Tattoos have become such a trend, it’s always been around but more and more people are getting them today. I know many people personally who have got tattoos; some regret it, some love it and some are just tattoo freaks. I’ve never really understood why people get them? What’s the point? Aren’t you just putting ink on your body and ruining the beauty that God has blessed you with? Are you cooler now because you’ve got a tattoo?
Some people get tattoos at places that no one even sees it, so why get it? Of course there are also those who cover every inch of their body with it and sometimes I wonder, how does this person look at himself in the mirror? How about when they go to formal functions? How do you walk into a job interview with tattoos covered arms, neck, legs, and God knows you’re once-upon-a-time-beautiful face? Do you expect someone to look at you and say ‘alright yes, let’s hire him!’ I know I might be discriminating all tattoo lovers, but in real world, in the business world, in any working industry, I doubt someone will give you a 100K job while you’re covered with tattoos!
The actual reason I’ve decided to write about this is because at my parents business, I’ve dealt with all kinds of people. You name it and I’ve dealt with them. What I’ve been dealing with for few years is a lady getting herself pierced all over her face, from her eyebrows to her tongue to her lips, chin, etc..etc.. Since I don’t work at the store anymore, I hardly see her but for past few weeks I’ve been working on and off so been seeing her. Well she walked in with tattoos on her face! Like I said, I’ve seen full bodies covered but never a face covered with tattoos. On both of her cheeks she’s got tattoos and on her forehead! Just why? She has got two kids who go to school, so I wonder how she walks into PTA meetings? She hates it that people look at her weird, but I wonder why? If her child does something wrong in school, I’m sure the school will wonder the child that way by just looking at the mother.
Do people realize how dangerous tattoos are? I know many people who got it in the 70′s and regret it now as its fading on their wrinkled skin, or it just looks like someone gave them a good beating. I would love to see this lady in 10-15 years from now and look at her face. She can’t even hide them with makeup. I honestly don’t know why people do these crazy things. I definitely don’t think she’s attractive with tattoos covered face, and I most definitely don’t think she’s going to go too far with her career looking like that.
I recently caught a documentary my brother was watching about Prison gangs and how some of these criminals get tattoos in the prison but once they come out, they get them removed and the pain they go through. Well the tattoos are never going to be removed perfectly, nor will removing it going to make your skin look as it was originally.
You probably know that a body tattoo is injected into the skin by using a machine with a sharp needle and ink. What you probably don’t realize, is that a tattooing machine can pierce the skin as many as 3,000 times a minute. Each one of these holes can be as deep as 1/16 of an inch. These open wounds scab over, but they can still cause health problems… and maybe even death. Are they really worth it?
One of the most common health issue with getting inked is HIV. What’s more important? Getting a tattoo and looking “cool” or being healthy and beautiful? Tattoo puts you at the risk of contracting tetanus, HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, and even Syphilis. So really, are these people insane?
I’m not saying people shouldn’t get them, its their life, they should do whatever they want..but think about these dangers first. If you do want to get one, get where it looks good, where people can see it and most important, don’t cover every inch of your body with it. I have many friends who have tattoos so I’m not insulting them but I just don’t want them to have regrets or get health issues because of something they thought was cool.
If you want to get a tattoo, how about a temporary one? So you don’t put your life in danger. If you really insist on getting a permanent one, then go ahead but don’t over do it. Believe me, everyone I know who has gotten tattoos regret them down the line. Isn’t life about not having regrets?
May 26th, 2009 at 10:07 am
While i agree completely with Anam on all the points she raised I have my reasons for why I had it done and I have absolutely no regrets for getting it done.It was done after a couple of years of speculation and after a lot of thought.
To me , as an artiste it was just a piece of art that I got done on my skin.Something I wanted on me
So I did a lot of research, a lot of thinking and decided on an angel.
I had evaluated all the tattoo parlours that were in my city then after 2 months of research , got it done at a place where the guy used new sterilised needles , was hygenic and also demanded age proof from young people to ascertain they were 18. The Artiste was an experienced person with 15 years of tattooing and was good in his work.
Now as for hmmm where i got it done, it is on my right shoulder and is visible only when I feel I should flaunt it. The shoulder was chosen for the very reason you citied, when I get wrinkled and old , I wont be wearing halters and spaghetti straps that show the tattoo so it will remain inside
As for the health hazards, Yes some dyes cause allergic reactions that can be harmful , and as you said , the whole procedure can be dangerous .So it is extremely important to check on the tattoo parlours, the artistes certificates before getting it done .
You should make sure you are one of those who are not prone to allergies too. And yup it is a little painful depending on where it is done. If it is done over a bone like the lower back where the tail bone is, it is extremely painful.
Am one of the ONES that have no regrets about it so far and have no intentions of regretting it in the future .
May 26th, 2009 at 10:43 am
tattoo’s SO SO BAD … waisey how was i suppose to know that this post was written by anum :s ….
and by the way people get tatoo’s on places where nobody can see coz when they DO SOMETHING
it makes them look more hot :p ….
and by the way i think Namaz is also not acceptable with tatto on…
and yeah temporary one’s are good
Ubaids last blog post..We Are Still Together
May 26th, 2009 at 10:54 am
@Ubaid: Under the post title it says Author: Anam
Yes, if you look at it in Islamic way, then Tattoos are forbidden anyways! Which is why you’ll never see a Muslim with tattoos, and if you do, then they are most likely not practicing Muslims.
May 26th, 2009 at 11:12 am
n am not a muslim
May 26th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I don’t personally agree with your post.
I don’t acquiesce that someone would refrain from hiring you JUST `cause you have tattoos. I don’t think employers limit their perception to such a degree. They obviously look for the talent and personality under the skin than what’s over it. So this statement needs some alteration.
And nearly all the tattoo parlors have been certified by health authorities, for instance, those in Miami have approval notices framed on their counters for further affirmation of their costumers.. depending. Any deaths so far have hardly been reported; considering one actually goes to a standardized place tattooing equipment that are properly sanitized… obviously.
And it’s a free world. Apathy for religious views are common. Many religious and social customs acclaim such practices in their own regard. Yes, agreed that Islam discourages this art of piercing but within our community secular people can openly get themselves inked. Who is to stop them? It’s their life and they’re to conjure it the way they want it. people definitely consider tattooing after much speculation themselves.
Have a great day!
May 26th, 2009 at 11:13 am
ok !! SO WE ALL AGREE TATOO’s are BAD !!
Ubaids last blog post..We Are Still Together
May 26th, 2009 at 11:24 am
@Saanj: I didn’t knew that !!
Ubaids last blog post..We Are Still Together
May 26th, 2009 at 11:42 am
@Ubaid:
Well Ubaid I believe in being a Good human being and take good things from most religions and try and practise it in my life
So makes me a Humanist I suppose 
Its all about reaching out to God in different ways na.
May 26th, 2009 at 11:44 am
@bush
aap kon si wali bush ho ??
Ubaids last blog post..We Are Still Together
May 26th, 2009 at 11:48 am
@Saanj: yeah thats awesome… i also don’t look at people regarding to their religion … coz humanism comes first then comes the religion
!!!
and you are doing the best thing a person can
Ubaids last blog post..We Are Still Together
May 26th, 2009 at 11:49 am
@Bush:
Many professional firms will NOT hire you if you have tattoos or body piercings. I’ve worked in a bank and they won’t hire anyone with visible tattoos. If you get one once you’ve been hired, you will get fired. I’ve seen it happen in my own branch.
As far as authorized certificates are concerned, well without one you can’t have a parlor that’s legal. Having a certificate doesn’t mean you’re going to do it the right way or will keep me danger free.
Again, like I said, it’s your life you do whatever you want but one should think hard before getting inked because you can’t rewind back to original once it’s been done.
I actually just spoke to a cutomer who is covered with tattoos and asked him what he thought of facial tattoos and his exact words are ‘You’re a jackass if you get them on your face’ – so there.
I’m not anti-tattoos, I’m anti-people who over do it. No one is stopping anyone from getting tattoos, whether one is religious or not but people should then not complain if someone stares at them or questions what they’ve done to their beautiful face.
May 26th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
@Anam: *nods head* i still agree with you
Ubaids last blog post..We Are Still Together
May 26th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I agree with Anam inspite of having one. i believe too much of anything is bad . One as a personal statement is acceptable to me.
September 6th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Well now, I’m 33 and have 5 tattoos. I also don’t regret a single one of them.
Oh, I come very close to pulling 100k a year salary and two of my tattoos are in visible locations.
Nice article.
Not.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Well, it's all in how you hold yourself, more than how many tattoos you have. While some industries might be a little more of an issue, most accept them if performance is there. I'm pretty sure that ANY company would take someone that excels in their field, regardless.
-Nate
Ambigram Tattoo Lettering
October 10th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
I would love to get tattoos but they are too painful and I am scared! However, they are not allowed in Islam.