Whether or not body piercing and tattooing will continue to be considered an art form and increase in popularity are subjects of debate. Some believe that permanent body art is just a passing phase and that people will lose interest in getting pierced and tattooed. “I’m not under any illusions about fashion changes - I know body piercing is hip at the moment but times change so I don’t expect to always have enough work,” states Dave Bingham, a professional body piercer and tattoo artist who runs the largest and best known salon in Ireland.

However, statistics show that permanent body art may not be just a passing fad. Instead, like cosmetics, it could become a long-term fashion mainstay. In recent years, the number of people getting tattooed or pierced has increased annually. A may 1996 issue of the medical journal Physician’s Assistant estimated that in the preceding twenty years, tattooing among women quadrupled. The number of tattoo studios throughout the United States has also increased. In 1994 there were 137 tattoo studios registered in Texas, for example. Eight years later that number had increased to over 600. In addition, the Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT), a national organization of registered tattooists, reported that its membership grew from 1,800 members in 1999 to 3,000 members in 2004.

The body piercing industry is also experiencing growth. According to International Collection, a New York City body-jewelry wholesaler, the wholesale body-jewelry industry was an estimated $3 billion business in 2003 and is projected to double or triple in the next few years. States have also reported evidence of piercing’s popularity. According to the Portland Mercury, in 2001 there were 695 licensed body piercing technicians in Oregon, an increase of 250 percent since 1996.

Many people believe that tattooing and body piercing have continued to grow in popularity because an increasing number of people are getting tattooed and pierced for personal reasons rather than because they are following a fashion trend. Whether or not body piercing and tattooing will continue to gain popularity depends on how strong these personal reasons are.