Tattoos, piercings, etc.

I am interested to know your opinions of these types of self-expression-- also, if you have any.... what do you have?? What's your story??

Here's mine:

When I was about 7 or 8, I was on vacation with my parents, and I saw a girl who had a really pretty tattoo going around her wrist. I thought to myself how much I would like that someday... and I never forgot about it.

From the ages of 15 to about 20, I was really into the goth scene... Dressing all in black, black hair with crazy colored streaks, white face, black makeup, all of that crap....

I couldn't wait until I was 18 to run out and get tattoos and piercings. My parents were always very cool about self-expression, but said I had to wait until I was 18 to do that stuff... So right after my 18th birthday, I went out and got.... the tattoo around my wrist! It's a vine of flowers, blues, purples, and pinks, going around my wrist. I love it to this day. (I'm 26 now).

But I couldn't get enough, lol. So I got my navel pierced. Then I got the inner cartilage of my ear pierced. Ouch. Then I got about 8 different ear piercings. Then I did something incredibly stupid and got a tattoo on my upper arm, just below the shoulder. It was a black, 7 pointed star.

A couple years later, when my goth days were over, and I realized that you can't look like Elvira if you want a job, and a husband that doesn't look like the Grim Reaper, I wanted that tattoo OFF. Plus, I was getting married and wearing a strapless dress. So thus is the story of my 10 tattoo removal treatments. Way more expensive and painful then the actual tattoo. However, since it was simple and black, it is pretty much gone. There is a faint scar of the tattoo, that can only be seen if you are really staring at the spot.

All the ear piercings are gone and have closed up except for the normal 1st and 2nd holes.

I have tiny gem in my nose. I got it very recently. Some things I will never grow out of, lol.

Both my internship and my regular job are fine with it. I am a psychotherapy intern at an inpatient psych hospital, and my supervisor said that it might even help facilliate discussion with the patients about self-expression, lol.

I have a couple of friends going through the removal process of tatts at present. As you say, more expensive and painful than the original procedure!

I just have a belly piercing (plus one in each ear but they don't really count!).

I was 15 (I am 29 now) and wanted to be naughty - the days of going clubbing with fake ID (used to be 20 legal age here, now it's 18).

I got my belly pierced (naval to you I guess) but parents didn't blink an eyelash - I think Dad said 'well as long as I don't have to SEE it' - and that was the end of that.

I hate needles so I don't think I can get a tatt, plus I would probably change my mind - lol.

Btw, I think you just have to be careful that what you get ... reflects something you love ... or feel passionate about ... for whatever reason ...

Just in my opinion, getting a Chinese symbol of your birthday or something (just an example) is not that cool unless you understand the Chinese culture.

But yea each to their own.

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drunksunflower said:
Btw, I think you just have to be careful that what you get ... reflects something you love ... or feel passionate about ... for whatever reason ...

Just in my opinion, getting a Chinese symbol of your birthday or something (just an example) is not that cool unless you understand the Chinese culture.

But yea each to their own.

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Exactly. The 7-pointed star that I got removed was Celtic. Um, what the %#@&#! do I know about anything Celtic? lol, I was 18, I was stupid. My brother-in-law has a Chinese symbol on his arm... I forgot was it means, but my husband and I always joke that it probably means %#@&#! head or something...

The only other tattoo that I would consider getting would be of a bird. I have three parrots, I treat them like children, I love them so much, and they are the best therapy. They have lifespands of 30-40+. I can see myself getting a 4th one day. So I know birds are something that I will be passionate about for life. I just don't know what part of my body I would want the tattoo on. I'm done with putting tattoos on my body that are in easily seen places. I mean, I have the one on my wrist, got rid of the one on my arm... The bird tattoo would be more for me... not because I want others to notice how fabulous I am, lol.... but I'm not sure where I'd want it....

its understandable but i think its sad that jobs can restrict facial peircings etc.

im all for self expression...down with conformation and supression!

..just my thoughts

Lets see...

I got my first tattoo about 17 years ago. It's the comedy and tragedy mask and it's on my chest above my right breast. Everyone asks if I'm in the theatre - I'm not although I do like it. I actually got the tattoo because I had just started therapy at that time, in and out of the hospital, and I felt life was a series of comedy and tragedy.

When my niece was around 2 (11 years ago) I got a tattoo on the side of my right calf of the moon with a ribbon around it and my nieces name underneath (Hayley). She started calling me auntie tattoo I asked if one day she would tattoo my name on her leg and she said "no way!".

I still love both of my tattoos and would like to get another in the middle upper part of my back of a silhouette of a woman in the night sky.

I have 3 holes in each ear and no other piercing. I wanted the tiny diamond in my nose, but alas, my job specifically has no facial piercings on the dress code.

I love to see people's piercings. In Rhode Island we have the RI School of Design which attracts alot of eclectic people. There is a street nearby called Thayer street and it's where all the college kids hang out - talk about artistic expression! You see EVERYTHING and I think it is wonderful! Many of the things I see I would never do but what a way to express who you are.


Tranquility

I have an eyeore tattoo on my right top foot that I got when I was 46. I chose eyeore because during my darkest days of depression years ago a doctor brought eyeore up to me and related it to how I was acting. I immediately connected with what he was saying and to this day when I get down or sad I look at my foot and think to myself (in my best eyeore voice) Nobody likes me...nobody cares....and it brings a smile to my face.

As for piercings...the normal ear holes...nothing more.

Snow

I have pierced ears (normal ones) then 2 tatts. one of a baby on my left breast in remembrance of my beloved granddaughter. the other is kind of like tribal with dolphins. a pic of that one is posted in the gallery. no specific reason for that one except I love dolphins. oh I did have my tongue pierced but took it out. wish I had kept it though.

Oh boy where do I start?? LOL!!!!

When I was a teen, I had my ears pierced 9 times. 6 in each lobe and 3 in the left cartilage. At 18 I got my first tattoo, a little flowery design on my back that a friend of mine and I both used on our websites at the time.

I don't remember at what ages I got the rest, eyebrow nose and nipple piercing and 3 more tattoos. I also got one through the cartilage on my ear, its hard to describe where its at, right in the middle of the ear through the thickest part. That's the only piercing I have left, as well as my lobes, but I only where one in each ear.

I have a tribal tattoo on the upper left side of my chest with a gemstone the color of mine and my mom's birthstone, a trible armband on my right bicep, and the Chinese congi for "compassion" on my left arm, on the inside above my elbow. That one is for a friend of mine who died of a lethal combination of cocaine and alcohol.

I have a tattoo designed to cover up the symbol on my right arm: a dreamcatcher with the word "mom" in the spider web. My mom wanted a dreamcatcher tattoo when she was dying, but they wouldn't tattoo her while on chemo. So if I can ever get that tattoo, its for her.

I definitely want more ink but its sooo expensive. I'll have to win the lottery! LOL!

Fun thread!

I had my nose and nipple pierced—I liked them both. I have taken both out. The only bad thing about the nipple piercing is that now I seem to be less sensitive in that nipple…

I have 5 tatts in spots I can show off with short sleeves and short shorts or hide with t-shirt and long shorts. I like the idea of having control of who sees them. Showing them at work would be a no, no.

I would like to get a very small tattoo... have been thinking about it for a long time... can't decide of what.. yet... or the exact where... yet... something symbolic of the courage to overcome.... or on the other hand... maybe something just FUN.... it would have to be small since I'm a wimp... LOL

Okay, I have a question that falls in line here. Both of my parents have many tattoos, my mom with seven and my stepfather with two(takes up both upper arms).

I have been very interested in getting a tattoo. I know it will hurt alot, and I've seen it done before on my mom, dad, and I saw my grandmother get one! I'm fourteen years old, and my parents were discussing letting me get a tattoo after my fifteenth birthday.

I've been a little apprehensive now though. I was wondering what people thought of getting a tattoo at this age. Do you think I should wait a couple years, or what?

I didn't get a tatoo until I was 18 because my parents wouldn't allow it before I was legally allowed. If you wait a few years, they'll still be tatooing. I think its great that you're not just jumping to get one right away, that you're thinking about it. Sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders. If you wait, you'll know for sure that you want the design you've picked. Trust your gut on this one. If you have doubts, why not wait a bit?

Apprehension is usually a little warning from our intuition saying uh yeah.....maybe not right now....trust that intuition.

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ChristenTheNight said:
Okay, I have a question that falls in line here. Both of my parents have many tattoos, my mom with seven and my stepfather with two(takes up both upper arms).

I have been very interested in getting a tattoo. I know it will hurt alot, and I've seen it done before on my mom, dad, and I saw my grandmother get one! I'm fourteen years old, and my parents were discussing letting me get a tattoo after my fifteenth birthday.

I've been a little apprehensive now though. I was wondering what people thought of getting a tattoo at this age. Do you think I should wait a couple years, or what?

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<font color="purple">My eldest son, soon to be 18, wanted a tatoo when he was 15 too... actually he wanted before then but wanted the same one adn got more serious about it when he was 15 and I told him.... if in a year, you tsill want that same tattoo and it has actual meaning to you, then I will sign and you can get it around your 16 th birthday.... After that yr was up... he indeed wanted that same tattoo... I asked him to tell what the tattoo meant to him... he responded with a deep answer and I took him... Now this tattoo was not small.. the tattooist started and my son....who is so fearful of needles that his blood pressure bottoms..... passed out and got sick... The one thing I forgot to tell him is that it is impoartant to eat and drink fluids before you go....

Anyway we tried several times to go back but the lady wasnt available or double booked (she was the only one in within and 1 hrs drive willing to do it) and he has yet to get it done. He now adorns a 1 inch (approx) dragon tail on the back of his arm... it was suppose to be 3/4 arm band....

He does still plan on getting that particular tattoo done, but is waiting till he is 18 to go to a specific artist...

Me personally have no issue with teens getting a tattoo after it has been thoroughly discussed and determined that it isnt a whim... I wouldnt let my children younger than 15 though.... </font>

I'm totally in love with tattoos and piercings!!!
I have 2 tatts......my 1st is an asian symbol representing sin on my lower back...was going through a bit of a rebellious stage when I got that one, and the second is of the playboy bunny on my tummy. I'm obssessed with all things playboy!!!
As for piercings, well, there's a few of those. I have 2 in each ear, my tongue, nose, labret, nipple and naval.
I want more of each, I just don't know what I want and where.
I have to take out all of my facial piercings for work.
The only negativity I have ever received is off my mum (which is pretty much constant). She thinks tattoos and piercings on girls make them look butch and cheap.
Oh well..... more power to those of us who have them!!!
....And snowflake....I love eeyore 2.

Good for you Silent! I don't like to have piercings on myself - but I love to see them on others. I'm a tattoo girl myself - just got my third one. I have the comedy/tragedy masks on my chest, a moon w/ribbon around it with my nieces name on my right outside calf, and my new one is the asian symbol for tranquility on my outside left calf.

I wanted a tiny little nose piercing - just a bitty diamond. My company has all facial piercings against dress code. So when I saw people with little diamonds in their nose I emailed and asked if it was okay - they said no and that the managers of those people should do something about it. I should have just done it instead of asking, but I'm too honest of a person!

Tranquility

i only have 3 ear piercings, but im going to get more soon. i really want to get my lip pierced, lower left. i may have to wait til im 18 though. there are several tattoos i want to get, one specifically being a falling crow with the words 'deus ex machina' under it. on my wrist. theres others i want to get too, but they arent quite fully formed in my mind.

--Edna St. Vincent Millay

If anyone doesn't mind a non-tattoo artist, not-even-amateur, and inexperienced person tattooing or piercing them, I wouldn't mind. It's not a hobby, but I like poking holes in people, and poking them with needles and ink.

LOL! Any volunteers?

Snowflake - I LOVE Eeyore!!!!

I have a million stuffed eeyores, mugs, etc. I always related to his sadness. My favorite quote was one that was on a page a day calendar:

"Why bother, I'll only have to do it again tomorrow".

Tranquility

i have my ears pierced twice i did have my nose pierced but let it heal(might have the other side done. iam having a tattoo on my right upper arm of a beautiful sun in very pale colours, lovely shading and outlined in pale grey. i was going to have a small fairy might change my mind yet.

jin. i like self expression. individuality.