My Findings on Body Art and Modification

Most tattoo fans love a big colorful tattoo that they can easily see, I know I usually do. But what about one people can’t see so easily. No, I’m not talking about a butt tattoo; I’m talking about an inner lip tattoo.

This area only continues to grow in popularity even with only being visible when the lips are pulled up or down and somewhat limiting the size of that tattoo that goes there. Playboy Playmate Jade Nicole and Reality TV star Brody Jenner (The Hills) are even said to have each others initials tattooed on their inner lips.

Done usually on the bottom lip these small tattoos are done almost exclusively in black. They are usually very small designs or words and phrases.

Inner lip tattoos are said to not be very painful at all and have similar aftercare instructions to a tongue piercing. Which includes rinsing mouth after meals and smoking and not eating for a few hours after the tattoo is done. Also, putting up with the taste of ink and blood mixed together for a little while afterwards.

There is a downside of this fun little secret of a tattoo besides the size limits and being harder to showoff. They are quite prone to fading. More than likely they will need to be redone before they really hold up. Usually it takes 3-4 touchups for it to really hold. But, some shops will do free touchups on tattoos they did originally. But do not base your decision on that detail alone. Make sure to find a tattoo artist who has experience with tattooing inner lips.

Have you ever wanted to look like Inspector Gadget with all his machinery that replaced his body parts? While having a mechanical body may be a little out of the average Joe’s budget you could get that mechanical robot style look for the price of a tattoo with a Biomechanical tattoo.

This style of tattoos incorporates images of body parts and mechanical parts usually. Some can be all body parts having the look of being exposed; some are all mechanical parts appearing to be exposed from the inside. Most commonly they are black and grey but can have color and usually feature very intricate designs. They are usually on upper arms, backs, and legs but are also seen frequently on feet and hands.

Biomechanical tattoos were very popular during the 1980’s but are gaining in popularity again these days. I think it is due to more people wanting a tattoo that is different from most other peoples.

All images from Biomechanical Tattoo Gallery

Dennis Avner is not the average 50 year old computer programmer living in Nevada. Better known as “Cat man” or as he prefers to called, “Staking Cat,” is one of the most modified people in the world and resembles a tiger.

“Stalking Cat” is his Native American name, Avner being of Huron descent. His modifications are not just for fun. Stalking Cat is transforming himself into a tiger to resemble his totem, a sort of spiritual guide in Huron tradition, the tiger. Avner was told by a chief to follow the ways of the tiger.




Stalking Cat has had large amounts of tattoo work, subdermal and transdermal implants, and surgeries to complete his transformation and is not done yet.


Stalking Cats Modifications
• Extensive tattooing all over body
• His hairline moved
• Transdermal implants on face for removable whiskers
• Extensive dental work to have feline teeth
• Ears modified
o Ears pointed
o Earlobes elongated
• Silicone injections in the lip chin and cheeks to have the cat look facially
• Cleft lip



Stalking Cat also plans on having transdermal implants on his head for removable tiger like ears. He currently wears contact lenses that resemble cat eyes.

Stalking Cat has become a celebrity and has made many television and radio appearances including being featured on Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and interviewed by BBC.

Think you felt pain getting your tattoo with a modern machine, think again. Imagine getting tattooed with needles made from bird beaks, or cactus needles like used in the traditional days of tattooing in Hawaii.

Other materials for needles where sea urchin spines, fish bones, bone splinters, and animal spikes.

Ink was made from kuki nut ashes and sugar cane juice. Tattoos where mostly only black, but when color was used, they came from flowers.

Designs originally where symmetrical geometric shapes but as years went on more pictorial designs came about.

The process was like that of many other ancient tattoos. A larger stick was used to tap the needle continuously. An assistant would assist the artist by stretching out the skin for the tattoo. Once the tattoo was done sometimes juices and saps of plants where rubbed on the tattoo to darken the ink.

This type of tattooing originated sometime around 1500 – 500 b.c. by the Lapita people that lived on the islands of Fiji, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga. The pain of the tattoo was thought to be a spiritual journey. The more of your body that was covered by these tattoos the more respect you where given. Unlike in modern culture, especially here on the mainland, where people with visible tattoos make a person look unprofessional. Women where not allowed to be tattoo artists but could be tattooed, but only on the calves, feet, hands, ears and lips. Men could be tattooed anywhere. The most common spot would be on the face. The meanings of these tattoos usually came from a persons heritage and family.

My first tattoo was a long process. Getting it was the easiest part, once I finally turned 18 of course. The hard part was thinking about what I wanted. For years I looked at tattoo designs and tried to think what I wanted it to be.I think a person should put a lot of thought into a tattoo and where it goes on their body. It isn't like seeing a movie and picking the most convenient theater and time. Picking the artist who does the tattoo should also have some thought put into it. The artist closest to your house may not always be the best artist. Also, just because they are great at portraits doesn't mean they are great at all tattoos. Most artists have something they are really good at and can still do good tattoos of other kinds. picking the shop and artist, can be difficult. Most shops will not charge a design fee if they draw you a tattoo instead of doing a flash design. Flash designs are predrawn tattoos that can be gotten almost anywhere except strictly custom shops. Pricing varies per shop. many charge per hour, with the clock starting once you get in the chair and they start the tattoo.

The first tattoo is the most painful. When they first touch the tattoo gun to you it will hurt. Do not feel bad about it hurting either. When they outline the tattoo it is most painful. When they do the shading It will be a bit better. They do stop every so often to wipe away blood and other stuff with a cool liquid, this does feel good for some people. If you get a second tattoo you will notice the pain is not as bad. I believe it is the hype. The first time you do things it's always a little scary, even if you don't think you are scared.

Aftercare is important for any tattoo of course, some shops will even do free touch ups knowing that all tattoos fades over time and some colors do not take as well to all skin tones. Red is one I have seen not always come out as great as people would have wished. Just make sure to follow the aftercare instructions given to you by the artist. Tattoo aftercare is not very hard, Just rub the ointment from the shop, or A&D on every few hours and wash with soap each day until flaking is done . then switch to a extra healing lotion for a month or so then whenever it feels dry. And use a good sunscreen when out in the sun to keep it looking good over time.

I knew I wanted it to be something for my dad who passed away. But I did not want the traditional memorial tattoo. You know, the cross rip, and the dates. I didn't want a portrait that would look the worst when it faded as I age. I wanted something special, that i could just look at and know it was for my dad, It wasn't for everyone else to know. I didn't have the normal parent child relationship with my dad. So I knew a tattoo for him would have to be different. I eventually chose a Red Chinese type Dog with flames coming off of it. He was the Chinese year of the dog. While we are not Chinese we did go out for Chinese a lot. The picture I found off the internet was basically a red lab dog with flames smiling. My tattoo artist redrew and made it look less happy but not depressing. I do not have any regrets about that tattoo over a year later and know I never will.

I know this process seems long but really, It is very rewarding if you put thought into your tattoo, you will always be able to look at it and be glad you did. Just remember if you want to change the design do not be afraid to tell the artist, it is there job to give you the tattoo you want. For more help on decisions with your first tattoo, "Examining Pop Culture: Body Piercing and Tattoo's" which is edited by J.D. Lloyd.

I have always been very interested in body art since i first learned about it as a very young child. I wanted tattoos since I learned about them around the age of 4. Most of my body art interests are tattoos as you can guess, but I have always liked seeing piercings, and body modifications. I am starting this blog to talk about my findings in my research and experiences with tattoos and other body art topics such as getting pierced for the first time. I will be starting a new feature for the paper I write for at my college but that will just focus on people at the college, and this blog will talk about more world wide topics. I will also try to keep up on body art/modification news. I have never had a blog before so bear with me people. It may be a slow process but I promise to make this great and do good writing with good grammar.




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