7 Questions People With Tattoos Always Get Asked

1.    “Did it hurt?”

The simple answer to this question is, “duh”. All tattoos hurt, but the amount of pain depends on a lot of things. Some locations on the body hurt more. Design, size, the length of time, and personal pain tolerance are also factors.

2.    “Don’t you respect yourself?”

This question is so rude and judgmental it almost doesn’t even deserve a response. People need to let go of the outdated thinking that tattoos are related to rebellion and criminals.

3.    “Do you regret them?"

Some people do regret their tattoos, but most don’t. The longer you live with a tattoo the more meaning it takes on. It becomes less about the design, or even the original meaning, and becomes a marker for who you were during the period of time when you got it done.

4.    “How will you feel about then when you’re old?”

People’s bodies change when they age. Skin gets looser, wrinkles take over, and all of this does impact a tattoo. Maybe your tattoos will be faded and distorted by wrinkles but how great will it be to reminisce about your youth when you’re older?

5.    “What does your tattoo mean?”

Here’s the thing- sometimes tattoos don’t have meaning behind them. I know, shocking right? Sometimes they do, but not everyone is willing to share those stories. It’s ultimately up to the person who has the tattoo if they’re willing to share the story behind their tattoo (if there is one). If they don’t want to then respect that. 

6.    “What do your parents and grandparents think about them?”

This question assumes that everyone’s parents and grandparents think the same. Some parents are against them, other’s annoyed, some amused, and some for them. The same with grandparents. We aren’t the first generation to get tattooed so chances are that some parents and grandparents are tattooed themselves.

7.    “Would you ever get them removed?”

Tattoo removal is expensive, painful, and not guaranteed to work. Asking someone if they’re getting a tattoo removed implies that you think they should. If someone does want to change their tattoo there are tons of options out there today from removal to cover-ups.

Contact a Toronto Tattoo Shop to book your next appointment. 

Oral Piercing Types

Tongue and mouth piercings have been gaining popularity recently. They are still far more taboo and out there compared to other piercings (like the ears, nose, and lip). But if you’re looking for an oral piercing here are all the options available.

Tongue Piercings

Tongue Piercing

The most common oral piercing is the standard tongue piercing. It’s also known as the midline tongue piercing since it is placed vertically through the middle of the tongue.

Horizontal Tongue Piercing

Horizontal tongue piercings are also known as snake eyes. This piercing does horizontally through the tongue using a curved barbell. This is a controversial piercing; some Toronto piercers don’t even do it since it can cause severe tongue damage.

Venom Bites

Venom bites are identical looking to snake eyes but much safer. This piercing is two separate piercings placed side by side.

Angel Bites

Angle bites are the vertical version of venom bites. Two (or more) piercings are placed one in front of the other along the middle of the tongue.

Tongue Frenulum Piercing

This piercing isn’t for everyone. It involves piercing the web of skin under the tongue, which is why it’s also called the tongue web piercing. Some people like this piercing since they can keep it hidden.

Tongue Tip Piercing

As you probably guessed by the name, this piercing is done on the tip of the tongue. It’s a horizontal piercing, not a vertical one, and is classified as a surface piercing.

Side Tongue Piercing

Instead of a standard midline piercing in the center of the tongue, some people are opting for side tongue piercings. These piercings are placed on either the left or the right side, making it an off-centered tongue piercing.

Other Oral Piercings

Uvula Piercing

You know that little dangly thing in the back of your throat? That’s called your uvula and it can be pierced too. It’s a risky and rare piercing, since touching it can activate one’s gag reflex.

Upper Frenulum Piercing

A frenulum is the skin that connects the lip to the gums. Getting the upper frenulum piercing is also known as vampire piercings.

Smiley

Out of all of the oral piercings, smiley piercings are probably the most popular after standard tongue ones. A smiley piercing is when the tissue beneath the lip bow is pierced.

Frown

This piercing is the opposite of the smiley piercing. It’s known as the frown since it’s the bottom central tissue connecting the lip to the gum pierced instead of the top.

Dental Piercing

When people say piercings we think of skin or cartilage. But dental piercings are becoming a hot new thing. It’s when a small hole is drilled into your tooth with a dental drill where jewelry is placed.

Gum Piercings

Gum piercings are so new that most piercers probably haven’t heard of them. The jury is still out on them but it involves piercing the actual gums. Ouch!

Contact a Toronto Tattoo Shop today to book your next oral piercing appointment.

Jobs and Tattoos

Society’s perception of tattoos has changed a lot through time. Today, tattoos no longer signal a rebel. It’s trendy to have one, a firm part of popular culture rather than a sign of counterculture. Even with these changes, people worry about how tattoos will affect their ability to get jobs.

Changing Attitudes

Tattoos are used as a form of self-expression. More industries are accepting of them than ever before. Many young professionals, 86%, don’t think that tattoos or piercings will reduce their chances of getting a job. They’re right often. Attire and grooming are shown to be far more important influences.

Limiting Attitudes

Not every workplace shares the new changing attitude about tattoos. Hiring managers might not hire someone with piercings or tattoos. This isn’t necessarily due to personal view, but rather they worry about how customers will perceive workers with tattoos. This concern is valid too since consumers have shown a preference for non-tattooed front-line staff.

Factors

In a lot of workplaces, there isn’t a hard and fast rule on tattoos (although be sure to check out the company dress code policy to be sure). Instead, the size, placement, and design make a huge impact on whether they’ll be allowed or not. Smaller tattoos, like wrist or finger tattoos, tend to be accepted but facial tattoos are usually a hard no. Employers also reject offensive tattoos like swear words, racist symbols, and nude images.

What To Do

Consider the location, size, and design of a tattoo when you get it. Don’t ever let a job dictate your self-expression but keep employment in mind. Most tattoos can easily be covered up by clothing so don’t worry. When in doubt ask your boss, in most cases it should be fine.

Contact a Toronto Tattoo Shop today to get a new tattoo that everyone will love- even your boss.

Least Painful Places To Get Tattooed

Tattoos hurt- there’s just no getting around that fact. But if you’re someone that really wants a tattoo yet has a low pain tolerance, consider these locations. According to professional tattoo artists and those who have tattoos themselves, these are the least painful places to get inked.

Thigh

The thigh is cushioned by fat and muscle making it one of the least painful locations. Bonus, the area is large so you can get a big tattoo here if you want.

Butt

While not the most popular choice out there, the butt is pretty painless. The area doesn’t have a lot of nerves and it’s covered in a good layer of fat. The most painful part about a butt tattoo is probably the recovery.

Calf

The calf is a popular choice for tattoos. It’s not too painful due to the love level of nerves and there’s good muscle there to cushion it. Stay away from the back of the knee though as this is one of the most painful places.

Upper Arm & Outer Shoulder

The outer shoulder and upper arms are a very popular place to get inked. The area is large, easy to cover, and not that painful. It’s also a great place to start getting a tattoo if you want a whole sleeve.

Upper Back

The upper back has its pros and cons. It’s not that painful but you have to be careful to avoid the bones in the area, like the shoulder blades and spine. You also have to be sure you have someone help you clean and moisturize it.

Forearms

The forearms are pretty visible but they aren’t that painful. The muscle in the area provides good cushioning. Be warned though that the inner arm can be significantly more painful so if you’re getting a wrap-around tattoo you’ll experience that.

Ear

Behind the ear, tattoos are hugely popular right now. It’s easy to see why- they’re small, cute, and easy to hide. Most skull and facial tattoos hurt a lot but behind the ear is pretty painless. Even if it does hurt most tattoos back there are small so it will be over quickly.

Wrist

Toronto tattoo shops get a lot of inner wrist tattoo requests. The area isn’t boney so they’re pretty painless. Just make sure you can have tattoos at your job because these are pretty hard to hide.

Neck

Tattoos on the back of the neck are popular among both men and women. The area can easily be hidden by hair or clothing making it a nice option. It’s also not that painful as long as you steer clear of the spine.

Hips

As long as you avoid the hipbone, hip tattoos are one of the least painful spots. They’ve lost some of their popularity recently, thanks to being associated with the tramp stamp, but people are still getting them.

Contact a Toronto Tattoo Shop today to set up an appointment in our downtown Toronto tattoo shop.

Best Mental Health Tattoos to Get This Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a month dedicated to shining light on mental health issues and illness. The goal of Mental Health Awareness Month is to create solidarity among people who suffer from mental illnesses and to reduce the stigma surrounding them. Multiple celebrities in recently years have opened up about their own mental health struggles, which has greatly contributed to this cause.

There’s no better way to commemorate your journey or recovery from mental health issues than through a tattoo. Here are a few ideas others have gotten to mark their mental health battles.

Semicolon: Semicolon tattoos started because of Project Semicolon, an organization that aims to create solidarity and end suicide. A semicolon is used when an author decided against ending a sentence and chose to continue it. Much like someone choosing to continue life over suicide.

Chemicals: Chemical imbalances in the brain are thought to be a big cause of mental illness. Specifically, lower levels of serotonin and dopamine are thought to cause depression. People have taken to reclaiming these chemicals by getting molecules for them tattooed on their body.

Motivational Words: Simple motivational words like “breathe”, “fearless”, or “strong” can be enough for some people. They are permanent reminds for those that need them. If a word resonates with you and helps you get through your mental illness then consider tattooing it. 

Carpe Diem: While carpe diem, Latin for “seize the day”, has become a bit of a cliché the message is still a good one. If you feel stuck by your mental illness this phrase could be what you need to nudge you to keep moving.

Anchor: With mental illness, it can feel like you are being dragged away. An anchor is a symbolic way to keep grounded. Anchors keep ships from drifting away and it can do the same for you.

Inspiration Quote: Sometimes a quote touches people deeply. It can be their motivation to keep going. Whether it’s from Harry Potter or poetry if a quote inspires you and helps you through your mental health battles it might be worth getting it tattooed.

Birds: Birds represent freedom, which is a positive message for people that have recovered from mental health problems. It symbolically shows that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel.

Scars: Self-harming scars can be a lasting representation of a dark time. People have now taken to incorporating these scars into tattoo designs. This beautiful way of reclaiming them turns them from something dark and ugly into something beautiful and inspirational.

Other: Whatever speaks to you, whether it’s a word, a quote, or a symbolic image, it would make a beautiful tattoo. Tattoos are a great way to create permanent reminders about life and the mental health issues. Contact our Toronto Tattoo Shop to discuss getting a mental health related tattoo this Mental Health Awareness Month.