New Options for Body Art

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The ancient art of tattooing  as we know it has taken a strong stand in peoples' lives in the past hundred years. From the time of its earliest forms of Native American war paint to its most modern form, the concept of the tattoo has continued to evolve along with the various cultures of mankind. Today, tattoos are used as a symbol of character, each image reflecting a certain facet of one's personality and lifestyle.

                 A sketch of the earliest tattooing tools made of bone       

Modern tattooing tools

While tattoos may not be everyone's cup of tea, their industry has definitely reached a very broad spectrum of people as the technology to create these designs advances.

In recent years, the tattoo removal industry has begun to grow. More and more testimonies arise within the market regarding peoples' desire to remove tattoos they have grown tired of. Already in Los Angeles, there have been a few businesses come to center stage offering laser tattoo removal. Because of the dangers this procedure has on the skin, however, not many people are willing to undergo the process and walk away with scar tissue or possible skin damage.

The very first removable tattoo ink was tested on Schmieg himself

In response to this growing business, Martin Schmieg, CEO of a company called Freedom-2 Inc., has recently introduced the idea removable tattoo ink. This ink is made with all natural pigments that match most skin tones and are reversable with the use of a laser. Because this ink is placed just beneath the dermis, the body is able to easily disperse the pigments and get rid of them easier. Freedom-2 will officially launch this ink to the retail market autumn of 2011.

Jewel Eye

Although technology is generally a good thing for most people, it can also introduce a few speed bumps. Although new heights and capabilities have been reached in this industry, most of the latest technology is too controversial to quickly gain popularity. In the Netherlands, for example, the newest trend for tattooing is Jewel Eye, or tattooing on peoples' eyes. As the name may imply, a person can now get a small metal shard inserted beneath the top layer of the eye. The means by which this process is made possible are far too dangerous to avoid controversy.

The controversial eye tattoo

In case the idea of inserting a jewel into someone's eye isn't bizarre enough, there is always the new possibility to change the whites of your eyes to be a different color. The unnerving idea has the people of Canada dumbfounded, as Canada is the home of the innovator of this technology. The tattooing of eyes has not yet reached the United States simply because many people see the idea as unethical or inhumane. We'll just have to watch the process spread and see what happens!