In the past, body tattoos seemed to be reserved for primal tribes out of the loop of civilization and sailors who voyaged far from home in quest of adventure. Neither of those lifestyles necessarily permeate today's culture, and yet thousands of people from every walk of life are choosing to get tattoos of one kind or another, and sometimes multiple variations to adorn various parts of their exposed skin surface. Young and old, male and female, and rich or poor can be seen proudly displaying words, images, and designs on shoulders, backs, ankles, and even the face as today's social climate fosters more tolerance of this tradition that was perhaps once forbidden or frowned upon in Western society.
Tattoos are made when the artist uses a sharp needle that has been sterilized to poke tiny holes in the skin to create a design of the customer's choice. Then dark ink is inserted in each hole to link the holes and bring the design to living color. These can be tiny rosebuds or huge dragons, depending on the client's choice. Some people decorate a small area of skin, while in others it may be difficult to find a square inch of un-tattooed flesh.
Tattoos are one way of proclaiming individuality. In the past, those who wore tattoos might have been considered renegades in one way or another. But today you can find tattoos on housewives, teenagers, teachers, and even clergy; it all depends on an individual's background, taste, and purpose in choosing to have a tattoo emblazoned on his or her body.
If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, look for a reputable parlor and someone who has received the license to perform this work. Look for word-of-mouth recommendations as well, to see if past customers would consider returning or recommend that others try a particular establishment. You have just one body, and tattoos last indefinitely, although they may need to be touched up from time to time. Take your time, check the local artists, and make a wise selection rather than rushing into something you may later regret.
