Tattoo

A tattoo is a form of body modification where a design is made by inserting ink, dyes and pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. The art of making tattoos is tattooing.

Tattoos fall into three broad categories: purely decorative; symbolic; pictorial. In addition, tattoos can be used for identification such as tattoos on livestock as a form of branding.