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Tattooshave been around for thousands of years.
Century after century, they have been considered a mark of self-expression for cultures around the world.
Illustration by Bella Geraci
Still, that’s not to say tattoos weren’t a popular form of body language.
Butterflies and barbed-wire armbands were considered the height of fashion across America in the early ’90s.
Then, within a decade, tattoo television shows premiered to cast a whole new perspective of the industry.
With the rise of social media,tattoo artistsbecame influencers.
Since then, the artistry has become more refined and more widely respected.
Top artists have millions of followers and year-long waitlists for their signature style of work.
Here, a look back at the last 30 years.
1997:“Its illegal to get a tattoo?
I mean, come on,” one local tellsThe New York Times.
1999:Cher gets a laser procedure to remove all of her 16 tattoos.
“Now, just about everyone has one, and it’s boring.”
2005:The drama!
Early 2010s:Tattoos peek out past shirt lines and tees, on necks, fingers, and wrists.
“I started tattooing physicians and lawyers,” says Faith Phillips, a tattoo artist in Los Angeles.
2012:Dolphins disappear from ankles across the country when the PicoSure laser is FDA-approved.
2013:The celebrity tattoo artist is born when Brian Woo, better known as Dr.
Woo, captivates Hollywood with his delicate black-and-gray designs.
With Zoe Kravitz andJustin Bieberas devotees, word is that Woo has a two-year wait list.
All you have to do is stick your arm through a hole in a wall and surprise!
get a tattoo of Campbells choosing.
2020:Insta-famous tattoo artists (Tea Leigh, Jess Chen) createdesigns for temporary tattoo companieslike Tattly.
The pandemic temporarily closes many shops.
When they do reopen in the summer,Allurereportsthe demand for body art isn’t slowing down.
Read more stories about tattoos:
Now watch a video on getting tattooed for the first time.
