What do your tattoos or piercing’s mean to you?

I have always been fascinated trying to understand the psychology behind tattoos, body piercings and other form of body modifications. What does it take for a person to scar or change some part of his/her appearance permanently?   What are the thoughts, feelings and emotions behind it? What makes them opt to be the living canvases of tattoo and piercing?  Perhaps it takes a certain type of person to do it.

Cultural implications:

Tattooing/piercing is an ancient practice going back to almost 3000BC. In many cultures, the practice of tattooing the skin deep rooted cultural meanings.  Some cultures especially in Middle East and Asia also have temporary tattoos or ‘henna ‘which is said to have its origins in India and ancient Egypt. 

Tattoos, Piercings and Peer pressure:

What is the story behind your tattoos or piercings?

“Oh my God!  I will be 32 this Saturday; and I haven’t got a single tattoo on my body.  People might think I am weird” My co-worker almost shocked me with this revelation during one of our common lunch breaks.  It has never ceased to amaze me as to how little it apparently takes to get a growing number of people to willingly put permanent marks all over their arms, face, shoulders, or any part of their body, for that matter.  “But why do you want a tattoo?  “I asked baffled.  “Oh, I do not want to be the odd one out.  Everyone has a tattoo; that’s it”

Today, tattoos and piercings seem to symbolize uniqueness, peer bonding, acceptance and approval, and artistic individuality.

A way of self-expression:

Many young adults feel the need to express themselves through their tattoos or piercings.  Their body art may symbolize quotes or lyrics of their favorite songs or authors, or belongingness or oneness with a common group or community.

I have often heard of people getting ‘addicted’ to these body modifications because their inspiration keeps them going.

“My tattoos tell the story of my life.  They stand for strength, empowerment, triumph, and so much more.”

“I wanted a memorial for myself; a reminder of what makes me the person I am”

“Each of my tattoos hold a special meaning in my life.  It reflects the person I was and the person that I am now; from depicting the most heartfelt, thoughtful decisions to completely spontaneous moments of my life”

Body modifications, self-harm and coping:  Is there a link?

Although I understand; tattoos and piercings can have significant meaning to different people; be it cultural, personal or community based; and some claim to be using them as a form of self-expression or purely for aesthetic purposes; over the years, working in mental health; I have often also come across people who claim it as a socially acceptable way of self-harm.  Others revealed it was a form of a coping mechanism for them; to help overcome a traumatic experience.  There were a few who do it just to experience the pain.  And then, there are those who opt for permanent body modifications to hide their scars.

An unofficial online social media survey had the participants saying the following:

“I’ve struggled with an eating disorder and self-harm. Each time I look at the tattoos on my arms, I feel a sense of pride no matter how I’m feeling about my body”.

“I love the fact that at the end of all the pain; I get a beautiful piece of artwork done.  Or a reminder…. just without the scabs or scratches or worse….”

“The pain feels good; it makes me feel more alive.  I hate feeling so numb all the time”

One of the self-harmers reported that they often had their skin tattooed or body pierced to help forget a negative experience, or just to numb the emotional pain with the physical one.

Another important link that I saw was that, many of the self-harmers had ceased cutting themselves after their first tattoo or piercing.

“It’s pure therapy.  Physical pain helps me forget the emotional turmoil”

“That’s why I have so many of them (Tattoos).  Two reasons basically:  one to hide my scars; the other to not cut anymore”

“I do my own tattoos for this very reason (self-harm).  I am also learning and improving”

“I call it my ‘ink therapy; more expensive but with prettier results”

“It distracts me from self-loathing and feeling unattractive”

One of my Facebook friends said, he used tattoos to take back control of his body.  After having experienced intense abuse in his childhood, he had begun to literally hate himself.  After a friend introduced him to his first tattoo, he said the feeling of rush was enormous.   “Now each time I look at it; I feel a sense of pride knowing that I have moved on from hell to a much better place now”

No matter, whether you do it for self-harm, to experience the pain or to improve your self-esteem, know that tattoos and piercings do not come without side-effects.

  Today, I dare you to play the devil’s advocate and challenge your own beliefs and re-consider your coping strategies.

 If you believe that your appearance dictates your value as a person, remind yourself of the many qualities that you value in others.   If you think you need a piercing or ‘ink therapy’ to escape the pain; know that the pain never goes away; but will re-bound after the initial euphoria begins to wade.

I urge you to realize that body modifications are not without adverse effects.  Know them, understand them and then consciously make a informed decision.

Tattooing Risks and Costs

1. The introduction of unknown chemicals, or inks, into the skin with a needle, leaves the person susceptible for infections such as hepatitis C and tetanus.   
2. Some have also experienced burns during procedures such as x-rays or certain scans due to metallic pigments found in the ink used to tattoo. 
3. Complications from piercing’s include pain, increased bleeding, infection, keloid formation, tumors or nipples, umbilicus and other sensitive areas, local infection, allergic reactions, skin rashes, ear cartilage damage, infections of the heart, kidney infections, and many more.
4. Tongue piercings and studs can cause chipped teeth, recessed gums and nerve damage.
5. Expensive and financially depleting
6. Nipple piercings in a woman may disrupt milk ducts, interfere with later breastfeeding, and contribute to development of breast abscess.

  One of my co-workers, a self-described “tattoo addict,” with 26 tattoos and 12 piercings on her body said she was amazed at how costly and painful it has been to have them removed.

 “I began tattooing at age 13, to improve my self-esteem and self-worth; to feel good in my own skin.    Later, as I matured and had kids of my own; I began to realize that no amount of tattoo or body piercings was going to help me feel worthwhile”.

No matter what your intent; deciding to permanently modify your body is an intensely personal act. Every individual is different and at some point of their lives or other has to adhere to his or her own individual beliefs and live up to cultural standards. Therefore, there is no singular reason people get tattooed.

It is not necessarily bad, if you use body modifications as a way to cope with your trauma.

  If it helps redirecting those sad feelings to something else, or to redirect the negative over whelming emotions; go for it; however, ensure that your coping mechanism doesn’t become maladaptive and leave you with no ability to “feel”.

Sometimes when we take something to an extreme it can have adverse effects.

Under no circumstances should you allow yourself to be pressured into getting a tattoo, and never get it done when you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Even when you resort to piercings or tattoos to cope; it is strongly recommended that you begin building a repertoire of other coping skills.

Things to consider when choosing your tattoo/piercing studio:

After carefully analyzing all the pros and cons, if you think you are ready to give it a go; choose a safe, reputable studio possibly with adequate references. Ensure that the studio follows the safety standards and hygiene protocol.

1. Note that the areas for tattooing and piercings are adequately separated.
2. Make sure that the needles come from individualized packaging and are opened in front of you
3. Check if there is an autoclave used to sterilize reusable equipment.  An autoclave is a machine used to sterilize the necessary equipment. 
4. Do not agree to have any kind of piercing done with a piercing gun.   This gun cannot be sterilized and therefore increases the risk of infections. The staff and studio area should be very clean. The studio should have separate areas for piercing and tattooing.
5. Does the tattoo artist wear gloves? It is absolutely necessary that the tattoo artist washes his or her hands and wears a fresh pair of protective gloves for each procedure.
6. Are the inks used for tattooing placed in a single-use cup and then disposed?  Ensure that the Ink is never taken from the main source bottle or returned to that bottle.

After care of your tattoo/Piercing:

1. Keep the tattooed/pierced skin clean. Use plain soap and water and a gentle touch. Avoid direct streams of water in a shower.  Never use rubbing alcohol on a piercing.  Saline solution is ideal.  Remember to wash your hands before touching your new tattoo or piercing.
2. Use a mild moisturizer on a tattoo.  Oil based soaps are good and prevent excessive drying around a pierced area.
3. Piercing on a cartilage area will need an ‘extra gentle’ touch while it heals while compared to a lobe.
4. Keep the tattooed area out of direct sunlight for a few days.
5. If you notice excessive swelling, redness, or radiating heat, on a newly pierced area, do not panic.  If it continues to bother, contact your piercer for further instructions
6. Allow at least 2 weeks of healing time for tattoos and 3 months for any new piercings depending on the area.

Do you have a personal tattoo story of your own? What does your tattoo mean or signify? Care to share? I would love to hear your stories in the comments section……..