Mayan kings and queens were required by their subjects to pierce their genitals. Today, some students do it voluntarily.

Tattoos and body piercing are two of the most popular forms of self-expression in the ’90s.

“They should make sure that they really want what they get,” said Louise Smith, a representative of Lasting Impressions Tattoo Studio on Welch Avenue. Smith advised that anyone interested in a tattoo or a body piercing should first ask questions before they make the final decision. The effects are permanent and removal can result in scarring.

Smith said students should make sure the shop and artists are licensed. The artists should also have photographs of their previous work. The photos prove that the artist is experienced and his work is of a good quality.

The Iowa Department of Public Health sets the guidelines for tattoo parlors in the state.

According to the department provisions, tattoo artists and establishments that fail to meet the requirements of the DPH will be guilty of a serious misdemeanor. Tattoo establishments must be permitted and cannot service patrons who are under 18.

The prices to receive a tattoo or body piercing vary between parlors. At Lasting Impressions, the minimum price for a tattoo is $50. For a body piercing the rates vary from $15.90 for ears to nearly $70 for genital piercing.

Karen Giese, a junior in civil engineering, had her tongue pierced nearly six weeks ago. Giese said her decision to get the piercing was based on a life-changing experience over the summer.

Giese said before the piercing she was first given Listerine to rinse out her mouth, then a rinse to numb her tongue. Two body-piercing artists did the procedure.

Giese sat in a chair, similar to one in a dentist’s office, and stuck out her tongue to be clamped. After clamping, Giese said she felt a tightening when the body-piercing artists inserted the needle for the piercing.

“I couldn’t see what they were doing because they had a hand in front of my face to keep me from pulling back or moving. A friend of mine told me what happened afterward,” Giese said.

After the piercing she was told by the artists not to do any kissing or have oral sex for six to eight weeks. She was also told to initially avoid eating spicy and hard foods for the first few days.

Giese must rinse after every meal with diluted Listerine and take oral antiseptic twice a day. Taking care of the piercing can be a commitment.

“[People] should educate themselves on what can happen,” Giese said. She knows people who did not know that their tongues could swell up and they freaked out, she said.

Body piercing does take place in the sanitary environment of the shop, but it is up to the customer to maintain the tattoo or the piercing, Smith said.

Tattoos, on the other hand, are put on with a needle, which should only be used on one customer then disposed of afterward. The artist, Smith said, wears gloves to protect the patron and tattoo artist. After a tattoo is applied, the area is given Neosporin cream.

Nicole Nichols, a sophomore in exercise and sport medicine, has three tattoos. Nichols said she got them because she wanted to be unique. She has a tattoo of an eight ball on her right ankle, a panther on her shoulder and recently she added her name on her left calf. The total cost for all three tattoos was about $160.

“It’s fun, but it will hurt depending on where you get it,” Nichols said. “The only one that hurt was when my name was put on.”