The Psychological and Health Risks of Tattoos

The Psychological and Health Risks of Tattoos

Chris Provost

Molly Goodson

ENG 101

September 26, 2010

What is the first thing noticed when you look at people? Is it their eyes? Or maybe it is their clothes? There is always something that catches your eye when you look at them, no matter what it is. For some people, the first thing that you will notice is the extra “markings” that they carry. These “markings,” or tattoos, have a special meaning to the people who carry them. Tattoos are the way that people express themselves or show something that is important to them. Many people believe that the art of tattooing may carry some very dangerous risks, from psychological issues to unruly diseases. Although the psychological aspects of tattoos far outweigh the health risks associated with them, tattoos are a beautiful and creative art form.

The art of tattooing has been practiced around the world for thousands of years. The actual date that the practice began is not known; but archeological discoveries show that tattoos were widely practiced as far back as the Neolithic period. Tattooing in our society dates back to the 1800s when Native Americans would tattoo markings on their bodies to indicate what tribe they belong to or to indicate tribal or marital status. ( ) Later records of tattoos show that seamen adorned tattoos when they returned home from exploration, “branding” them as sailors. This practice spread throughout the other branches of military as well as the upper class of society very quickly since they traveled to distant lands. No longer seen as taboo, tattooing became exotic and beautiful as more and more people of all social standings began getting “inked.” Today, the reasons for tattooing range from the insignificant “everyone else is doing it” to artistic expression to spiritual and religious beliefs.

Reasons for people deciding to put a permanent picture or symbol on their bodies have somewhat changed from what we find in the...