Tattoo technology made a huge leap when Thomas Edison’s electric engraving machine was adapted to deliver pigment below the skin through a hollow needle. Another advancement was made when electromagnets were used in tattoo machines. Alternating electromagnetic coils move the tattoo needle up and down, driving pigment into the skin.
These dual coil tattoo machines are the industry standard and are used in most tattoo artist training, although some tattoo artists prefer rotary machines because they are lighter weight. This means the tattoo artist can work for longer periods of time with less finger and hand cramping. The rotary machines are quieter as well. And, a rotary machine can be used to line and shade.
Another advancement in tattoo technology has been the wireless tattoo machine. Touted as “green” technology, this machine runs on DC power so it can be used anywhere, even if no electrical outlet is present. They have a wireless foot switch so that wires don’t get in the way of the tattoo artist’s chair. They are rechargeable and can run up to 12 hours on a 90 minute charge. The batteries are also recyclable.
Most recently, programmable tattoos have become the newest advance in tattoo technology. A system marketed by ThinkGeek called MoodINQ is a want and subscription service that can change a tattoo with the swipe of a wand. The system works with microencapsulated spheres that are injected under the skin to make a “canvas.” The encapsulated area heals within two to three days and is then ready to be tattooed. A wand is used to change the tattoo canvas. The wand is plugged into a computer to download tattoo designs, which can be manipulated and customized. The wand is then rubbed over the canvas area of the skin to configure the E-ink capsules into your tattoo design. The design stays intact until it is wanded with another design. It can also remove the image as well.
