By Kathleen Knowles
Editor’s Note: This is an editorial. The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views of Blue Water Healthy Living, GBS Media, or the Grant Smith Health Insurance Agency.
Americans are spending $13.5 billion a year to disfigure the human body with tattoos and piercings. Are We Nuts? Can you just imagine what could be done to help people around the country if it were spent on more important things?
You have probably noticed many people are supporting tattoos. Years ago, men would have their significant other’s name tattooed on their arm or chest. Those were the days when one tattoo was sufficient. That is no longer the case today. Have you walked on the beach and noticed the bare-chested men? If you have, then you couldn’t help but notice the number of those who not only have one tattoo, but it is not uncommon to see entire arms colorful and quite often decorated in strange designs. In some cases the entire upper torso is covered in tattoos! Of course, this trend is not limited to men. Women also are headed to the shops to cover their bodies in colorful tattoos.
These people obviously think this is attractive, but I can’t help but wonder, Are We Nuts? The human body doesn’t need decorating. If kept in shape, both the male and female bodies are beautiful without marking them up. The only explanation must be that they believe it makes them look or feel better. I am all for people feeling better, but I can’t help but wonder if the people who cover half their bodies are aware of the possible health problems. For instants, do they know that it is possible for the ink to travel to the lymph nodes? It has not been proven this causes adverse effects, but with the knowledge that it is possible for this side effect, is it worth the risk? Another drawback of tattoos is allergic reactions and infections. Allergies may not occur at the time the tattoo is inked, but they can appear years later. Lastly, is a body covered in tattoos really attractive, or is it just plain gaudy? Or just plain nuts? Most tattoos that cover half the body are being done by young people. What happens when they age? Will they still consider it attractive or will they wonder if they were nuts when they had their body decorated with tattoos?
An even more extreme body alteration is body piercing. This is even more nuts than tattoos. Women for a long time have pierced their ears for earrings. This probably is the least nuts piercing of those out there. People pierce their lips, eyebrows, tongues, navels, and noses. For what purpose? Who knows? It is hard to believe they actually think this is attractive. Piercing one hole in the ear in order to wear earrings is one thing, but some people go to the extreme. They have had their entire faces pierced and decorated with rings. Believe it or not, there are those out there who have genital piercings!
Like tattoos, piercings are not without risks. They can cause bloodstream infections. Those that pierce the tongue can experience chipped teeth. There is always the risk of tearing, leaving permanent damage to the pierced areas. Piercing in the genitals can cause sexually transmitted infections. Navel piercings can get caught in clothing, tearing the skin and cause skin irritations and infections.
Both of these practices can cause other problems for the wearer. Extreme piercings and tattoos can cause a person to be overlooked for a job they are otherwise qualified for. It can turn off a possible date with someone who finds these body alterations unattractive. All this really makes you wonder Are We Nuts?
Kathleen Knowles
Contributing Writer
