Although tattoos are becoming an acceptable fashion trend, they have been around since ancient times. While some cultures used them to show signs of dedication to one’s tribe and religion, others reserved them for slaves and outlaws.

Today, many of those beliefs still hold true. Some see tattoos as a way of expressing their beliefs while others see them as a sign of rebellion. But now research has come out that shows that tattoos may be linked to mental illness.

It has been shown that people who get tattoos are more likely to engage in behavior that is associated with personality and behavioral disorders. But is there any truth in this?

Read on to find out the answer to the question, are tattoos a sign of mental illness?’

Are Tattoos a Sign of Mental Illness?

Research has shown that tattoos have been linked to the following disorders.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Those with ASPD are inclined to think about themselves before others and have problems with interpersonal relationships. They are obsessed with personal goals and have trouble conforming to social norms. It may not be surprising that people with this disorder are more likely to get tattooed.

Borderline Personality Disorder

BPD is characterized by outbursts of emotions and frequent, intense mood swings. Researchers believe that BPD sufferers may get tattoos because they see the pain and scarring as a way to punish themselves for their failure to manage their emotions.

More Sexual Partners

It has been shown that people who get tattoos are likely to have a greater number of sexual partners throughout their lives. They may also start having sex at a younger age. This often stems from some sort of abuse that occurred when they were younger which increases the desire to have more sex at an earlier age, usually without protection.

If You’re Gonna Do It, Do it Right

Although tattoos may be linked to some personality and behavioral disorders, they are also a great form of self-expression for many people. And if you choose to get one, you want to do all you can to keep it looking great and prevent discomfort at the area.

Ora’s Amazing Herbal Tattoo Salve is an all-natural ointment that helps protect and soothe skin while preventing color leaching of the tattoo.

Ora’s Amazing Herbal is a brand that produces synthetic free herbal salves, powders and lip balms. Their tattoo salve is slowly infused with a soothing blend of herbs meant to support healthy skin after tattooing. It nourishes skin after a tattoo and offers temporary relief from redness and itching. It also protects the tattoo’s colors.

So, are tattoos a sign of mental illness? Well, even though people with tattoos are more likely to have mental illness issues, that doesn’t mean that everyone who has a tattoo needs to consult a psychiatrist. If you love tattoos as an art form, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Keep getting these great looking pieces to show off your inner you.