I also have tattoos, but mine was done to represent a certain point of my life either after an achievement or a better understanding of the idea of life. They are more symbolic tattoos rather than for body decoration:)

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.

The section " Images and Perceptions of the Body", in Your Body, Yourself : Part 1 covers this question quite well:)