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In May 2022, Virgin Atlantic became the first UK airline (and one of few worldwide) to allow cabin crew to display their tattoos, marking a shift in workplace values and tolerance of tattooed employees.

For thousands of years, cultures around the world have celebrated the art of tattooing. But in recent history — specifically in the Western workplace — they’re considered taboo. Even though around 40% of the US workforce has a tattoo, many companies have policies that require employees to hide their ink, and only 12% of people report feeling comfortable enough to show them off.

But are tattoos becoming more accepted in professional environments? Or will some industries never get with the times?

Join Lamar Street Tattoo Club as we examine the taboos surrounding office ink and the most favorable industries for every tattoo lover out there.

Have attitudes towards tattoos really changed?

Tattoos are much more accepted than they were ten years ago. As societal rules and norms have become more relaxed, workplace values have (thankfully) followed. The increased tolerance of casual attire, piercings, and tattoos comes primarily from the recent influx of Millennials and Gen Z in the workplace.

 As workforce age demographics continue to shift, the younger generations’ “laid-back” attitudes toward body art and appearances will continue to filter into professional environments. 

Most Gen Z members are truly digital natives, hence the name ‘Zoomers’ (get it? Because they zoom the internet? Okay, I’m done, moving on). They were raised on technology and probably don’t remember a life without it. Zoomers share their entire lives online, but no matter how much it may annoy you, it does have some pros. The more tattoos and body art people see, the more it becomes normalized in our society. The more tattoos are normalized, the more they’re generally accepted. See? Everyone wins.

I Wouldn’t Hide My Tattoos For Anyone… Where Can I Work?

Whether you don’t want to hide your tattoos or you only want to work for someone who values your individuality and creative freedom, you have some options.

Employers are free to decide their tattoo policy, as there are no laws against tattoos in the workplace or tattoo-based workplace discrimination. Whether or not a company allows tattoos sometimes depends on the industry, but it varies from place to place.

If you have tattoos you can’t (or won’t) cover, here are your best bets:

• Creative jobs, including graphic design, hair styling, and anything in the arts

• Skilled labor and contracting jobs like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work

• Public safety occupations like firefighters, paramedics, and police officers

• Restaurant and service industry jobs

• Most remote positions

Many people have culturally significant body art that is part of their core identity. And while it may be challenging to find a position with visible tattoos, their cultural or ethnic importance is not something you should have to compromise. Before applying to an open position, read employee reviews about the company to ensure they prioritize diversity and value the need to represent your culture openly.

The Cover-Up

If you don’t mind covering up your ink for the workday — and don’t want to wait for the times to change — your employment options are pretty much unlimited. 

But as mentioned above, every company is different, and studying a company’s tattoo policy before going to an interview or starting a new job is always a safe bet. If you feel like your visible tattoos are hurting your chances of securing a job you’re passionate about, you always have the option of removal.

Trusted Tattoo Removal (and Expert Application) at Lamar Street Tattoo Club

Want to celebrate your new job with another tattoo? Need to get an old one removed before your search? Either way, count on expert execution at Lamar Street Tattoo Club.

From consultation to aftercare, we ensure a clean, professional experience. We don’t compromise on our work, and neither should you.

Visit Lamar Street Tattoo Club and see why we’re voted the number-one tattoo shop in Dallas. Send us a message, or book your complimentary consultation today!

Due to social media, fine-line tattoos have grown in popularity over the past few years. Online interest in fine-line tattoos grew around 90% this year alone, with over 44 thousand monthly searches.

But before booking your next fine-line tattoo appointment, Lamar Street Tattoo Club has a few things you should consider.

Only Schedule Your Appointment With an Artist Who Specializes in Fine-line Designs

Fine-line tattoos take a lot of practice to master since the needles artists use are very small. With small groups of needles and single needles, all imperfections show, so try to find an artist specializing in this kind of work.

Look through their social media or website and see if they’ve done fine-line tattoos similar to what you’re looking for. If you like a specific artist’s work but want to see more examples, reach out to them!

Each tattooing style has a different skill set, so finding an artist specializing in fine-line tattoos is the safest option.

Look Through Your Tattoo Artist’s Healed Designs

When choosing a fine-line artist, one of the most important things to consider is how their healed work looks.

Fine-line tattoos can fade quickly and sometimes look different after the healing process, so it’s always good to get an idea of how your artist’s work ages.

It’s also a great way to set your expectations for your fine-line tattoo — a tattoo never looks as crisp and vibrant as it does the day you get it.

Consider the Tattoo’s Placement (Obvious? Yes. Important? Also Yes.)

The placement of your fine-line tattoo is a critical factor in how it will heal. It’s best to choose an area that doesn’t move a lot or see too much sun to help your tattoo last as long as possible.

The inner forearms, upper ribs, and upper thighs are good spots for fine-line tattoos because they mostly stay out of the sun and don’t bend. Wrists, feet, hands, and thighs move a lot and often rub against clothing, affecting the healing process.

However, it’s always best to consult with your tattoo artist beforehand. They can help you find the best placement for your fine-line tattoo based on size, color(s), and design.

Come to Terms With the Fact That Your Tattoo May Require Touchups

Always check with your artist about their touch-up policy in case they need to fix the tattoo after the healing process is complete.

Touch-ups aren’t always necessary with fine-line tattoos but know that it’s possible due to the style’s delicate nature.

If you’re traveling to get your tattoo, consider that it may need a refresh in the future. Most tattooers don’t touch up other artists’ work, so you’ll have to return to your original artist.

Schedule Your Fine-Line Tattoo Consultation at Lamar Street Tattoo Club

At Lamar Street Tattoo Club, we have a higher standard of tattooing. You can always expect comprehensive consultations, professional execution, and body art that stands the test of time.

From consultation to aftercare, we provide a unique, unparalleled experience. We don’t compromise on the quality or cleanliness of our work, and you shouldn’t either.

Visit Lamar Street Tattoo Club today and see why we’ve been voted the number-one tattoo shop in Dallas, Texas! Send us a message, or book a complimentary consultation at our shop today.

For over 5,000 years, humans around the globe have used tattoos as a form of self-expression. And though tattoo equipment and safety standards have changed a lot since the first tattoo, the reasons people continue to get them really haven’t.

If you’re a tattoo-lover like us, you may be curious about the ancient art of tattooing and how much it differs from today. So, we put together a brief history detailing the contrast between outdated and modern-day tattooing practices.

Ancient (and Slightly Frightening) Tattoo Equipment

In ancient Samoa, minimal tattoo designs were created on the skin using a thick needle and wooden mallet. They would tap the needle into the skin repeatedly until the design was deep enough for the pigment to stay in the skin’s lower layers after it healed. After the “drawing” process, the pigments — made from soot — were rubbed into the open wound.

In ancient Egypt, they pressed bronze tools with wide points deep into the skin, and in pre-Columbian South America, it was common to use sharp sticks. Both created their pigments from plants, soot, and other natural materials available in their environment.

Tattoo removal was also impossible. So, if you really wanted your blurry, misshapen tattoo removed in 500 BC, you were out of luck. Unless you took the chance of removing it yourself in ways we probably shouldn’t discuss in this blog.

Okay, so maybe the word ‘equipment’ is too generous when describing some of the tools they used near the beginning of time. But over the next couple thousand years, tattoo artists’ tools drastically improved for tattoo lovers — and haters.

Modern-Day Tattoo Equipment — No Mallet Required

Today, artists use automatic tattoo machines with small, fine needles that move extremely fast, minimizing pain and skin damage. These tiny needles’ accuracy and continuous in-and-out motion allow for a deeper, more concentrated color and improve the ink’s look and contrast against your skin.

With a more precise tool, modern-day tattoo artists can draw clean lines and detailed works of art that come in nearly any style — from watercolor landscapes to bold, American Traditional pin-ups.

Tattoo artists also use specialized, skin-safe inks now. These inks are designed to be in contact with your skin and permeate deep into its layers to stay there forever. Unless, of course, you decide to go the laser tattoo removal route.

Tattoo Safety Standards Before There Were Safety Standards

Now the only thing that might be more frightening than the tattoo equipment they used in ancient times was their aftercare and sanitation process — or lack thereof.

Picture this: it’s 830 BCE, and you’re sitting with your pals around a fire. You’re eating something you grew yourselves when one of your friends says they want a tattoo. So what do you do? Get a sharpened stick and some soot, create a basic design by poking or drawing deep into their skin with the stick, then rub some soot in it.

Sounds sanitary, right? In ancient times, they didn’t know how to prevent infection, and sterilizing tools wasn’t common practice. As a result, some horrible complications likely stemmed from untreated, infected tattoos — like staph infections, septic shock, and toxic shock syndrome.

Tattoo aftercare didn’t exist, either. People in ancient cultures cared for them as best they could, using water and homemade salves. But with no bandages, no Optiscrub, and no ointment, we can assume there were some complications.

It’s safe to say that (most) tattoo artists’ sanitation standards have vastly improved since ancient times.

Tattoo Safety Standards After Someone Discovered the Magic of Science

Thankfully, we now know what it takes to have a clean, healthy tattoo that heals beautifully. But it’s important to remember that tattoo aftercare is just as important as the application.

Sanitized tools and workspaces are commonplace, and we recommend washing your tattoo with antibacterial soap — our favorite is Optiscrub — to prevent any infection that could cause long-term damage.

After washing, apply a small dab of organic, petroleum-free, vegan ointment or moisturizers like cocoa butter, coconut oil, or shea butter. Make sure it’s a thin layer, and only put on enough to fully rub into the skin.

More is not always better!

If you want your tattoo to look bright and bold for years to come, check out our complete Tattoo Aftercare guide on our blog!

Honoring Tattoo Tradition, Embracing Modern Aftercare

Lamar Street Tattoo Club and our elite tattoo artists in Dallas will help you find the best artist for your tattoo, whether you’re looking for something old-school or new-school. If you’re interested in working with the top tattoo artists at the top tattoo shop in Dallas, send us a submission form! Along with a high-quality tattoo, you’ll receive the highest level of tattoo aftercare when you choose Lamar Street Tattoo Club. Contact us, and we’ll get back to you with a consultation, appointment time, and tattoo artist recommendation!

Walk-ins Always Welcome, Appointments Preferred.