Should I get a Tattoo?

It is becoming more normal to see tattoos in everyday society. Tattoos can have so many meanings, and the possibilities are limitless. Media, celebrities or a change in culture have made them popular in this era. I have been inspired to search for these answers after reading Stephanie Dolgoff’s Tattoo Me Again & Again. With all of this information on tattoos; I find myself questioning if i should get one myself. These days it is very common to see exposed tattoos on a regular basis. The practice of permanently putting ink on your body has even become a lifestyle for some people. Even prisoners are getting tattoos while incarcerated. What has changed in our society that has made people start glorifying tattoos? Anyone can get one; even minors with parental consent. There are many pros and cons to getting tattoos. The biggest problem with tattoo’s is the fact that they are permanent. Some say you can get a tattoo removed with expensive laser treatment, though the tattoo will soon become a scar. The only people I see benefiting from their tattoos are musicians. Many popular rappers have facial tattoo’s, why is this? There are other potential health risks to tattoos such as contracting HIV from a dirty needle, or regretting getting the tattoo. One of the biggest influences as to why people are tattooing themselves comes from the media. Musicians show off their tattoos on television and in other advertisements. These cultural influences spread across media outlets and create trends. A drastic trend has appeared recently popularized in movies such as “The Hangover”. Facial tattoos are becoming more and more prevalent. Previously these tattoos were associated with crime as displayed by prisoners and gang members. It is astonishing that our culture has changed so much that we now have idols with facial tattoos-- such as Lil Wayne. I do not have anything personal against people with facial tattoos, however when i see them I typically associate