All Inked Up

This post will be about tattoos. It can be triggering for those with needle phobia. Just saying.


I was 19 years old when I got my first tattoo and I got its companion six months later. Some people in my close proximity thinks it was a stupid thing to do, and they nearly had a fit when I got my third tattoo when I was 21 years old.

That third one has haunted me for the past seven years, all because it turned out so flawed.

Yes, it's on my shoulder, and yes, that's a bra strap. And yes, it only has two legs. That will get fixed tomorrow, thankfully. I will add a photo of the fix-up once it's been healed.

The thing I wanted to talk about, though, is not flawed tattoos or their repair. That will be tomorrow's topic. I wanted to talk about the stigma associated with having tattoos.

Many still believe that having your skin inked somehow makes you a bad person. Someone who can't be trusted. Someone who won't take responsibility or who won't do a proper job.

From what I have seen, and from the tattooed people I have met, nothing can be further from the truth. Many of the people who choose to have their skin adorned with ink have very profound reasons for their choice. Some do it to honor individuals loved and lost. Some do it to commemorate important events in their lives, such as marriage, childbirth, and important experiences. Not one of the inked people I have met have changed their personality based on what's in/on their skin. You wouldn't judge someone for dying their hair, so why judge someone for having art imbedded in their skin? (Ok, so I know that some people do judge others for dying their hair, but I couldn't come up with a better comparison.)

The tattoo artists I have met have all been professional and gifted people, with a serious understanding of cleanliness, safety, and health. Not once have I feared an infection while under the needle. Not once have I felt unsafe or uncomfortable (and coming from someone who is living with social phobia, that's saying a lot).

As for the pain, I don't think it hurts. I can't speak for everyone in this matter, but I don't think getting a tattoo hurts.
Sure, there is some pain. After all, you have a needle piercing your skin about 100 to 140 times per second, depending on the line/shading/coloring. However, I have found that for me, the pain stops the moment the needle leaves my skin. Also, it didn't feel like a needle. It was more like a slim and very sharp blade cutting into my skin. But there is no hurt. Hurt takes away from the person and from who you are. Pain is just a sensation, the same as warmth, cold, or arousal. Pain can add to who you are the same way being warm or happy can. (I might have a weird view on things, but that should already be clear to those reading this blog.)

I think that what I am trying to say is don't judge people based on what they look like. You might miss out on some really great friends.