They come in all shapes and sizes and usually if you get one, you'll get two or three or four. Professional athletes sport them, entertainers show them off, and even some adults are caving in to the fad of covering their bodies with pictures, messages and symbols.

Many people might see tattoos as a rebellious, defiant form of expression, while others may feel that it is a form of defacing or mutilating the body. Some say it's just their way to express their individuality. Some people get tattoos to express their love for loved ones and some get them because they feel it will make them happy. Some, on the other hand, do it because it is what they see on television.

"Tattoos and body piercing are a way we can express ourselves nonverbally," exclaimed Sharnetta Hagans and Tamika Liverpool, both seniors at Theodore Roosevelt High School. "I had the word 'blessed' tattooed on my neck because I feel like I am blessed," Roosevelt senior Roderick Harris stated. "When I see people who are handicapped and hear about people being killed I feel like I am blessed." Harris, who has 11 tattoos covering his body also has a pair of praying hands and angels which represents his spirituality.

Jumeca Evans, class of 2004, has seven tattoo's and now says that she regrets getting them.

While tattoos and body piercing are ways of expression many people never stop to think about the dangers and drawbacks of getting them. People are beginning to see that having their bodies tattooed has repercussions that could create problems later in life. Jumeca Evans, a Roosevelt alumnus from the class of 2004, now regrets getting so many tattoos. "I have seven tattoos," Jumeca lamented. "I got my first one in 2001 and now I really regret getting them and if I had to do it all over again I wouldn't do it." Jumeca is attempting to earn a living as a professional model and the tattoos make getting modeling jobs difficult. She stands to lose a lot of money because some photographers don't want to spend the time or money trying to work around tattoos.

"Photographers have to use a computerized air brush to remove them [tattoos] from the photo and that causes them to have to do more work," Jumeca stated. "They would rather shoot a girl without them. The money I stand to lose varies on the type of job I get. I haven't gotten one of the really big jobs yet, but I have gotten jobs that pay $150 per hour."

When students were asked to reflect on how their tattoos could affect them in the future several responded by implying that too many visible tattoos could have an impact of how individuals are perceived by members of the business community, which could impact on getting high paying jobs. Roderick Harris stated that, "it could affect me because people might think I am a gangster or something when I go looking for a job."

"Lots of employers won't hire you if you have too many," Jumeca reflected. "I even had a job at MacDonald's before and they made me wear long sleeves to cover up my tattoos, even in the summer time! Wearing long sleeves in the summer was ridiculous, but I had to do it to keep a job."

Some of the dangers associated with tattoos include the possibility of contracting infections and diseases. If the needle are not clean one could run the risk of getting Hepatitis C or even AIDS. Another thing that people don't think about is what the tattoo will look like when they get older. Will it stay the same or will it prune with the skin as the years pass? Some even put the name of a person whom they love at the time, thinking that the love is forever, but when the love fades away or turns in the direction of another the tattoo remains.

Is it worth it? Is this a fad or will it stand the test of time? What will happen when it's not cute or popular anymore? After thinking about all of the risks you also have to remember that tattoos are forever. You can get rid of them but it is an expensive and painful process. Removing a tattoo can cost between $150 and $200 per session for laser removal which is a painful procedure and you have to come back for multiple sessions.

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo you should be careful and think hard and long. Make sure that the needle is fresh out of the package and that the person doing the procedure is licensed. Remember, if you don't like it when it's done you will have to live with it until the end of time.

"If I had to give students advice about tattoos, I would say DON'T DO IT," Jumeca Evans emphatically exclaimed. "It's not worth it! It's cute now, but will cost you later!!!!!"

By Maurice Butler |  April 10, 2008; 10:44 PM ET
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