PERMANENT MARKER

Tattoos have become the lastest manifestation of American pop culture and they'll probably be with Gen Xers for quite sometime

by Becky Rickard

Tattoo. Body art. Micro-surgical enhancement. All of these words describe tiny needles filled with ink pricking the human epidermal layer to create an image on the body of a paying customer.

Almost everyone has seen a tattoo. You may even know a tattooed friend or family member.

A tattoo craze has hit contemporary America. Believe it or not, the craze has even reached UM-St. Louis students, staff and faculty.

Tattoos have different meanings to the wide variety of people who have them. Teacher's assistant and English graduate student Spencer Hurst has an Edgar Allen Poe-esque raven tattooed on his arm as a tribute to his brother who died in the Pan Am flight 103 crash in Lockerbie, Scotland.

Sophomores Thomas Holt and Ty Garrison have tattoos that represent their "brotherly" love for the Sigma Pi Fraternity. Molly O'Brien O'Sullivan sports a shamrock tattoo on her ankle. No explanation needed.

On the other hand, senior Dru Johnson considers his four tattoos "scars of stupidity." No matter how you look at it, tattoos are supposed to be forever. Almost anyone will tell you that a tattoo requires a lot of thought.

"Make sure you really want a tattoo. They are permanent," Bill Gunn, a communications engineer at the Telecommunications Instructional Technical Center and proud owner of a 22 year-old tattoo, said.

It may only cost you $50-$100 to tattoo your arm, ankle or shoulder, but it will undoubtedly cost you over $600 to surgically remove your tattoo.

There are certain procedures you should follow if you want to get tattooed. First, you should talk to other people who have tattoos. Ask them if they would recommend that studio again.

Once you have a few references, visit the studios.

Make sure the studio uses disposable needles and autoclaves or pressure cookers to sterilize its needles. Although there are no proven cases of AIDS and Hepatitis transmission through tattooing, it never hurts to be safe.

Don't be shocked if you walk into a tattoo studio and they are ready to tattoo you the same day.

"If they are walking in the door, they've thought about it," Matt, a tattoo artist from Iron Age Studios located in the University City Loop, said.

If you are in the market for a tattoo, The Riverfront Times rated Iron Age Studios number one in St. Louis. Trader Bob's Tattoo Shop and Goldenlands Tattoos were also highly rated.

Once you are in the studio and ready to be tattooed, ask to see a portfolio of the tattoo artist. Ask how long the artist has been tattooing professionally. If the artist can't answer these questions, go elsewhere.

"We are working with skin. It is not an exact science," Matt said.

By asking these questions you reduce the risk of being tattooed by a scratcher, someone who has no formal training and has no professional credentials.

A tattoo artist should help you make your dream a reality. You can either pick from the studio's collection of tattoos or bring in your own ideas. A good tattoo artist will take the time to discuss your tattoo with you.

"When a person is in my chair, they have all of my time and attention," Matt added.

Now to the big question. Does it hurt? The answer to that question varies from person to person.

There are places on the body where a tattoo will hurt more than others. The general rule of thumb is: the more tissue in the tattooed area, the less pain you feel.

"It sounds worse than it feels. In fact, it wasn't even as bad as getting a shot," O'Sullivan said.

Matt recommends bringing a friend for support. However, he strongly feels that bringing more than two friends is crossing into dangerous territory.

"Don't bring in four or five friends because you don't want to get a tattoo they think is cool. Chances are, you won't be friends with them for as long as you have your tattoo," Matt advised.

"I got my tattoos when I was young to look cool, to look tough and to be part of the club, the absolute three worst reasons," Johnson added.

Being tattooed can be a satisfying experience. In fact, O'Sullivan, Holt, Gunn and Hurst claim they would not stop their own children from getting a tattoo after age 18, the state required age limit.

Some people have had bad experiences with tattoos.

However, most of these people blame themselves for not giving enough thought to the tattoo or not communicating properly with the artist.

The most important thing to remember about tattoos is to do what is right for you. It is your body and your temple.