“You want to get a what?”

The increasing popularity of tattoos finds teenagers asking parents the sometimes volatile question of getting a piece of body art. As of 2003, the Harris Poll discovered about 16% of the American people (compared to 6% in 1936) sport tattoos, with 36% of people aged 18 to 25.

Daniel Kingen, ’09, decided to get a tattoo despite a parent’s discouragement.

“I’ve always liked tattoos and I wanted to express myself by a work of art that represents me,” Kingen said. “My mom was disappointed, though; she didn?t buy my first tattoo.”

He saved up for a few months to pay the tab of $200. Fortunately, Kingen knew the artist, who gave him a discount.

“My tattoo represents my last name,” Kingen said. “I am very happy with the results and won?t consider getting it removed.”

Supported by his parents, senior Jordan Lowery’s brother, a tattoo artist, applied Lowery’s first tattoo. The design represents Lowery’s little brother who passed away while still an infant.

“I have no regrets whatsoever,” Lowery said. “I like the way tattoos look and feel, and I will be getting many more.”

Ron De Pry, 78, acquired his first tattoo after he graduated high school in order to “stand out” and “feel more manly,” despite his aunt’s warnings. When he joined the Navy, De Pry got two additional tattoos on his lower right leg and upper arm.

“I happened to really like animals and ended up with a peacock, an eagle, and a deer,” De Pry said. “People always asked about the tattoos, and why I got them…My answers didn’t even satisfy me.”

Years later, as De Pry started teaching at a high school, he became self conscious about his tattoos and made sure he wore long sleeves to cover them. From his experience, he strongly advises teenagers to stay away from the permanent art.

“Tattoos are a burden and not something that I would brag about or show off,” said De Pry. “There are things in life we do that become a distant memory with time. Tattoos don’t go away, and are a reminder of poor choices that filled what we thought was an important need during a particular time in our life.”

Ron Climer, 53, has mixed feelings about his body art. When he was fourteen, Climer himself was the artist for his first tattoo, a design that identified with his late father. Part of a white supremacist motorcycle gang, he had learned the art from friends and spending time in jail.

Climer continued to get tattoos that related to his racist gang, but after coming to know Jesus, he covered up the tattoos with others he uses to witness to people about how God changed his life, he says.

“In some cases the tattoos are a benefit, but in others they can be liability,” Climer said. “Sometimes they help me to witness to certain people, and other times they are a stumbling block to people, because they judge me because of the tattoos instead of getting to know me first.”

While not discouraging body art altogether, Climer advised to use a lot of caution and careful thought for the person considering ‘getting inked.’

“I think that you should be at least 18 years old [the lawful age in California],” Climer said. “But I believe that each person should be able to decide for themselves when and if they should get a tattoo. I think you should give a lot of thought as to what you have tattooed on your body and where it is placed; make sure it’s in a place that can be covered and that it is a statement you want to say to the world. Make sure it’s something that will glorify God.”

Actually getting a tattoo requires many more steps than just walking into a parlor and saying, ‘I want a scull and crossbones here.’

According to Karen L. Hudson, co-author of Chick Ink: 40 Stories of Tattoos And the Women Who Wear Them, choosing the right parlor and artist is essential for those looking into tattoos. Customers should check a number of items: whether the artist is vaccinated against Hepatitist, if he or she uses new needles for each new client and whether or not they use a sterile autoclave.

All of these things will prevent potential infections, such as Hepatistis.

After the completion of the inking process, the tattoo most likely will not finish healing for about three months. After staying wrapped for the first 24 hours, the next two to three weeks’ care includes keeping the tattoo from extended submersion in water, no shaving on the area and protection from the sun.

Many businesses’ dress codes deal with tattoos and whether an employee may have one, varying by job types.

“Our dress code regarding tattoos is store-by-store and based on the individual,” Kiesha Bey, Talbot’s General Manager (of the Fresno district), said. “It depends if [we think] tattoos are acceptable in the area and the level of tattooing. The tattoo needs to be tasteful; for example a heart versus a skull. In interviews we openly talk about whether it’s appropriate or not or if the person can cover it.”

CJ Ramsey, of Fresno City College, was given his first tattoo as present from his parents for his 18th birthday. He uses the design as a permanent accountability partner.

“My first tattoo was an anatomical heart on my chest, with six labels around it,” Ramsey said. “On one side is ‘Love,’ ‘Peace,’ and ‘Patience,’ and the other has ‘Lust,’ ‘Fear,’ and ‘Pride.’ Its purpose is a constant reminder to keep myself and my heart in check; I like to live knowing that my life is full of love, peace, and patience, and to stay away from my struggles.”

Pleased with his first inking, Ramsey has since acquired another permanent reminder that says ‘A chasing of the wind,’ that he says helps him focus on what matters in life. He credits his interest in tattoos to his parents.

“I grew up around the music scene,” Ramsey said. “I went to shows with my dad and spent a lot of time with his musician friends who had tattoos, so for me it was something normal to have.”

Despite his own comfort around the art form, Ramsey believes tattooing is not for everyone.

“I know a lot of teens with tattoos and not a lot of them were very well thought out,” he said. “I think too many teens get tattoos as a trend, or as a way of feeling more in control. I do, however, know some people underage who have some really amazing art on their body; it is different for everyone.”

For more information on tattoo safety, visit this Teen Consumer article.