Tattoo? Or Still Taboo?

Love them or hate them, everyone seems to have an opinion about tattoos. There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground on the subject.

Arguments against tattoos usually address two specific statements: "You'll never get a good job with a tattoo" and/or "later in life you’ll regret disfiguring your body." Those on the positive side of the issue claim a tattoo is the ultimate self-expression of creativity and individuality—it’s art.

I have an open mind. If I didn’t, I’d be the pot calling the kettle black because I have a tattoo—a small sunflower on the inside of my right ankle.

Why? I didn't do it to rebel or make a profound statement. I did it simply because it was something I wanted to do. For a long time I was afraid to take the step—safety and social stigma held me back until about four years ago when opportunity and timing colided outside Hobo’s Tattoo Shop in Portsmouth, NH. The shop, up a narrow flight of stairs in an antique building, had a delightful carved wooden sign over the door. The sign design enticed me in. Afterwards, I checked the word "tattoo" off my someday list.

Tattoo shops and studios, formerly parlors, are not seedy, sleazy dark rooms with garish neon signage anymore. Nowadays they’re more apt to be well-lighted establishments with clinic-like equipment and conditions. Gang members, bikers, circus freaks and low-lifes used to be synonymous with tattoos. Not anymore. Today the fastest growing demographic for tattoos is middle-age (MA) women.

People get tattoos to symbolize who they’ve become or to commemorate a milestone. For others inking is an expression of their personality. Some do it because it’s trendy, while a few do it in an attempt to stave off the perception of aging. Whatever the reasons, this centuries-old art form is heading toward acceptability for all age brackets.

Take Mimi Rosenthal for example who got her first tattoo, a dime-sized butterfly on her ankle, for her ninety-ninth birthday. For her 100th she did a larger butterfly and at 101 years she chose a sunflower. She's well beyond her middle years.

A friend (who does fall into the MA demographic) recently got a tattoo just above her ankle—a takeoff on Norwegian Rosemaling. I was amazed; she is the last person I ever expected to get a tattoo. I like hers. It has delicate scrolling with a bit of color and incredible detail.

Aficionados of tattoos would consider mine modest, even plain. I’m debating getting a second one. I love my tattoo, but I don’t love all tattoos. I’m not a fan of full body decoration although I do appreciate the workmanship and the artistry involved. Neither am I a fan of crude or vulgar images.

The size and design of a tattoo can cause a negative reaction. Remember argument No. 1? Many business environments frown on employees with visible tattoos. It isn’t the image they’re looking for, especially if the employee will be in public view. So many people conceal their tattoos with jackets and shirtsleeves, pants or socks and long hair and collars. (Trust me, tattoos do lurk under Chanel and Brooks Brothers suits.)

Which leaves argument No. 2 and a few words of caution. Tattoos are permanent.

If you are thinking about getting one, don’t be impulsive. Your latest new best friend or heartthrob may not be in your life forever, despite what you think right now. Things change, relationships end. Having their name inked over your heart may not be a wise idea. Nor would it be ideal to ink after drinking with friends. That spider or snake or good luck Leprechaun that someone dared you to choose, the one that looked so intriguing in an alcoholic haze, may turn out to be a really unlucky choice in the light of day.

Experiment with design and placement. Choose carefully. Try a henna or temporary tattoo first. Henna lasts for several weeks. Laser treatments can remove an unwanted tattoo, but the process isn’t as simple as using an eraser. It can take multiple sessions over several weeks and residual markings may remain—not to mention possible scarring. Laser treatments aren’t inexpensive either.

Today athletes, musicians, celebrities and fashion models sport tattoos openly, but not everyone flaunted them publicly. Did you know that Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt both had a tattoo? American soprano, Andrea Gruber, has the opening bars of "In questa reggia," an aria from Turandot on her back. Dorothy Parker had a star on her arm. Tattoos have even crept into the world of toys. In 2009, when iconic Barbie turned 50, Mattel released Totally Tattoos Barbie.

Tattoos may be becoming mainstream, but there’s still a long road ahead before acceptance hits middle ground. Some will always see tattoo as taboo. I think the saying about not judging a book by its cover should also hold true for tattoos.