In 2015, 48% of people surveyed in Birmingham said they were tattooed and had more than six tattoos on their body, according to research conducted by those renowned researchers, the motorbike insurance brokers, Carole Nash. The same survey also found that of those with tattoos, 45% boasted between 11 and 15 tattoos. I remember this ‘duck on a skateboard’ piece of news well as I cited it regularly when debating with my children about why I thought their desire for skin embellishment was no longer ‘cool’.
The cases of ‘eyeball tattooing’ in this week’s news (see page 5) reminded me again of the perils in entering any debate about how an individual might wish to enhance their appearance. Significant changes to the body, whether it be dental implants, Botox injections or subconjunctival ink injections, need to be undertaken by registered practitioners. And this is likely to enter our radar in years to come if specialist optometrists enter the world of ‘aesthetics’ as is currently the case in the US.
But, I would further argue that where a procedure is agreed to on purely cosmetic value, proven technical skills of the clinician are not sufficient. Both of the women undergoing the eye tattooing showed evidence of psychological frailty and one had previously been treated for mental health problems. And I think the argument supporting any intervention that might make someone feel better at a specific point in time is countered by the prospect of interventions continued until a point is reached where further modification is not possible or could never be seen as improving – need I mention the once great member of the Jackson Five?
So, for those interested in aesthetic modification, I suggest vigorous training first in counselling and always ask why anyone might not actually be beautiful as they are.