The sight of a student adorned with metal studs and ink is no longer unusual.

During the past 15 years, tattooing and body piercing has become increasingly common and accepted in the everyday world.

“I don’t see [tattooing and piercing] as being any more unusual than cosmetics or earlobe piercings,” said Jason Crimmins, manager of Lasting Impressions, 114 Welch Ave.

Campustown has three tattoo and piercing studios, offering students a variety of venues and styles from which to choose. All three studios are similar in atmosphere and amenities.

Although artists may be equal in skill, their styles can differ greatly.

“It’s just a matter of finding the person who’s going to do what you want,” said Bob Parr, manager and head tattoo artist at Jaded Angel 2, 2406 Lincoln Way.

Tattoos

The local artists had several pieces of advice for those seeking their first tattoo.

Scott Mumper, a tattoo artist at The Asylum, 111 Welch Ave., recommended against getting small tattoos to start with.

“If you really like them, you regret you got small stuff,” he said.

He said names are also commonly regretted, but artists do not hesitate to draw them.

Mumper, who works under the alias “Mump,” also recommended that new customers have their tattoos placed on areas of the body that can be easily covered.

The consensus among the local tattoo artists was that the most commonly tattooed locations were the lower back for women and the arms for men.

After a customer presents an idea to an artist, the design is drawn on paper. The artist makes any changes the customer requests, creating a final design.

Parr said customers should think deeply about what they want done and work with the artist to realize the design.

“If we have to draw it a hundred times, we’ll draw it a hundred times,” Crimmins said.

All the artists stressed the importance of doing what the customer wanted. However, if a customer is indecisive and still wishes to get a tattoo, artists will draw it however they see fit.

“Basically, if they don’t have a clue, I just do whatever I want,” Parr said.

From the drawn design, a stencil is made and applied to the customer’s skin.

The actual tattooing is done with a tattoo gun, an electric device that uses a needle to implant the ink below the customer’s skin.

There are limits to what artists will draw, however.

“I won’t tattoo evil stuff on people,” Mump said, “[and] I won’t do racist or drug-related stuff.”

Even so, tattoo artists don’t try to dissuade anyone from getting a given tattoo. Crimmins said he has made appointments at other shops for customers desiring tattoos his staff would not perform.

Customers’ reasons for getting a given tattoo vary greatly. For many, tattoos merely have aesthetic value.

Others get tattooed for personal or commemorative reasons.

This was the case with Sam, a customer at Lasting Impressions, who was having a yin-yang symbol tattooed on his arm in celebration of his 24th birthday.

Tattoo prices vary considerably depending on the intricacy of the design, the time it will take and other factors. Crimmins said an average price is approximately $100.

Piercings

Body piercing is performed by specialized artists known as piercers.

Piercings are notable for not being permanent – most will heal shut if the jewelry is removed.

Because they are less permanent than tattoos, people are usually more willing to experiment with piercings.

“They’re fun. [They’re] kind of like a rite of passage, but not quite as permanent as a tattoo,” said Andy Lamont, Jaded Angel 2’s piercer.

Practically any part of the body can be pierced, but the most common areas are the navel, the tongue and nostril, along with a multitude of ear piercings.

There are certainly more exotic piercings, however.

Surface piercings pass through flesh, rather than a specific tissue, and are frequently rejected by the body.

Lamont dismissed concerns of pain involved with piercings.

“Pain should really not be a factor if you really want it done,” he said.

He advised starting with ear piercings, pointing out that they typically hurt less than piercings in other areas of the body.

The process for obtaining a piercing is much simpler than that for a tattoo. Usually, a customer can simply tell the piercer what he or she would like pierced, and the piercing can be done immediately.

All piercings are performed using sterile needles and jewelry made of surgical steel.

Piercings are typically made at a diameter of 14 gauge (approximately 0.064 inches), but can be stretched larger in a process known as gauging.

Like tattoos, piercings are commonly sought for their aesthetic value.

“I think they just look good,” said Valerie Gleason, senior in English, who has piercings in her ears, nose and lip.

For some, piercings carry a much deeper meaning.

“I got my piercings to symbolize events that have taken place – whether they be the death of a best friend or a bonding experience,” said Normandy Karaffa, senior in anthropology.

Karaffa has since removed her piercings, but even that was symbolic.

“The scars are still a reminder of the intention for each modification and thus still serve the purpose,” she said.

Basic piercings typically cost $20, and some exotic piercings can go as high as $50.

Risks and Ramifications

Body modification carries with it certain amounts of pain.

Piercings typically hurt most right when they are performed, but remain delicate while they heal.

Mump described being tattooed as a burning sensation.

“I hate getting tattooed,” he said, although he has numerous tattoos all along his arms.

Proper aftercare – consisting mostly of keeping the area clean – is vital to keeping a new piece of body art healthy.

Poor aftercare can worsen the reputation of a shop.

“[Tattoo and piercing studios] run into a lot of unearned badmouthing,” said Crimmins, adding that most problems arise because of poor aftercare.

Poor care for a tattoo can result in loss of shading and detail.

Poorly cared-for piercings carry a risk of infection.

Crimmins said infections are almost never the shop’s fault, because all the equipment used in any reputable shop is sterilized and only used once.

Artists can examine can problems a customer has with a tattoo or piercing.

Students should also consider the effects their body art could have on future employment – many employers do not tolerate visible tattoos or facial piercings.

Gleason was not worried about her body art affecting her career choices, saying that she could cover her tattoos and replace her piercings’ jewelry with retainers.

Students should also consider the reactions of their family.

“[My mom’s] not a big fan of my tattoos,” Gleason said, “but she thinks they’re kind of cute.”

Parr said family reactions should not be a concern.

“If [your parents] love you, they won’t stop because you get a tattoo,” he said.