Tattoos_and_Piercing

| |Tattoos and Piercing | | | |Ophelia A. Binkley-Webb | |4/4/2010 | | Have you ever thought about being able to get a tattoo and or piercing under the age of 18' Recalling the year when turning 16 years old, and asking my mother to allow me to get a piercing. She allowed me to get the piercing, but honestly saying when asking about getting a tattoo my mother stated that a tattoo will have to wait until turning 18. Finally my 18th birthday came and not only was excitement about getting a tattoo. Think about it receiving not just one tattoo but two tattoos in one day. It is a saying “tattoos are addicting.” Honestly speaking it is a true saying for me tattoos are addicting. Various reasons and risk that can be associated with body piercing and tattooing. How did tattoo and piercing originate. Body piercing is one of the ancient and widespread forms of body art. It was known to have started by the Romans piercing their nipples. It allowed them to show their bravery and also as practical means of fastening their cloak. Victorian society girls believe by piercing their nipples it enhanced it size. Genital piercing was started in Borneo by Karma Sutra, and in South America the Carafa Indians wore a thin cane in the lower lip to show they were at their prime of their life. Piercing of primitive societies is done to allow them to signify their status with a tribe. The pioneer of piercing was Alex Sebastian from the UK. Alex begins getting piercing in the 1950’s after seeing the nipples with gold rings from the helpers that work with him. He became curios and allowed them to pierce him, after leaving and returning to England. He began piercing himself and other asked and that is how he started his career as first and most respected body piercing.” One of every five piercing results in infections” Oral piercing is considered as a dental and medical risk. It can become a dental danger by the size of the piecing, and the time it is worn. Oral piecing carries a high potential for infection at the site of the piercing. Oral piercing causes swelling and possible nerve damage. Swelling is common after an oral piercing experience. The tongue is in Constance motion. It slows and complicates the healing process. Swelling of the tongue is known to block the airway. There are blood borne diseases that oral piercing could transmission. Hepatitis B, C, D and G and syphilis Tetanus and tuberculosis are also a risk. The blood poisoning such as toxic shock, septicemia tetanus, AIDS, staph infections and sexually transmissible disease can be cause by oral piercing. Oral piercing can cause injury to the gums and teeth. “ A recent study sowed 50% of people who had worn a long barbell stem piercing (Longer than 1.5 cm) for more than two years has their gum tissues pull away from the inside of the lower front teeth Piercing can cause ripped or torn tissue, gum or check infection, Interference with speaking and swallowing, loss of sensation in tongue, damage to teeth, cracked tooth syndrome, “ complete fracture of the back teeth, prolonged or permanent drooling and it also interference with normal oral function. (PETERSON, 1998-2008) The first tattoo known to man was to be founded on Otzi also known as the Iceman back in 1991. However Iceman dates himself back to over 4,000 B.C. He had a total of fifty eight tattoos that was founded on his body. They were simple tattoos made up of lines and simple dots. There were no real symbolism that was made from the designs, but scientists came to the theory that these tattoos were part of a medical and or spiritual healing process. Many tribes used piercing and tattoos as a form of identify themselves. Among the ancient Egyptians to have the navel pierced it was equivalent to being royalty. Victorian Haberdashers originally began piercing their penis to firmly place the penis in place by either the left of right trouser. Other tribes used piercing the genitalia are used as a means of discipline. With the youth of Arab they pierce the left side of the scrotum. It is believed to help prevent the testis from returning back into the body. In the African dogon, Kudi, and Lobi tribes the girls are allowed to have nose, ear, and lips piercing to enable them to wear ornaments. Which is said to protect them from bad spirits, and to help identify them to their tribes' In India the men and women wear a nose ring to indicate if their single or married, this is also a culture believe in Turkama. Tribal tattoos were one of the earliest tattoos. The Polynesian tattooing was one of the most artistic and original tattooing of the ancient time. It was consisted and very sophisticated with the details of the geometrical designs. Polynesian continued to add more tattoos to them until the body was covered. They said it was a sign of beauty and strength to have tattoos. The Mexicans wore tattoos of their idols and Gods on their skins. The South American tribes were tattooed to help them and others to remember their success and bravery in the battle. Now in Japan tattoos was not to glorify strength or battle they use tattooing as form of punishment. In Japan if you were a convicted criminal your received a mark on your forehead. In England Japanese artist tattooed the Royalty to symbolized wealth and authority. People are becoming aware of tribal societies that are still in their culture, and who still practice their distinct custom and traditions. Tattoos may be at a common high than ever, but it can’t be taken lightly, but Understanding the risk, safety and precautions. Tattoos breach the skin means that the skin is infection that can cause other complications. Allergic reaction is cause by the dyes. It is known that the red dye can cause allergic skin reactions. It causes an itchy rash on or at the site of the tattoo. This can occur even years after getting tattooed. Tattoos can lead to local bacterial infections characterized by redness, pain, swelling, and pus-like drainage. Other skin problems that tattooing can cause bumps to form on the tattoo. Tattooing can lead to keloid (raised areas caused by and overgrowth of scar tissue). There is also some blood borne diseases that you could contract if the equipment use to tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tetanus, and HIV. Medication can help treat the allergic reaction, infection or other skin problem. In some cases tattoo may need to be removed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve the tattoo ink it is classified as cosmetics. Knowing the risk of tattooing is one issue, but think how does tattooing and piercing could affect your work place is another. Legal issue can surround the hiring of employees with tattoos and body piercing. It can be avoided by the company implementing a well written non discriminatory company policy. Some companies such as Walt Disney world, SeaWorld Orlando, and Wal-Mart. Haven writing polices that apply to visible tattoos. “Tattoos doesn’t become an employment issue unless they visible tattoos Wal-Mart specifies tattoos that are offensive or distractive are to be covered by the clothing or other means” according to Christine Mlodzik (2008) Chosen a spot on your body and the type of design that you will have to live with can be one of the most difficult times. A person must give great thought behind getting a tattooing and or piercing. This tattoo is one that is a collection of significant and meaningful things in will always hold them dear. Now a person is able to display this devotion on his/ her skin for all to see. By understanding your tattoo, you begin to understand your life and allow the different people you come in contact with understand a little about you if they see the art work. Every tattoo should tell a story about yourself or what you believe in. Finding the right artist to tattoo you or to get a piercing can be an intense task you must first. Look for the tattoo artist, not the parlor, meaning many artists don’t own their own shop and travel from different shop to continue to grow their business to eventually go into business for themselves. Remember it’s about who works their now. So make sure you’re able to get a recommend name to do your tattooing and or piercing. Second you must look for great art on friends, neighbors, and even strangers. Don’t be afraid to spark up a conversation, about their art work to continue to research the different parlors. Then you must check around for different feedback and also look online for compliments and complaints, and lastly locate the artist. There are no guarantee that the artist has not changed shops or created their own business, so make sure you perform a search on the artist that you may be interested into to do your body art. Caring for your body art and piercing is one of the most important things that you can do. This helps and prevents the chance of infections and lots of quality of your work. Tattoo caring is as followed “Wash the site gently but thoroughly with liquid antibacterial soap and warm water (DO NOT SCRUB). Use a soap that is fragrance free and without dyes i.e.… Dial antibacterial. Rinse thoroughly and then do one final rinse with cold water. Gently pat the area dry using a fresh paper towel, and allow 25 minutes to air dry. Next, apply an extremely thin layer of suggested ointment 2-3 times per day for the first 2 days. On day three use substitute ointment with fragrance/aloe free lotion. Your tattoo should never look gooey, wet, or slimy. Always wash your tattoo prior to each new application of ointment or lotion. If your tattoo oozes throughout the day, blot with dry paper towel. For 2 weeks avoid chlorine, salt water, soaking, animal fur, pet dander and exposure to sunlight. Do not: Pick, Rub, or Scratch the tattoo. If the site becomes itchy during the healing process smack the tattoo gently.” (www.Graceland tattoo.com) (2002-2009), and caring for you piercing correctly will minimize your chances of infection as well. “Piercing are susceptible to infection during the healing period. Appropriate aftercare is extremely important to promote healing and prevent infection. Piercing heal by forming epithelial cells along the inside of the piercing to protect the body from the foreign object. The epithelial cells form a tube like layer of skin along the inside of the piercing. This process usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. After the epithelial layer has formed, the piercing may constrict around the jewelry. The epithelial layer can easily be torn or dislodged; do not force the jewelry to rotate without first applying warm water. The piercing may need to be soaked in warm water to allow the skin to expand so that the jewelry can be rotated. Once the epithelial layer forms it must toughen and strengthen. This process often requires 6 months to a year. As the piercing becomes more cohesive the entrances will round inwards, like a donut hole, and the piercing will become more flexible and relaxed around the jewelry. If you plan to keep your piercing do not remove your jewelry for any length of time while it is healing. Most body piercing require at least 6 months to a year before the jewelry can be removed for any length of time without the risk of the piercing closing. After the piercing has toughened, it will not close but will shrink if the jewelry is removed. All piercing produce a lymph discharge during the healing period. The discharge is sticky and white to off-white in color and dries to a crusty formation around the openings of the piercing and on the jewelry. (www.Graceland tattoo.com) (2002-2009)If you choose to get a tattoo or piercing, you may be stereotype and or judged by peers, strangers, employment, but remember people have their own individual’s beliefs about body arts and piercing. Learning that not everyone wants a tattoo and not everyone wants more holes in their body. Learn your origin, symbolism, and the different varieties of body art and one will learn to appreciate body art before it is permanently on your skin. Rush, John (2005) Tattoos and Piercing Spiritual tattoo: a cultural history of tattooing, piercing, scarification. Miller, J (1997) the body art book: A complete illustrated guide to tattoos, piercing, and other body modifications. New York: Berkley Publishing Group. Horne, Jenn, Knox, David, Zusman, Jane Marteye. College Student Journal (Dec 2007) Part B Vol, 41 Issue 4 Tattoos and piercing attitudes, behaviors, and interpretations of college students. Rebecca Keith (2009) Are tattoos and body piercing acceptable in the work place. This source allows me to speak about tattoos and body piercing in the work place, an issue that is talk about frequently