Attention-seeking, rebellious, risk-taker: The personalities most likely to be inked

People get tattoos for many reasons, including marking a milestone, commemorating a life transition, memorializing a lost loved one, or covering scars. Perhaps they just want to carry a pretty flower or work of art around with them forever. Regardless, more people than ever are going under the needle — nearly 40 per cent of Canadians have at least one tattoo .

Clearly some people can get hooked — enough to warrant a British TV series called My Tattoo Addiction . But according to Zidenberg, getting inked is more likely to be a one-off event.

We like the pain of a tattoo

In fact, according to Dr. Rike Moon writing in Science World , your body interprets the needles puncturing your skin as a form of trauma or injury, which activates the sympathetic nervous system causing a rush of adrenaline that releases the endorphins, your body’s natural pain relievers.

From Dungeons and Dragons to Picasso

The downsides of tattoos

Just this past January, the European Union instituted new regulations on tattoo inks to reduce health risks. And next year, there will be bans on green and blue pigments, which could limit the types of tats artists can do. The U.S. FDA is considering the same restrictions, while in our country, tattoo inks are not specifically approved by Health Canada, leaving the responsibility up to the manufacturers or importers to meet the requirements of the Cosmetic Regulations laid out in the Food and Drugs Act, which maintains an ingredient hotlist .

Tired of your tat?

Studies reveal that women are more than twice as likely as men to have their tattoos removed. After all, what was meaningful at age 18 may not be at 60. If you’re tired of your tat, be prepared for a procedure that takes longer than it did to do the tattoo in the first place. It requires several sessions, up to an hour each, a few months apart, spanning two years or more, at a cost ranging from about $200 to $1,500, depending on the size of your stamp. There are currently three methods for removal: laser surgery, surgical removal, and dermabrasion. Each one, usually done under local or topical anesthesia, can leave a scar or skin discolouration, and infection is also a risk. And while it’s usually the job of a dermatologist, some tattoo shops specialize in removal with the advent of new laser technology and specific training.

You can minimize that misery by thinking very carefully about adorning your dermis. Do the research to find out what’s involved, with both the inking and de-inking. You might even want to try a temp tat or henna first, which starts to fade after a few weeks (although Health Canada recommends avoiding black henna ink ).

Are tattoos a career killer or booster?

The beauty (or not) of body art is in the eye of the beholder, and research shows older generations tend to view them negatively , more so if that art marks a neck or face. Plus, some professions, such as finance, legal, education and health care, are not particularly welcoming to those with tats.

Surprisingly, psychologists with tattoos were judged more positively, says Zidenberg, who conducted recent research in this area .