Bamboo Tattoos are a very traditional method in Thailand. Most men will receive one in their life from a monk. The monk will decided what and where the tattoo will be placed depending on the receiver and what they need in life. Once completed the tattoo is believed to be blessed with magical powers of protection for the rest of their lives. Bamboo is shaved down into very fine needles and then attached in a line to longer sturdy piece of bamboo. This is then gently tapped by the artist into the skin. The skin in puncture, but not torn like a machine tattoo. This results in less bleeding and a much faster healing process with next to no scabbing. Since there is no blood pushing out the ink in the skin, the ink settles quite deeply and barely any color is lost.