Tattoos, The Pros and Cons of Having Tattoos

Tattoos, a little personal background.

Firstly let me say that I do not have any tattoos. That may or may not surprise you, I guess. When I was young the only females in our City that had tattoos were the rather salubrious type of females. These days though tattoos are quite fashionable and I have noticed that both young and old, male and female are getting hooked on tattoos. I have known a couple of older ladies who have had tattoos for their birthdays.

The most surprising to me was a colleague who had a tattoo for her 60th birthday. I do not have a problem with tattoos but do not understand the attraction, especially as a birthday gift, as opposed to other frivolous nonsense. Perhaps some of the older ladies just want to express a little individuality and rebellion, maybe as it was not experienced when young. Still to each his or her own but tattoos are such permanent body art that you need to weigh up the pros and cons first.

My father had a selection of tattoos along his arms that both intrigued and fascinated me as a child. Having had these tattoos done when he was abroad in the War, I often wonder if he would have had them otherwise. A huge dagger with a snake crawling around it was rather scary to me and so from childhood tattoos have never appealed to me.

Strange then that I married a man who also had tattoos. Most of his were done before he was actually old enough to have tattoos. Lying about his age to the tattooist and hiding the tattoos for a while from his Mum was essential back then.

Hubby has had these tattoos now between 45 and 49 years. His last tattoo 49 years ago was when he was only 18. Of course as many foolish young men before and since he has regretted some of these tattoos.

Whereabouts on your body that you have tattoos is important along with just what the tattoo is. Hubby has an ex girlfriends name on his wrist but it does not bother me. He offered years ago to have a tattoo to cover it up. With my dislike of tattoos I did not want him to have even one more tattoo, especially because of me. The name has faded with time though.

Although Hubby has put on weight over the years he is still slim, just not skinny anymore. This has at least meant that his tattoos are not misshapen. After all these years of marriage his tattoos are a part of him as much as any other of his attributes or faults. I would have preferred him not to have tattoos though, given a choice.

Of course there is plenty more to consider so let's consider the pros and cons of 

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The Disadvantages of Tattoos

• The Cost-Tattoos can be costly these days.
• The pain-This varies form person to person but having a tattoo will not be painless. Whereabouts on your body the tattoo will be of course plays a part in the amount of pain you experience.
• The permanency-Sure you can have tattoos removed by laser surgery these days but it can be expensive and is not always 100% successful.
• Fading-Tattoos may be permanent but over the years the colours fade and the lines can break up a little.
• Fashion and times change-Some tattoos look old fashioned within a few years. Times also change and what is acceptable today may not be tomorrow.
• What about when you are older?-A mass of tattoos or even just one large one may look fine when you are in your twenties but what about when you are in your fifties?
• No-one can predict the future-You could end up a successful lawyer with a great career. If so would tattoos be appropriate? Bear in mind also that they may even prevent your career ever taking off.
• You body shape will change-No matter how much you look after yourself your body shape will change. You may still be slim as you age but you will not be as slim as when you were young. If you are you may be scraggy. Either way the tattoo that looked so great on your young finely toned body may look dismal as your skin ages. If you put on weight the image of your tattoo may distort into something quite monstrous.
• Infections-There is the risk of infections depending how good, or not, your tattooist is.

The Advantages of Tattoos.

• I started with the disadvantages as I can think of few advantages but I will try. An expression of your individuality-Some tattoos express personal, meaningful art or messages.
• A sign of rebellion-I doubt that this is true these days as we are more of an, anything goes type of World these days. However, some people may see tattoos as a form of rebellion.
• A sign of love-Having a loved ones name on your body may be sign of love. Personally though I would disagree.
• To be different-I guess it depends on the tattoo.
• To belong-Gang membership or belonging to a particular group of people. Perhaps all of your friends have tattoos.

Overall

Well as I have already said Tattoos do not do it for me. As an adult they do not trouble me but they do some people.

Loud, excessive tattoos can ruin your work prospects and hold you back in many ways. Life is transient, especially these days and the partner who so badly wants you to have a tattoo may only be around for a few years. Will your next partner feel the same about tattoos? There are no guarantees that they will.

It is wrong but there are people who will automatically put a mental label on someone with tattoos. This label may say TROUBLE.

My husband is tall, over 6 foot, but on the whole a gentle giant. When we were young and he had long hair the combination of tattoos would put people off him before they even knew him. They would see him as aggressive and trouble without even knowing him. Their loss as he is a great guy.

However what I am really trying to say is think very carefully before you have tattoos. If you decide that they are for you consider the placement and type of tattoo. Make sure that the tattooist is reputable, has a well established business and a proven track record. If you do not you could end up with more than just a tattoo.

Remember when you see people such as David Beckham and Cheryl Cole, sporting stylish looking tattoos, that when the fad passes they will have the means to get their tattoos removed painlessly and effectively. You may not.

Tags:  Cheryl Cole, David Beckham, Tattoos, pros, cons, spell trouble, laser removal of tattoos

Hubby's 40 year old plus tattoos are now faded, mis-shapen and meaningless!