Totorus

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Although the earliest forms of tattooing can be dated back thousands of years ago, modern, Western civilization has adopted tattooing as a commonly accepted form of body modification, and self-expression. As the popularity of tattooing continues to grow, scientists and artists are constantly developing new tattoo trends. From new inks, to new methods of tattooing, here are five tattoo innovations shaping today's tattoo culture.

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Since ancient times, women have utilized their ears for the purpose of ornamenting themselves. The types of ear piercings have evolved over the centuries, and even among diverse cultures, ear jewelry is a language understood by all women.

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A tattoo can be an important part of your self-expression. A lot of thought needs to go into the design and the establishment you choose. One of the most important aspects though is tattoo placement. Finding the perfect spot for your new piece of art can prove difficult and nerve-wracking. You want to show off your tattoo, which, after all, took a lot of time, money, and pain to produce. However, you may or may not want to show it off all the time.

Photo credit by Shannon Archuleta

While the old cliche, "A picture is worth a thousand words", has a well understood philosophy behind it, words themselves can still be very profound and evocative. This can be especially true when the words in question are permanently inked into your skin with a tattoo. Using written quotes as tattoos has become a fashionable way to make an important statement that will help define a person permanently.