Evaluating the condition of the existing art of body tattooing and current practices in Turkey

Abstract

Throughout history, human kinds have always been trying new ways by different means to look beautiful and different. Tattooing is also one of those ways and challenges. Today tattooing is losing its traditional concept and becoming more common with new professional spirit. Traditional tattoo with all its concerns to tattoo receivers and tattooing artists now is gradually become peeled from its old cast to be regarded as an art. Tattooing is application of dye to subdermal layers of skin which stays permanently and can't be rejected by skin later on. With rising tattoo application and use in the world, likewise in our country tattooing, it is also growing and become more popular. Based on this idea, the existing tattooing practices in Turkey were investigated and evaluated. This research applied in three biggest metropoles and a Holliday village. On these locations, the questionnaires were submitted to 553 tattoo receivers and 69 tattooing artist personnel. At the same time, 69 tattooing centres were visited and observed. The study results show that; tattoos are mostly the product of aesthetic and self-expression predominantly in younger generations. The most preferred tattoo motives were writings and images, and also the most preferred color found to be black. None of tattooing artist had formal training and they had different understandings of hygiene. As a result of this study, it has also been found that there are no regulations, administration or enforcement for standards in tattooing centres. Following the evaluation of this research results and also considering the current practice of tattooing centers in Turkey. It is proposed a set of recommendations to train, to regulate, to administrate and to enforce the standards for the art and practice of tattooing in Turkey.Keywords: Tattooing, Body Art.Â