Bad Girls, Good Ink

Getting inked is not a new concept. Throughout almost every region of the world, tattoos have long been part of humanity’s culture. Recently, anthropologists discovered a 5,000- year old mummy, with evidence of multiple tattoos on its body. Scientists were able to determine that the method used for the tattoos included a needle and charcoal. And, during the ‘90s, a researcher uncovered the tomb of a 2,500-year old mummy, known as the Siberian Ice Maiden. The Ice Maiden was a representative of the Pazyryk culture—which thrived between the 6th and 2nd centuries B.C.—and, researchers discovered that she was strikingly covered in tattoos (as well as buried with a container of cannabis). A German native, by the name of Martin Hildebrandt, was the first documented professional tattoo artist in the United States and operated a shop in New York City. We’ve come a long way from some of history’s earlier tattoo methods. But, presently, some ancient tattoo methods have seen a resurgence in popularity and technology is also rapidly advancing how we wear our ink.

Artists claim that the less invasive technique, known as "hand poke" or "stick and poke," allows skin to heal quicker than artwork done with an electric tattoo gun. But, larger pieces of artwork should be broken up into multiple sessions. Singer Rhianna famously made a video of getting this technique done on her chest on a tour stop in New Zealand. According to hand poke artist Tiffani Walton, "A sterilized tattoo needle is attached to some sort of grip, dipped in ink and pushed into the skin by hand. The needle goes just as deep and the results are just as permanent." Hand poke tattoo shops have popped up in Los Angeles, Portland and New York City.

The word "tebori" is a Japanese term for tattooing by hand. The practice is usually taught through apprenticeship, but there are fewer and fewer of these artists around today. The technique involves steel needles attached to a metal or wooden stick. Fans of this technique usually travel to Japan for an authentic tebori tattoo, though the costs for tebori are usually double those of other tattoo styles. Beginning in the late 1800s, the Japanese government banned tattoos—this ban was lifted in 1948. To this day, several businesses in Japan will not allow tattooed patrons in their establishments.

Another ancient tattoo technique squelched by society early on is skin-stitching. This technique had been practiced by indigenous communities for centuries, before it was banned by missionaries and settlers. Using a needle and thread, lines of ink are threaded through the skin, to form a design. Local workshops now exist to teach the lost art of skin stitching. The Tlingit Native American Indian tribe, located in Southern Alaska, has started a resurgence movement for skin stitching.

Bamboo Tattoo or Sak Yants (the Thai name for "the tattooing of sacred geometrical designs on the skin") originated in Thailand, when Buddhist monks would receive these religious script tattoos as a form of protection. An artist uses a bamboo stick and the pressure of their hand to deposit ink into your skin—so, finding a truly skilled artist is key here. There is, generally, no scabbing or blood and healing is quick. Usually, travel to Thailand is required for an authentic Sak Yants. The artwork is considered to be highly spiritual and each design is tailored to each patron, in the form of a "protective design" that the artists consider to be a "magical spell." Actress Angelina Jolie has acquired several traditional Sak Yants over the years, though some locals complained that her notoriety would bring too much attention to what is considered a sacred practice.

On the very far end of the Sak Yants spectrum is a new tattoo technology called Duo Skin. Created by MIT’s Media Lab, the makers of these devices categorize it as a "wearable computer" and "digital skin jewelry." The company claims the fabrication process enables anyone to create a customized, functional device attached directly to the skin. The ‘device’ uses gold metal leaf, touted as "cheap and skin-friendly," which allows users to control input, display output and wireless communication. Users can control their mobile devices, display information and store information on their skin.

"We believe that, in the future, on-skin electronics will no longer be black boxed and mystified," says the company on the website. "Instead, they will converge towards the user- friendliness, extensibility and aesthetics of body decorations." Duo Skin’s metallic, temporary tattoos can be customized to any design. A company called Skin Motion has also created a tattoo that can play audio. Yes, you read that correctly. The company has developed a technology called Soundwave. While the process is somewhat complex and requires an annual fee for sound storage, it works. The user needs a Soundwave-approved artist, who will tattoo a waveform of your chosen audio and then the app can read the design. Soundwave technology is currently patent-pending.