Bodies are canvases. As a person, everyone is free to do what he/she pleases to do with it. That includes putting ink on it. Some people see tattoos as something disgraceful or unappealing, while some others find them beautiful.
Tattooing began in the eighteenth century. It was brought to Europe by the explorer James Cook. It began as the word “tattaw” and has since changed to the version that we know today. Tattoos are referred to by many different names such as ink, pieces, skin art, etc. But all of these names mean the same thing, using ink to stain your skin.
Tattoos can sometimes be looked down upon because in the 1800s, tattoos were only for returning sailors or lower criminal-class citizens. As generations went on, soon women and upper class citizens began seeing tattoos as a form of art on the body. In 2006, 36% of Americans from the ages 18-29 had tattoos. People get tattoos for many reasons. Many people get them as a memorial for a lost loved one, to represent a gang, for serving in the military, or mainly just for the fun of having it done.
Some health risks come with getting tattooed. Since the process requires breaking the skin barrier, individuals are prone to infections or allergic reactions. If the use of unsterilized tattoo equipment or contaminated ink occurs, some things could go wrong that include surface infections of the skin, fungal infections, some forms of hepatitis, herpes simplex virus, HIV, staph, tetanus, and even tuberculosis.
Even though tattoos are considered permanent, there are ways to remove them, those ways could be more painful than actually getting it done. To remove a tattoo, you can have laser removal or even get it covered up with something different.
It really doesn’t matter what others have to say about what you do to your own body. Tattoos are a work of art, and your body is the paper it needs.