"Wicked" Tattoo Designs!by MoonstoneWhipser

A tattoo is a permanent marking made by inserting ink into the layers of skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons. Tattoos on humans are a type of decorative body modification, while tattoos on animals are most commonly used for identification or branding.

Tattooing has been practiced worldwide. The Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, traditionally wore facial tattoos. Today one can find Berbers of Tamazgha and Maori of New Zealand with facial tattoos. Tattooing was widespread among Polynesian peoples and among certain tribal groups in the Philippines, Borneo, Mentawai Islands, Africa, North America, South America, Mesoamerica, Europe, Japan, Cambodia, New Zealand and Micronesia. Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular in many parts of the world.

A tattoo artist (also tattooer or tattooist) is a person who applies permanent decorative tattoos, often in a dedicated business called a tattoo shop, tattoo studio or tattoo parlour. Tattooers usually learn their craft via an apprenticeship under an established artist.

Tattooers may use flash (pre-drawn, stock images that can be traced onto the skin) or create original tattoos for their customers.