Tattoos yesterday and today in the Polish population in the decade 2004-2014

BACKGROUND The fashion for tattooing the body is becoming increasingly widespread. It seems that both the structure and role of factors motivating individuals to obtain tattoos have changed in recent years. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that factors encouraging tattooing and the meaning of tattoos have evolved, leading to some significant recent changes. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE The participants were individuals of Polish ethnicity aged 16-67 years, having at least one tattoo. The first survey. conducted in 2004, encompassed 100 subjects, while the second one, in 2014, involved 200 subjects. Both groups of respondents answered questions about the functions of tattoos and the factors motivating them to obtain a tattoo, as well as expressing their opinions about individuals with body art. RESULTS In the studied decade we found a rise in the number of tattooed women, with tattoos being primarily perceived as an art form and a way to express one's personality, aid self-enhancement. and improve one's sexual attractiveness. Currently, tattooing more seldom serves as a provocation, self-identification, a mark of subculture affiliation, or a way to enhance self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS The functions of tattooing have been rapidly changing. The use among women causes that the perception of tattooing is changing and becoming less aggressive. The mass media insistently promote the fashion for tattoos, which is why this form of body art is becoming more and more popular.