Virall.ink Overall, most tattoo artists and artists agree that social media is a major driver of the industry. It’s not without risks and concerns, but overall it’s a major boon for an industry that will continue to grow for years to come.
Tattooing has been a controversial topic for generations, with opinions changing frequently. For example, in the past, tattoos were symbols of career and personal wealth. More recently, it has been portrayed positively as personal art and negatively as a symbol of extremism or the destruction of the human body. Whether those of us with tattoos choose to show them or hide them, chances are someone will see them at some point. This visibility feature of tattoos is the reason to compare them to social media. Like an addictive social media status update, Instagram post or Twitter tweet, a tattoo can convey your personal message to the people you come in contact with every day. I want to promote tattoos, when done well, as a healthy form of social media in general, accepted by society and not shunned or stigmatized.
What do you think about the social media effect of tattoo models?
How do you think Instagram has influenced tattoos? If you are an artist, how does this affect your work personally? If you’re a client, how has Instagram changed the way you think about collecting tattoos? Share your thoughts in the comments section of Facebook.
Perceptions of tattoos have changed, according to renowned American tattoo artist Megan Massacre, while reality shows like TLC’s 2005 hit “Miami Ink” are normalizing the once subversive experience of tattooing and being tattooed and being dramatized change. The popularity of tattoos in mainstream media outlets marks a shift – tattoos are no longer a sign of social depravity, but suddenly desirable, cool and sexy. Massacre notes that the proliferation of inked musicians and athletes has certainly helped: think Rihanna, Cara Delevingne and Ed Sheeran.
What do you think about the social media effect of tattoo models when it comes to body shaming?
Social media has had a direct impact on beauty as technology continues to evolve and newer apps continue to pop up online. Due to the changing body image presented online, individuals are turning to social media for acceptance and support. Selfie culture has produced both positive and negative shifts in how individuals view themselves. While most research today focuses on the negative effects of social media on beauty, more interest should be placed on body positivity and the use of social media as a medium for self-acceptance, beautification or not.
Another reason individuals undergo body modification is to preserve their self-identity and to differentiate themselves from others [41. Physical endurance, joy in pain, spiritual and cultural traditions, addictions, resistance, sexual motivation, group bonding are reasons why individuals use the modification process. After seeing the popular Instagram and Pinterest handles, social media has had a huge impact on how people view and live with painful tattoos and body modifications. Brief exposure to body modification on popular social networking sites has led to an increase in tattoo searches and body modification procedures among young and old, demonstrating the influence of social media on social beauty trends.
