WillingNAble's Blog

Tattoos- No Woman Needs One

It seems like the rage today. Women young an old, women of all ethnicities and nationalities are getting tattooed. I believe this trend is unfortunate.

A common tattoo that I’ve seen is the tattoo that’s placed on the woman’s back just above her hips. It’s usually a short, wide tattoo that seems to feature wings of some kind. Why this appeals to women, I don’t know. I don’t like it.

The majority of women who have a tattoo tend to hide their tattoo from public sight. Some tattoos are placed on the breast in a place that wouldn’t show if the woman wore a low cut dress or top. Others locate their “secret” tattoo on their lower stomach near the pubic area.

Those who locate their tattoo(s) in these two areas are not really sure they want a tattoo but do it anyway, thinking that only a lover will see it. Besides that, they can say to anyone when the subject comes up “Hey, I have a tattoo too.” At least they’re thinking about “who is going to see this and when..”

Personally, I totally object to a woman wearing ANY tattoo, wherever placed. Those I REALLY object to are those tattoos that are exposed no matter what the woman is wearing. Tattoos placed on hands, lower arms, necks and ankles, feet or lower legs are especially repulsive. I see these women serving at fast food places all the time. It cheapens the woman and frankly, seeing such a tattoo, is repulsive. It looks “sluttish!”

For those of you who disagree with my opinion, I encourage you to finish reading this blog. I talk later of a new ink on the market that’s removable in one session.

Why I don’t Like Tattoos on Women

Why don’t I like tattoos on women? I guess it can be summed up this way . . .

God made men to be VERY aware of the human female figure. He made each female body special and unique.

When viewing a naked woman, I am always fascinated… I love how her hips are wider; how the lower body and her legs almost point to her external genitalia; how her breasts look, their size (large OR small), the location, size, color and position of the areola on her breasts, how she looks and moves when naked, and how “body aware” she is, knowing how a man reacts to the female figure.

For me, a tattoo on a female body is like using a permanent Magic Marker to enhance Michelangelo’s painting on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Why spoil something that’s already perfect.

The Statistics

Almost one-quarter of U.S. adults have at least one tattoo, according to a study of 500 Americans published September, 2007 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Of those, 17 percent were considering removal, the survey found.

Many doctors who perform laser tattoo removal, however, say that as many as half of all people with tattoos eventually want them off.

Most conventional tattoos can be removed. Even a simple, small, one-color tattoo can require several laser treatments at a cost of around $1,000. Removal of large, multicolored tattoos can require more than a dozen laser treatments and cost $5,000 or more. Laser tattoo removal is not covered by medical insurance.

During conventional tattoo removal, brief pulses of energy are aimed at the tattoo, heating skin cells and breaking up the ink particles. Then the body's natural ability to remove foreign particles clears away the ink fragments. The top layer of skin, however, often bleeds slightly and forms scabs. Because of the inflammation produced by the laser, only a small area of skin can be treated at one time.

There are other complications, too. Doctors often don't know which type of ink was used, at what depth the ink was applied and other factors that could help make removal easier. Scarring can occur if multiple treatments are needed, and some tattoos can't be completely removed. . . ever!

Smart Women (and Men) Pick A New Option for Tattoos

Freedom-2 is a new company with a new, revolutionary approach to tattooing. They have invented a tattoo ink that is absolutely removable.

Freedom-2's ink is removable because it is encapsulated in tiny beads made of polymethylmethacrylate, a synthetic material commonly used in surgical glue and in many types of artificial joints. The fact that the ink is encased in the tiny spheres doesn't affect the application of the tattoo or its appearance, says Martin Schmieg, chief executive of Freedom-2.

"Our inks look, feel and give a result equal to the current, conventional tattoo," he says.

The founders of the New York company making the removable ink, Freedom-2 LLC, say their goal is to help those in the future who may regret permanently decorating their bodies. Company financial backers say the technology will not only simplify tattoo removal, it will create an expanded market for body art -- since consumers can be now assured that the tattoo can be removed without exorbitant cost.

Some people who have gotten tattoos in recent years may have assumed that laser tattoo removal would deftly deal with any regrets, says Dr. Tina Alster, director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington. Dr. Alster is not associated with Freedom-2.

These people are often stunned to learn of the cost, time and pain involved. "They thought it would be as easy to take a tattoo off as it is to put on -- in just one session," she said. "But now with this new dye and polymer, we will be able to remove a tattoo in one session."

The new ink will be slightly more expensive than conventional ink but will likely add only about $50 to the cost of most tattoos. Most of the cost related to tattooing is for the artist's time and talent.

The company will sell only black ink initially but will eventually add other colors. It is also developing a "time-limited tattoo," which will consist of ink in biodegradable polymer beads that dissolve and fade over time.

Will Tattoo Artists Warm Up to this Ink?

Tattoo artists may prove lukewarm to the idea of removable artwork. According to Dr. Stuart Kaplan, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills who does laser tattoo removal and isn't associated with Freedom-2, tattoo artists are picky about the colors of their inks. They care about whether they blend well and are durable. An inferior or expensive ink won't fly.
Tattoo artists are also unlikely to be swayed by the convenient removal factor because, as a rule, they don't think about tattoo removal, says Sailor Bill Johnson, executive director of the Orlando, Fla.-based Alliance of Professional Tattooists.
The individual having the tattoo applied has the final say of what ink is to be used. An artist who won’t use the new ink should be automatically disqualified.
"Removal? That's not our concern," says Johnson. "If someone comes into my tattoo studio and says, 'I may want to remove it later,' we'd just try to talk them out of getting one." My opinion? Bad attitude.

Johnson says part of the experience of tattooing is the commitment. When someone has "Sophia Forever" inked on his biceps, the sentiment is that Sophia is permanent, just like the tattoo. Besides, says Johnson, "You make that decision in your life that you are going to put this artwork on your body. It's a statement that you don't worry about what other people think of you."
Johnson says he won't use the new ink. "To me, it's a negative to the profession." Well, think again Mr. Johnson. The public may DEMAND it and you’ll have to cave in or go broke.
With an opposing opinion, Chris Winn, a San Diego tattoo artist, says he was instantly intrigued when he heard about the ink at a tattoo convention.
"I think it will be interesting to see the different ways this can bring in clients," he said. "I think it will bring in a group of people who love tattoos but are afraid to get them." I agree.

The Female Body Seen as Art

As stated before, I believe that the female body is sacrosanct. It is already beautiful in every way. Although a tattoo is meant to adorn the female body, I strongly believe that a tattoo is “gilding the lily.” For those of you not familiar with this expression it means “To adorn unnecessarily something already beautiful” and “to make superfluous additions to what is already complete.”

So ladies, not everyone believes that a tattoo will enhance the body that God gave you. If you do decide to have tattoo ink driven into your skin, at least think seriously about having the artist use the new removable tattoo ink. That goes for you too, guys.

Someday you’ll understand what I’ve said and thank me for this blog.

Robb