Wanna get some ink done?

The old business of body art has recently received new popularity from the youth of the digital age. From sport stars to rock stars to movie stars, the growing trend of body art can be seen everywhere, especially on college campuses.

“Our business from college students is very high,” said Shawna, an attendant with Sacramento?s American Graffiti Tattoo shop. “More than half of our daily customers are college students.”

The trend of “needle painting” is evident on the Sacramento State campus as well. Of 100 people surveyed in an unofficial State Hornet poll, 37 people had a tattoo, and of those 24 were tattooed within the last year.

“I just got my tattoo a month ago and I want to get my next real soon,” said student Mary Lea.

To serve the growing demand in Sacramento, body art establishments have popped up all over town. Inside the yellow pages there are more than 30 listings for local tattoo parlors that advertise their “original designs.”

Local parlors have enjoyed the rise in business, and advertise their specialty in the popular tattoo designs chosen by college students.

“I?d say the most popular tattoo found among college men would be black work and tribal designs, while ladies prefer colored images,” Shawna said.

For the hardcore “inker,” the full body tattoo is gaining newfound popularity.

“After I got my first tattoo, I just kept on going back,” said student Tracey Torres.

“We have seen more people coming for additional tattoos. There are some people who are trying to recreate the ancient Japanese tattoo form that covers the whole body, save the hands and feet,” said Jimmy Reed, a privately practicing body artist in the Sacramento area.

Within the body art culture, “tats,” as they are called, are treated like a work of art, and one compliments the nice “work” someone has on them, instead of saying simply saying “cool tattoo.”

For those whose tattoo isn?t to their liking, there are few options after one has had their “ink done.”

“I went to this place in Stockton and they messed up my arm band. It was all misshapen. I had to go back three more times to fix it,” said student Alex Rodriguez.

There have been many famous tattoo mishaps. Johnny Depp was left with “Winona Forever” tattooed on his arm when his engagement with Winona Ryder ended. Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee choose tattoos instead of wedding rings; their marriage lasted 3 years.

“Nothing is forever, except for a tattoo,” said Reed. “I like to remind my patrons that a relationship may only last 10 years. A tattoo will last a lifetime.”

But tattoos aren?t necessarily forever. Unsatisfied or repentant inkers can opt for a costly and somewhat painful surgery.

“Our business specializes in tattoo removal through laser surgery,” said Rangoon Ricky of Skin Deep Tattoo Removal. “There?s as much a need for tattoos as there are certain needs to get them undone.”

There are health risks associated with body art, most commonly the spread of disease through unclean needles.

“I won?t go to a tattoo parlor if they don?t advertise that they use single service needles or sterilized tools,” said student Michele Herda.

Most tattoo parlors have strict guidelines when dealing with sanitary matters.

“We use brand new needles for every customer and clean our instruments using the same techniques hospitals and dentists use,” said Dave of The Exotic Body body art parlor.

Tattoo parlors can do much to relieve a client?s worries over health concerns, but are still unable to calm a very popular fear of tattoos.

“I?m afraid of needles. Me and pain don?t do well together,” said Sac State student Michelle Powers.

There are alternatives for those who won?t brave the needle. Henna, a South Asian method that gained notoriety in the late nineties, is a risk-free, removable body art. Using washable and pain-free Henna dye, one can experiment with shapes and images without making a large commitment.

With a permanent tattoo, however, comes great responsibility: it is recommended that prospective inkers screen tattoo artists on their health codes and ability, and prepare for the post-op care.

“I recommend keeping the bandages on for 24 hours so a protective layer of skin can grow. After removing the bandage I would say three to four days of antibiotic cream treatment is incredibly necessary,” said Wild Bill Hill of Wild Bill?s tattooing.

Students have their own care methods for recently done tattoos.

“I make sure I stay out of the sun and wear lots of lotion. That?ll make sure it won?t fade, and I want my tattoo looking good for the summer,” said Clark.

With the coming warm weather expect to see more exposed skin, and more tattoos. The trend is there, but buyers beware: a tattoo will last longer than fad.

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