"What Are the Differences Between Tattoos and Skin Branding?"

Evolution and Precautions of Tattooing

As more people embrace tattoos, the art of tattooing has also advanced. When asked about the difference between tattoos and skin branding, essentially, tattoos are also referred to as skin branding, albeit the latter being an earlier term. Skin branding involved directly puncturing patterns onto the skin with needles long ago, resulting in relatively monochromatic designs. Tattoos, as an evolution of skin branding, have diversified in color, better aligning with current trends.

Origin of Tattoos

Tattoos originate from the practices of decorating the skin among primitive tribal communities worldwide. This involves surgically implanting permanent patterns onto the body, often depicting animals, birds, flowers, totems, scriptures, or八卦 (symbols of Chinese cosmology). These designs reflect the tribes' aesthetic sensibilities and religious beliefs. In China, tribes such as the Gaoshan, De'ang, Li, Dulong, Dai, Blang, and Jinuo have traditions of body decoration.

Precautions for Tattooing

Firstly, ensure the sanitation of equipment in the tattoo studio. Tattooing can be considered a minor surgical procedure, thus, the cleanliness of tools is crucial. Operators should use disposable gloves, needles, and stainless steel tattoo machines. Secondly, be informed about the quality of tattoo ink. Modern tattoos typically utilize alcohol-based liquid plant pigments instead of the dyes and inks used in traditional skin branding. As plant pigments are extracted from natural sources, they are less likely to cause infections when infiltrating the skin.

Thirdly, prioritize self-care. During tattooing, adrenaline or similar solutions should be used for cleaning and hemostasis. After tattooing, rinse with lukewarm water and maintain the tattoo's dryness (usually for a week) to prevent infections that could lead to skin decay. Professor Jörg Christoph Prinz, head of the dermatological clinic at the Ludwig Beckhoff Hospital in Munich, Germany, warns that if the ink contains para-phenylenediamine (PPD), eight out of ten individuals may experience sensitivity. He advises parents to keep children and adolescents away from products containing PPD, as these harmful chemical dyes can cause severe long-term effects.

Alarmingly, some tattoo enthusiasts, lacking professional knowledge, allow so-called "tattoo artists" to use eyebrow threading machines and non-specialized tattoo pigments for their tattoos. However, the torque and rotation speed of eyebrow threading machines are insufficient, often leading to unappealing results or even skin lesions due to improper depth control. Moreover, the vibrancy of patterns created with non-specialized pigments pales in comparison to those achieved with dedicated tattoo inks.