http://knink.com/BodyArt/ArticlesAndDiscussions/Forum30.htmArticles and relevant discussion threads.enXMOD (Build: 3715.30106)http://knink.com/BodyArt/CaptiveBeadRings/dzxl/post.htmTue, 16 Jun 2009 11:23:37 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16433Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/CaptiveBeadRings/dzxl/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16433.xmlCaptive bead rings are a widely used and versatile piece of body piercing jewellery, and can be used in many, if not most piercings. Also known as 'Ball closure rings' or 'Captive rings' the jewellery is a circular ring opened, closed, and held shut by a bead. The captive bead or ball fits into a small opening in the circle of the ring. A Captive Bead Ring The bead is slightly larger than this opening and has small indentations or depressions that correspond to the ring's end-points so that it may fit snugly against them, thus completing the circuit of the ring. Often, a hole is drilled through the bead to allow easier fitting. It uses the natural tensile or compressive strength of the metal the ring is made of,...http://knink.com/BodyArt/TonguePiercings/dzxp/post.htmTue, 16 Jun 2009 11:23:37 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16437Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TonguePiercings/dzxp/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16437.xmlOne of the most popular piercings in the West, the tongue piercing has gone from strength to strength over the last decade. With a history that dates back to ritualistic practises used by the Myans and Aztecs, as well as being proof of trance-states to the Islamic Fakirs, the Sufis, and the spirit mediums of the ancient far east, the modern resurgence in the West came about via the famous 'Gauntlet' piercing studio - the U.S.A's first piercing studio located in California. Tongue Piercing on Kristuzhe - profile Variations in tongue piercings Aside from regular tongue piercings, pierced through the centre of the tongue, other variations have developed, such as 'Viper Bites' - two tongue piercings placed side by...http://knink.com/BodyArt/PiercingGaugeMeasurements/dgcb/post.htmSat, 16 May 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16508Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/PiercingGaugeMeasurements/dgcb/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16508.xmlWhat does 'Gauge' mean? The gauge of a piece of piercing jewellery refers to how thick the jewellery is ( see figure C in the graphic below ). In many parts of the world, the gauge system isn't used, and the thickness of piercing jewellery is measured in milimetres, so here's some information to show you what the different gauges mean in milimetres. Piercing Measurement Guide Showing Various Barbells - Click here for more ... Measuring Body Piercing Jewellery It's important to find the right measurements for your piercing jewellery, and your piercist will be able to advise you on which types of jewellery, and what sizes are going to work best with your piercing. Different people have slightly different...http://knink.com/BodyArt/PiercingMeasurementInformation/dgcr/post.htmSat, 16 May 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16507Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/PiercingMeasurementInformation/dgcr/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16507.xmlsee : Piercing Gauge And Measurementshttp://knink.com/BodyArt/PiercingBarbells/dzxx/post.htmThu, 16 Jul 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16436Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/PiercingBarbells/dzxx/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16436.xmlBarbell style piercing jewelry is composed of a straight bar and with a bead on each end, one or both beads unscrewable for removal and/or changing of the beads. Often one of the beads is fixed, either via epoxy or welding , so that only one bead is used to install or remove the jewelry . Barbell threads are usually right-handed. They are named because they resemble the barbells that are used in weightlifting. Types of Barbells Internally threaded barbell Internally threaded barbells Named because the bar has smooth ends with receiving threads tapped into the end of the bar. In internally threaded jewelry, the bead has a receiving tube machined into it (this is referred to as "countersunk"), with a threaded post...http://knink.com/BodyArt/BridgePiercings/dzxk/post.htmSat, 16 May 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16432Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/BridgePiercings/dzxk/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16432.xmlA bridge piercing is a Piercings|body piercing through the skin on the bridge of the nose , usually directly between the eyes of the wearer. The bridge piercing is also known as an "Erl" or "Earl" piercing, after its first recipient, Erl van Aken. A variation on this piercing, the vertical bridge piercing is a Surface Piercings|surface piercing. Bridge piercing photo courtesy of GoneJustLikeBefore - profile The risk of rejection is quite high for this piercing, as it is a surface piercing. There is also a high risk of scarring when the jewellery is removed, so before considering a bridge piercing, take some time to think a few things through - the flap of skin on the bridge of the nose is different for each...http://knink.com/BodyArt/SurfacePiercings/dzxm/post.htmWed, 16 Sep 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16434Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/SurfacePiercings/dzxm/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16434.xmlThere are many different types of surface piercing. These piercings follow a channel which follows the plane of a flap of skin anywhere on the body, rather than piercing right through the skin tissue where it's thin enough in a convex or concave area. hip piercing - Steph Blackwire - profile Surface piercings are becoming increasingly popular with anti-eyebrows, nape piercings, hip piercings, and many others growing in popularity, and microdermal anchors becoming more widespread. Sometimes surface piercings are difficult to heal, because, as the body rejects the body jewelry as a foreign object, the jewellery is pushed to the surface, causing the piercing to 'grow out', but proper placement and jewellery selection by an...http://knink.com/BodyArt/MonroePiercings/dzxj/post.htmTue, 16 Jun 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16431Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/MonroePiercings/dzxj/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16431.xmlWhy's it called a Monroe? Named after the actress Marilyn Monroe, who's famous beauty spot gave inspiration for this piercing, the Monroe is located to the side of the upper lip. It's often located on the left side of the face, although this isn't a hard and fast rule, and piercings above the lip are often referred to as Monroes no matter which side they're on. Monroe Piercing by artist black0widow - profile The same piercing located on the right can be known as a 'Madonna' or 'Cindy Crawford' due to the location of the singer and model's own beauty marks. Generally pierced with a smaller-gauge stud, the location isn't identicle on everyone, and depends on what the wearer's after, ...http://knink.com/BodyArt/Piercings/dzmd/post.htmTue, 16 Jun 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16391Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/Piercings/dzmd/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16391.xmlBody Piercing has been around for centuries, and is even mentioned in biblical times. It's practice has served many social functions, including spirituality, social hierarchy, fashion, religion, non-conformism, and eroticism, among many others. Modern day piercing culture draws its appeal from all these functions, and many others, and piercing devotees have found new ways to express their love of the art-form, bringing new ideas and methods to traditional piercing styles, and re-vitalising the culture across the globe. Types of Piercings Piercings on the head and face Monroe, upper & lower labret and tongue piercings - profile Monroe Piercing (Healing time - 6-12 weeks) Monroe piercings|Monroe Piercings (also known as a...http://knink.com/BodyArt/Barbells/dzxn/post.htmTue, 16 Jun 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:16435Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/Barbells/dzxn/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-16435.xmlhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/GuidesAndResources/dlg/post.htmWed, 16 Sep 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1060Anonymous0http://knink.com/BodyArt/GuidesAndResources/dlg/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1060.xmlWelcome to our resources and articles section. We cover everything from Tattoo History through Tribal Tattoos to Tattoo Care and Piercings You can find information on tattoo designs|designs, Tattoo Equipment|equipment, Tattoo Studios|tattoo studios and much more.. Also, if you're a registered and regular user, you can contribute to the articles yourself!http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooHistory/dlh/post.htmThu, 16 Jul 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1061Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooHistory/dlh/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1061.xmlTattooing has been a Eurasian practice at least since Neolithic times. Ötzi the Iceman, dating from the fourth to fifth millennium BCE, was found in the Ötz valley in the Alps and had approximately 57 carbon tattoos consisting of simple dots and lines on his lower spine, behind his left knee, and on his right ankle. Other mummies bearing tattoos and dating from the end of the second millennium BCE have been discovered at Pazyryk Tattooed Mummies| Pazyryk on the Ukok Plateau . Japanese tattoos are thought to go back to the Paleolithic era, some ten thousand years ago. Various other cultures have had their own tattoo traditions, ranging from rubbing cuts and other wounds with ashes, to hand-pricking the skin to insert dyes. Tattooing has...http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooInfections/dmm/post.htmSat, 16 May 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1083Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooInfections/dmm/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1083.xmlSince tattoo instruments come in contact with blood and bodily fluids, diseases may be transmitted if the instruments are used on more than one person without being sterilized. However, infection from tattooing in clean and modern tattoo studios employing single-use needles is rare, as Tattoo Studio Hygiene|tattoo studio hygiene is a top priority amongst professional studios. In amateur tattoos, such as those applied in prisons, however, there is an elevated risk of infection. To address this problem, a program was introduced in Canada as of the summer of 2005 that provides legal tattooing in prisons, both to reduce health risks and to provide inmates with a marketable skill. Inmates were to be trained to staff and operate the tattoo...http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooEquipment/gml/post.htmThu, 16 Jul 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1949Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooEquipment/gml/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1949.xmlTattoo Machines, Autoclaves, Tattoo Needleshttp://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooDesigns/dmx/post.htmSun, 16 Aug 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1085Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooDesigns/dmx/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1085.xmlThere are many types of tattoo designs, which can be sorted into major categories such as black and grey tattoos, biomechanical tattoos, new school tattoos, Japanese, tribal, Celtic, and many others. Aztec Tribal Sun Tattoo Within these categories, the subject matter often follows various subjects, eg. Koi with Japanese tattooing, or cards, flames, dice, and swallows in New School Tattooing. Any image can be tattooed in the 'Japanese', 'New School' 'Tribal' or any of the other overall styles, however, so images which have been previously linked to a specific style are increasingly appearing in a wide range of styles. For example, you can fuse two or more styles eg 'New School Japanese' to create a new...http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooMachines/dng/post.htmThu, 16 Jul 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1094Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooMachines/dng/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1094.xmlA tattoo machine is a hand-held device generally used to create a tattoo , a permanent marking of the skin with ink . Modern tattoo machines use alternating electromagnetic coils to move a needle bar up and down, driving pigment into the skin. Tattoo artists generally use the word "machine", or even "iron", to refer to their equipment, while amateurs and collectors often use the term "gun". Basically the machine works similar to alternating current— charge causes magnets to pull downward on the bar, which disconnects the circuit and allows the upward force of the spring to pull the bar upward. The tattoo machine parts Power is conducted by wires in two different directions: Through the coils to the...http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooNeedles/hnw/post.htmSun, 16 Aug 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:2252Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooNeedles/hnw/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-2252.xmlThere are two sets of tattoo needles - those used for lining, and those used for shading. Some tattooists will use the different types of needles with Shading Tattoo Needles machines specifically designed for them, eg, lining and shading machines, however many tattooists will use both lining and shading needles with the same tattoo machine. The needles are mounted (soldered in place) on a bar which is attached to the tattoo machine, and the number of needles can vary. The needles are attached to the the tattoo machine's needle arm which is what makes the movement happen, and the needles are surrounded by a sanitary tube which can be taken off so that it can be sterilised in an Autoclaves|autoclave. The sanitary tubes are designed...http://knink.com/BodyArt/ChineseCharacters/dlx/post.htmThu, 16 Jul 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1068Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/ChineseCharacters/dlx/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1068.xmlChinese characters have long been used in traditional Chinese tattooing, but their use in Western tattooing has become much more widespread. A Chinese character , Han character or Hanzi ( simplified Chinese : 汉字 ; traditional Chinese : 漢字 ; pinyin : Hànzì ) is a logogram used in writing Chinese (hanzi), Japanese characters ( kanji ), rarely Korean ( hanja ), and formerly Vietnamese ( hán tự ). The number of Chinese characters contained in the Kangxi dictionary is approximately 47,035, although a large number of these are rarely used variants accumulated throughout history. Studies carried out in China have shown that full literacy requires a knowledge of between three and four thousand characters. In the Chinese writing...http://knink.com/BodyArt/AfricanTattooHistory/dmg/post.htmThu, 16 Jul 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1077Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/AfricanTattooHistory/dmg/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1077.xmlThe history of tattooing in Africa dates back thousands of years. Until the recent discovery of Ötzi the Iceman, the oldest known tattoos belonged to the mummy of Amunet, a priestess of the goddess Hathor somewhere between 2160 BC -1994 BC. With her simple parallel lines on her arms, legs, and an elliptical pattern below her navel, Amunet was the oldest glimpse we know had into tattooing in Africa, and the world. The designs found on her mummy, were believed to be symbols of fertility and rejuvenation. No male mummies in Egypt have been found with tattoos, but this does not mean they didn't exist, as male mummies have been found in Libya with tattoos of images relating to sun worship. In the tomb of Seti the first, dating back to...http://knink.com/BodyArt/HennaTattoos/hnh/post.htmSun, 16 Aug 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:2251Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/HennaTattoos/hnh/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-2251.xmlHenna or Hina is a flowering plant, the sole species in the genus Lawsonia in the family Lythraceae. It has been used in body art, as well as textile dying and other arts for thousands of years, and is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, and northern Australasia in semi-arid zones. Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, 2–6 m high. The Henna Plant Preparation and application of paste Henna body art is made by applying henna paste to the skin: the lawsone in the paste migrates into the outermost layer of the skin and makes a red-brown stain. Whole, unbroken henna leaves will not stain the skin. Henna will not stain skin until the lawsone molecules are made available (released) from the henna leaf....http://knink.com/BodyArt/SamoanTattoos/hng/post.htmThu, 16 Jul 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:2250Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/SamoanTattoos/hng/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-2250.xmlWhen the Samoan Islands were first seen by Europeans in 1722 three Dutch ships commanded by Jacob Roggewein visited the eastern island known as Manua. A crew member of one of the ships described the natives in these words, “They are friendly in their speech and courteous in their behavior, with no apparent trace of wildness or savagery. They do not paint themselves, as do the natives of some other islands, but on the lower part of the body they wear artfully woven silk tights or knee breeches. They are altogether the most charming and polite natives we have seen in all of the South Seas…" The ships lay at anchor off the islands for several days, but the crews did not venture ashore and didn’t even get close enough to the natives to...http://knink.com/BodyArt/TribalTattoos/dmk/post.htmWed, 16 Sep 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1081Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TribalTattoos/dmk/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1081.xmlThe history of tattooing belongs to a great many peoples, and as the art travelled across the globe, the styles, methods and meanings were adapted to the various tribes which used the practise of tattooing within their culture. Presently, the art of the Maori Tribal Tattoos|Maori, Polynesian Tribal Tattoos|Polynesian, Samoan Tattoos|Samoans and mesoamerican peoples such as the Aztec are popular and are referred to as 'tribal' in the West, but the practise of tattooing extends to many other tribes, such as the Borneo Tribal Tattoos|Iban of Borneo, the tribes of the Philippines Tribal Tattoos|Philippines, and the people of the Mentawai Islands Tribal Tattoos|Mentawai islands, whose art is less well known. What's currently known...http://knink.com/BodyArt/CambodiaTattoos/hnz/post.htmTue, 16 Jun 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:2249Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/CambodiaTattoos/hnz/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-2249.xmlSak yant, (also called yantra tattooing), is a form of sacred tattooing practiced in Southeast Asian countries including Cambodia and Thailand. Sak yant are normally tattooed by Buddhist monks or Brahmin priests. The most famous temple in the present day for Yant tattooing is Wat Bang Phra in Nakhon Chaysri, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand. Wat Bang Phra Temple in Cambodia The Yantra designs that already existed in Hindu India were adapted by the Khmer as Buddhism arrived from neighbouring India. Records have shown that the tattoo dates back to Angkor times. Different masters have added to these designs through visions received in their meditations. Some Yant have been adapted from pre-Buddhist Shamanism and the belief in Animal...http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooStudioHygiene/dnd/post.htmSun, 16 Aug 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1091Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooStudioHygiene/dnd/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1091.xmlHygiene The properly equipped tattoo studio will use biohazard containers for objects that have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids , sharps containers for old needles , and an A utoclaves|autoclave for sterilizing tools. Certain jurisdictions also require studios by law to have a sink in the work area supplied with both hot and cold water. Proper hygiene requires a body modification artist to wash his or her hands before starting to prepare a client for the stencil, between clients, and at any other time where c ross contamination can occur. The use of single use disposable gloves is also mandatory. In some states and countries it is illegal to tattoo a minor even with parental consent, and it is usually not allowed to...http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooRemoval/dnr/post.htmWed, 16 Sep 2009 11:23:38 GMT296e1396-0a4e-4b91-9c5a-75a3a681c97e:1088Tom0http://knink.com/BodyArt/TattooRemoval/dnr/post.htmhttp://knink.com/BodyArt/comments30-1088.xmlOverview While tattoos are considered permanent, it is possible to remove them. Complete removal, however, may not be possible (although many doctors and laser practitioners make the claim that upwards of 95% removal is possible with the newest lasers, especially with black and darker colored inks), and the expense and pain of removing them typically will be greater than the expense and pain of applying them. Some jurisdictions will pay for the voluntary removal of gang tattoos . Gangs will often involuntarily remove gang tattoos, from a person who leaves the gang. Pre-laser tattoo removal methods include Tattoo D ermabrasion|dermabrasion , salabrasion (scrubbing the skin with salt ), C ryosurgery|cryosurgery , and e xcision (surgical...