Trailer trash. Isn’t this what comes to mind when thinking of tattoos, piercings, and any other forms of body modifications? However, that stereotype usually is not the case. Some people lack the ability to think openly when they’re actually critically judging people with body modifications. There are countless elements to consider when encountering people with piercings, tattoos, subdermal implants, or any other form of body alteration.
First of all, people don’t usually ponder on the cost of these extra additions to a person’s body . Tattoos range in price, anywhere from $50 to a couple grand. The website tattoo-models.net says during sessions, one can be paying anywhere from $100-$300 every hour the artist is working on a tattoo. And when seeing someone with a colored tattoo, remember that those are even more expensive than black tattoos.
The cost of tattoos also depends on the artist who is creating a tattoo. Tattoos that are highly detailed require an artist with more experience than beginner artists, making them more expensive. A person receiving a tattoo is also paying for the inks used and equipment that is being provided for them.
Along with tattoos, piercings also aren’t that cheap. According to costhelper.com, piercings in the ears or cheeks can cost anywhere from $20-$55, while other body piercings, such as tongue or septum, can cost $40-$85. Compared to subdermal implants, piercings and tattoos are rather cheap. These modifications are also called pocketing, where an object is placed under the skin, giving that area a sculptural effect from outside the body. Subdermal implants, as seen on costhelper.com, range from $500-$2000. One would definitely need some money for these personal modifications. It means most people who have modifications are doing quite well for themselves and are able to afford these additions.
Another possibility that isn’t always considered when seeing someone with these modifications is tradition. Kenya-information-guide.com states that gauges, formed from piercings, are still practiced in Maasai tribes in Kenya. Another area that is currently adopting body modifications for a good reason is in Israel.The website www.dw.de says Holocaust survivors are slowly passing, but their grandchildren have gotten matching concentration camp ID tattoos to keep their legacy alive. Arik Diamant came up with this idea, of course getting his grandfather’s approval to do such a thing, about 4 years ago. "I told him that if it bothered him at all, I wouldn't do it. At first, he was really shocked and asked me why I would want to do something like that," remembered Diamant. "But then he stopped me and said, 'When you have a grandchild and he asks you what it is, will you tell him about me?'" A lot of tattoos have stories behind them, so it would be wrong for someone to just assume that the body art is meaningless.
Possibly the most important aspect of having piercings, tattoos, or subdermal implants is individualism. Some people love to stand out, and having these features definitely benefits people’s individualistic styles. People sometimes get tattoos to make themselves more unique and to express themselves. Tattoos are definitely a creative way to express oneself. “Tattoos are seen as a form of self-expression, a way to show our individuality and the unique aspects of ourselves,” states hellogiggles.com. Most people get tattoos for whatever reason they want, and no one should be judged because of it.
Often, people automatically assume that people with body modifications are trashy and odd, but you should take in consideration cost, tradition, and personal reasons. When seeing someone with these individualistic traits, remember not to label them off as trailer trash or odd. Respect and accept these body modifications.
-by Alex Madden
The cost of tattoos also depends on the artist who is creating a tattoo. Tattoos that are highly detailed require an artist with more experience than beginner artists, making them more expensive. A person receiving a tattoo is also paying for the inks used and equipment that is being provided for them.
Along with tattoos, piercings also aren’t that cheap. According to costhelper.com, piercings in the ears or cheeks can cost anywhere from $20-$55, while other body piercings, such as tongue or septum, can cost $40-$85. Compared to subdermal implants, piercings and tattoos are rather cheap. These modifications are also called pocketing, where an object is placed under the skin, giving that area a sculptural effect from outside the body. Subdermal implants, as seen on costhelper.com, range from $500-$2000. One would definitely need some money for these personal modifications. It means most people who have modifications are doing quite well for themselves and are able to afford these additions.
Another possibility that isn’t always considered when seeing someone with these modifications is tradition. Kenya-information-guide.com states that gauges, formed from piercings, are still practiced in Maasai tribes in Kenya. Another area that is currently adopting body modifications for a good reason is in Israel.The website www.dw.de says Holocaust survivors are slowly passing, but their grandchildren have gotten matching concentration camp ID tattoos to keep their legacy alive. Arik Diamant came up with this idea, of course getting his grandfather’s approval to do such a thing, about 4 years ago. "I told him that if it bothered him at all, I wouldn't do it. At first, he was really shocked and asked me why I would want to do something like that," remembered Diamant. "But then he stopped me and said, 'When you have a grandchild and he asks you what it is, will you tell him about me?'" A lot of tattoos have stories behind them, so it would be wrong for someone to just assume that the body art is meaningless.
Possibly the most important aspect of having piercings, tattoos, or subdermal implants is individualism. Some people love to stand out, and having these features definitely benefits people’s individualistic styles. People sometimes get tattoos to make themselves more unique and to express themselves. Tattoos are definitely a creative way to express oneself. “Tattoos are seen as a form of self-expression, a way to show our individuality and the unique aspects of ourselves,” states hellogiggles.com. Most people get tattoos for whatever reason they want, and no one should be judged because of it.
Often, people automatically assume that people with body modifications are trashy and odd, but you should take in consideration cost, tradition, and personal reasons. When seeing someone with these individualistic traits, remember not to label them off as trailer trash or odd. Respect and accept these body modifications.
-by Alex Madden
RSS Feed