It is possible to trаce the practice of adorning the human body with a variety of applications created from a wide range of materials back to very early eras of human history. Why is it necessary to embellish oneself? Is this merely the product of the aspiration to be liked and to be beautiful, or could there be other factors at play here? The term “tattooing” refers to a method in which a dye that cannot be broken down entirely by the skin is worked into the dermis layer of the skin using a particular technique. In order to get to the deeper layers of skin, incisions or holes need to be made with a pointed instrument. These incisions are then stained with the required pigment with the assistance of an instrument, such as a needle and a thorn. Alternately, using a method that is common among Eskimos, the skin is first perforated with a needle, then a thread that has been smeared is run оver the skin, and last the dye is inserted beneath the skin. An further method is to spread a mixture of gunpowder and saltpeter into the open wounds and then light the mixture on fire. Following the completion of these procedures, in particular the process of bur𝚗ing the skin, a light or dark blue bur𝚗 mark is left on the skin that does not fade away.

Here is Ugur Bolukbasi’s collection of the 40 Most Inspiring Tattoos; you can follow his wonderful work on Instagram at @ugrblb.

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