Then and Now

             Tattoos have existed for eons and are one of the oldest forms of art. Due to pain, persistence and drawing of blood, early humans have given it a mystical significance (Tattoo Star). Many ancient tribes used tattoos to show membership in a clan, rank, or even as a coming of age ritual. One tribe that I find very interesting is the Maori people of New Zealand.  Both men and women received tattoos in various parts of the body that conveyed different meanings. What’s interesting is that though this ritual has declined in the 20^th century, it has seen a revival in recent years.

            The traditional tribal tattoos of the Maoris are called “Ta Moko” or facial tattoos, but the men also received bold spiral tattoos on their legs and buttocks (Phatak, Omkar). The placement of their tattoos expressed their clan membership, knowledge or rank. Tattooing for the Maori man was a long process that started in adolescence and continued to adulthood.

            The women of the tribe, on the other hand, received Ta Mokos limited to the lips and chin. However, they also received tattoos on the back, legs, and buttocks. Their tattoos mainly conveyed their rank, but it could also mean she was arranged to be married or it could mean her membership to the tribe.

            In the ancient times, chisels made from animal bones were used to apply the ink through slits in the skin. The ink was from animal sources and contained the processed remains of a fungus infected caterpillar (Phatak, Omkar). Because tribal Maori tattoos have seen a revival in recent years, it is fortunate for the Maori people of today that tattoos are done with modern tattooing techniques. Though tattoos are a form of art for a lot of people, it is much more meaningful for the Maori. It is an expression of cultural pride and integrity; it shows who they are and where the come from (Maori Culture).

 

 

"Tattoo Star." : Ritual Tattoo. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2013

Phatak, Omkar. Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 27 Apr. 2010. Web. 27 Mar. 2013.

"Moko Meaning." TheMaoricom Blog Posts RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2013.

"Maori Culture." Ta Moko. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2013

Addictions

          Addicting. That’s a word that’s been used plenty of times by both numerous family members and friends that have tattoos. I’ve been told “it’s hard to get just one” or “once you start, you can’t stop”. For someone without a tattoo and is interested in getting one, I decided to do some research. What I found is that there are both physiological and psychological reasons why some people insist on getting multiple tattoos even though it’s painful.

            It’s been said that tattoos are painful. It is exactly that pain that causes the body’s sympathetic nervoussystem, the part responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response, to release adrenaline to the body (15 Reasons). This adrenaline rush from tattoos gives adrenaline junkies such a “high” that it becomes addicting. Pain from tattoos not only causes the body to release adrenaline but causes the brain to release endorphins as well. This is another chemical that acts as a natural high and is associated with other activities like exercise and sex (15 Reasons). Not only do endorphins make some people feel good, they also sometimes relieve stress making tattoos relaxing for others (Quirk).

            Tattoos also trigger different feelings for different people. There are those who get a sense of freedom, people who see tattoos as art that they want tattooed on them as a form of self-expression. Many people get their tattoos custom drawn and choose tattoos that hold some sort of meaning. There is also the feeling of rebellion, people who get tattoos to prove that they are in control of their own body. Others do it to feel like they belong, whether it be in a group, with someone, or just in their own generation. To others, it may even be a collection, a passion, the need to acquire as many tattoos as possible.

            There are many possible reasons as to why people get multiple tattoos. I kind of understand how both the body’s chemical reactions and the various feelings that come from tattoos could cause addictions. It would be interesting to see how it would make me feel when I finally manage to gain the courage to get my first tattoo and I wonder if I would get “addicted”.

"15 Reasons Someone Could Become Addicted to Tattoos | New Look Houston." New Look Houston. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.

Quirk, Daily. "5 Reasons Why Tattoos Are Addicting." The Daily Quirk. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.

Swelling,Infections, and a Few Complications

Many teens today have anywhere from one to multiple piercings. It’s pretty, it’s cool, and it’s sometimes a way to make a statement. Though the actual piercing itself might hurt a little, it is usually a quick process. It’s after the piercing, the healing process, that usually gives people trouble. No matter how people perceive it, having a piercing is having a piece of metal through the skin, a foreign object that is not really meant to be there. So of course, after a piercing, swelling is likely to occur. Some people might also have allergic reactions, or skin infections, or other complications not uncommon when it comes to piercings.

A little redness and swelling is normal for new piercings, though some piercing sites swell more than others. Tongue piercings and piercings on thicker parts of the cartilage around the ear cause a bit more swelling. I remember that when I got my conch pierced, my right ear was so red and swelled close to twice the size of my left ear for nearly three days, that I actually considered removing the piercing. It eventually got better and I am now in love with it. Redness can also be a sign of irritation or an allergic reaction. This is usually due to the jewelry, particularly those with nickel, so be sure to ask the piercer questions about the jewelry before getting a piercing.

Skin infections can also occur with piercings. There might be some redness, a little pain, and a pus-like discharge. A friend of mine got her navel pierced and ended up removing it after a few weeks because it got infected, so be sure to clean new piercings really well. Other skin problems, like scars and keloids- “raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue” (Mayo Clinic staff) can also result from piercings. I have another friend, this time with his industrial pierced, who ended up removing the piercing due to a keloid forming on the back of his ear.

Other problems include oral and dental complications that can result from lip and tongue piercings. Both can cause a chipped tooth and gum bleeding is not entirely uncommon for someone with a lip piercing. Trauma is another complication associated with piercings, where the piercing might get caught somewhere causing the skin to tear a little. This can happen to ear, navel, nipple, and genital piercings and sometimes surgery may be required to fix some injuries.

So the bottom line is, piercings may be cool and attractive but getting it done is only half the battle. It is not worry free, it is something that has to be taken care of and cleaned regularly. Honestly, it is much more of a commitment than many people realize. So before getting one, be sure that it’s really what you want and know the risks that come with it.

 

 

Cenzon, Matthew. "Types Of Body Piercings And Complications." Symptomfind.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013. http://www.symptomfind.com/health/types-of-body-piercings-and-complications/.

Ross, Stephen C., M.D. "UCLA Department of Medicine - Wfsection-Complications of Body Piercing." UCLA Department of Medicine - Wfsection-Complications of Body Piercing. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013. http://www.med.ucla.edu/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=158.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Piercings: How to Prevent Complications." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 06 Mar. 2012. Web. 06 Mar. 2013. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/piercings/SN00049.

"Materials Used to Make Body Jewelry." About.com Tattoos / Body Piercings. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013. http://tattoo.about.com/od/piercingsgeneralinfo/a/bjmaterials.htm.