Getting a terrible tattoo when you’re young feels like a life lesson
One in three Australian women now have a tattoo, and most don’t stop at one. What is the compulsion to keep adding ink?
TL;DR
- 30% of Australians now have tattoos, with women (33%) having more than men (26%).
- Over a third of tattooed individuals have five or more tattoos.
- The act of tattooing can provide an adrenaline and endorphin rush, contributing to a desire for more.
- Historically associated with criminals and sailors, tattoos are now a mainstream trend embraced by the middle class.
- Tattoos can serve as a form of self-expression, rebellion against gender norms, and a part of a healing process (e.g., paramedical tattoos).
- The tattoo industry has evolved with new technologies and a shift from traditional flashcards to digital designs.
- Some industry veterans lament the commercialization and potential decline of traditional tattooing skills.