Art, to many people, comes in a variety of forms. From oils and sketchings to piercings and tattoos, there are many different ways for people to express themselves. Tattoos among teens are becoming increasingly popular for the meaning behind them and their permanent nature.

“It’s a piece of art, a way to express yourself,” said sophomore Brooke Benito, who has a dandelion tattoo with sparrows flying out of it on her back. “It has great meaning.”

When getting a tattoo, there is also a risk of infection if not treated correctly. These infections can escalate into severe skin infections like staph infections and tuberculosis. The main worry of teen getting tattoos, besides these risks, is they will regret it later on.

“We’re no magicians,” said Rhett Johnson, a tattoo artist at Revelation. “Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean we can fix it.”

The average cost of removing tattoos is about $750 but can reach over $2000 and takes many sessions of laser treatment to completely get rid of the tattoo. Benito said she doesn’t think she’ll ever regret getting her tattoo.

“I got it for a reason and I am not tired of it,” said Benito. “I love it.”