| According to National Geographic news, in April of 2000 it was reported that approximately 40 million people had tattoos. Are you one of them? |
| Ranging from simple designs to large elaborate back pieces and sleeves, more people seem to have tattoos regardless of the social stigma that they are usually associated with. |
| According to Starlight Tattoo, "Americans with tattoos said that having a tattoo has made them feel more rebellious (29%) while others said a tattoo makes them feel more attractive (26%). But apperantly they won't do much for your intelligence, as few American reported that tattoos make them feel more intelligent (5%)". |
| Whether your reasoning for body art is to rebel, or just a pure fascination with the beauty and art of tattooing, all sides of the subject must clearly be addressed. |
| According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, the "FDA considers the inks used in intradermal tattoos, including permanent makeup, to be cosmetics and cosiders the pigments used in the inks to be color additives... However, because of other public health priorities and previous lack of evidence of safety concerns, [the] FDA has not traditionally regulated tattoo inks or the pigments used in them. The actual practice of tattooing is regulated by local jurisdictions." |
| Some of the risks involved with getting a tattoo are infection (such as the transmission of hepatitis and skin infections caused by unsterile tattooing equipment), allerigic reactions, keloid formation and granulomas (which are nodules that may form around the particles of tattoo pigment). |
| To avoid these risks, thoroughly investigate the tattoo shop that you are considering. Make sure that the area appears sterile, and most of all make sure the equipment that is being used is sterile. |
| if the tattoo artists cannot clearly show you that the equipment is sterile as well as the autoclave that they sterilize the equipment in, do not trust that tattoo shop. |
| Many of these risks are rare, and statistics show that there is a lower hepatitis risk in tattoo shops than in dentist offices, but you still need to be aware of these risks before you get inked. |
| Another aspect to consider when getting a tattoo is that they are permanent. If you get a tattoo in an area that gravity or the gain or loss of weight will effect, understand that your tattoo might be affected as well. |
| Tattoos can also fade, especially those with lighter colors such as white and yellow. they can fade even quicker in the sun or artificial light, so be sure to use a higher level of SPF while in the sun or tanning beds. |
| If you are young and something really interest you, just realize that this tattoo will be on your body when you are 80. Think long and hard before getting something that ten years down the road you might regret. |
| Although the social stigma with tattoos is usually not in the greatest of light, remember that tattoos in a sense reflect you and can possibly affect your employment. If you have a full sleeve or tattoos that cannot be covered up, this may not be the greatest choice if your career is on a more professional level. |
| While taking all of this into consideration, make sure that the tattoo you chose has personal meaning to you. Do not decide to get a tattoo because as part of a "trend." |
| Junior Gillian Maffeo stated that, "each one of my tattoos represent different phases in my life. My Roxy symbol represents youth, surfing, and when I was affiliated with Roxy, which was when I was younger. My star, which is not complete yet, represents a new beginning, with jobs and success." |
| The art and technique of tattooing is amazing to watch, so if you are interested in getting a tattoo, visit a local tattoo shop and inquire about them. They can range in price depending on detail, color, and placement on your body, so be sure to visit different tattoo shops for not only the best tattoo artists but also the best price. |
