The Science of Tattoos

Building strong community connections and being financially responsible are key to living a fulfilling life. Neighbor to Neighbor emphasizes the importance of fostering relationships with those around us, whether it's lending a helping hand or coming together during natural disasters. State Farm and DJ Ramos encourage financial education and the importance of making wise financial decisions for future success. Additionally, the future will be shaped by technology, specifically artificial intelligence, as discussed in the Technically Speaking podcast. Lastly, getting a tattoo is a significant decision, requiring careful consideration and thought, as shared by Julie Douglas in Stuff to Blow Your Mind.

Tattoos can serve as a meaningful and permanent representation of personal beliefs, fascinations, or experiences. The speaker in this conversation shared her interest in Christ imagery and the combination of masculine and feminine aspects of God, leading her to get a thoughtful and symbolic tattoo. Tattoos have become increasingly common, with 21% of American adults having one. While some tattoos may be hidden, others can be seen by all, making the permanence and potential meaning behind them all the more intriguing. Throughout history, tattoos have been used for various purposes, from therapeutic and protective roles to expressions of individuality. The power of tattoos lies in their permanence, making them both inspiring and empowering, as well as potentially dehumanizing. From the dolphin on a La-Z Boy to the misaligned "only God can judge me," tattoos can evoke a range of emotions and reactions. Ultimately, tattoos serve as a form of self-expression and a way to immortalize ideas that hold personal significance.

Tattoos have held significant meanings throughout history, serving various purposes such as personal identification, spiritual guidance, and medical treatment. The Siberian Ice Princess, discovered in 1993, is an example of a mummy with elaborate animal-based tattoos that were believed to tell her story and help her identify herself in the afterlife. Ancient Egyptians also used tattoos as talismans for protection, with one example being the name of the archangel Michael inscribed on an Egyptian woman's thigh. During the Crusades, Christian warriors identified themselves with the Jerusalem cross tattoo for proper burial. Additionally, tattoos were used therapeutically, such as Otzi the iceman's tattoos, which corresponded to areas of strain and may have been applied for pain relief. These historical examples demonstrate the deep connection and meaning behind tattoos throughout different cultures and eras.

Neighbor to Neighbor encourages community building through acts of kindness and support, while Astepro provides fast-acting allergy relief. The discussion also touched upon the history of tattoos and their use as a means of marking criminals, contrasting the permanence of tattoos with their empowering and negative aspects. Technologically, the future holds great potential with artificial intelligence leading the way, as explored in the Intel podcast "Technically Speaking." Despite the negative associations with contraband items like tattoo guns in prisons, they still find their way in, becoming part of the prison economy.

Tattoos hold significant meaning for individuals, especially in prison environments where they serve as a way to bond with groups, express faith, or commemorate loved ones. The teardrop tattoo, for instance, can represent various things such as mourning a loss, serving a long sentence, or committing a murder. Tattoos are a way for people to make their inner world a part of their outer world, and the act of getting a tattoo can be a ritual of pain and a form of embodied cognition. The stigma surrounding facial tattoos comes from their ability to change the way we communicate and perceive each other, making them intimidating and frightening in some contexts.

Tattoos hold deeper meanings beyond just aesthetics. They serve as symbols of identity, commitment, and even medical necessity. From gang tattoos representing a chosen lifestyle to medical tattoos marking specific conditions or radiation treatment areas, tattoos have a rich history and significance. The Yakuza's elaborate designs reflect themes of strength, perseverance, and unresolved conflict. Document tattoos, like the 3 dot tattoo signifying prison, hospital, and cemetery, symbolize commitment to a certain path. Medical tattoos, such as those used for radiation therapy or areola replacement, serve practical purposes. Overall, tattoos are a powerful form of self-expression and embodied cognition.

The history of tattooing is rich and fascinating, with its origins dating back to Polynesian practices and gaining popularity among sailors due to their nomadic lifestyle and the desire for permanent markings. The invention of the tattoo machine in 1891, based on Thomas Edison's electric pen patent, revolutionized the process and led to improvements in safety, pain level, and ink quality. Despite the FDA not technically approving of tattooing, the practice continues to evolve with new techniques and technologies, which we will explore in the next episode. To experience endless entertainment and discovery, tune in to Technically Speaking podcast and check out Xumo PLAY for free streaming of movies, TV shows, and live channels.

Tattoos remain in the skin because the ink particles are too large for white blood cells to ingest and remove. The immune system responds to each tattoo needle puncture by sending immune cells to the site, but the ink particles are too large for them to effectively deal with. Instead, the fibroblasts and macrophages suspend the ink particles in the dermis, making the tattoo a permanent part of the body. The FDA's reluctance to approve tattooing stems from the fact that it involves injecting ink into the skin, and the potential risks associated with that process. The tattooing process involves puncturing the skin multiple times per minute with a needle, depositing ink into the dermis, the second layer of skin, where it remains due to the immune system's response and the dermis's relative stability compared to the epidermis.

Tattoo regret is common and many people seek to remove their tattoos through laser treatments. Tattoo removal involves breaking down the tattoo ink into smaller particles so that macrophages can consume and eliminate it from the body. The process can be painful and requires multiple sessions, with costs ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the size and location of the tattoo. Black and white tattoos are typically the easiest to remove due to the starkness of the black dye. The removal process can be seen as a form of purging or self-flagellation, providing a symbolic end to past relationships or experiences. According to surveys, a significant number of people experience tattoo regret, with over a third of those surveyed expressing regret in a 2012 British Association of Dermatologists survey. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported a 43% increase in laser tattoo removal procedures between 2011 and 2012.

The tattoo industry is exploring new ways to make tattoos less permanent with the development of Infinity Ink by Freedom to Ink. This ink uses microscopic capsules containing dye that are easier to remove with laser tattoo removal. The smaller dye particles make it simpler for the body to deal with the laser. Although it may seem like an easy way out, it could be beneficial for medical tattoos and potentially for individuals who are unsure about their long-term commitment to a tattoo. However, the idea of a temporary tattoo goes against the permanency of the tattoo concept. The tattoo industry has seen both good and bad tattoos, and some may argue that a tattoo artist could provide valuable relationship advice. The speaker is intrigued by the idea of getting a bonding tattoo with a friend but is noncommittal about actually getting it.

During a discussion on the topic of tattoos, the importance of choosing a specific chakra to relate to the content being produced was emphasized. This decision helps avoid confusion and ensures a clear focus. The history, culture, and science of tattoos and tattoo removals were also touched upon in the episode. In the upcoming episode, the show will explore the future applications of tattoos. For more information, listeners are encouraged to visit stufftoblowyourmind.com, where they can access all podcast episodes, videos, and blog posts, as well as engage with the hosts via email. Additionally, the episode was sponsored by Neighbor to Neighbor, a California volunteer network aimed at building stronger communities, and Visible, a wireless company offering transparent pricing. Zumo Play and Ebay Motors were also mentioned as sources for entertainment and car parts, respectively.