Have you ever seen footage from a prison yard or a black and white mugshot photo of a man with a black tear tattooed just below his eye? This is a common gang- and prison-related marking. The number of tears you have represents the number of people you have killed. But facial tattoos aren't just for criminals anymore. People who opt for neck, face and head body modifications are a far cry from those who only get tattoos in places that are discreet or can be easily covered up or hidden if necessary. Although as my father was quick to remind me when I got my tongue pierced at the age of seventeen, "Now you'll never get that high-power job in corporate America", not everyone has the same values, and not everyone cares whether or not their body mods are socially acceptable. As I was quick to remind him, "Who ever said I wanted a job in corporate America?"
Besides, face and neck tattoos aren't just for the hardest of tattoo lovers -- a girl I know has the signature of a friend of hers who died young inked in tiny print behind her ear, and it actually looks very tasteful, delicate and perfectly placed. The small butterflies and stars tattooed on the same place of the women featured in the photo galleries below look equally appealing. Kat Von D, renowned portrait tattoo artist featured on the TLC reality series "Miami Ink", has a series of thirteen small black stars lining her face alongside her brow.
Of course, there will always be someone willing to take it to the extreme, like the Lizard Man who covered his body with green scales up and down, including on his face, and had his tongue surgically split to appear more reptilian. Or the people who emblazon the names of loved ones in huge script on the sides of their necks, and the men and women who shave their heads and cover the scalp with words and images. Some people go the extra step and have metal nodes surgically implanted beneath their scalp to give the appearance of horns. For those of you with weaker stomachs, not to worry -- the most extreme tattoo I'm including here is the black and white image of a skull inked atop a guy's bald head.
[images courtesy of bmezine]
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