Is it fun? Is it painful? Is it art? Do we express our feelings through a tattoo? Is it a trend or is it culture?
Maybe it’s all of the above!
Truth is, tattoos have been around for many years and more and more people have come to embrace this form of art.
What drives them into doing it?
Some do it because “it’s pretty”! They find a design they think looks good and then they find a spot on their body that would make the tattoo look even better! That’s about it! No secret meaning, no big story behind that!
Others do it for the experience! They want to know what it feels like to get a tattoo, to have actual ink run through your skin with a needle! Will it hurt, can I take the pain?
Some want to have something on them forever, something they think it’s meaningful. Maybe a picture of a beloved one, or some words they believe are inspirational. Some even tattoo the lyrics of a song, or dates they want to remember!
Others consider it a form of art! They cover themselves in tattoos looking like a walking canvas. It’s something they want to display, like going to someone’s house and having him show you his latest art purchase!
No judgement! Anyone can do it for their own personal reasons!
Tattoos have actually been around longer than we think. Some cultures, like the Samoan, the Buddhist (with their famous Mandala art), and the Maori Tribe have had tattoos since forever! It’s a way of living, not a trend!
Do people actually get addicted to tattoos?
This is a tricky question..
That’s mostly because of the thrill of the experience! You have something on your body that you can’t just wash off, you withstood the pain (and sometimes a small bleeding) and now you feel like you can do anything!
That’s why we advice first timers to wait until they get a second tattoo. It’s best to wait for the thrill and excitement to pass, at least for a couple of months.
The truth is, there is some science behind this whole “addiction” theory.
Research has shown that while being tattooed, endorphins and adrenaline are released to handle the pain, also creating a so called “happy feeling”!
This happy feeling is what drives people to ask for more, however nothing has shown that it can cause an actual addiction, like the one someone would have on drugs or alcohol.
Try to avoid writing names of boyfriends or girlfriends, especially since they might not be around for long and you could end up regretting your tattoo!
Because it’s pretty, or it’s art, or a trend…just remember that this is for life, so choose wisely!