Tattoos are, without hesitation, more popular than it has ever been. Getting a tattoo has gone mainstream far more than any other form of body art currently available.
The reason is simple: it allows people to stand out and demonstrate who they truly are. As such, whether it is men or women, both have a high taste in tattoos. Some people choose to contain their entire body in tattoo ink!
Tattoos are an ancient form of culture that is now more prominent and culturally acceptable than before.
Tattooing was known and exercised by ancient people as a piece of art, according to toolkits unearthed in France, Portugal, and Scandinavia, which are at least 12,000 years old.
Tattoos have different interpretations in different regions of the world. In India and ancient Egypt, people used body art for healing and religious adoration. They were associated with social status symbols but also with punishment.
Tattoos are worn for various reasons, including the preservation of beautiful memories, the concealment of scars, and the expression of one’s style.
Tattoos undoubtedly have some significant pros and cons in modern days, as they have been affiliated with everything from good ratings in certain social positions to an emblem of criminality.
It is entirely up to you to decide what and how much tattooing you want. Tattoos, like any other form of piercing, have advantages and disadvantages. Let us discover a little more about it here.
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A brief history of Tattoo
Charles Darwin, in 1871 in his book ‘The Descent of Man,’ stated that every nation in the world has the practice of using tattoos or body coloring as a culture or some other practitioner reasons.
The history of tattoos doesn’t limit to modern times. There are shreds of evidence of tattoos practiced by pre-historic ancestors.
| Time (year) | Tattoo Event |
|---|---|
| 5000 BCE | The earliest evidence of a tattoo |
| Otzi, the iceman of 3300 BCE | Bronze-aged man found in Otzal Alps with 57 tattoos |
| 2160-1994 BCE Mummies | Mummies exhibiting tattoos in Egypt |
| 8-6 BCE | Barbarians with tattoos |
| 6-2 BCE | Tattooed mummy found in Pazyryk tombs |
Advantages of Getting Tattoos
As most might oppose, the advantages of tattoos are associated with the feeling of choosing what goes on in your body.
We cannot choose the shape or size of our eyes and nose, but we can definitely choose what our visible tattoo looks like!
1. Form of Self-expression
Tattoos are the pinnacle of self-expression. Many see body modification and marking as a means to express their character or stand in solidarity with another person, cluster, or concept.
Others merely see them as a way to brighten themselves, with their bodies serving as a white canvas.
2. Covering Up Marks and Body Scars
People may consider getting a tattoo to get rid of things on their bodies that they do not like or prefer.
The cover-up tattoo can conceal birthmarks, stretch marks, freckles, discolorations, and other imperfections.
3. You Carry Your Fashion Statement
According to recent statistics, the secondary motivating factors why Americans like tattoos are fashion and beauty.
Vibrantly colored tattoos are what render you fashionable in this day and age. You have the liberty to choose what matches your body regardless of your age.
Most folks choose to highlight their body’s masterpieces on their shoulders or nape. Your tattoos will look better when you wear a simple outfit or have no social pressures intimidating you.
4. Tattoos Boost Self-confidence
Tattoos have some mental health benefits that are important to mention. It was discovered that tattoos increase people’s confidence.
Women, particularly those with multiple tattoos, are more self-assured than men. They act more assertively because of their tattoos. Furthermore, it serves as a motivator for people.
5. Conversation Starter
While some people may squint their noses when they witness your tattoos, others may be fascinated and wish to share their own with you.
Multiple people with tattoos or merely meeting someone keen on getting tattoos is a beautiful way to start a conversation because it is already an attraction you both share.
6. You Carry Your Special Memories With Tattoos
Tattoo benefits come in a peculiar way when you want to hold your loved ones close or expressions that have influenced your life.
Therefore, the best tattoo concepts should be those you want to remember for the rest of your life.
Only you can fully comprehend the anguish of saying goodbye to loved ones. But a tattoo enables you to be close to your treasured ones even if they are not around physically.
7. With You To the Grave
If you get tattoos for the right reasons, from the right people, and with the proper care, you will wear a remarkable and significant work of art for the rest of your life.
Disadvantages of getting tattoos
On the other hand, having a tattoo could cause various risks. The following disadvantages of tattoos should be considered before getting one.
1. Health Risks
Several tattoo inks have been linked to hypersensitivity reactions. Many states regulate and compel credible tattoo parlors to retain hygiene standards for needles and tools.
Nevertheless, there are still risks of disease and contamination from tattoos. Infections can spread by inadequately sterilized needles.
Microbial contamination to hepatitis and HIV are some examples of these ailments. There is also the risk of disease if you do not adequately care for your new tattoos.
2. Skin Problems
Tattoo dyes, particularly those in the colors red, green, yellow, and blue, can cause allergic skin interactions, such as an itchy irritation at the tattoo location and a risk of infection.
You might do fine for a few months and then develop the symptoms, as the reactions are not necessarily immediate.
A granuloma, or region of inflammation, can establish across tattoo ink. Tattooing can also cause keloids, raised spots caused by abnormal growth of scar tissue.
3. It Can Be Painful
If you don’t think you can tolerate the pain and remain stationary, don’t get a tattoo. Quite often, the suffering that comes with a tattoo is reasonable, but tattoos are presumably not for everyone.
Assume you step into a tattoo parlor and start moving once the technician begins using the gun. No one wants their tattoo to look like a lousy omelet.
4. They Come at a Cost
The cost of getting inked determines how proficient or iconic the artist is. The size and coloring of the composition you want to tattoo will evaluate most of the cost.
The sophistication of architecture may be regarded as a critical factor in increasing costs. Even tattoo removal would cost the same amount (and sometimes more!).
Thus, ensure you have enough money for this venture, particularly if you want a more specific geometry.
5. Tattooists Can Make Mistakes
All of us have bad days now and then, and if you are unlucky, your tattoo artist may be in a grumpy mood or simply unable to concentrate on their task for many reasons.
As a result, your tattooist may make grave mistakes and significantly muck up your tattoo. This could lead to you getting a terrible tattoo that you must live with for the rest of your daily existence.
6. May Limit Your Career Path
While society is becoming more accepting of tattoos daily, there is still a social stigma about body modification that may influence the type of job. Employees with Tattoos are still not authorized in many jobs and professions.
A few individuals have an innate hostile attitude to them, which may eliminate you from consideration for certain types of companies.
Tattooed people are not deemed healthy in occupations where an individual’s physical beauty is essential.
Excellent candidates in the hospitality, marketing, financial services, and news industries are visually appealing, desirable, and have no tattoos on their bodies.
7. Your Tattoos Age With You
As we age, our bodies wrinkle and hang down, indicating our tattoos will do the same. Anyone who has tattoos or has discussed getting them has been told at some point that “your tattoos will look disgusting when you get older.” The allegation about this permanent mark is true.
8. You Will Not Be Able To Donate Blood
Blood donation is more than politeness; it is everyone’s responsibility. Once your body has gone through the tattooing process, you will be unable to donate blood.
This may not be essential for many individuals, but it must be viewed as a responsibility rather than a task that many people must perform continuously.
Some countries prohibit you from donating blood for at least a year after getting a tattoo on your body.
Understanding state regulations is crucial because not all countries follow the same guidelines.
9. You May Choose The Wrong Design
Another disadvantage of getting a permanent tattoo is that people are frequently unsure of which design to get.
Even so, this can be a significant issue because tattoos are typically a long-term agreement, and if you choose the improper design, you are likely to regret it later in life.
For example, if you tattooed your lover’s name on your hand and if he/she/diverse breaks up with you for some reason, the single tattoo might be a painful permanent reminder.
Before selecting a design for your tattoo, ensure it completely fits your tastes to avoid regretting your decision later.
A Quick Summary of advantages and disadvantages of getting a tattoo
| Pros |
|---|
| Form of Self-expression |
| Covering Up Marks and Body Scars |
| You Carry Your Fashion Statement |
| Tattoos Boost Self-confidence |
| Conversation Starter |
| You Carry Your Special Memories With Tattoos |
| With You To the Grave |
| Cons |
|---|
| Health Risks |
| Skin Problems |
| It Can Be Painful |
| They Come at a Cost |
| Tattooists Can Make Mistakes |
| May Limit Your Career Path |
| Your Tattoos Age With You |
| You Will Not Be Able To Donate Blood |
| You May Choose The Wrong Design |
Tattoos are a type of permanent art, and there is currently no single technology for effectively eliminating them.
And that alone might be the most critical disadvantage of getting a tattoo. But is that going to stop us? Definitely not!
You could be the confident owner of a new tattoo in a couple of hours — but don’t let the ease of the procedure prevent you from contemplating permanent body art.
Before getting a tattoo, ensure you comprehend what’s associated and how to minimize the risks.
(Last Updated on August 29, 2022)
