Throughout history fashions have constantly changed. One of todays favorite looks, especially with the young and cool, is to go in for body piercing and becoming more popular is eyebrow tattooing, which will leave a permanent mark or design.



Temporary tattoos are also popular and are a benefit if you haven't quite made up your mind on the look you want to achieve. Jewelry inserts in the eyebrow can achieve a truly noticeable effect.

Getting Tattooed

The procedure is the same as in all permanent tattooing and simply involves puncturing the skin with a very fine needle fitted to a specially designed machine that also inserts tiny drops of colored ink into the holes.

The time taken for tattooing is dependant on the size of the design so larger and more intricate the design, the longer it will take. As even the most energetic tattoo artist can tire after 2-3 hours it is sometimes necessary to return one or more times to finish the more elaborate designs.

Expect some bearable pain and a small amount of bleeding. Usually you will consult with the tattoo artist who will show you designs that he, or she, thinks will appeal to you.

A pattern of the chosen design is then applied to the area of your skin that will be worked on so the tattooist has a "?template' as a guide. Of course it is possible to have a free hand tattoo of your own design but you do need to have confidence in the creative ability of your tattoo artist. If you go this route beware of smudging.

Temporary tattoos simply require the application of a transfer of the chosen design to be applied to any area of the body and can last up to two weeks. It is not practical if you want a temporary transfer type tattoo actually in the eyebrows but temporary tattoos can look great (and think about amusing) on the upper eyelids.

Eye contact is more often than not first contact so imagine the message you can send out when you blink a little slowly.

Is Tattoong and Eyebrow Piercing Dangerous?

Any puncturing of the skin can cause infection or an allergic reaction. However, if you take care the risks can be minimized.

It is vital to go to a recognized professional tattoo or body piercing salon that is clean and well run. An autoclaved heat sterilization machine (regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the USA) should be used to clean all non-disposable equipment after each client.

If you are outside the USA check out the required regulations and always insist that a brand new needle is used and be sure to watch it being taken from a sterile sealed package.

All equipment must be of the highest standard with unused sterile needles. You must NEVER come into contact with a needle which has been used on another person.

This person may have been infected with hepatitis C, hepatitis B, tetanus, tuberculosis, or HIV. The practitioner must wash his/her hands and then put clean sterile gloves on after which he/she must not touch anything other than the area to be tattooed or the equipment.

Don't go to a salon that uses a piercing gun that cannot be sterilized with the autoclave machine as the risk of infection can increase.

The ink, especially the red ink, can sometimes cause tiny bumps to appear on your skin and in some people the tattooed area can become scarred. If in doubt start with a small tattoo where it is unlikely to be noticed.

Bacterial infection can occur so look out for signs of heat, redness, swelling and pus forming in the area that has been tattooed or pierced.. If you notice any of these symptoms seek immediate medical advice. Delay can be dangerous.

Tattooing can be a life enhancing experience. Clever design and deciding upon the most appealing area of your body that will provide the most impact for your chosen body art will bring attention to your most attractive features.

Never forget that first impressions count for so much as we always look into and around the eyes of others when we first come into physical contact with them.

Jewelry.

Some people can have an allergic reaction to certain metals, such as nickel and brass. If you can, use gold or steel or titanium.

After Care

Absolute hygiene of the skin in and around the pierced area is essential if you want to avoid any complications however small, or seemingly insignificant.

Keep the area clean with a medicated cleanser and gently turn any jewelry inserts around a few times daily to allow the cleanser toget into the pierced openings. Keep out of the sun for a few weeks to avoid any reaction from sunburn as the area will be extra sensitive.

As long as you understand the risks and do your research properly you will be able to have beautifully tattooed and/or pierced eyebrows that will make you the envy of your friends.

If at any time after you have had a tattoo and you decide that you don't like or want to change it, just check out my tattoo removal guide. Anything is possible if you really want it.

Copyright 2006 Jaks Lloyd