Body art: When beauty is skin deep

Nestled against the arch of senior Rachel Moorin's back are two dark-blue angel wings, so vivid they seem likely to flutter right off her skin. These wings, however, which are drawn with tiny droplets of tattooed ink, will stay with her for life as a symbol of self-expression.

Nationally, body art such as tattoos and piercings is rising in popularity. Approximately 13 percent of Americans ages 18-24 have at least one tattoo, according to a poll conducted by Harris Interactive in 2003. Henna, traditionally an Eastern religious practice, has also expanded to fulfill purely aesthetic functions. At Blair, students often use body art to reflect aspects of their personalities that are otherwise hard to convey.

The inky art of tattooing

Starting just below the nape of senior Jordan Townsend's neck and extending several inches along his spine are three Japanese characters, tattooed in black ink, that spell his grandmother's family name. They are tattooed in the same font as they are written in on the World War II memorial in Okinawa, Japan, and serve as a personal tribute to his cultural ties. "I like telling people about [the tattoo] just because they don't know much about that part of me—most people don't know I'm part Japanese," says Townsend.

Whether tattoos display cultural significance or personal edification, Mike Smith, a tattoo artist at Ambroto's Tattoo in Silver Spring, considers tattooing an especially versatile medium.

Some students design their own tattoos rather than having the tattoo artist do it. When senior Pamela Jabonete decided to get a tattoo, she was able to translate her memory of the Philippines onto her skin by creating her own design—a black, silhouetted palm tree about "one-third the size of your index finger."

Embellishing skin with tattoos, however, requires overcoming the pain that can accompany it. Although Jabonete didn't encounter any problems after the first day, getting the ink was as agonizing as the tattoo artist warned her it would be. "He explained it to me like it was like a really bad sunburn or scratch," she says of the pain's intensity, "and it was ten times worse."

Nancy Montagna, a Silver Spring-based clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, says that the permanence of tattoos often appeals to teens because it can symbolize their newfound independence. "Teens are just at the age when they can do things that announce to the world that they are in charge of their bodies," says Montagna.

Staining expression onto skin

A maroon-colored teardrop stain rests on her palm, encircled by elaborate Indian designs, while branches surrounded by leaves and intricate flowers spread along each finger of her henna-adorned hand.

This design is a traditional henna pattern, according to senior Neha Rustagi, who observes the customary application of henna in conjunction with Indian ritual.

Using henna as a cosmetic, however, is gaining popularity. "Nowadays, they use it all the time, like a fashion," says Mala Amin, who applies henna on people for special occasions like weddings and religious holidays.

Henna is made of ground henna leaves and other natural ingredients, such as coffee and lemon. When the black mixture is applied and allowed to dry for five or more hours, then washed off, a maroon stain remains for between one and six weeks.

Junior Mariam Khan says that wearing henna to Blair gains lots of attention. "Everyone's really mesmerized by it, like, 'Oh, did you do that yourself?'" says Khan.

Ready-made henna packages are available at many Indian grocery stores, but Khan says that the stain doesn't last as long when the henna isn't made fresh. Even though packaged henna is easier to apply, Khan sometimes makes her own designs. "If you look at the intricate designs on Indian clothing, you can get a lot of inspiration," she says.

Piercing through skin and stereotypes

For sophomore Vanessa Penney, piercing her own lip with a sewing needle in early February gave her the same rush that she attributes to "blowing something up or getting a good grade." The experience was also a chance to prove her mental strength. "It's a defining statement of being willing to do things that sometimes other people are afraid of," she explains.

In order to obtain piercings such as these, some Blazers opt for privately-done piercings to avoid the cost and parental consent that would otherwise be required for minors. "It's like burning CDs off the Internet," explains Penney. "Why go and buy it if you can get it for free?"

Despite the low cost, do-it-yourself piercings can cause serious medical issues, such as the week-long infection that Penney believes could have been avoided if her piercing had been done professionally.

Junior Rachel Boehm, who has her tongue and naval pierced, is also aware of the dangers that piercings can present if they are not properly attended to, which she says include the possible puncturing of an organ if the stud of a tongue ring is accidentally swallowed. "Make sure it's on tight," she advises.

The potential for repercussions doesn't seem to stop most body art-crazed Blazers, however. While fingering her lip ring, Penney explains why body art is part of her life. "It's like using your body as a canvas," she says. "It's easier than carrying a picture around and stapling it to your shirt."