Over the years, a large part of the population has given tattoos a negative connotation. However, this has changed and for some years now, the boom of tattooing the skin has arrived in our society to stay and, in fact, 38% of the population has been tattooed, according to National Geographic.
Its origin dates back 5,000 years, from the Neolithic period. Mummies have been found in Egypt with engravings on their bodies and they used to be tattooed with religious or healing motifs. Nowadays, tattoos serve as a way to remember people, moments, hobbies or for simple aesthetics. For many years, they were associated with crime but their perception has radically changed to become something common.
In the case of Mangüé, a tattoo artist from Lanzarote and a graduate in Medicine, he usually works with designs that he creates himself. "I prefer them to tell me what they want with words so I can create the design myself," he explains. For example, if a client asks him to tattoo a portrait, the professional observes as many photographs as possible to make the caricature himself.
Regarding skin types, in general any skin color is suitable for a tattoo but it depends a lot on the person's exposure to the sun. "If it is white skin, I don't have to force the contrast so much," he says. Mangüé works exclusively with black and white ink, since the Canarian population in general is dark-skinned. The most vivid colors such as yellow or blue, on such dark skin, fade and usually look worse.
Increased Demand
Fears When Getting a Tattoo
One of the fears that people usually have when getting a tattoo is the pain, which will be greater or lesser depending on different factors such as each person's pain tolerance and the area where it is tattooed. "I have had clients who endure a lot of pain who have complained a lot about the lower back area and on the instep, those two areas hurt a lot," he declares.
Likewise, one of the most widespread beliefs among the population is the idea that, if a surgical operation has to be performed or the epidural administered right in the area where there is a tattoo, it cannot be carried out. However, this is not true, as it does not pose a problem. However, it is recommended that no tattoos or aesthetic treatments be performed before an intervention.
Regarding the price, the amount varies depending on the time spent tattooing. In general, professionals usually charge by the hour depending on the difficulty and size of the tattoo. "In my case, I reach an agreement with the client and put a certain price on the working hour, but it is not usually a fixed price," says Mangüé.
Treatment to Remove a Tattoo
Initially, getting a tattoo on the skin may be something that is done with great enthusiasm, but over the years, many people get tired of that design for various reasons and decide to remove it. This is done through laser treatment, although there are also other techniques such as surgical intervention or dermabrasion.
Because the ink is under the skin, it is a more expensive and complicated process than the tattoo itself. On the one hand, the first step is to consult with a dermatologist so that they can recommend the best method to remove it, since smaller tattoos can be removed with a scalpel but larger ones cannot.
Despite these techniques, the results are not entirely accurate because tattoos are permanent and it is difficult to remove the ink. Therefore, it is likely that scars will remain or that the color of the skin in that area will change.
That is why it is recommended to think calmly if you really want to have a tattoo or not and, above all, to reflect on the meaning of the design so that the feeling of regret does not appear after a while.
