To Tattoo Or Not To Tattoo

[Big Guy]

One of my grandchildren is having a running battle with her parents about getting a tattoo.

In my generation, pirates and convicts would place tattoos on their bodies. Apparently the world has moved on. I remember when piercing ears was the major cosmetic conflict point between generations but this tattoo thing has me baffled.

Why would somebody scar themselves for life with words, pictures or slogans?

I really do not understand.

Can someone please explain?

Edited June 24, 2015 by Big Guy

[Guest]

Can't help you I'm afraid. I have absolutely no idea why anyone would want to get a tattoo. To see the same image, every day, for the rest of your life?

Beats the hell out of me.

[PrimeNumber]

I have many tattoos acquired throughout my life. I don't regret a single on of them. Ultimately for me it comes down to art. It's tough to explain but when you want one, you want one and when you get one, you want another.
I suppose it's like asking someone who wants a fast car, why they want a fast car? The answer they will probably give you is to go fast. Some may say a status symbol.

The answer to why people want to get tattoos is because.. they want to get a tattoo. It can be a form of expression, much like having a fast car says, "Hey look at how much money I have."

[kimmy]

Personally, I have no tattoos and no piercings. 100% authentic Kimmy.

I'm not sure if there's anything I am so passionate about that I would want it permanently emblazoned on my skin. Some of my friends have small tattoos on their ankles or similarly unobtrusive locations.

However, I don't think I have a negative reaction to people who do... unless they're bad tattoos. If your tattoos are ugly or crass or spelt wrong, it might cause people to question your intelligence or your taste. But I have seen some really amazing tattoos as well.

-k

[Freddy]

The same reason why so many people wear makeup. They like how it makes them looks.

[Black Dog]

I fully expect to be one of the only people in my nursing home without a sleeve tat.

That could always change though.

[Topaz]

Yes, people, mainly women wear makeup but its very easy to take it off, unlike a tattoo and maybe the parents should get their kid to get an education if one wants it taken off, I hear it can be very painful.

[LesActive]

Before I answer I should correct a false assumption of the OP: a tattoo done by a competent tattooer does not scar the skin. Scarring occurs when the incompetent tattooer either, 1- hits the skin repeatedly at conflicting angles which damages the tissue; 2-going over the same spot too much with the same result as reason 1; 3- using poorly prepared or damaged needles (barbed or hooked, usually caused by blunt force) which turns the skin to hamburger. That's why proper training is so important and why one should always research their prospective 'artist' and their healed work.

I've been tattooing full-time for over 15 years now and have heard dozens of reasons for getting a tattoo. Sometimes there is no reason to get one. Sometimes it's just to get inked and sometimes it's for the trendiness of the design. Do you have any idea how many f'n variations of infinity loops I've done in the past 5 years?

For their first tattoo it's usually a design that imparts meaning to the wearer. Things like family crests, kids names, personal philosophies, poli/social statements, childhood memories and maps are common first tattoos. After the first one the reasoning for getting another becomes more relaxed on the regret-o-meter. After a while some develop a thematic approach to their chosen imagery. For instance, my right arm is dedicated to internal contradictions and I approach the artist with just that much information and no more.

There are almost as many reasons to get a tattoo as there are people who wear them and they are certainly not for everyone. That being said, I used to tattoo a sitting judge in London, ON. He has a full body suit, feet to collar bone, in tribal/black work. It takes all kinds.

[eyeball]

One of my grandchildren is having a running battle with her parents about getting a tattoo.

In my generation, pirates and convicts would place tattoos on their bodies. Apparently the world has moved on. I remember when piercing ears was the major cosmetic conflict point between generations but this tattoo thing has me baffled.

Why would somebody scar themselves for life with words, pictures or slogans?

I really do not understand.

Can someone please explain?

A good part of it probably has to do with making parents freak out. There's little that will compel lots of kids to do something faster than a parent saying no.

Edited June 24, 2015 by eyeball

[Black Dog]

A good part of it probably has to do with making parents freak out. There's little that will compel lots of kids to do something faster than a parent saying no.

I see a lot people who are parents getting tattoos. The "edge" is gone.

[Big Guy]

To LessActive - Thank you very much for your interesting and informative response. You obviously have more experience on the issue than most people.

This has become a fad fairly recently and I am not familiar with long term consequences. What happens when people age and the skin begins to sag? The "art" will certainly be distorted. Does anyone have experience with this phenomena?

[eyeball]

I see a lot people who are parents getting tattoos. The "edge" is gone.

Oh yeah? Depends on what body parts your kids are talking about tatooing.

[LesActive]

To LessActive - Thank you very much for your interesting and informative response. You obviously have more experience on the issue than most people.

This has become a fad fairly recently and I am not familiar with long term consequences. What happens when people age and the skin begins to sag? The "art" will certainly be distorted. Does anyone have experience with this phenomena?

You're welcome. Despite its recent surge in popularity over the past ten or so years tattooing is still a somewhat mysterious and, in reference to your pirates and convicts allusion (you forgot whores!), taboo trade to a lot of folks. I don't mind dispelling popular misconceptions about tattooing when given the opportunity.

There are two main reasons for funky looking tattoos as the skin ages: weight fluctuation and the skill of the tattooer. As I often have to tell people who want tiny, detailed designs/lettering, your skin is not like paper or canvas. It will change over time. I've seen tattoos absolutely destroyed by weight gain/loss. If tattooed while slim and then weight is gained the design stretches in width but not in height. In the case of body builders who can gain and lose weight quite quickly, the skin can give suddenly and you end up with stretch marks which, in a tattoo, can be pretty funny. I had a friend with a fair sized (6") sunflower on the side of her belly that, when she became pregnant, didn't end up quite so circular after the baby was born. Conversely, if tattooed while large and then lost weight the tattoo thins up and becomes crenellated. Also not a good look. Stability seems to be key.

The skill side of things is another story. A good tattooer who wants to make their client happy isn't going to do something that shouldn't be done. If the essence of tattooing is permanence then designs that aren't going to hold up for the next 50 years should be avoided. That being said, as your skin replaces its cells a tiny bit of ink is being dispersed which causes a faded look. If the tattooer is heavy handed the needles will hit into a layer of fat beneath the dermis (where the ink is held stably and where you want the ink to go) which cause the ink to immediately spread laterally and as the body ages the ink will continue to spread causing a blurry appearance. Conversely, if the tattooer is light handed and the ink doesn't reach the dermis then the ink disappears as the skin regenerates. That's why I suggest to look at healed tattoos. I've seen many examples of great looking tattoos in the artists portfolio but the healed tattoo two years later looks like it was scratched in with a wire brush. Good tattooers aren't cheap and cheap tattooers aren't good. caveat emptor

sigh, this is getting long, sorry, but then there's the aftercare.

If the tattoo is exposed to the sun within the first six to eight months you risk sudden fading which gets progressively worse as the skin ages. The same goes with soaking in chlorinated water for long periods in the six to eight month range. Don't get tattooed while on vacation. A poor healing regimen can also cause severe damage. If it scabs then ink will fall out and an infection can turn into a nightmare.

In the end though, if the tattoo looks faded or crappy then c'mon in for a consultation about a coverup or redo. The oldest person I tattooed was 87. She got a yin-yang on her ankle. She claimed she'd be the hottest thing in the home.

Edited June 25, 2015 by LesActive

[WestCoastRunner]

One of my grandchildren is having a running battle with her parents about getting a tattoo.

Why would somebody scar themselves for life with words, pictures or slogans?

There is the difference between generation gaps. It's not a scar for them, just for you.

[poochy]

I see a lot people who are parents getting tattoos. The "edge" is gone.

Its a lot like riding a Harley, my mother who is now in her 60's, has decided to get a few tattoos over the past few years, im not sure why, but when mom is doing it, it might not be the cool, rebellious things it was.

[kimmy]

I fully expect to be one of the only people in my nursing home without a sleeve tat.

That could always change though.

Will you be a "tribal" guy, or a "barbed wire" guy? That's what I'm wondering.

-k

[Black Dog]

Will you be a "tribal" guy, or a "barbed wire" guy? That's what I'm wondering.

-k

Butterfly tramp stamp.

[LesActive]

Butterfly tramp stamp.

So ten years ago, skank flanks are the latest trend. Get a pocket watch there and witness it turn Dali-esque over time.

[Canada_First]

Ive spent a lot of money on my tattoos. All done by the same artist who I must book months in advance. I have sleeves up both arms chest plates and am working on back piece. It's the art form. I like my body to be a canvas. It tells the story of my life basically in an abstract way. I put a lot of effort into my body with weight training and with tattoos. Part of who I am.

Not into crazy piercings.

[BC_chick]

So ten years ago, skank flanks are the latest trend. Get a pocket watch there and witness it turn Dali-esque over time.

I saw several around the belly-button and I can't imagine what those would look like after pregnancy.

[GostHacked]

The only advice I can give is that if you decide to get a tattoo then go with one you won't regret 20years down the road. I have one small one on my right arm and never regretted it, and actually now I am thinking of getting another one, but I have been putting some thought of what I wont regret.

I also used to have piercings, which are all gone now (tounge, eyebrow, ears) and I don't think I would get any others. I highly recommend staying away from getting your tongue done. It has permanently altered how I pronounce certain things like S's and soft C's. And I chipped a tooth, so .. out it came.

There are bad tattoos and then there are really good ones. Also as it has been mentioned , get a highly recommended artist to get the work done.

[Canada_First]

The only advice I can give is that if you decide to get a tattoo then go with one you won't regret 20years down the road. I have one small one on my right arm and never regretted it, and actually now I am thinking of getting another one, but I have been putting some thought of what I wont regret.

I also used to have piercings, which are all gone now (tounge, eyebrow, ears) and I don't think I would get any others. I highly recommend staying away from getting your tongue done. It has permanently altered how I pronounce certain things like S's and soft C's. And I chipped a tooth, so .. out it came.

There are bad tattoos and then there are really good ones. Also as it has been mentioned , get a highly recommended artist to get the work done.

Yes. Agree everything you said. Don't just go to anyone. It's going to be on your body forever. The guy I go to charges $250 an hour put the work looks like a picture or a sculpture. Very realistic. All my work is black and gray so I went to someone who specializes in that.

Make sure you really think about it cause once it's on there it's very expensive and very painful to take it off. Plus go to an artist that is very good at the type of work you like. Not every tattooist is great at everything. Pay a bit more to get the best work done.

If it's just some lettering then ok pretty much any decent artist can do it but for more involved prices be sure to really shop around. Visit the shop. Ask questions. Be nosey. Make sure they're clean. Don't take chances with your health. It's blood that were dealing with here pretty much.

[August1991]

Good OP.

The same reason why so many people wear makeup. They like how it makes them looks.

Very good comparison. Tattoos are similar to make-up, and cosmetic surgery.

Indeed, tattoos are like a choice of clothing, hair style: an individual can show who they are.

=====

I have been reading a book by Jacques Beauchemin and it makes me understand that (duh) tattoos, hockey teams, language, religion and so on help individuals to define who they are.

To go further, how do you view yourself? Are you a tattoo/piercing kinda person? (Kimmy apparently is not.) Or, are you a Chicago Black Hawks kinda person?

And then, are you a "little guy struggling" or a "cute chick in heels"? But maybe more ominously, are you "Muslim" or "Atheist"?

Edited June 25, 2015 by August1991

[Boges]

Everyone has the right to do whatever they want to their bodies.

But just like with free speech, people should be allowed to judge other for their decisions.

People who put "artwork" on their face or chest, or parts of their body that aren't discreet don't do anything for me. I don't get, for the life of me, why any woman would tattoo their chest. Or any man would but a tattoo on their neck.

Also the price is something I don't get. I have contemplated putting a meaningful tattoo on my shoulder but not at the price tag of $300 plus. Either young people have a lot more disposable income than I though or they're spending money they don't have on body art. Either way I have to question the judgement of a person with lots of tattoos.

[Boges]

Permanent Make up may be comparable to tattoos.

But not everyday eye shadow and blush. That's more like how you do your hair and nails. Temporary things you can do to make yourself look a little different. sleeving out your arm is something you'll have to live with all your life.