The time when tattoos were used solely to reflect the belonging to a certain subgroup has already passed. Nowadays, every person who has a desire and an opportunity can have an adornment on their body. The aim of the paper is to highlight the reasons why people get tattoos and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of such decoration.
The motives why people have tattoos vary from individual to individual. People want to have a decoration on their skin in order to demonstrate their individuality because a tattooed image serves as a confirmation of a person’s taking ownership and control of his or her. In addition, many individuals interpret such embellishment as a piece of art, treating “skin as a canvas” where a tattooist can depict the unique and original images that both create and reflect culture.
Another reason is related to the desire to depict special life events such as reaching adulthood, graduation, marriage, the birth of a child or escaping death. In relation to this motive, many people want to have a tattoo that can remind them about a deceased friend or family member in order to remain close to the person they have lost. Finally, a person expresses through a tattoo not only the wish to be a member of a certain social circle and affiliate with a subcultural group but also the desire to directly demonstrate such belonging.
The biggest advantage of tattoos is related to medical and cosmetic aspects. People choose tattoos to cover scar tissue after surgery, mask deformity, or permanent physical handicap. For example, many women opt for reconstructive tattoos of breast nipples and areolae after a breast cancer operation. In hospitals, tattoos are used to indicate the radiation fields during cancer treatment. Additionally, some people consider that such body modifications add beauty. Thus, they may use tattoos to emphasize attractive body parts and disguise different types of skin imperfection. For instance, cosmetic tattoos are used to color, expand, and mark lips and eyebrows. Furthermore, tattoos are the perfect substitution for jewelry. A person can have a permanent decoration on the neckline, wrist, and ankles in order to create an impression of wearing a necklace, bracelets and anklets.
The main disadvantage of tattoos consists of chronic and periodic discomfort in the tattooed places colored in black, red, and blue under the influence of sun, heat, cold or an invisible provocative. Thus, itching and swelling are the dominant reactions of the modified skin areas. Due to the fact that tattoos break the integrity of skin, such procedure may lead to various problems such as granulomas and keloids, fungal infections, and allergic reactions., Serious blood-borne diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C that have life-long consequences may develop by reason of contamination of the equipment by infected blood.
Another disadvantage is associated with psychological reactions to tattoos. For example, a person may experience embarrassment, loss of self-esteem and stigmatization. Moreover, some individuals may regret having the body modification because they have developed psychologically and socially since the time of getting a tattoo. A number of studies have confirmed that there is a connection between tattoos and psychiatric disorders, suicidal attempts, criminal behavior, and substance abuse.
To summarize, in recent decades the prevalence of tattoos has increased to the extent of the international trend. Tattoos are made in order to have a lasting reminder, mask skin imperfection and express individuality. The main advantages are associated with medical and cosmetic functions. However, tattoos may lead to serious health conditions and psychological issues. More meaningful and cognitive articles check at 24 hour essay site.
