Tattoo's, body percings and other body art forms

[emoloz]

What are your views on these ideas? Like Tattoo's? Loathe piercings? Hate the strange bosy arts such as sticking little pieces of plastic in your eyes to look funky. What do you think? Speak out here.

Well for me. Everything but the eye thing i don't mind at all. Really its your bosy if you want to paint it up and accessorise it sure go for it. The thing is when it goes overboard i can't stand. Women and millions of tattoo's a big no it really doesn't look good at all. On men yes but women no.

I hate all these strange piercings well. Its like A few is fine but all these wacky ones no. And those whos flesh plugs. No way there just vile like the really huge ones. The small ones are nice but the huge ones just reck your ears and make you look stupid.

[Who]

I am not all that into piercings besides the ears, and tattoos...ehs it your body, but I prefer no tattoos.

[Unicorn]

I find earrings and a tastefully-done tattoo okay, both on males and females.

It makes me wince when I see people wandering around with oversized earlobes and around 5 facial piercings (eyebrow, nose, lip, tongue) because they just don't look 'cool' and it makes them look quite ugly. Worst offenders are the ones with the ring in their nose - it looks so much like a cow I want to laugh.

Too many tattoos are not okay with me either. IMHO it's really ugly. What's wrong with restricting yourself to one or two meaningful designs? :(

[Adam]

I reject all forms of body art (piercings, tatoos, makeup) on my own body, but I don't really care what other people do to themselves, for the most part.

[Siren]

Your body is the canvas of your life. It's the perfect place for self-expression, no one can take it away from you and only you can choose to alter it.

In saying that, I enjoy all forms of bodily alterations, whether it be plastic surgery, tattoos, gageing, piercings, ect. Me personally, I'm not into all that stuff, but I enjoy looking at other people's art (especially tribal scarification). As for gageing, I think it only looks good if you have the whole look...like, you can't wear a tux and have huge holes in your ears *barf*

[Frosted Heart]

For me I have one piercing in each ear, and that's fine for me. XD No tattoos either, but if I found a design I really liked, then maybe I'd get one (after working up the nerve to!)

I believe in freedom of choice, so if others want more piercings and tattoos, then that is their perogative. However I also do not find it that attractive if they go 'overboard' on them. The more 'extreme' ones might even cause a bit of trouble at work, if you work in business, for example.

[negativzero]

anyone seen Miami Ink before? if you haven't take a look here

http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/miami-ink/miami-ink.html
and here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Ink

its a reality documentary about a group of tattoo artists in their shop, and the lives of the people they tatoo.

Anyways, I think you wouldn't see me with a tattoo on my body. There are lifestyle and employment issues here and besides, I think I would cringe and scream when they put the tattoo on my body.

Issues of tattoos and piercings relating to gangsterism and hooliganism aside. I think most if not all tattoos are and can be done tastefully. And no matter how ugly we may see it to be, I think its true meaning can only be convened and understood by the person who is wearing such a thing on his/her body. Its much like art, no one understood Van Gough till after he commited suicide. It is only till you've really gotten one or got to know someone with one that you get to appreciate its true value or meaning.

[LiquidTheBrit]

I personally think that we should deal with the body we've ended up with, so I'm against plastic surgery (when it comes to beauty). However, I'm fine with any piercings or tattoos.

...but just because I'm fine with it doesn't mean that I don't sometimes find people looking completely stupid. XD

[Unicorn]

I personally think that we should deal with the body we've ended up with, so I'm against plastic surgery (when it comes to beauty).

Hmmm interesting point. I do support cosmetic / plastic surgery (straightening crooked teeth, getting rid of scarring or other minor stuff like that). I don't support people going overboard with cosmetic / plastic surgery but apparently it does happen, people do seem to get addicted to 'quick fix beauty'.

I'm pro-choice on this one. You're free to do whatever you want to your body. If it looks nice on you, applause. If it looks silly, I'll make sure to politely cross the road before laughing at you. :D

[Shinrin]

I find earrings and a tastefully-done tattoo okay, both on males and females.

It makes me wince when I see people wandering around with oversized earlobes and around 5 facial piercings (eyebrow, nose, lip, tongue) because they just don't look 'cool' and it makes them look quite ugly. Worst offenders are the ones with the ring in their nose - it looks so much like a cow I want to laugh.

Too many tattoos are not okay with me either. IMHO it's really ugly. What's wrong with restricting yourself to one or two meaningful designs? :(


Agreed.

Only i disslike pircings more in the mouth area, i can't help but feel bad seeing people having it, nearly makes me want to vomit.
Sry if i might have offended someone, but the truth is the truth.


Unicorn:

straightening crooked teeth

If it's teeths which have grown to the wrong directions i'd say i agree, but to get what remains of fangs changed into flat teeths... No thank you.
(Last year My dentist told me i had good teeths, but i could get my corner teeths/"fangs" changed for a "better" smile. )
But if people have all flat teeths from the beegining then its fine by me.

[speedphantom]

I'm personally against the idea of tattoos and piercings. I'm anti-jewellery too surprisingly haha. I just don't see the need to stab stuff through your body. Its unatural and if its anywhere other than the ear. Like tongue, lip, nose, eyebrow, its just weird and it would really get in the way of things. Not to mention its a weak spot >< might hurt you somehow.

Tattoos, well, I don't really like the concept of ink in your skin either, not to mention they go wrinkly when you're old so it would be nasty then.

Plastic surgery, I think people should stop giving so much attention to the "Hollywood" look and just be who they are. I guess if you are really that ugly then a little surgery wouldn't be any harm since its a fact that good looking people get more opportunities in life and get treated better.

[Riekie]

Last year in a rush of being with some friends and being at a tattoo/piercing parlor I had my tongue pierced in Gran Canaria..Yeah, I had to do something extreme when being away for a looooooong timeXD

My colleagues thought I was crazy but awesome at the same time..although after 1 night I was guilt ridden?? and so decided to take it out..forever. I knew my parents wouldn't approve of it so I also deleted all the 'evidence. I had made a couple of photos but erased them.

I do have my ears pierced..but is since the age of 2..or maybe even before that.

EDIT: sorryz this is the debate thread..so I'll place my opinion here tooXD

I don't like tattoos as they are ugly when growing older...the body grows older and get's saggy and wrinkly, plus the tattoo which is on a certain part of the body will get all ugly.

I also don't like tattoos as they are permanent. Yesh I know they are 'removable' but it will always leave a scar or something like that. AND...I think that the tattoo will get dull. having the same pic for over maybe 40 years is getting dull..IMHO. oo well..

[Rain]

I don't like tattoos, piercings or anything like that. I'll never get any of those. I don't have a problem with anybody who has them, but they definetely wouldn't look good on me.

[♠ Saint ♠]

I'm inclined to agree with Siren. The human form to me is a blank canvas to be decorated as you wish.

As for myself, I have 3 holes in my ears and would likely have more piercings if my job did not demand a professional appearance. Granted, what goes beneath the uniform is alright. I'm currently saving up and looking for a scarification artist to cut a phoenix design into my back, using the natural placement of my spine and ribs as guides for a skeletal type bird rising rejuvenated. I picked a phoenix due to it's significance as being an animal that gives birth to itself over and over again and in essence, reminding myself of how much I have changed and how I can continue to change.

Why not ink it in? Because ink is a foreign substance. I want something sculpted from my flesh that is a part of myself and created by my mind and formed in my flesh. It's all symbolic to me and really, it's my body. I shall do with it as I please.

[Unicorn]

Sounds really painful, Saint! I won't have the courage to even consider it.

Just for my understanding, what exactly does a scarification artist do - cut the design, peel off the skin or burn the design? I know that 'branding' methods exist for a similar purpose. I'm just not sure what methods are used by whom. (needles and ink are used by tattooists)

I am terrified of needles and the thought of willingly injecting ink into my skin makes me scream (well, mentally).

[♠ Saint ♠]

I've done firewalking before and it's no big thing really. Scarification (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarification) artists do 3 varieties that I know of. I personally prefer the skinning method though for practicality might require me to get the design burned in. Then again, if you are like me and enjoy a bit of pain every now and then, then this is nothing.

[Jhaxe]

Personally, I believe it's based on preference. Since the 'normal appearance' is merely based on today's social standards, I find it unfair t' judge ones personal preference on how they believe they should modify their given body. However, for the sake of debate, I'll give my opinions.

Personally, I can deal with Earrings, moderately large tattoos, and eyebrow piercings. Tongue piercings are okay, since you can't really see them unless that person sticks their tongue out.

However, I find these gauge things ridiculous. I mean, I can see a small gauge, but one of those huge ones that stretch a giant hole in your ear? How in the world is that pleasant? I would never do it.

Although, I would also never get a tattoo bigger than 2.5" x 2.5" either, so that's my preference again. But, I've seen some people modify their appearance to what I consider ridiculous, but I mean, if that's what they want, and they are ready to live with it, then I don't see why they should be restricted to their personal opinions.

[negativzero]

I've done firewalking before and it's no big thing really. Scarification (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarification) artists do 3 varieties that I know of. I personally prefer the skinning method though for practicality might require me to get the design burned in. Then again, if you are like me and enjoy a bit of pain every now and then, then this is nothing.

I read about the procedure, on wikipedia. Sacrifications can leave really unsightly marks on the body after time, as the scars tend to heal and form keloids. And they aren't as permanent as tattooing.

[Tyki Mikk]

Tattoos and piercings don't bother me at all. All that matters is if the person in question wants to do such a thing to their body IMO.

I like tattoos. Piercings aren't so bad either but I probably won't get a piercing just because I don't feel a piercing is for me.

[Agmaster]

I love tats with meaning even if the meaning doesn't exist for me. Like all of my tattoos have some meaning, but when I try to explain to other people it just sounds retarded. Used to bother me until I realized that I got these for me in the first place.

[♠ Saint ♠]

I read about the procedure, on wikipedia. Sacrifications can leave really unsightly marks on the body after time, as the scars tend to heal and form keloids. And they aren't as permanent as tattooing.

I wanted raised scar tissue though. O_o My skin tends to scar beautifully as it is. And with these types of cuts, I've nothing to fear from my skin disease possibly marring my scar tat with a papule. I've had cauterization surgery to remove papules before so it's no big thing to me.

[Siren]

I think scarification is neat although I find ritual scarification (done in many native tribes around the world to underage) a little unnerving. I saw a program about it yesterday, and I was about to faint throughout the whole show. A very bloody, excruciating process. If I wasn't such a wimp when it comes to pain, I would probably get a small design around my arm or wrist.

Example of 'extensive' scarification:
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7979/scarificationfy0.jpg
(Most scarification done around the world are allot milder than this...this is really heavy-duty)

Example of 'mild' or 'modern-day' scarification:
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3269/scarificationlj3.jpg
I got this picture from here (http://www.ratemyink.com/?action=ssp&pid=32917).

[Unicorn]

@ Siren, ouchydoodles! :eek: How deep do they need to cut to get that much scar tissue? Or do they have to irritate the cut afterwards?

I have a tiny pale strip of scar tissue thanks to scraping my ankle against a rough table leg (I was bored and had to pick off the scab :( ) so those pictures make me wonder what causes such scar tissue.

[negativzero]

scar tissue is formed by infection and also by not letting your wounds heal properly and by you meddling with it. well, those are the main causes.
most scar tissue can be removed by burning them off with liquid nitrogen(i did it once for a growth on my toe) in hospital.
scars caused by 3rd degree burns and deep cuts can't be completely removed though. thats because the underlying skin has been totally removed and cannot grow back properly.

[Siren]

In a tribal setting, they use clay and other natural ingredients to better raise the scar...so, I guess they do irritate the skin quite a bit. They cut pretty deep, although rurally, they use blades so the cuts are cleaner and deeper. It's not like they're carving on their skin with bamboo shards, lol. *heh, I'm getting queezy just thinking about it*

[benihime_taicho]

I personally enjoy body mods.. Scarification, branding and implants kind of weird me out, but it's still usually interesting to hear about them...

I myself have a few peircings and tats... Might be overdone to you(general) but I have to live with them and I like them. :)

The way I see it, scars tell stories. They each have some kind of meaning or memory attatched. Overall, anyway... Each tattoo or piercing I have is a memory of another time in my life, usually one I don't want to forget. They are kind of like reminders to me, lessons learned that need to be remember, you know? Tattoos, piercings, various other body mod types and regular scars help you to get to know someone better...



It's all on perspective and how you look at things. :)

[niku_yoku]

Tattoos are cool as long as u only have a few. Some people have them covering their whole body which is insane. A lot of piercings is awesome though. But when people do them below the belly thats kinda gross. i hav a few piercings 4 now. I saw somewheres that some guy cut his tongue in half to be like a snake or something to do with one.

[Velvet Rose]

When it comes to artistic body modifications such as tattoos, body piercings and so forth, I am certainly in favor of it. I currently have body piercings and tattoos. This is my style and form of personal expression, which I cherish and wouldn’t change for anything. The more body art a person has the better, in my opinion. And I love to see the various creativity of others. It is intriguing and often leads to great topics of discussion. I just happen to deeply admire each manner of art, ranging from subtle to extreme.

[directX07]

I don't mind a small one. But tattoos all over your body?! :yell Renji might look cool in it but real people??? No... Sorry... :eek:

[rayne_himura]

to each is own and its your body and you have to live with it, so think twice most are permanent. sadly society shuns those who are different and creative.....
pity really.. imagine all of that art work exposed for view......

[IngenuityGap]

pity really.. imagine all of that art work exposed for view......

So many people appreciate the art when I show it off that it really makes it worth it. Careful planning and thought are required, otherwise it can look like a random jumble.

[mechaqua]

I have nothing against people getting tattoos or piercings, its their body, they have a right to do what they want with it alot Tattoo artists do some amazing work, and some people get Tattoo to commemorate special things like the birth of a child, or to commemorate the memory of someone who has passed on which i see that in good taste . Me personally i will probably never get a piercing tattoo for religious reasons, ( a lot of people don't get tattoos for this reason and vice versa)

[Shdo]

if you do a tattoo then make sure of several things:


dont put it in a place that his clearly visable, such as neck, aroung the hand or face, not only it will close doors for you but you will get tired of it faster. the worst thing you can have is a tattoo that you are tired of and regret of doing.


also dont put it on a place you can never see and enjoy, unless its not meant for you.

[Majority Espada]

I had a nipple ring....couldn't tell you why I really got it :headscratch
I was going to get both of my nipples pierced, but it hurt :oops
but I liked how it looked while it was in

I have a tattoo on my back between my shoulders...I kind of like it there, I forget I have it...if I saw it everyday, I would get tired of looking at it

I did see a guy with "You can't stop me" on the front of his neck and I thought to myself...I wonder what bet he lost....
I agree with Shdo in that, tattoos like that will keep you from getting jobs

I really don't understand those people that get their backs pierced and then they like tie clothes to it....to me...that crosses the line

[Nejibana]

I have my ears pierced (I have 2 more than the normal for a girl XD) and I love them. I also want to have the water kanji tattoed on one ankle and the fire kanji on the other, but I think I'm going to wait to do that XD

[bradc]

Don't like needles... I still got holes from ear piercing from long time ago. Think one my third earhole on my left side might have closed up by now :sleepy

[Cara]

Er, not my cup of tea. I think it's stupid when people get tatoos in a language they can't understand (like hanzi tatoos). I've seen picture of people with hanzi tatoos that don't mean anything or the character doesn't actually exist. I mean, why take the chance? I heard of a chinese guy who tatooed the words "slut" or "whore" in hanyu on these two american girls who didn't know the difference.

But if other people want to get surgery or use flesh plugs, then I don't care. I think it's damn repulsive and I wouldn't look twice at a man with that kind of stuff, but it's their body, not mine. I just wonder how they go to job interviews looking like that.

[Ulquiorra]

i personally have no problem at all with tattoos and piercings. I myself have my ears pierced and want a tattoo someday.

my parents, on the other hand...that's another story. They thought two piercings was already way too much.

[Shdo]

i wonder why people do want to pierce and tatoo themselves? why is it?

[bradc]

It tells a story, is art, memory of someone, obsession... Is pain meets over-glorifying beauty than something you do a normal Spa and Beauty Salon. But when you get tired of you, it's a waste of money to either one remove it, or have it draw over the old tatoo. 8(

I tihnk most would prefer relaxing at a spa and beauty salon than wasting on tatoos; somethings are made permanent and they don't come off very well (and you are no longer have relation with the person, it's a waste) than washable tatoos.

[Nejibana]

i wonder why people do want to pierce and tatoo themselves? why is it?

Some people do it because the same reason as they choose a particular shirt... for fashion.

Other people as a form of rebelliousness against their parents or society

There are people who enjoy the sense of needles on their skin. I heard once that there are people who consider it addictive as a drug.

And last, for pleasure. A mixture between fashion and desire, there isn't any reason in particular but you want to get a tattoo or have your body pierced.

But there's no definitive reason. Only the person implied knows why want it.

I had a temporary tattoo on my right ankle, a butterfly, and I loved how it looked. If you had asked me the reason why I liked it I couldn't have answered you, it simply looked good. And I wanted to tattoo the kanjis since I was 13 but I'm afraid to needles (what a problem XD), I think someday if I continue to desireing it I'll make them.

[Fyrefox]

Personally, I find it distasteful. Fear of needles aside, I don't want something on my body that I'm not gonna want there when I'm 80. Yeah, sure, you can get tatoos removed. But that's a painful process.

[Hiraeth]

Best piece of advice I ever heard for someone consider tattoos: Life isn't a dress rehearsal. So many people will tell you that 'oh don't get a tattoo, it will look horrible by the time you're 80', well what you have to ask yourself is, will I regret more if I do get this, or if I don't? I'm not saying you should go out and get spontaneous tattoos all the time, it is still something that should be carefully considered, because yes it will be on your body forever.

[Fyrefox]

I never said anything about it looking horrible. Snakes are attracted to snakes, no? However, will you want it on you when you are 80? Probably not.

[shinigami_1nabe]

i wonder why people do want to pierce and tatoo themselves? why is it?

I have 12 tattoos (and counting) and a pierced lip. And my reasons for them? There's a reason for each one of them: One was to commemorate my mother, another to show which clan I belong to (a common tattoo for me and my cousins), another because it showed my political beliefs, another because I thought it was beautiful, another my absolute favourite line from a favourite poem, another was because my favourite artist designed it for me ...I can go on. The point is that tattoos are personal (or should be personal) and it is a form of self-expression. And there is something to be said about the adrenaline rush that comes when you get tattooed -- it's pretty addictive.

As for tips on getting tattoos, here are few good ones:
- get it from a place that you know is safe (i.e., you know someone who's had it done there and there were no problems)
- think about the design long and hard; spontaneous tattoos get old fast
- there are places on your body that don't wrinkle (just in case you were planning on getting old), like the shoulder blades or the upper arm or right above your sternum; think about getting a tattoo on any of those places (or all of those places)

[♠ Saint ♠]

I have been planning on getting a scarification tattoo for about 4 years now. The design I want is something I settled on after a large turning point in my life so I began to meticulously plan and design for it. At first I wanted to use ink but I decided that I wanted the design to be directly sculpted from my flesh. It felt more personal that way.

Now, the only thing standing in the way is money and finding a reputable artist in Florida or Georgia. I already discussed it with my boss and he agreed to give me light duty until my back heals after I get the scar tat done. So, all preps are made, I just need to find an artist and get a price estimate.

[Hiraeth]

Be careful with that, I assume you've done a bunch of research, but if that goes wrong it can end up horribly. I've seen some horrible pictures of keloids, which are quite likely to occur after scarification.

On the other hand if it goes well it'll turn out damn fantastic, and I expect you to post pictures!

[♠ Saint ♠]

There is a risk of keloids, true, but I think I'll be alright. I've had some injuries before that resulted in rather large cuts and they all seemed to heal up prety well. The only thing that worries me is having a recurrance of granulomas in the tat area. I've had two granulomas removed before but that doesn't make it any more fun. Those damn things bleed like crazy if they are lanced.

If I could have my way though, I'd rather pay the extra bucks and use the cold branding method as it does not produce any keloids. But it's a rarer form and I have serious doubts as to finding someone who uses it in Florida.

At the same time though, I do want that sort of 3-D effect to it so I can reach back and feel it. Any excess growth can be trimmed away with cauterization knife.