The public perception of tattoos, however, has changed drastically throughout the course of the 20th Century. What was once a niche aesthetic shared by a select few in the 1900s has now shifted to become commonplace and accepted in virtually all circles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is a quick look at how tattoo culture has changed in recent decades:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1910s, \u201820s, and \u201830s: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tattoos were generally viewed with contempt at the turn of the century. The practice was most commonly associated with circus performers<\/a> and prison inmates<\/a>, and rarely found among the general population. Tattoos were also common among sailors to mark various nautical milestones<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The culture expanded in the \u201cRoarin\u2019 20s\u201d to include women who wanted to replicate expensive Hollywood makeup trends with cosmetic tattoos<\/a> like fake eyebrows, blush, and lip contour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the U.S. government introduced social security numbers in the 1930s, some people got them tattooed on their bodies as a way to remember their digits<\/a>. While tattoos were still viewed as unacceptable to most, social security tattoos were often given a pass since they were done out of necessity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tattoo perception began to shift in a positive direction in the 1940s as World War II inspired many Americans to go under the needle for patriotic ink<\/a>. This movement paved the way for the skill set to start to be viewed as a true art form <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tattoos morphed into a symbol of masculinity during the 1950s. They also began to trickle into popular culture, with the iconic \u201cMarlboro Man\u201d even sporting some ink on his cigarette hand<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Patriotic tattoos were dead by the \u201860s and the practice seeped back underground for most of the general public. Tattoos did however begin to appear on more and more celebrities who had access to the work of artists like Lyle Tuttle<\/a>, one of the most famous tattoers of the decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tattoos continued to increase in popularity in the \u201870s thanks in part to Janis Joplin — one of Tuttle\u2019s most famous clients — and her appearance on Rolling Stone Magazine<\/a>. Joplin\u2019s cover shoot sent many people flocking to parlors around the world to replicate the singer\u2019s iconic bracelet tattoo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tattoos as we know them today were taking shape in the 1980s as the art grew larger in size and became much more personalized. By the \u201890s, tattoos were everywhere. The boom even led Cher to get all 16 of her tattoos removed<\/a>. \u201cI had my first tattoo at 27, and at that time it was a statement,\u201d she said. \u201cNow, just about everyone has one, and it\u2019s boring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tattoo de-stigmatization vaulted to another level as the 21st Century gave rise to popular television shows like Inked in 2005 and numerous popular spinoffs. Tattoo enthusiasts began to emerge from all walks of life and artists started to notice more and more clients<\/a> requesting tattoos in places where they wouldn\u2019t be able to hide them. And while the stigma of tattoos in the workplace didn\u2019t disappear completely, just 4% of people surveyed by AIMS Education in 2015<\/a> said they felt like they had actually faced discrimination at work because of their tattoos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tattoo popularity has continued its rise over the past several years. According to a 2019 survey by Statista, well over a quarter<\/a> of the U.S. population over the age of 18 have at least one tattoo. In fact, just 34% of those surveyed said they would not even consider getting a tattoo at some point in their life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The shift in tattoo perception over the years is clear when broken down by generation. A Harris Poll concluded<\/a> that nearly half of millennials have at least one tattoo. The number dips to 36% in Gen Xers, 13% in Baby Boomers, and just 10% in Matures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tattoos don\u2019t discriminate by gender, either. Of those surveyed with at least one tattoo, a Dalia Poll concluded an even 46% men and 46% women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Numerous tattoo-centric shows have been featured on national television and streaming platforms since Inked set the stage in 2005. The rise in the shows\u2019 popularity has played a major role in the positive shift in tattoo perception in the 21st Century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the more popular tattoo shows include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Shows currently streaming on Netflix. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media is the perfect arena for tattoo artists to grow their following, showcase their work, and ultimately gain more clients. Instagram and Pinterest are especially valuable platforms since they cater toward a more visual audience. Some tattoo artists have even taken to Youtube<\/a> to provide more long-form content and give their audience a more authentic look at what the experience is like in the tattoo chair for those sitting under the needle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2019, CNBC reported<\/a> that many artists estimated that more than 70% of their clients, if not more, came from Instagram. There are also more than 50 million Instagram posts<\/a> associated with the #tattoos hashtag, which indicates that people from all walks of life, not just tattoo enthusiasts, are engaging with and absorbing tattoo content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instagram is a highly visual medium, so it\u2019s perfect for displaying body art. IGTV also allows people to get to know tattoo artists as individuals, so audiences feel more comfortable going in to get inked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tattoo industry is still recovering from its long lockdown hiatus. With the Delta variant still posing a danger, people are less likely to want to risk their health for a cosmetic procedure like a tattoo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But social media allows tattoo artists to continue to reach a larger audience online during this time, and allows them to connect with future customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tattoo parlors and brands connected to the body art modification world can leverage tattoo influencers to reach this target market. For example, more \u201cedgy\u201d clothing brands and brands targeting a younger demographic could leverage tattoo influencers to reach those audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While brands might find success reaching an \u201cedgier\u201d demographic with tattoo influencers, it doesn’t have to stop there. Because such a large percentage of the population is getting tattoos nowadays, brands are finding interest in tattoo influencers and tattoo-related content in nearly any niche market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This gives companies a perfect opportunity to zero in on branding and make sure their content is tailored to fit their ideal buyer persona. An artist\u2019s work that pairs best with leather jackets and motorcycles might not speak to the younger, \u201cwanderlust\u201d travel brand of tattoo influencers that have become so popular across social media, particularly instagram. Brands should be sure to find tattoo influencers that fall in line with their vision to make sure the content stays as authentic as possible and speaks to their target audience in a language they understand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n1940s and \u201850s: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1960s and \u201870s: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1980s and \u201890s: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2000s and beyond:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tattoo demographics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Tattoo](\"https:\/\/grin.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Tattoo-Influencer-with-Hat.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTattoo-centric television shows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Types of content that works for the tattoo industry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How brands can take advantage Instagram\u2019s visual elements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The challenges to the tattoo industry during COVID-19<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Top 10 Instagram tattoo influencers to follow in 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. @miryamlumpini<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n