Tattoo

A tatoo in the most common sense is a picture, figure or text drawn in ink (or other pigment) under the topmost layer of skin on an animal or human. The ink is introduced under the skin by a needle.

The purposes of tattoos are diverse. Identification, cosmetic, religious and magical uses are the most common.

Tattooing has been used for thousands of years, as evidenced by Oezti?.

Temporary tattoos made with 'black henna' may cause allergic reactions. 'Black hennna' is fabricated by adding PPD (p-Phenylenediamine) to natural henna, in order to achive a black color rather than the orange through brown stain of natural henna. PPD is very unhealthy [1].

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See also [scar tattoo]?; [military music tattoo]? (such as the Edinburgh tattoo)