Some Teens Claim Tattoos and Piercings are Worth the Pain By: Noelle Contey Imagine having a ten-inch needle poked through your nose or tongue; imagine having a needle pressing ink against your skin. This may sound painful to many, yet many of teenagers endure one of these processes at least once in their life. Tattoos and body piercings have been a large trend among teenagers for quite sometime. The truth in the matter is the initial idea of tattoos and piercings have been around for decades. Tattoos were originally invented in Polynesian islands. They were quite elaborate, full-body tattoos. Some were even made on the face. Tattoos soon became popular in Japan where many people got full-body tattoos as well. Tattoos did not become popular in America until the 20th century. Many of the tattoos during that time were located on the arms of sailors and bikers. As the tattoo trend grew, people began to lean more towards individual tattoos with unified designs. Now, as the techniques have modernized, more intricate, colorful designs reign, while others opt for bold, simple designs in black. Piercings became a trend shortly after tattoos. Women were the pioneers of piercing. Pierced ears on women have been around for a long time. For awhile, ear piercing was perhaps the most liberal piercings ever went. As years went by, however, piercings became more elaborate. It was not until the post-hippie generation that the popularity of piercings sky-rocketed. Men in mainstream society soon got piercings. Before long, teenagers were getting multiple piercings in the ear. Then they expanded to noses, eyebrows, lips, and even piercings straight through the tongue. These piercings were just the beginning of the new wave of piercings. Piercings located below the neck then became popular. Belly-button rings became the favorite with females, while males favored nipple rings. Nowadays, however, teenagers have found a way to pierce nearly every body part. For example, some teenagers pierce abnormal places, like, the neck or even the chin. It is hard to imagine someone piercing a neck or tattooing his whole face, yet to some, the excitement of personal expression is too powerful to deny. Still, teenagers insist on getting it done. There may be a lot of pain that accompanies piercings or tattoos, but, according to many, it is worth making the statement. " I do not regret getting my tattoo, whatsoever," says Senior Lisa Palkiewicz, " I got my tattoo in memory of a good friend of mine. I would never get it removed. It was worth the pain," she added. Senior Joe Moreosoff agrees. " I am so glad I got my tongue pierced. It is a statement, he said. It seems that as time goes by, the popularity of tattoos and piercings will continue to escalate. More and more teenagers will find new places on their body to pierce or tattoo. A question arises though. Will the trend ever end? Not as long as there is still a body part bare.