Tattooing goes back to ancient times
Tattoos have been found in ancient mummies. Among the oldest examples are line tattoos belonging to a frozen mummy, and experts believe they might have served some medical uses instead of being simply decorative. On the other hand, the earliest tattoos depicting figures were found on Egyptian mummies. Other tattooed individuals from ancient times have been found across various parts of the world, including India, Japan, and Russia.In ancient times, tattoo artists predominantly used single needles, much like today's 1 round liner (RL) needles. These needles may have varied in size and were made from materials such as bronze, thorns, pointed bamboo sticks, and sharpened animal bones. The pigments used varied across cultures, often including natural ingredients like charcoal, ash, charred animal bones, and even insect eggs.
Ancient tattoo needles likely could not retain ink, so artists frequently dipped them in the pigment and punctured the person's skin following a specific design or pattern. Often, the needle was tapped gently and repeatedly to ensure that the pigment was applied at the appropriate depth. It's similar to the process still used today, albeit slower and entirely done by hand.
Some cultures, predominantly in Africa and Australia, practiced a related form of body art called scarification. This involved puncturing the skin a little deeper to create raised scars that followed symbolic patterns. The character of Killmonger in the first Black Panther movie was notable for having scarification tattoos that symbolizes his career. Scarification and some ancient tattooing tools, techniques, and traditions persist today, but they have become much less common over the years.
Electricity Changed the Game
After humanity discovered how to generate and store electricity, many inventors sought to harness the new energy source for various applications. One of these inventors was Thomas Edison, who patented a battery-powered mechanical stencil pen. This invention ultimately did not become very popular, but it inspired Samuel O'Reilly to create an electric oscillating pen that could apply ink to the skin around 50 times per second. Thus, the electric tattoo machine was born.
Electric tattoo machines allowed artists to work faster and achieve more consistent results. However, they also required different types of tattoo needles from those used for manual tattooing. This led to the invention of shorter tattoo needles with points soldered to a needle bar, which was then attached to the machine. Specific tattoo needle configurations, such as magnums and flats, still follow this design principle today.
Today’s tattoo needles are often made from medical-grade stainless steel to ensure both durability and the safety of the person receiving the tattoo. They come in various sizes; some are designed for specific techniques and purposes. Round liners, for example, are often used for lining. The TriFlat™, a flat and 3RL tattoo needle hybrid, is ideal for stippling and intricate multi-textural work, such as drawing hair strokes in permanent makeup eyebrow procedures. Some of today's tattoo needles are hollow. The needle's hollow center ensures a smooth ink flow, creating sharp lines that are gentler on the skin, minimizing any potential damage.
Needle Cartridges Improved Safety
Modern tattoo needles are usually encased in a plastic housing called a cartridge. Needle cartridges have multiple practical benefits, such as improving ergonomics and helping reduce finger fatigue, but they're most remarkable for ensuring the artist's and the client's safety in several ways. It keeps the needle points concealed inside the plastic housing unless the tattoo machine is running. This reduces the risk of the artist being poked accidentally, which then helps prevent cross-contamination and the spread of blood borne diseases.Furthermore, needle cartridges are designed for single use and can be safely disposed of after each session. This eliminates the need for sterilization and further reduces the chances of cross-contamination.
Tattoo needles are vital to the art and practice of tattooing. From ancient times to the modern day, we've seen how this tool has evolved alongside tattooing styles, techniques, and purposes. As technology progresses, who knows what new types of tattoo needles will be invented? One thing's for sure, though. Grip Needles will be at the forefront of innovation, providing high-quality, precise, and safe tattoo needles for professionals worldwide. Shop now!
