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Why do we get them?
Members of every generation have something that strikes fear in the hearts of their parents:

• In the ‘50s: Elvis and his gyrating hips
• In the ‘60s: The flower-child hippies and their anti-establishment attitude

For our generation it could very well be the tattoos that many teenagers are sporting today.
Many Teenagers Have Tattoos

What was once reserved for sailors (male) or gang members (male) is now more mainstream than ever. What might have made some people gasp just a few short years ago is now barely given a nod.

It's not uncommon to see teenagers getting tattoos as a form of self expression. We see as many women with tattoos as men. Let's face it, even Barbie has a tattoo these days!
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While some can be small and concealed, others can be loud and larger than life. Why do we get them?

Most of the time the answers are obvious: as a way to show our individualism and uniqueness, and tell the world who we are. Most parents see this as irreversible self-mutilation while most teenagers see it as art and their body as the canvas.

Pay attention to the law in your state.

Find Out

In most states it's illegal to get a tattoo if you're younger than the age of 18, unless you have your parents' permission.

If you find a place that will do it even if you're underage, you probably should run really fast in the other direction! Some "artist" is probably more interested in taking your money than caring what kind of a permanent outcome will be on your skin!

CloseIf you're one of the teenagers who is convinced you need to get one then it's good to at least make an informed decision before you do.

No pain, no stain

Yes, getting a tattoo hurts. There is pain, swelling, and some bleeding involved. Of course, size and placement will make a big difference as well.

Tattoos are applied by injecting color pigments into the skin using a needle that goes about 1/16th of an inch into the skin. It is imperative that you go to a reputable parlor for obvious reasons.Stating the Obvious

It could take several weeks for the pierced skin to recover. Because of the use of needles, being tattooed comes with the risk of serious infectious diseases such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B, or HIV.

Reputable shops are sanitary. If the tattoo artist isn't sanitary and doesn't clean his or her equipment after every use, the risk of infection will be much higher.

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Everyone's pain tolerance is different. If you decide to get a tattoo, don't be afraid to alert your artist if you feel faint, uncomfortable, or need to take a break. Are you a Red Cross blood donor? You will not be able to donate blood until a year after being tattooed.
People from all walks of life like to get inked

You think it's cool

Reasons for getting a tattoo are as varied as the people who get them. Jason, a tattoo artist near Fairmont, W. Va., says that people from all walks of life come in his shop to get inked. Couples, best friends, and even some professionals come through his door. "Most people have an idea of what they want, but some are impulsive."

Hmm...that doesn't sound too smart!

The fact that celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, and Beyonce Knowles have tattoos undoubtedly has influenced some people.

Maria, 20, lives in the Fairmont area too. She has several tattoos. Her first tattoos were the result of spontaneous decisions. "I got a star on my wrist because a model had it and I thought that was really cool."

She got several more, but along with that came the repercussions of not being employable, as Maria found out the hard way. "I was hired at a local grocery store, but I had on long sleeves during my interview. When I showed up for work, they wouldn't let me work because of the tattoos on my arm!"

Many employers will either not hire people who have tattoos or require them to cover up the visibly tattooed area...