Tattoos are a form of body beautification where a pattern is made by inserting ink, and dyes, either temporary or permanent, into the skin to change the pigment.
Tattoos were known around the world very early in human history. There is evidence that proves that tattoos were in use during the prehistoric period.
Tattoos were used as rites of passage, marks of status and rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, a symbol of bravery, sexual lures and marks of fertility among men and especially women, and even pledges of love in different cultures.
Around the second world war, the Nazis used tattoos as a means of identification by forcibly tattooing Nazi concentration camp inmates with identification numbers during “The Holocaust“. In the Zhou dynasty, Chinese authorities employed facial tattoos as a punishment for certain crimes or to mark prisoners or slaves.
In recent days, however, tattoos are widely accepted by people from all walks of life and while there are still those who view tattoos, not as a form of self-expression or a thing of beauty but rather, as a sign of irresponsibility and immorality on the part of the wearer, the trend has continued to grow.
Still, this hasn’t reduced the number of tattoo wearer, as the number keeps increasing drastically. Reasons why you should get a tattoo
1. Strengthens the immune system
Studies show that tattoos serve to inoculate the immune system. Tattoos also stimulate and strengthen the immune system.
When a foreign substance gets injected into the body, the immune system sends antibodies to attack them. Your body attacks the foreign invader, in this case, the tattoo ink. This is why swelling can occur after getting a tattoo.
Eventually, your body stops fighting the ink, and healing begins. Around this time the immune system becomes stronger through its efforts to combat the ink.
The more tattoos you get, the more the positive effects on your immune system.
2. Means of expression
Tattoos may serve as a means of expression for a person, a symbol of something meaningful, and a form of wearable art, unique to each wearer.
It could be the name of a loved one, a memorable date, or your favourite sayings. There are those who prefer to have tattoos of pictures and images. Tattoos are a great way to display your individuality without having to say a word.
3. Aesthetic value
A person may choose to get a tattoo just because they like it. There’s nothing wrong with that. Inking the body a great and different way to show people a little bit about you in a unique and aesthetically pleasing way.
4. Reduces stress
Believe it or not, tattoos actually help to reduce stress. How? Well, studies show that having multiple tattoos reduces one’s level of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Having a high level of cortisol may cause migraines/headaches, increased weight gain, inhibited memory & learning, as well as elevated blood pressure.
5. Confidence booster
There is a particular kind of confidence that comes with having a tattoo modified on your skin. Kind of like the feeling when you get that fantastic haircut, the type you can’t wait to show off. It has been proven that having tattoos boosts self-esteem, empowers physically, and makes one feel younger.
6. Cosmetic Use
You might have heard of breast tattoos. Recently, tattoo symbols are used for breast reconstruction on mastectomy patients.
Women who have been treated for cancer and undergone breast reconstruction reclaim their bodies by getting tattoos that explain their battle with cancer and as a way to redeem their body.
Most individuals choose to do so by getting a tattoo. Such tattoos add pigments to help stimulate the areola and give the wearer back her confidence.
After surgical reconstruction, when you introduce artistic inking to your skin, it makes it come together harmoniously. An impeccable work of art is created for women that last a lifetime.
Some individuals use tattoos as a means of permanent facial beautification (Makeup) Also; which can save time, stress and money of having to makeup frequently.
Whatever it is, your brows, your lips or eyeliner, it’s now possible to have it done permanently with ink. Tattoo parlours are scattered everywhere across the world waiting to be visited.
You might have a beautiful symbol in mind, why not go for it?
Due to aesthetic, cosmetic and freedom to express reasons, youngsters tend to gravitate towards body piercing and tattoos. But, should there be prohibitions against tattooing, branding or body piercing of minors under the age of 14? An interesting read! Made me think about the legal implications.