7 Common Misconceptions about Tattoos and Piercings

For many people, getting a tattoo or piercing is a way to express their individuality. But unfortunately, there are still a lot of misconceptions about tattoos and piercings that prevent people from taking the plunge. In this blog post, we'll dispel some of those myths and help you see tattoo and piercings in a whole new light.

1. Misconception: Tattoos and piercings are just for rebels and outcasts.

Reality: Tattoos and piercings have been around for centuries and were once seen as a sign of status. Today, they're more popular than ever, with 36% of Americans aged 18-29 sportings at least one tattoo. There's no one type of person who gets tattoos or piercings - they're popular among all age groups, genders, and walks of life.

2. Misconception: Tattoos are permanent and there's no going back once you get one.

Reality: While it's true that tattoos are permanent, that doesn't mean you're stuck with the same design forever. Thanks to advances in laser technology, it's now possible to remove or lighten tattoos. If you're not happy with your tattoo, there's no need to worry - there are options for making changes down the road.

3. Misconception: Piercings are painful and take forever to heal.

Reality: The pain of getting a piercing depends on your pain tolerance as well as the location of the piercing. Some people report barely feeling any pain at all, while others say it's more uncomfortable than anything else. As for healing times, most piercings take 4-6 weeks to fully heal. However, there are some exception - cartilage piercings can take up to 6 months to heal completely.

4. Misconception: You have to be 18 to get a tattoo or piercing in the US.

 Reality: While most tattoo shops in the US require customers to be 18 years old, there are some that will pierce or tattoo minors with parental consent. It's always best to check with your local shop beforehand to find out their policy on minors getting tattoos or piercings.

 5. Misconception: Tattoos and piercings increase your risk of contracting diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.        

Reality: The risk of contracting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C from needles used in tattoos or piercings is extremely low - as long as sterile needles are used and proper aftercare is taken. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the risk of contracting HIV from a contaminated needle is less than 1 in 300 million. There has only been one documented case of someone contracting HIV from a professional tattoo needle in the US, so rest assured that the risk is very low.   

6. Misconception: You can't donate blood if you have a tattoo or piercing.

Reality: There's no need to panic if you've recently gotten a tattoo or piercing - you can still donate blood! The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used to have a ban on blood donations from anyone who had gotten a tattoo within the past year, but they lifted the ban in 2015. So if you want to help out by donating blood, go ahead - regardless of whether you have any ink or metal on your body.      

7. Misconception: All professional athletes have tattoos.

Reality: It's true that many professional athletes have tattoos, but not all of them do. In fact, according to ESPN's annual body issue poll, only 60% of NFL players said they had tattoos in 2016. So if you love sports but don't want any ink, you're not alone!    

Wrap Up!

As you can see, there are many misconceptions about tattoos and piercings. But hopefully this blog post has helped dispel some of those myths and shown you that these body modifications are nothing to be afraid of!

If you ' re thinking about getting a tattoo or piercing , do your research beforehand so that you know what to expect - but don't let these common misconceptions stop you from expressing yourself in whatever way feels right for you!