title: Reasons behind the ink.
abstract: Historically, tattoos have been used for therapeutic practices and as signs of social status in primitive cultures. In this study, we sought to develop a greater understanding of the reasons individuals choose to get tattoos. Three hundred sixty-three patients with at least 1 tattoo from among our clinic patients volunteered to complete an 18-question, multiple-choice survey. Questions focused on level of education, family background, and reason for getting a tattoo, among other factors.
authors.affiliation: University Dermatology, Darien, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dimitropoulos
authors.affiliation: University Dermatology, Darien, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Clarence W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: University Dermatology, Darien, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ressa
authors.affiliation: University Dermatology, Darien, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004522:Educational Status; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013653:Tattooing / Q000523:psychology*