Social stigma drives some women to remove tattoos

It appears sexism is alive and well when it comes to tattoos. Although just about as many women as men get tattoos nowadays, a  new study shows that women seek removal of tattoos more than men because of negative social fallout.

About 25% of people ages 18 to 30 have tattoos, and that number is expected to rise to about 40% in the next few years, according to the study, published today in the Archives of Dermatology. Previous studies have shown that about 20% of people end up dissatisfied with their tattoos, and about 6% seek tattoo removal using laser treatment.

In the study, researchers analyzed data from two surveys of people undergoing tattoo removal. One survey was taken in 1996 and a second survey in 2006. In both surveys, men and women said they wanted the tattoos removed because their identities had changed and they had grown to dislike the tattoos. But in the 2006 survey, women also reported that they felt stigmatized by the tattoos. For example, 93% said having to hide the tattoos on occasion was a factor in the removal compared with 20% of men. About 40% of women endured negative comments at work, in public or in school compared with 5% of men.

So, ladies, think about that tattoo before you get it. And when you get it, think long and hard about where you're putting it.

"Societal support for women with tattoos may not be as strong as for men," said the authors from Texas Tech university. "Rather than having visible tattoos, women may still want to choose self-controlled body site placement, even in our contemporary society."

-- Shari Roan

Photo: Laser removal of a tattoo. L.A. Times/Beatrice de Gea

Comments

[Mason]

Tattoos are creative and awesome no doubt. The big problem that women will face is the daunting reality that once they get a tattoo, they will date themselves forever. Girls who get tatoos tend to be the same that are in step with pop culture and up on the latest style, unfortunately will be the same girls who get bummed that they have to stick with the trend and style they pick forever! They will face their biggest critic; younger girls! It would be like hanging at the latest club hot spot and try compete with the younger prettier girls, and have a big tattoo across your shoulder that says ” I am 36 years old! “, even if noxema and a gym membership gives you a body of a 25 year old. Imagine if you were a girl who had to wear those bell bottom pants that came back popular in the early nineties….FOREVER. That would be like a jail sentence for the fashion forward. Same goes for men… do you think that the Tasmanian Devil tattoo or the barbed wire tribal tattoo wrapped around your bicep says…hey look, ” Havasu Spring Break 1993″?

[govnndotcom]

So I guess that tramp stamp wasn't such a good idea, eh ladies?

Try a dress and fixing your hair real nice. You'd be suprised.

[vellocet]

Screaming sexism for the win! Way to go, LA Times writer. It's always an ism if you look hard enough. Correlation != causation, but I don't expect a mere journalist to understand something like this.

Do men get tramp stamps? Could this be the reason for the higher rate of removal? No, it must be sexism. No other possibility.

[Haiku Reviewer]

Soon the real rebels will be the ones without tattoos.

[youheardme]

Let’s face it. Tattoos are creepy, so are we men. Tattoos just make women look sleazy.

[Russell Miller]

Oh, I guess everything's sexism now. Woman gets a tattoo on a drunken night out with the girls and decides to remove it because she doesn't like the message it sends? Oh, that's sexist. A woman feels that a tattoo is keeping her from moving forward in the workplace? I guess that has nothing to do with projecting a professional image - oops! Sexism!

Maybe it just means that some women are growing up and are trying to reverse a decision that they regret. Nothing wrong with that, in fact, I think it speaks well for those women. It should help them to put forth a more professional image, make more money, and generally make a better first impression. Good for them.

[Mattie]

Twenty years ago, just about the only types of ornamentation allowed for men were: tattoos and wedding rings. Meanwhile, women weren't simply allowed more ornamentation, they were often REQUIRED to wear it (e.g., they were required to wear makeup to work). The dividing line between the sexes is obviously fading, but today tattoos for women aren't always considered permissible... and lipstick for men almost never is!

[Malik]

There was an old saying:

"Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street bald-headed and still think that they look good"

This article pretty much nails it. Until they can fend off "societal" pressures and do what they ant to do, they will never be treated as equals.

[K Tyson]

Tatoos have never been (and never will be) viewed as acceptable in business offices. It has nothing to do with whether the person is a man or a woman. If you want to work in a bar, the tatoo is unlikely to hurt your career.

[Megan]

"So, ladies, think about that tattoo before you get it."

Seriously? That's the conclusion you've drawn from this disparity in public treatment? Way to dig to the core of the issue.

Why not go a little further and explore why members of society still feel like it's ok to weigh in on women's bodies, and not those of men? Why not investigate whether this could be another way that society treats women's bodies as property, and that this very personal, very self-possessed decision to mark one's own body is frightening to people? And that that may be the reason that folks find it so "unfeminine" (i.e., a marked body shows ownership by the individual, and an unmarked female body shows docile softness).

Thanks for just pushing the patriarchal status quo at the end of what turned out to be a total fluff piece, as opposed to taking this opportunity to really examine a fascinating issue, and exploring the gendered dynamics of power that lay behind it.

[Wayne]

What "support" specifically? It's always been a social stigma, that is, or at least was the point to it. It drew attention to you as a rebel, someone outspoken perhaps, but always someone who was more on the edge so to speak than others. Criticism is at it's very heart. It's akin to showing off a abstract painting in a classical art galleria.

I always love these "news articles" on supposed gender bias from a perception with what I see to be very little depth. I can bet if you asked all those surveyed how many positive and negative reactions they noticed from others, the numbers, and peers involved would be roughly the same.

I personally think it's stupid, but even the smartest people do stupid things. So I don't judge people outright for it, nor do I find a woman more, or less attractive because of them. To me personally, I find it like giving your 10 yr old child a felt-tip pen and handing over a De Vinci painting for the child to doodle on, but to each their own.

[chubb]

It appears sexism is alive and well when it comes to tattoos? What? I highly doubt this is sexism, but nothing more than looking trashy whether it is men OR women. I don't date women who wear tattoo's because they look trashy; period. And the trashy attitude usually comes along with the mindset so they certainly go hand-in-hand from my experience. Tattoo's and bumperstickers are a flagrant statement of one's personality and usually it is not good. It's prudent NOT to tell the world how you think so this usually goes in line with their personality; loud and obnoxious (point made above). Tattoo's are nothing more than an advertisement. When you're working in a group of people, it's not prodent to advertisement yourself where others can judge you, whether inappropriately or not.

[chub]

I agree with Mason. I am 46 and I was at a club this past Saturday night. Of course the younger women look good in anything they wear as it is the way of that age group. I did the same. Now days I dress less dramatically and even the younger women appreciate it. I think they'd laugh at me if I came in with a 20 styles dresswear. I also think they expect me to dress more my age. As for the tramp stamps? I saw a women my age with the belly shirt, tramp stamp, etc. Didn't look good. I think her stamp once said HOT, but is slowly turning into the word HAG. And of course per my previous posting, her attitude didn't leave much to the imagination. A complete turn-off.

[john]

tatoos are not attractive on women - tramp stamp is a good term for it.
i don't go out w/ tatooed women.
a woman is really limiting her choices w/ men if she gets a tatoo...

[Cindy]

Nothing says "trash" more than a tattoo on a woman.

[Bill Diamond]

In other news... Women are more vain than men.

[Jen]

Wow to all the people who say women are trash that have tattoos are so wrong i am a 36yr old woman with 5 kids & i have 7 tattoos getting ready to get my 8th and i am not even close to being trashy. I have a wonderful job & not all my tattoos are covered by what i wear.I didnt get them to be a rebel i got them because i like Tattoos!!!

[ladyv]

Honestly my option on the whole women getting tattoos it has to depend where and y they get it.. I mean I have tattoos because it a way I can express myself with my art as for me I draw what I tattoo. So that it fits a purpose on my body because its a sense of expression.. I honestly don’t know y we live in a world with such social discrimination . No one will be able to truly be themselves because they are trying to prove to society that they are just like everyone else but when people don’t realize that when we die we wont be seen for are tattoos but for what we’ve done on earth. That’s why women seem to remove their tattoos for society so they can fit in.. I think its all crap everyone is just so bored they have nothing else but to judge people for what they look like and not for what they have inside.

[Maureen Slattery]

I've noticed that most of these posts say women with tattoos are trashy, but I guess men with them are jsut fine? I think that is very sexist. I am a woman nad I have tattoos, and I've never been treated like that, ever. I think all the men who've posted these comments are the type of men who are intimidated by strong, independent women, and the tattoo is just an excuse to make them feel bad about themselves. oh, and by the way, I'd rather have a killer tattoo than a boyfriend like you guys, any day.

[Carl]

Self-mutilation, be it tattoos or body piercings, is stupid, plain and simple.
There is nothing particularly creative or "artsy" about it. It is a fad that will hopefully die out soon.

[Syd Barrett]

For the most part it used to be rebels, bikers, soldiers, criminals or musicians who thought it made them look "bad" seen sporting tattoos.

Those who get them today and for the past few years in fact are nothing more than conformists.

It's all to common and like someone said above, "Soon the real rebels will be the ones without tattoos."

It's overkill people... let it die like Disco please!

[Delaney55]

A woman is not trashy for having a tattoo unless the tattoo itself is "trashy" IE: sexually graphic in nature or on the genitals. There are many women with tattoos that are very pretty and for a woman to be put down as having "tramp stamps" or it automatically means that she has looser morals is ridiculous. Those are not thought about men now a days that have tattoos. Many, many, white collar workers of both sexes have tattoos and it shouldn't matter. Get to know the person instead of judging on something like tattoos, which is just as bad as judging them by their skin color or what church they go to. Tattoos are just part of a growing culture and the wears of tattoo art should not have to explain themselves to anyone nor should they be stigmatized whether they are male or female. If you don't like tattoos, don't get one but leave people that want them alone.

[Popeye]

When I was but a lad my father's co-worker in medical research was a British physician. He remarked once that when he trained in medicine in England, the saying was that a man with a tattoo was suspected to have syphilis until proven otherwise, but a woman with a tattoo was known to have it. Tattoos have been a mark of sociopathic attitude and/or behavior in Western culture since time out of mind. Middle class ordinary folk forget this at their peril. Forty or fifty years from now the Gen-X'ers are going to look at their old run-together tattoos and wonder what in the hell they were thinking back then.

[SurerDoc]

Tattoos are the way morons let the rest of us know who they are.

[Medbie]

Interesting how even this article stigmatizes and uses language that talks down to women who get tattoos. "So, ladies, think about that tattoo before you get it. And when you get it, think long and hard about where you're putting it."

[Lynn B.]

As long as there are people who say "tattoo's on women are trashy", there will be at least one woman who will have her tattoo removed because she doesn't want people to think she's trashy.

The ultimate reason why anyone would choose to have a tattoo removed in the face of judgmental comments is that they're not confident enough in their own identity and will ultimately shape their life around what other people think of them. Is it more common for women to be this way? Yes, because women are raised to be socially conscious. It's what sets females apart from the men who are "man conscious" - thinking, acting, behaving and looking like the ideal man.

Sexism, like opinions, is a state of mind. In the end, the lesson learned (for male or female) shouldn't be "think before you get inked" but "Am I ready to make this a part of who I am no matter what anyone thinks about it?"

Judgmental comments like "tattoos on women are trashy" or "such and such a person/group of people get tattoos to look bad" are knee-jerk reactions of people who don't know any better or haven't bothered to open their minds to the possibility that there was a greater reason for getting the tattoo or that it really was just as simple as "I feel like getting one and I can, so I will."

For what its worth: I once judged and criticized people who had tattoos but then I learned the history behind them, learned the why of why people get them and now know better than to make snap judgments. I'm also a female and I have several tattoos - one which can especially be considered trashy. Think what you want about me, but at the end of the day it's my body, my choice and I'm good with it.

[Jack Phillips]

I think Tattoos are unattractive no matter who they're on: particularly as the hapless recipient gets older.

On a more specific level, I've never seen a woman with a Tattoo who wouldn't have looked much better (and classier) without one.

[Koblog]

Wow. Men and women are different. Who'd a thunk it!

[Lindsey]

I am a woman with a great, large, classical rose tattoo on the bottom of my left wrist. It commerates my father who is dead so I can always have a piece if him with me. Many tattoos are commerations and each one is a moment, a memory in time. Tattoo collectors would never cover a tatoo or remove it unless they were ready to move on from that moment in time.
Any one who has a problem with tattoos need to sit down with a tattooed person and have a real conversation with them. Tattoo collects are very interesting people and their tattoos mean alot to them. There is no reason to discriminate against anyone, man or woman how has a tattoo. Changing the image of your skin is the same as changing the colour of your hair. I would be interested if the men posting about dissliking tattoos would have similar dislikes for bleach blonds.
In regards to having your tattoos visible at work, it depends upon what you do for a living. If you are a behind the scenes office employee, why would it matter if your tattoos show. Being passed over for a promotion or prefered work projects because of visible tattoos is a direct issue of discrimination and is a breach of human rights under the Human Rights Code, under the heading of prejudice/ being part of a group, and appearence.
It is a personal decision to show your tattoos or not while at work. Personally, I cover my tattoos, I don't like to share too much of my personality with co-workers. It is the same as keeping my personal life stories to my self.
Women,like men, need to really think about their tattoo choices before getting tattooed. This is the same advice any reasonable tattoo artist will give you. if they don't, don't have a tattoo done by them.
Finally, I would like to comment about the posts regarding tattooed women being linked to "tramp stamps" and other unfavourable stigmas. I am a tattoed women with two university digrees, a college diploma and am a CHRP certified Human Resource Professional. Very normal, educated people get tattooed and if you group bar stars with every tattooed person, you are the one making an uneducated, prejudiced and biased behavoural designation upon people you know nothing about.
The key thing to think about what considering societal norms is that they are always changing and matter very little.

[Ipitytheignorant]

Tattoos on women is far from trashy. Over weight women are more trashy than ladies with tattoos. Why is it not trashy for a man to have a tattoo. Are you all seriously that ignorant.

If you don't like women with tattoos, good, they are probably too good for you. It's pretty silly to judge a person by the colors of their skin. Oh I went there.

As far as saying tattooed women can't have a great selection of men. Think again. I am heavily tattooed but my husband who has a very successful career doesn't have a single one.

If looking trashy according to you ignorant morons means you won't talk to me, then I will continue to get them. A person has a right to do what they want with their body. Not everyone has tramp stamps (btw men get them too) and a lot of tattoos these days are designed and artful.

The poster Carl, you seriously need to get a grip. I hope you don't enjoy a cocktail or beer every so often. That's not good for the human body. Do you eat processed foods? They aren't good for the body.

Ignorance. People like you leaving such nasty comments are part of the reason there is so much hate in this world.

[Shea]

Hey All this talk about women with tattoos are trashy, well let me tell ya something. I am a business owner of two different companies at this point. In which both are doin well. No matter what I wear my tattoos are covered and I always look respectful. I have twelve tattoos and all of which tell a story about my life. I can respect who I am, and don't give a crap what others think. I've have seen these so called trashy people out there and let me tell you it nothing to do with tattoos. People who abuse the system, and refuse to work, and drink and do drugs on a daily bases are the trashy ones. Tattoos are a work of art and your body is the canvas. So for those whos opinions and thoughts are that woman woth tattoos are trashy well I say your opinions don't matter cause if soneone can't accept you for the art you hold then those don't derserve to have you in the first place.

[Shea]

Hey All this talk about women with tattoos are trashy, well let me tell ya something. I am a business owner of two different companies at this point. In which both are doin well. No matter what I wear my tattoos are covered and I always look respectful. I have twelve tattoos and all of which tell a story about my life. I can respect who I am, and don't give a crap what others think. I've have seen these so called trashy people out there and let me tell you it nothing to do with tattoos. People who abuse the system, and refuse to work, and drink and do drugs on a daily bases are the trashy ones. Tattoos are a work of art and your body is the canvas. So for those whos opinions and thoughts are that woman woth tattoos are trashy well I say your opinions don't matter cause if soneone can't accept you for the art you hold then those don't derserve to have you in the first place.

[Andrea]

Tattoos on women as well as men , are beautiful. Ladies, not to worry. Keep getting them, and enjoy your bodies.

[Kels]

I have two tattoos, and am a young woman. My tattoos are in places that can be covered up (my hip, and left side). I am also planning to get another one, in a place no one will see, unless I am in a bikini.

One person said that "tattoos are the way morons let us know who they are."

I am studying to become a journalist, and I would not consider myself, or any of my tattooed friends, morons in any way.
We are all smart, well educated, hard working, and artistic people.

Tattoos are an expression. Both of my tattoos mean something to me, and I love them, and will never get sick of them.

Now, rushed tattoos, and tramp stamps aren't what I would call "artistic expression". That is just a stupid choice, made by a stupid young person. That is why my tattoos are easily hidden.

Most people look at me, and cannot believe that I have tattoos, as I look like such a sweet, "normal", every day girl. Strangers tell me I should be a model, and I tell them I can't, because I have tattoos, and they quickly change their mind about me. This is a stigma that needs to end. It is also my topic for a huge paper in one of my journalism classes.

[Kelly]

here is another article that centers around the same issue of the stigma of female tattoos http://wreckingbalm.com/tattoo-removal-blog/female-tattoos-stigma/

[lovingyou]

I am so happy that my full sleeve tattoo shows me who the close minded people of the world are. When someone wishes to pass judgement on me because of my tattoo, it reminds me of my spiritual beliefs. I try my best to treat everyone the same and enter into an encounter with someone with absolutely no judgement. My tattoo weeds out those people who treat others with a superficial kindness that gets them higher in societal ranks. If I cannot move up in the eyes of society because of a decision that I have made, I embrace that at a consequence of my decision. It is just like any other decision that a responsible adult makes. I too have a degree and spend my time working with children with autism. I was not allowed admission to nursing school because of my tattoo. I am quite happy to know that those of you who think that women with tattoos are morons will be spending time in the hospital someday with a nurse who was a straight C student and got into that career for the money. You can judge women as much as you want, but really look at women when you walk around sometime. Colored hair, make-up, UV poison from tanning beds, shaved legs, waxed eyebrows, fake finger nails. Some of it could be considered taking care of yourself. Most of it is done because it is expected. It's pretty demeaning really.

[Symone]

I am 17 and i have 7 tattoos. I also own a tattoo gun and did 3 of my tattoos myself. I see tattooing as an art, mainly because i am an artist, and months of work goes into my tattoo processes. At my job we are allowed to show tattoos no larger than a quarter for distraction purposes. All the women and mostly all the men where i work have tattoos. My tattoos mean a lot to me and all of them mean something to me and represent me in the best way. I want people to see my tattoos and get an idea of who I am, since people are so quick to judge me because of my skin color ( im of african and native american descent). I am an intelligent spiritual person and i want everyone in the world to know who i am without me even having to speak. My tattoos are also in concealed places so you would never be able to tell i have 7 of them. i plan on getting 12 more and the only visible ones will be the om symbol and indian feather bracelet on my wrists. i think it is idiotic to steriotype someone because they have ink. I look down on people who get tattoos to fit in, because they will regret it shortly after, that's why i take my time planning out exactly what i want.

[rl]

It seems to me that people used to get tattoos as a way to express themselves and show their individuality.
Now, many people have them that it's "normal" to have a tattoo.
I am proud to say that I made it through my twenties without giving in to the tattoo craze (thank God I didn't get a tramp stamp!), and happily express my individuality by NOT having a tattoo! Thank you...thank you! lol

[missbravo]

I am intending on becoming a tattoo artist. I personally don't want tattoos, because I change my mind too often and having something permanent, no matter how sure I am, is not a good idea. Neither do I find them attractive on mates. I think some men and women can look great with tattoos, but I also think that some are very classless. Mostly I think it depends on the person and what they get. Like if someone comes in wanting a dragon or fairy or skull, its the same thing over and over, like come-up with something very original or just don't even bother. But I also think I will have a bit of fun tattooing those ignorant folks who will have to wear that butterfly on the small of their back forever, at the same time I'lll be like "Are you SURE you want this??". Gotta make a livin somehow when your only real talent is being good at art.

[jenn]

I have a tattoo on the back my sholder... a cross with a heart behind it with my brother's name and his dates of birth and death... It is in no way trashy and it will never be something I will regret... it has meaning. Saying this, I do think that ANYone who gets a tattoo should think about what they are getting and where they are putting it... men and women... I know lots of men who wish they hadn't gotten a tattoo done. In some ways it might make a women trashy, but there are many guys w/ tattoos who dont look so hott either....