Your article shows that there was and is a vast variation of techniques and reasons for altering the body/skin. May it be for cultural or beauty related intentions, it is fascinating.

Human skin as a canvas and a message.

I did a tattoo in my twenties just for the fun of it and for having been curious if I could endure the pain. Also it was partly a hidden rebellion towards my "authorities" and maybe something I did not know. Also, I guess, I was doing it for missing something deeper in my own culture which did not provide rituals with a certain meaning other than going to church. From what my former part of "me" thought and felt this was an experience, a chance I rarely was able to catch. So I got myself into something which was available at that time and less risky as other activities.

To give and receive meaning through body appearance in our "modern" times I compare for example movie actors from today to those in the 70s and 80s. The outer appearance also followed a certain "sameness" of hair- and body-style which points into the direction of becoming "cover-like" - people try copy perfect photographs. This is a trend originating from the world of movies, the "Hollywoodization" of people:) - Does it have a deeper meaning? I don't know. I would like you to answer on that.

Thank you for providing this thought provoking content!