From the margins to the mainstream - attitudes toward tattooing and piercing from the late 1950s to the present day.

“…Scars of self-harm, tattooing and body piercing are often associated with diagnosis of personality disorders or substance misuse.”

You can’t judge a book by its cover. Or can you? The practice of cosmetic alteration of the body, as ancient a human practice though it may be, has gone through peaks and troughs of popularity in the modern world. A trend of the …

The world of tattoos has always been associated with the divisive, the weird, and the unusual. The wayward comparisons have softened over the years, with tattoos consistently inking mainstream society, however the remnants of the past are hard to erase entirely.

In honor of the bizarre history of the tattoo industry, we discovered the most amazing tattoo and piercing stunts ever completed by human beings as listed (or soon to be listed) in the Guinness Book of World …

Getting inked for the sake of your religious beliefs is a large cross to bear, if you will.

It is a commitment that subjects the tattooee to more judgment and possible controversy than any other tattoo choice. Wearing your religion on your skin takes resounding faith, unshakeable conviction, and yes, balls. But it is refreshing and in fact admirable in these days of the prolific slut-stamp and lifeless tribal sleeve to see folks stepping out of the ink herd and …

Above the teeming streets of Temple Bar, where even the fire juggler’s torches can’t reach, sits Zulu Tattoo.

Perhaps the premier studio in Dublin, tattoo flash is displayed on the walls giving inspiration to those who need it. Buried deep among the design books on the tables sits a bland, black folder marked “Old School.” Largely ignored, this folder contains the relics of yesteryears, pictures of leprechauns and flags, shamrocks and harps.

Years ago, these traditional Irish symbols enjoyed great popularity across …