The Perception of Piercings and Tattoos in 2022

The Obsidian team is passionate about the world of piercing, but also of tattoos. Two wonderful worlds, each just as fascinating as the other. Two art forms that let people express themselves and showcase the body. Fascinating, but also artistic, let's be honest! That's why we wanted to give them the spotlight in this new article. Tattoos and piercings have a fascinating history.

Here's a quick rundown of that history.

How has society's perception of them changed over time?

The History of Piercing and Tattoos Through Time

Piercing has been observed among ancient civilizations across the Americas and Africa, as well as among the ancient Greeks and Romans, who wore earrings. Piercings have always carried cultural and personal meaning.

Today, piercing isn't really tied to tradition anymore, and instead fits more into the world of fashion. It's now seen as an aesthetic accessory. In the past, it was most often associated with punk or goth subcultures.

Piercing has now gone fully mainstream. Plenty of celebrities wear them: Scarlett Johansson, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, and Bella Hadid, to name a few. In short, piercing in 2022 is trending!

The septum was even put in the spotlight by a leading luxury fashion house during a fashion week runway show in 2021.

So what about tattoos? Just like piercings, people have been marking their bodies with tattoos for thousands of years. In the past, even more so than today, it was mostly a form of cultural expression. The first tattoos appeared in Egypt and China, where the practice held a strong place in the culture.

Whether simple or elaborate, tattoos can represent symbols, declarations of love, beliefs, and so many other possible meanings.

Practices have of course evolved, with new styles and new trends touching every corner of the industry. It took a long time in the West for ink to become socially accepted. Today, tattoos have become popular and commonplace.

Are Piercings and Tattoos Compatible with Life at Work?

In the workplace, unfortunately, it can be a bit more complicated to show off your piercings or tattoos. This will always depend on your company's culture. Company culture is essentially the impression a company gives you: the values it holds and the decisions it makes. On the other hand, if you work for a company whose culture doesn't match who you are, it can feel difficult to work there.

That said, plenty of organizations are open-minded and recognize that personality and skills matter far more than appearance! And thankfully so. This shouldn't hold you back: being free to express your appearance is still a right. In 2022, many job seekers are looking for a company where they feel comfortable and share the same values.

If you work somewhere where piercings aren't necessarily well received, you can still opt for a piercing that's easy to hide, like a septum, for example: with a horseshoe, you can simply flip it up so it becomes "invisible." Ear piercings, meanwhile, are generally easier to wear at work than a facial piercing (nose or around the mouth); a helix piercing can easily be hidden under your hair.

Your Body Belongs to You!

At the end of the day, piercings and tattoos are a beautiful expression of self-acceptance and acceptance of others. Our society today often pressures people to be one way or another. But that mindset is fading. Every human body is unique, so never forget that! Discover our wonderful piercing collection on our site.

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." – Oscar Wilde