Tattooing & Body Piercing: Thinking Smart About Body Art

In looking through my notes on this "objective program" on body modification, the following words/phrases jump out: risks, dangerous, trauma, pain, nasty, slurred speech, repulsive, saggy, scary, scars, expensive, transmitted diseases, invaded skin, laser removal, loss of taste, dirty needles, serious problems, allergic reaction, emotional, not attractive, long term, infection, and cool. An amiable dreadlock-sporting young black host walks viewers through a question and answer volley with a dermatologist who describes the procedures for both body piercing and tattooing, carefully detailing the risks and dangers THESE PERMANENT AND REPULSIVE MUTATIONS can cause. While the scope and detail of this sneaky program is comprehensive--covering many of the risks involved with body adornment, what to expect and ask about when visiting the local tattoo shop (does the artist have a license, clean equipment and new needles?), a look at aftercare (cleaning, healing time, and infection), and the painful art of tattoo removal--it would have been much better if the producers could have discussed the social history and kitsch popularity of this art form with an even hand. Still, information on this subject matter is scarce, and the cautionary emphasis on health is defensible. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (N. Plympton)