The creation and display of tattoos within a prison environment is often used to signify gang membership or advertise an inmate’s standing within the criminal community.  Used as a form of code amongst inmates they are often filled with hidden meanings and symbols.  Because of the information that can be relayed in a tattoo the law enforcement services have compiled an extensive prison tattoo database.  Tattooing in prison is not an ideal environment as the artists often lack proper equipment or any form of sterilisation for the tools that they do have, making having one a risk to a recipient’s health.  The act of providing or receiving a prison tattoo also carries with it the risk of further punishment if caught. Resources and Payment Whilst it is illegal in the United States to receive a prison tattoo it doesn’t stop the process occurring.  As inmates do not have access to the necessary approved equipment they have become extremely inventive in crafting what they need from materials that they do have access to.  Prison authorities in the United States have confiscated tattooing equipment made from mechanical pencils, staples, radio transistors, paper clips and even guitar strings. They also need to manufacture their own ink.  Where the ink from a disposable pen may seem a reasonable stand in, inks have also been concocted from soot mixed with shampoo, melted plastic or Styrofoam cups.  The prison tattoo artist takes a huge risk providing this service for his clients and whilst cash is not always an option, they will often receive payment in the form of cigarettes, tobacco or phone privileges. Designs Many gangs incorporate numbers and symbols in their designs as reflections of the gang names and networks, whereas motifs like spider webs and teardrops can be used to represent the length of their sentences and the family they leave on the outside.  Teardrop shaped droplets of blood are often used to symbolise the number of lives an inmate has been responsible for cutting short, or the number of charges against them.  Religious beliefs are often displayed in the form of a tattoo, especially by those belonging to the more extremist groups and cults by the use of swastikas or a simple ‘100%’ tattoo which is popular amongst white supremacist groups, believing it is their indicator of racial purity. Health Risks Without the proper equipment or means of sterilisation the prison tattoo carries with it a high risk of infection.  Diseases like HIV/Aids and hepatitis can be passed from one client to the next through the practice of sharing needles.  The very poor quality of the makeshift inks used can sometimes cause permanent scarring, even blood poisoning.  Those inmates found to be in receipt of a new tattoo, which is characterised by redness and swelling of the skin at the site of the tattoo are processed and charged, whilst those individuals found to be in possession of tattooing equipment receive punishments like solitary confinement, loss of privileges and confiscation of equipment.

Before you spit your coffee out or rush to the news websites to find out about Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall’s tattoo, don’t worry – it’s only henna.  The duchess has recently returned from a holiday with Prince Charles to Tanzania with the inking on her hand.  During her time away she received a henna tattoo which she says she never really wanted but felt like she had no choice to get… and there we were thinking for a moment that she might actually have had some fun. The Tattoo Itself Camilla’s tattoo isn’t actually that bad, and definitely not as bad as she is making out.  According to the Daily Mail, she claimed the tattoo was smudged slightly after application but we think it looks pretty much intact.  She received it during a visit to Stone Town in Zanzibar after watching the tattoos being applied to members of the local community.  It was not the only unique thing that the royal couple did on their trip away, with Prince Charles and Camilla also being spotted dancing and “swaying their hips” to some of the local music – now that we would have liked to have seen! Camilla returned from Africa two weeks ago and is still moaning about the tattoo.  When asked about it she said “the less said about that the better” but surely it’s a pretty interesting reminder of a good holiday away? Her After Holiday Woes Camilla has been present at a number of public engagements since she returned from Africa, which have included a state banquet which was held by the Queen.  These are said to have led to her regretting her decision.  Although her tat has been out and about in public since her return, Camilla has also opted to use gloves to cover it up, such as at the Remembrance Day memorial service last week. Non Permanent Ink Henna is a great option for people who do not want a permanent inking.  It is made from a traditional dye which comes from the leaves of the mignotte tree.  Although Camilla claimed the henna artist said it would disappear within two days, a henna inking is usually pretty clear for anywhere from two to three weeks and can be pretty tricky to remove.  The only way to increase the removal process is through a lot of exfoliation.  Other experts say that toothpaste containing whitening ingredients can also work as can soaking the tat in a bowl of salt water or chlorine diluted in water. Surprisingly no-one seems to have told Camilla about the special cover-up creams that can be applied or about the use of make-up to hide the inking.  Tattoo covers such as Dermablend can be purchased for next to nothing and we’re sure she could afford one if she really does hate it as much as she claims! All we are left wondering is where is Prince Charles hiding his…

White ink tattoos have seen a dramatic increase in popularity over the last few years.  At first sight, a white ink tattoo looks like a scar, which is part of the appeal of them for many people.  Differing from the traditional tattoo process which involves stencilling and outlining the tattoo in black ink, these are (surprise, surprise) completed in white ink which gives off a ghostly feel when completed.  They really are a unique tattoo design and can look very distinctive depending on your natural skin colour. Things You Need to Know If white ink tattoos sound like a cool idea to you, and you are considering getting one, there are a few things that you need to know first: Due to the ability of white tattoos to bleed off surrounding colour, they should be placed far away from any colour tattoos that you currently have. White ink tattoos look best on pale, unfreckled skin.  Freckles can cause the tattoo to look uneven, and dark skin can make the image look transparent – not a good look! As said above, white ink tattoos look more like scars or brandings than tattoos.  This is due to the colouring being thicker which gives the tattoo a raised appearance. Touch ups may be required to keep white ink tattoos looking as good as new.  They fade much more quickly in the sun than normal tattoos and can turn a dirty blonde colour if not looked after properly. If you later decide that you do not like your white ink tattoo you may have trouble removing it.  Multiple laser treatment sessions are not uncommon. Choosing a White Ink Tattoo Design When it comes to choosing a white ink tattoo design, simplicity is the key!  You should keep in mind when selecting a design that the ink will be white, which makes the tattooing process much more difficult.  Plus simple designs will look a lot better when complete and really will look like a unique branding on your body.  Trendy options include Chinese and Japanese characters, stars, writing, dragons, basic tribal patterns and hearts.  However literally anything is possible so long as it is simplistic in its design. Choosing a Location Due to white ink tattoos fading easily or becoming discoloured when placed in direct sunlight for extended periods of time, you might want to choose a location for your tattoo that is covered by clothes for the majority of the time.  Popular locations include the shoulder and ankle but anywhere that will be shielded by direct sunlight is a good idea. Risks Associated with White Ink Tattoos Although some people do have allergic reactions to black ink, these do tend to occur more often with white ink.  To prevent this from happening you may want to ask the tattooist to perform a small test with the ink on your skin so that you know whether you will be one of the unfortunate people who is allergic to the ink or not, plus you will feel more confident when you have the final tattoo done!