Of course it is not only teenagers who are the customers of establishments which offer a range of piercings or an extensive selection of body art, people of all generations can be seen to display a variety of indelible patterns upon their bodies. Many people feel that body art and piercing can enhance body features, although this can be quite controversial. Body art has now become so popular that many holiday destinations have beach side stalls offering henna tattoos. Unlike the inked tattoos which can not be blotted or removed, the henna tattoos disappear after a short period of time. Although they can be a useful fashion accessory, they are only temporary and will disappear before the wearer becomes tired of the pattern. Unlike the inked tattoos, it is a much less painful process to receive a henna body pattern. A henna tattoo may be considered more acceptable as it is only a temporary measure. Some may argue that a single permanent tattoo is becoming more acceptable these days. Whereas those who are covered in a number of body patterns may be considered ‘thugs’. Should people however be judged upon their looks? The argument may be it is not how somebody looks but how they behave, as the old saying goes. ‘Never judge a book by its cover’. People who oppose body tattoos and piercings may be considered ‘old fashioned’. This would certainly be the opinion of a teenager who is facing opposition to their request to have some form of piercing or tattoo. However everyone is surely entitled to voice their opinion, it would be a boring world if we all made the same choices. Is it not important that we should all choose how we wish to live our lives? On the other hand it is probably sensible that there are age restrictions with regards to tattoos and piercings as many youths may make a decision, or a choice, which they could in later years regret. An impulsive action in the teenage years may cause distress later on in life. Consequently any decisions should be given great thought.
There has always been a place for plastic surgery for those who have been seriously injured in accidents. For some people it has been important that they have received cosmetic surgery in order to correct injuries they have sustained as a result of an accident. The opportunity to receive help from a plastic surgeon has improved the quality of life for victims of accidents. No one would deny that in certain situations there is the need for plastic surgery. However a large number of people are now seeking the advice of plastic surgeons about cosmetic matters, the majority of these people however have not been involved in accidents but are simply dissatisfied with their looks. Many women are going ‘under the knife’ in order to change facial and body features. There has been great outcry with regards these operations having been performed under the umbrella of the National Health Service. No one would deny a road accident victim the opportunity to have a skin graft, yet there would be many questions asked if a female was to have botox injections on the National Health.
There are those who would argue that there has been a growing interest in tattoos, body piercings and cosmetic surgery because of high street magazines. The rich and famous are trend setters for many people. How they are portrayed in glossy magazines can influence society. If Posh Spice is photographed sporting a lizard tattoo on her left arm, there would no doubt be a rush to tattoo studios where lizard designs would be the order of the day. However the disaster of the actress Leslie Ash’s botox injections may deter people from having similar treatment.
Cosmetic surgery is a costly affair and many people are getting themselves into debt so that they can pay for their operations. Consequently this can lead to anxieties about lack of funds. Sometimes over use of plastic surgery can also result in damage to a persons face or body. The improvements the individual desires can often result in a much worse effect. Another argument against plastic surgery would be the painful process involved in such operations, this however does not seem to put people off. In recent years there has been much television coverage about the dangers of cosmetic surgery; such programmes have tried to highlight the risk factors involved. They have also tried to warn against the bogus surgeons who are not as skilled as they should be in order to perform such delicate operations. There is a danger that these ‘back street’ practitioners will cause a great deal of harm. To some extent it is important that we have skilled tattoo artists, those trained to pierce body parts and qualified plastic surgeons, which are able to perform their skills for a fee. It is probably safer if people are going to have a tattoo or a piercing that they consult a person trained in this profession.
In conclusion there are advantages and disadvantages to any form of change made to our bodies. I feel that individual choice is important, although I feel certain choices should only be made by individuals when they have reached an age of consent. How a person perceives themselves affects their self esteem. If a body tattoo is going to make someone feel more confident or desirable then where is the problem with that? However I feel these choices need to be financed by the individual. I would certainly feel outraged if a patient was unable to have a life saving operation on the National Health Service because Mrs Jones was having her ‘nose fixed’. I also feel that personal choice is important providing the individuals are aware of the risk factors.
