Body Modifications

Tattoos, piercings mark a commitment

About 38 percent of adolescents have a tattoo and 25 percent have a piercing on their body other than their earlobe. This percentage continues to increase with numerous teens wanting to express themselves in a unique way.

Most people go through the procedure of getting a tattoo or piercing through a professional, but this wasn’t the case for senior Beatrice Von Holten.

“When I figured out that I could do that myself, I was like, ‘Okay, this is awesome! I have to do it all the time,’” Von Holten said. “I started when I was 12, for my tattoos and piercings.”

She is not the only person to experiment with modifications at a young age, with 49 percent of people getting a tattoo or piercing at an age younger than 18. pages by Greta Hayden photos by Delaney Rockers story by Anthony Barberena

People’s unique modifications may tell a story or just serve as a fashion item. When asked about the confidence it gives them, junior Ryan Brown expressed her piercings are a way to separate herself from the everyday crowd.

“I get a lot of compliments on it because not a lot of people have it,” Ryan said. “I wouldn’t change anything, maybe different colors.”

The confidence displayed from modifications even gives inspiration. For instance, Von Holten was able to profit off of her artistic abilities.

“I’d say [tattoos] gave me a lot of confidence because people compliment me on them a lot and asked me for tattoos,” Von Holten said. “I’ve kind of started a little business out of it.”

Sometimes having a facial piercings can come with some complications. “I tried to like take it out or flip it up when I first got it done cause I had like a job interview. But then it made me queasy and I almost passed out,” junior Ryan Brown said.

The reasons why student decide to get a tattoo are as unique as the person. “I see the body as like a blank canvas and then whatever you change about it says something about you,” senior Beatrice Von Holten said.