Tattoos And Piercings Essay Example

is a ritual present in Native American culture. The Cheyenne people continue to perform this ceremony, which involves piercing behind each nipple and inserting hooks that connect with a rope. The individual then spins until losing consciousness.

Piercings have a diverse cultural origin, with some having religious significance. Tongue piercing, for instance, is believed to be a ritual that prepared devotees for the gods by drawing blood. (Source: east-buc.k12.ia.us)

For about 4,000 years, nose piercings were executed with methods and instruments comparable to those used in wood carving, preceding the invention of tattoo guns. The practice involved cutting into the skin to implant ink. Despite being regarded by some as rebellious behaviors that elicit rash assessments of individuals, tattoos and piercings simply serve as modes of self-expression for people who desire to convey themselves or commemorate significant events.

Having tattoos and piercings can result in being associated with a cult or gang, leading to stereotypes. This can cause others to view these individuals as unattractive, risky, and unworthy of social interaction.

Although tattoos have become more popular, there is still a perception that individuals with tattoos are non-conformists who do not fit societal standards. Society continues to view tattoos and piercings as inappropriate, which causes those with body art to be marginalized.

People who have tattoos and piercings can encounter bias from employers, which may negatively impact their chances of being employed. While some employers may allow visible body modifications if they are able to be hidden or taken out during work hours, others consider them a breach of the First Amendment. It's important to acknowledge that tattoos hold personal significance, and requiring people to conceal or eliminate them could

be unfair.

Although certain tattoos may have negative connotations, there are also those that hold symbolic value such as religious beliefs. An example of this is when a Costco Wholesale Corp. employee was fired for refusing to remove her facial jewelry which she claimed was a part of her faith. The court ruled in favor of the employee, stating that Costco had unlawfully discriminated against her based on her religious beliefs.

Despite the increasing popularity of tattoos and piercings, some religious groups still object to them. Refraining from getting body modifications can result in negative perceptions since those with such alterations are often deemed unappealing. Additionally, certain individuals do not acknowledge tattoos as a legitimate form of art and may assume that people who have them suffer from mental health problems.

Although tattoos and piercings were once viewed as deviant behavior, they are now widely accepted as a means of expressing individuality. People from all walks of life embrace these practices, which were once taboo. However, despite their growing popularity, some still consider them to be self-destructive and sexually deviant.

Although tattoos and body piercings are often misunderstood by some, those who have them consider it a way to enhance their beauty. Unfortunately, society tends to view these individuals negatively because they associate such modifications with abnormality and self-inflicted harm. Nevertheless, there are other unconventional methods of expressing oneself like teeth filing, Teflon implants, and branding.

The "Lizard Man" is adorned with green scale tattoos resembling that of a lizard. He also features razor sharp pointed teeth and a split lizard-like tongue. In addition, he has Teflon implants in his head to further resemble a lizard's head. These body

modifications are considered extreme, along with tongue splitting, Teflon and silicone implants. While many people are concerned about the health risks of tattoos, reputable tattoo shops must adhere to strict cleanliness and sterilization standards.

The health department will inspect tattoo shops to ensure they meet cleanliness and sterility standards. According to Sarah Freeland (October 30, 2007a), most states require tattoo artists to work in clean and sterile environments. Autoclaves are necessary equipment for tattoo shops as they sterilize the artist's tools. A minimum sterilization time of one hour is required for the equipment. Additionally, both the artist and customer undergoing body piercing or tattooing should be sterilized.

According to Freeland (2007 b), the process typically involves sanitizing the hands, arms, and workspace, as well as checking for any cuts, wounds, or scratches. Although tattoo needles are packaged separately, they are not automatically sterile. They must be removed from the packaging, sterilized in an autoclave, and disposed of after each use. The same applies to piercing needles and equipment.

To avoid the risk of HIV, Hepatitis, and/or TB infection from non-sterile tattoo or piercing equipment, it is important to take preventative measures. Tattoo artists should have a range of items available including razors, Vaseline, ink, water cups, saran wrap, plastic bags, tongue depressors and gloves for any contact with skin. To prevent cross-contamination it is vital that the artist or piercer wash their hands, arms and working station. Following care instructions after receiving a tattoo or piercing is crucial to avoiding infections.

Although tattoos used to be considered a forever decision, there are now various options for removing them. Nevertheless, these alternatives can be costly and generally

not covered by health insurance, resulting in expenses of thousands of dollars. Moreover, the possibility of scarring is always present and is a significant concern among individuals seeking tattoo removal.

According to Judy Fortin (2007), Laser treatment is the primary approach for removing tattoos. This method specifically targets the pigment in the tattoo and typically requires multiple sessions to fully eliminate it.

According to Karen L. Hudson, there are several alternative tattoo removal techniques that include Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, Dermabrasion, Excision, and Do-It-Yourself Cream.

Dermatologists are anticipating a rise in business due to the challenges of removing certain tattoo colors and the location of the tattoo. A new tattoo ink called Freedom-2 is set to launch, which contains microencapsulated dye that can be easily removed with one laser treatment.

Fortin (2007b) states that people have different reasons for removing their tattoos, with a change in preference being the most prevalent. This can include no longer wanting symbols such as ex-partner's names or gang emblems. Tattoos and piercings have been used throughout history by various cultures to express themselves and signify religious beliefs. Despite this, they continue to be popular forms of self-expression today.

It is now possible to reverse tattoos.