* Kat Von D is as famous as some of her clients thanks to starring in TLC shows about tattoo culture, a book about her work, and a Sephora makeup line. She's also rare in an industry dominated by men. Eve, Metallica's Kirk Hammett, Jenna Jameson, and a bunch of the Jackass guys have all been to her Hollywood shop, High Voltage Tattoo.
No matter what you may think of tattoos, they've always been about making a statement.
But now, some are trading in their medical bracelets for a more permanent warning.
You can say good bye to the medical tags and hello to medical tattoos.
While many people don't want their medical condition known, others are getting it tattooed.
Adriana Molinar not only is a tattoo artist, he is also a survivor of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
For her, having the tattoo is a daily reminder of the fight she endures everyday.
"I had been debating on whether I wanted the actual teal ribbon, or if I wanted boxing gloves or anything representing that I have to fight it on a daily basis," Molinar said.
Most of the medical tattoos that she has done have been for breast cancer and PCOS patients.
Even though she has not done any tattoos that symbolize a person being allergic to any medication, she says that she wouldn't mind doing it because she knows that it would help them in the future.
source: 1
A teenage girl is suing a tattoo artist for £10,000 after she allegedly asked him for three stars on her face - but ended up with 56.
Eighteen-year-old Kimberley Vlaminck paid £55 for 'the graffiti that has ruined my life' in her Belgian home town of Courtrai.
She claimed the Romanian tattooist who performed the artwork misunderstood her French and English.
She claims she fell asleep while he was doing his work... and awoke to 'this nightmare'.
'It is terrible for me,' said Kimberley. 'I cannot go out on to the street, I am so embarrassed. I just look horrible.'
'I think he didn't understand what I wanted. He spoke only fractured English and French.
'But I explicitly said in my native tongue, French, and also in a little bit of English when he looked confused, that I wanted three little stars only near my left eye.'
Rouslan Toumaniantz, who runs the tattoo parlour called The Tattoo Box in Courtrai, denies her claim.
He said she knew 'exactly what she wanted'.
He added: 'She was awake and looked into the mirror several times as the procedure was taking place.
'The trouble all started when she went home and her father and boyfriend threw a fit.
'They are saying things now like I doped her or hypnotised her. What rubbish!
'She asked for 56 stars and that's what she got.'
To remove the stars would require surgery costing £8,500.
But even the most advanced laser techniques would, while removing the tattoos, leave deep white marks all across Kimberley's face.
She has launched legal proceedings against Toumaniantz seeking damages, plus the money for the operation.
He was questioned by police earlier this year but they decided it was a civil matter and that there was nothing they could do.
Jules Clocher, a Belgian psychologist, said: 'The trauma this girl must be feeling is indescribable. She feels like a circus freak - and no wonder, because she looks like one.'
source: 1
Tattoos and body piercings tend to generate strong opinions. Now, one local county is banning them altogether.
The Mercer County Health Department recommended the ordinance after state lawmakers passed the Tattoo and Body Piercing Act. Health officials say the state is responsible for the permits and licensing of such facilities, but individual counties will be responsible for inspecting them. Now, Mercer County won't have to worry about that duty.
We went to Aledo, the county seat, and talked to numerous people about the ban. Everyone we talked to questions the need for a ban, even those who don't approve of tattoos.
"I think it's wrong for one person, or one community, to say you can't do this or you can't do that." said Leonard Diehl.
"I'm not sure why they would put a ban on it if there isn't anything established yet," said Sam, Salmon. And Joseph Hayes says, "With the war and the economy and gas. I mean, tattoos are the last thing that should be on their minds right now."
Mercer County health officials say the ban might help prevent blood-borne pathogens like Hepatitis C, which is on the rise right now.
Anyone caught violating the ordinance can be fined anywhere from $100 to $1,000.
In the current shaky economy, finding jobs is getting even more difficult.
For people with visible tattoos, the struggle to get hired may be a little more difficult.
That's why many American's are deciding to get their tattoos removed to help their job prospects.
It is estimated that over 45 million Americans have tattoos and around 17% of those people end up regretting it.
The process of getting a tattoo removed can become costly and could take several laser treatments.
Doctors say many people make the mistake of getting a tattoo while drunk or in an impulsive moment.
But, tattoo artists at Holy City Tattoo in Charleston say they don't allow people to make spur-of-the-moment tattoo decisions.
They believe forethought negates the need for removal and they make sure clients know what they are getting into, even turning people away if they feel the client is not ready for a tattoo.
source: 1
