Photos courtesy of The Edge Tattoos may be more than meets the eye. Many tattoos offer a permanent reminder to customers, whether it be a family member or a sensational experience.

By Jeffrey Brasie

For the Mining Gazette

HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN – Tattoos seem to become more visible as the spring and summer seasons arrive when clothing layers are shed.

Research reveals tattoos have a history which can be traced back to at least ancient Egypt and most likely earlier in the world’s B.C. era.

In a Psychology Today article entitled “Why People Get Tattoos,” Washington, D.C. based clinical psychologist, Vinta Mehta, Ph.D. stated within her practice she tends to see a higher tattoo presence amongst millennials. She added, “I have learned with this generation, body art is a personal expression. Or acts as a message reflecting an important moment in my client’s life.”

Dan Hunter of the Authority Tattoo blog conducted research which showed in 2012, 21 percent of Americans had a tattoo. By 2019, with similar research, this figure climbed to 30 percent. Further research by Hunter showed 40 percent of Americans under 35 years in age had a tattoo followed by those between 35 and 54 years of age at 36 percent, and finally, those age 54 and older at 15 percent.

Hunter added, in his opinion, television, movies, and most recently social media caused a significant uptick in Americans receiving body art.

In Michigan tattoo and body piercing services are licensed and regulated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Within the world’s varied religious communities, the aspect of body art is welcome, while in some faiths it is scorned.

For example, the Jewish faith forbids body art while certain Christian faiths, Buddhism, and Hinduism find tattooing acceptable.

Iron Mountain native Jeff Stroud opened Houghton’s The Edge in 1993. He commented, “In addition to offering tattoos, we were the first Upper Peninsula facility to offer piercing.”

Located on Shelden Avenue, The Edge’s first floor offers a reception area displaying jewelry, their artwork featured in various magazines, and a variety of awards the store has received.

To offer comfort and privacy, tattooing and piercing services are conducted on the building’s second floor.

Stroud commented, “This floor offers a variety of visual displays to help our customers with custom or traditional tattoo options.”

Stroud revealed traditional tattoos tend to be religious, patriotic, animal, or floral artwork. Periodically, customers will request risqué designs and placement.

The Edge’s customers range from eight to 80 years plus and tend to be a 50/50 split between males and females. Stroud added, “There are times when a child or grandchild jointly come in with their parents or grandparents for tattoos.”

As for why some customers seek a tattoo, Stroud stated it tends to be remembering an event or person.

Stroud has observed customers, who while receiving a memorial tattoo, will emotionally converse about the person.

He commented, “Ink and therapy at the same time.”

The Edge offers up-front pricing versus by the hour. A routine tattoo begins at $40 per inch. However, for an extensive design, perhaps covering a person’s back, can be $200 for each two-hour session and over multiple visits.

Recently introduced are made to fade tattoos (Ephemeral process.) Less than ten years ago this process was developed by two chemical engineers who developed an ink and application process where a temporary tattoo can be created. The tattoo can last for nine to 12 months and then fade. This relatively new process tends to be found in the larger metropolitan regions.

The body art stories are bountiful.

A healthcare clinician shared an account of preparing a patient for a procedure. As she helped the patient with an examination gown, she noted a pair of tattooed eyes on the lower back. She learned the individual lost a bet and had the artwork applied. The patient’s profession? A plumber.

A restaurant server’s left forearm displayed six paw prints. The server stated each was in honor of her dogs who have passed away.

On the Paramount television network (formerly Spike TV), northern Michigan native Josh Woods appeared as a featured tattoo artist on the Ink Master series. He practices his craft at Dana Point Tattoo in California.

Perhaps, Jimmy Buffet’s 1977 song Margaritaville’s lyrics started the tattoo uptick when he sang about his Mexican beauty tattoo?

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes feature stories and op-eds for various Michigan newspapers. As a Vietnam-era veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve. He served on the public affairs staff of the secretary of the navy. He grew up near the tip of the mitt and resides in suburban Detroit.