thieving bastard. One of “his” inventions was a stencil-pens machine – basically an electric pen designed to duplicate writing. In 1891, Samuel O’Reilly discovered that Edison’s machine could be modified and used to inject ink under the skin, and later patented a tube and needle system to go along with it. Thus, stealing his idea (ha ha) and inventing the first tattoo machine.

It’s harder to remove tattoos on people who smoke

Tattoo removal is an expensive and sometimes painful treatment, which doesn’t really get rid of tattoos 100%. Tattoos are harder to remove from feet and legs than other parts of the body for some reason, but it’s even worse news if you’re a smoker. Research shows that people who smoke have a 70% less chance of getting a tattoo removed in 10 treatments.  

Even Barbie has a Tattoo

Everyone knows Barbie, but did you know Barbie is inked up? Toy maker Mattel had introduced the Butterfly Art Barbie in 1999, which featured a butterfly tattoo on the doll’s stomach. Temporary tattoos were also provided for the doll’s owners. However, it was discontinued after parents complained it was a “bad influence” on impressionable young girls.

Chicano tattoos – Symbolism and history

Chicano style tattoos are a very influential style, popular in America. The word Chicano is a chosen identity of some Mexcian Americans in the USA.

Characterised by black and grey colour, fine lines, detail and soft shading, Chicano style was made famous by Mexican gangs originating in LA, but most Chicano designs were created in prison.

Chicano symbols

Chicano tattoos are very meaningful and represent many different aspects of life, especially family, culture, and memories.

Usually incorporating realistic portraits, family, lost loved ones, girls, cars, low riders, clowns, guns, masks, celebrities and people from Spanish history.

Religion is also a large part of the Chicano style, with photo-realistic images of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, crosses and praying hands all common.

The Eagle is also very common in Chicano tattoos, appearing not only on the Mexican flag, but as a symbol in Aztec culture.

Perhaps the most recognisable influence of Chicano style is the Mexican “Day of the Dead”. La Dia de los Muertos is a traditional time in Mexico to honour and remember those who have passed, and many tattoos around the world are now based on this event.

Chicano Tattoo History

The Chicano style tattoos first showed up in the Pachuco gang in the 1940’s, mostly consisting of the Pachuco cross tattoo between the thumb and index finger. Portraits of loved ones or religious icons were also a popular tattoo for Chicanos, but it wasn’t until the 1960’s until the Chicano style became popular outside the gang.

The most accessible ink in prison was simply black, so black and grey tattoos became popular in this style. It was during the 70’s and 80’s that the style was developed and refined on the streets of Los Angeles.

Today the Chicano style is popular all over the world, and if done right, can blow people away with their skill and beauty.

Say hello to the Navy’s first Moko tattoo

The changing face of New Zealand’s Royal Navy is a Maori one.

After two decades of service, Rawiri Barriball is the first person to have been given clearance to wear a full-face Maori tattoo.

Barriball had to apply under special Navy law first for approval, which was granted in December.

“I've always felt I was going get it, I just wanted to achieve a few things first, my own goals, and one of them was doing 20 years' service." He says.

People’s reaction

The tattoo is striking, and took Rawiri’s brother aprox 10 hours to complete.

But Rawiri noticed how people reacted differently to him almost immediately.

“When I left my brother's house, straight away you can see the reaction of people. Even body language, which I was prepared for, but the way people talk to you, it changes," he said.

“I guess with my job being a seaman combat specialist… We're face to face with people that we're trying to help different parts of the world, if they see something as in moko they might be a bit intimidated I guess."

Barriball hoped his moko would help breakdown the stigma around facial tattoos.

"I know there's a bad rap with people having moko... the more people that get it the more it will be accepted," he said. 

"It's not something you should be scared of - I'm just like any other human being."

See Sunset for a Maori tattoo

If you’re interested in getting a Maori tattoo design, then you should come see Tristan at Sunset Tattoo.

Tristan is of Te Rarawa descent, from the Hokianga in the far north. He graduated from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute in 2014 with a diploma in Whakairo Rakau (traditional wood carving). Not long before Tristan graduated, he approached Tom about learning the craft of tattooing and bringing his knowledge of carving and Maori art over to the medium

Tristan is now tattooing full time with Sunset, and specializes in Ta Moko, Blackwork, pattern work, geometric and dot-work tattoo styles.

Don't forget about our new tattoo supply website!

If you’re searching online for tattoo supplies, then our new sister site, Tattoo Station is now up and running.

Sunset Tattoo is excited to bring you great deals on high-quality tattoo products and equipment.

Top of the range tattoo supplies

After years of buying tattoo supplies at huge mark-ups from people who don't even tattoo, we became frustrated and decided to do it ourselves. This new range of products is for tattoo artists, by tattoo artists. We know the difference between quality tattoo equipment and the cheap, nasty stuff, and we make sure you don’t get the latter.

Tattoo aftercare products

Tattoo Aftercare is an essential part of the tattooing process, and we like to make sure it’s getting done right. From basic health reasons (don’t pick at it) to aesthetic reasons (moisturise to keep the colours bright), there are do’s and don’ts to follow once you get a tattoo. Follow them and everything should be fine.

Protat Tattoo Aftercare Cream

At Sunset, we suggest Protat Aftercare Cream. Protat are the world’s first tattoo aftercare company. By using chemists from their development team and overseas they are constantly researching new ingredients, with natural products receiving special attention.

Each Protat product has been precisely formulated with highly experienced members of the tattoo and piercing profession. New developments by Protat can only benefit the industry and enhance respect for body art practitioners everywhere. Protat Premium After Care cream has been designed to be the primary product in the Protat range. It utilises the technology of the Soothing After Care Cream with the added ingredients.

So there you have it, our new venture into the tattoo supply business. Please take a look at our new site, Tattoo Station, and if you have any questions about tattoo supplies for your studio, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Why do tattoos always fade with time?

Everyone knows tattoos fade over time, it's just part and parcel of having ink, but have you ever wondered why they fade? Surely once you're tattooed then that should be that? And if tattoos do fade, then why don't they disappear completely over time? Well, get ready for a science lesson...

Getting under your skin

Basically, your skin is made up of two separate layers, an outer and inner layer. The outer layer is called the epidermis, and this layer heals itself easily. New skin cells grow underneath and over 3-4 weeks will gradually move up to the surface, replacing old skin. This is why you can get a scratch, but it's gone a couple of weeks later. 

The bottom layer, the dermis, is different. It's usually protected by the epidermis, so doesn't need to replenish itself every month. It is in this layer where a tattoo is injected, and because the dermis doesn't regenerate like the outer layer, the ink stays where it is. 

Why tattoos eventually fade

Ok, that explains why the ink stays where it is, but this doesn't explain why tattoos fade over time. Well, it comes down to the actual microscopic ink particles in your blood. They come in all different sizes, and some are bigger than others. Don't forget, this ink is a foreign body, and your white blood cells see it as a threat. They'll attack the ink particles and those small enough will be "eaten" by your white blood cells and removed from the body via the liver. You'll literally piss out your tattoo. As for the bigger particles, the white blood cells can't destroy those, so they stay in your body.

This is why tattoos fade over time. Some of the ink is taken by your body's natural immune system, and the rest is left, meaning it fades over time as the ink is broken down.

Your tattoo fades because there is literally less ink than there used to be!

If you're got some old tattoos that need a touch up, then give us a call. We'll be happy to restore your ink to its former glory.