It’s 2016: the classic phrase and idea of “new year, new me” has swept the nation but already left the minds of many. Yet for college students, we’re forced to start the semester anew. For some this may include eating healthy, studying more, or at all, or even making a radical change by getting inked.
We are in a new generation that has started to view tattoos and piercings as pieces of art and expressions of oneself. According to stapaw.com, an association bringing awareness to discrimination in the workplace against people with body modifications, there has been a 13 percent increase of tattoo popularity since 2007.
In our age group between 18-25, tattooconnection.net, said that 36% has tattoos. Tattooconnection.net reports 36 percent of adults from 18-25 have tattoos. That is very high compared to other years, but the new trend is that nearly half of women under the age of 35 have gotten tattoos, which is more than males.
Tattoo artist Vincent Angeles from DNA Ink in Las Cruces, N.M., said he tattoos more women then men.
“I probably tattoo about 80 percent women, but it has to do a lot with the style of tattoo that the person wants,” Angeles said. “I tend to tattoo more bright colors and flowers, which are some of the things women want to get tattooed.”
Many students get tattoos for the act of bonding with others, or for something that represents them. NMSU students, Anika Shah, Emily Elmore, and Michaela Kelley, went to DNA Ink to get tattoos that represented their year abroad in New Mexico. And in the act they had a moment of bonding in comparison to others who sometimes continue developing their tattoos to later form tattoo sleeves or more.
If you are deciding that in this new year ink is something you definitely want –Angeles has some advice for you: “Do your research and find an artist that you are comfortable with. Make sure they are clean and that they have their license. Think about what you want so the outcome is what you are looking for.”
To set an appointment with Vincent at DNA Ink contact him at 915-244-4852. Follow his work on Instagram @10cent.tattoo.
Photo Credits:
1, 2 & 3 by Cyndi Nuñez