A sleeve tattoo (or a tattoo sleeve) is an immensely detailed, highly designed and beautiful piece of artwork. A full sleeve tattoo will cover a person’s an entire arm, all the way from the wrist to the shoulder and around on all sides. A full sleeve tattoo will often even continue from there, covering a person’s chest and/or back in continuation.

A sleeve tattoo is a big process to undertake and one that is not completed in a single sitting. Even if you go in with a plan for a sleeve tattoo (you know exactly what you want to do to cover all of that space from the start) you still won’t be able to get it all done at once.

This is because all of that artwork will take a lot of time to complete and the finished portions should be allowed to heal. Also, considering the size and scope of a sleeve tattoo, they are expensive propositions.

Many people however either don’t know what they want to fill in a complete sleeve tattoo with from the beginning or don’t have a plan to actually get a sleeve tattoo in the future. As they continue on, different events in their life occur or different designs and symbols are found, and as such the sleeve tattoo begins to form, one tattoo at a time.

Some sleeve tattoos keep a consistent style and meaning throughout the entire design, while others blend styles and symbols creating an interesting fabric of interwoven designs. Common themes for sleeve tattoos include Celtic knot tattoos, which are great for combining different tattoos with each other; tribal tattoos, which are dark and take up a lot of space and flames running down somebody’s arm and extending out of other designs. Sleeve tattoos often consist of important people, places and events in a person’s life, and sometimes can be “read” like a story from one end to the other.

Tattoo sleeves are not for everybody though. As mentioned above, they are expensive and time consuming. In a world where tattoos are still frowned upon by some (prospective employers or family members for instance) sleeve tattoos may get you unwanted negative attention and feedback. As an example, the United States Marines just banned full sleeve tattoos.

Instead of getting a full sleeve tattoo, you can pursue getting a half sleeve tattoo. A half sleeve tattoo is just what it sounds like. It can either extend from the shoulder to the elbow or from the wrist to the elbow. A quarter sleeve tattoo will typically run from the shoulder half way down to the elbow. Sleeve tattoos are gaining so much traction that certain companies even make fake tattoo sleeves that you can purchase and wear like an arm stocking.

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Piercing is a type of body modification which involves puncturing the skin and placing a decorative object and jewelry through the opening. It has got a wide popularity among the youths throughout the world. Piercing involves various body parts.

Nipple piercing is one of the most popular piercing sites. It is commonly seen in both men and women. It is generally done horizontally at the base of the nipple. It usually takes 3 to 6 months for complete healing.

The nipple jewelry is made from steel, white gold, gold or gold-plated steel. The popular jewelry includes a ring, with or without the bead or a pendant threaded through it. Dumbbell or D-shaped rings are also popular. If the jewelry gauge is too thin or the piercing is not enough deep, there is a chance of rejection. Metal allergies may also cause the rejection.

To reduce the risk of infection, it is very essential to have piercing from the experienced piercer in a very hygienic condition. The piercing instruments should be properly sterilized. Some people try to pierce the body parts themselves. But it is extremely dangerous. A skilled piercer is recommended for the piercing. The entry and exit points for the piercing are marked on the nipples. The area is cleaned with the antiseptics. The nipple area is tightly clamped or anaesthetized. A thin, sharp tube, known as a canula is pushed through the nipples. The ring is inserted through the nipple via the canula.

Some of the complications may develop due to the nipple piercing. It may cause the nipple infection. In case of women, it can immediately travel into the lymph nodes through the milk ducts. There may be scarring, growth of cyst inside the nipple. If the jewelry is too small, there may be the problem in healing.

Some precautions are suggested to avoid the infections. The piercing should be kept as dry as possible. You should thoroughly wash your hands before touching the piercing. Avoid using the fingernails to move the jewelry. Use a tissue paper or cotton bud to dry the piercing after the bath. Use of antibacterial liquid soap is recommended. Swimming should be avoided until the piercing is completely healed. If the symptoms like pain, swelling, yellow pus and inflammations are developed, immediately contact your doctor.

The persons with chemotherapy, breast implants, some medications like corticosteroids, anticoagulant drugs and with certain disorders including skin infections, heart valve disease and rheumatic fever should avoid the nipple piercing.

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Many people are attracted towards the body piercing because it gives very charming look to the personality. The piercing procedure should be performed in hygienic conditions using the sterilized equipments. Different body parts are used for piercing. Body piercing aftercare is very important. It is very essential to take care of your piercing.

Every body part requires different time for complete healing. The ear lobe and the eyebrow require 6 to 8 weeks for total healing. The nostril takes 2 to 4 months. The lip piercing requires about 2 to 3 months. It takes 3 to 6 months for the complete healing of nipple piercing. The tongue piercing requires 4 weeks. The belly button piercing may require 4 months to one year for complete recovery.

Always wash your hands before touching the piercing. Avoid unnecessary touching the jewelry as it may introduce the unwanted bacteria. Apply a sterile saline solution to the body piercing. Wear the clean fabrics around the area of piercing. Avoid wearing the tight clothing. Your bedding should be always clean. Leave the starter jewelry until the complete healing occurs. Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene is a very important factor in the body piercing aftercare.

A healthy lifestyle helps to heal faster. Eating the nutritious food, avoiding stress, staying away from the drugs and alcohol is beneficial for quick healing of the piercing. It is suggested to take a shower instead of bathing.

Mild seawater soaks are very effective for quick healing of the body piercing. Clean the piercing two times in a day during the healing period. Don’t play with the piercing. Before the cleaning the piercing, wash your hands using the antibacterial soap and hot water.

Don’t take out the jewelry during the healing period. Avoid applying any kind of ointment on the piercing. It is better to keep the piercing as dry as possible. The ointment creates the anaerobic condition and slows down the healing process. Don’t apply the shaving cream, make-up, perfumed stuff or strong soap around the piercing. Don’t sleep on the piercing during the healing period. Don’t over clean the wound as it may cause irritation and delay the process of healing. Avoid the Jacuzzis and swimming pools.

Swelling, bleeding and bruising are normal in the first few weeks. Itching at the piercing site also can be considered as normal. If the symptoms persist for longer time, then contact the doctor.

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Body piercing is a type of body modification. It involves puncturing a particular body part and inserting a piece of jewelry through the opening. The jewelry is not removed until the piercing is completely healed.

Body piercing is generally meant for wearing the jewelry. Some people pierce for the cultural or religious reason. Some practice piercing for the ornamental, spiritual or sexual reasons. Body piercing is very popular among the models and celebrities.

Piercing originated 4000 years ago in the Middle East. Then trend of nose piercing came to India from the Mughal emperors in the 16^th century. The tongue piercing was practiced by the ancient Mayans, Aztecs and American Northwest native tribes to mollify the gods. The ear piercing dates back to about 5,000 years. The lip piercing was practiced by the Nuba tribe of Ethiopia and the Dogon tribe of Mali for the religious implications.

Now-a-days, piercing has become the latest trend in the young generation.

Body piercing is applied to various body parts such as…

• lips
• nose
• ears
• tongue
• eyebrows
• nipples
• navel
• female genitalia
• male genitalia

Every body part takes different time for complete healing. The duration is about few weeks to one year depending upon the hygiene, aftercare and healing ability of your body.

Body piercing should be done by a skilled, qualified piercer. The most commonly used method is the standard needle method. At first, the area is cleaned with the antiseptic solution. A hollow needle is pierced through a particular body part. Then, a piece of jewelry is placed in the puncture. Other method is use of scalpel to create a slit in the body tissue.

The piercing guns are used for the ear piercing. The piercing equipment should be sterilized. The aftercare is very important in case of piercing. It should be handled after thorough cleaning of the hands. Wash the piercing area with the antiseptic solution.

Different kinds of jewelry are used for the body piercing. They include bars, rings, or studs. The jewelry should be made from the non-toxic metals like…

• 14 or 18 carat gold
• surgical steel
• titanium
• platinum
• niobium

The piercing may lead to some complications such as…

• chronic infection
• swelling
• scarring
• excessive bleeding
• pain
• some viral infections like hepatitis
• HIV
• abscesses
• inflammation
• skin allergies

In such cases, you should immediately contact the doctor. Practicing good hygiene will help the early healing of the piercing.

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Celtic cross tattoos have been around since the 5th or 6th century A.C. and have many different meanings depending on the interpretation and the culture giving it. Celtic cross tattoos also have many different visual forms that leave a person with a wide range of options when considering a Celtic cross tattoo.

Celtic cross tattoos incorporate the same style as other Celtic tattoos; most commonly the Celtic knots. Celtic knots are intertwined line designs, weaved together in a complex manner. There is no beginning and no end to the knot and therefore they carry a lot of symbolism. Celtic knots are said to represent the cycles of life and nature, the complexity of life and nature and the constantly changing world and universe. Celtic cross tattoos are commonly combined with elements of Celtic knots.

Typical Celtic cross tattoos have a long cross with a circle around the upper portion and the intersections of the cross. However, there are many other styles of Celtic cross tattoos. One of these is the equilateral Celtic cross, where all four sides of the cross are equal length. These can stand alone or be enclosed in a circle; when enclosed they can be known as a Celtic wheel cross tattoo. Therefore all Celtic wheel crosses are equilateral Celtic crosses, but not all equilateral Celtic crosses are Celtic wheel crosses. The common element of all of these variations will be the Celtic knots and other Celtic artistry.

Today, most people who opt to get a Celtic Cross tattoo do so to symbolically represent their heritage and/or their religion. Since the cross is now an instantly recognizable Christian symbol, it is easy to see why. However, that was not always the case. One interpretation of the meaning of Celtic cross tattoos involves fertility; both for human reproduction and for agriculture. The cross, or plus sign in this case, represents male reproductive ability and the circle represents the life giving female. Other interpretations include the circle representing life, eternity and God’s presence, while the cross represents the four directions or the four elements; implying how God is omnipresent and all around us.

While there is no definitive meaning behind a Celtic cross tattoo; you can apply it to yourself, your history and your beliefs however you choose. Regardless of the symbolism you choose to apply, Celtic knots and the Celtic cross tattoos they are incorporated with are beautiful tattoo designs.

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Celtic tattoos designs have attracted a wide-range of enthusiasts who fall in love with the vividly elaborate style and historic knotwork of the Celts. Today, the symbolism and visual intrigue of Celtic tattoo art appeals to much more than those who possess Irish, Scottish, or Welsh cultural ties.

While some may choose to express their pride by highlighting a Celtic tattoo design – others are simply mesmerized by the hypnotic nature of the typical Celtic style.

Popular Celtic Tattoos Designs

Intricate detail, interlacing patterns, animal transformations, splashes of color, and carefully placed lines are some of the common characteristics that Celtic art offers an individual. Celtic-inspired tattoos are distinctively recognizable with a handful of popular selections that easily identify Celtic art. For instance, one of the earliest symbols regarding the culture offers a blend of pagan and Christian traditions – the Celtic Cross. Displaying a history of early Sun worship, it is the circle of this particular design that serves as a symbol for the sun. Overall, the Celtic Cross tattoos of today symbolize infinity and eternity.

Celtic knots offer a fascinating display of complete loops that possess no beginning or end. Some Celtic knot designs also feature the inclusion of animals, where the heads, feet, and tails of creatures serve as part of the display. The translation and symbolism associated with Celtic knot tattoos touches upon varied personal and spiritual expression. However, it is the notion of continuous life, love, and faith that many individuals initially gravitate to when considering a Celtic tattoo design.

Another colorful design to think about includes Celtic butterfly tattoos, which have found a particular following with women. A popular Celtic butterfly design involves using knots to form the shape of this symbolic creature. In Celtic tattoo art, the butterfly serves as a symbol of resurrection, grace, beauty, diversity, and peace. It can also refer to life after death.

An individual may also choose this type of Celtic tattoo design to showcase a personal metamorphosis or transformation regarding their life. In Ireland, the butterfly is additionally linked to the representation of dead souls awaiting entry into purgatory. Yet, the butterfly tattoos of Celtic art predominately focus on the positive associations in life.

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Often, individuals who choose to live a Gothic lifestyle are artistic, creative, intelligent and consider themselves unique from the pack or herd. Gothic tattoo designs reflect these traits and beliefs. Here are some of the common types of Gothic tattoos.

Wicca and other mystical themes

Gothic tattoos often celebrate these underground beliefs, religions and practices. Common designs include pentagrams (5-pointed stars), designs that include the 4 elements (earth, water, air and fire) and other symbols, traditions and representations of occult and Wicca rituals.

Having a Gothic tattoo that includes such imagery does not necessarily mean the individual believes in witchcraft or other forms of magic or dark religion. Rather it is often a celebration of the unique and underground. Additionally, some Gothic tattoos will show a traditional religious symbol such as a cross upside down, to inverse its meaning or representation.

Darkness and death

There are many variations of cross tattoo designs and the options for getting a tattoo of crosses are   endless. You have to find art and design that is in itself appealing to you. Then, when picking a tattoo of crosses you should consider the origin of the cross tattoo designs you are choosing, its symbolism and whether you want to make a purely religious statement, something else entirely different or a combination of both religious and other symbolism. Some variations of tattoo crosses include:

The Celtic Cross

The Celtic cross tattoo has been popular since the 5th or 6th century. These tattoos incorporate typical Celtic design, including Celtic knots. There are long crosses with a circle enclosing the intersections and there are equilateral crosses with circles enclosing the entirety of the design; or no circles at all. Other meanings of Celtic cross tattoos include fertility, the cycles of life and nature and the intersection of the supernatural and natural worlds.

The Christian Cross

Christian crosses can range from simple to complex. Sometimes just a solid black long cross, a Christian cross can also be a crucifix or have a circular application of a “crown of thorns” or other symbolic Christian designs.

The Egyptian Cross

The Egyptian Cross, called an “ankh” has a curved loop at the top of its design. This can at a glance look like a representation of a human being and is the ancient hieroglyphic for life.

The Gothic Cross

A Gothic cross will often include a typical cross with other Gothic or dark design elements. These could include making the cross a part of a larger image or having the cross appear as weaponry or more closely associated with death.

Cross Combinations

A tattoo should always represent who you are individually and therefore there are many cross tattoo designs that include a wide range of other objects, words and symbols. Some popular combinations are tattoo crosses with roses, with biblical phrases, with flags, as part of tribal designs or as part of larger “scene” images.

While this should give you a wide sampling of possible cross tattoo designs for you to choose from, there are many other variations from many assorted cultures and civilizations with a broad range of symbolism and meaning. Make sure to pick the tattoo of crosses that fits your specific desires the best.

If you have ever considered upper back tattoos, you were thinking along the right lines. There are so  many reasons why people love upper back tattoos, but the main reason is that the back is an expansive, nearly flat and unremarkable canvas on most people.

This makes it perfect for those who want to have a tattoo that requires a bit more detail or space to accomplish. Best of all, tattoos in this area can easily be added to without anyone ever noticing. Let’s take a look at the subject of upper back tattoos in a bit more detail.

Upper Back Tattoos Work Well In the Professional World

One of the things that is great about your back as a canvas for interesting tattoos is that in a work setting, nobody should ever be able to tell that you have a tattoo without you showing them. At the beach or at the pool is one thing, but when you work (unless you work somewhere where clothing is optional) people will never be able to see your back. Upper back tattoos are easily hidden by a tee shirt or even just a tank top, meaning that you can go places that you normally wouldn’t dare with your ink.

Upper Back Tattoos Are Great Starting Points

Another thing that works rather well with upper back tattoos is that they are easily added to. If you start out with a small, medium, or even a larger upper back tattoo, you can add more to it later if you want to as the back is a large area. The fact that it is fairly flat also makes it a good place to have a tattoo that you may want more added to later, as the arms and legs and even the stomach make this a little bit difficult.

Upper Back Tattoos May Lead to Lower Back Tattoos

When it comes to the ladies, lower back tattoos are another option for someone who wants to be a little more discreet with their ink. Many times, upper back tattoos and the things that get added on to them lead to the desire for lower back tattoos, a popular spot for ink when it comes to the fairer sex. These are not only sexy, but stylish and chic and easily hidden at the same time. Being a relatively flat area as well, the lower back makes it easy for people to be able to use whatever tattoo design they like without having to wonder if it will fit or look good.

Upper back tattoos and virtually any other tattoo that goes on the back is bound to be a good one. If you are interested in getting inked on your back, you will find that the possibilities are endless when it comes to design ideas.

When you are looking to get a tattoo, you might be struck by the popularity of lower back tattoo designs.  They seem to be everywhere and though they are more popular among a younger crowd, there are many reasons why any fan of tattooing, no matter their age, would love to get a tattoo there. 

Whether you have a design in mind, or you are looking for a lower back tattoo design that will suit you well, there are a few things that you should think about.

One reason why lower back tattoo designs are so popular is because it is simply a place where a tattoo will sit very well.   Your lower back is frequently a very flat, smooth expanse of skin.  It lies along the center point of your body, and if symmetry is something that you insist on for your body, it is an ideal candidate.  Many people also find this to be a fairly painless area to tattoo as there is a pad of fat there that will absorb the pricks of the needle, but that will change from person to person.

Although these tattoos have always enjoyed a certain degree of popularity, the explosion in lower back tattoo designs might have something to do with trends for jeans and pants that are low slung, and, depending on the placement, will reveal part or all of the tattoo when the shirt is raised.  In this respect, this tattoo is often more common among women than among men, although it is very possible to find a style that will suit almost anyone!

When you are thinking about lower back tattoo designs, think about something that will fill up the space.  This is a large and attractive area to have filled, so even if it is your first, don’t think small!  Due to the fact that this tattoo can be covered easily by work clothes, you’ll find that this can be a great tattoo for anyone, regardless of their job.  Symmetrical tribal designs are quite lovely in this area, as are floral designs or circles.

Take some time to think about possible lower back tattoo designs before you dive in!

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