Face tattoos have become increasingly popular among rappers and celebrities in recent years. While face tattoos can help promote an artist's image and brand, they may hinder regular people's job prospects as employers may discriminate against face tattoos. Tattoo artists are cautious about inking faces, as face tattoos are permanent and can impact employability, so they counsel clients to ensure the decision is well-considered. Face tattoos have cultural significance in some Polynesian societies but can also signify gang affiliation; however, research shows face tattoos are not as abnormal as mainstream American culture perceives them to be.

1. FACE TIMEFace tattoos are on the rise, but what do they really mean?
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other rock stars, most Hip-Hop
artists are inked up, with a huge
percentage of their bodies covered
in tattoos. 50 Cent famously had his entire back
done, Waka Flocka Flame was on the cover of
Inked magazine recently showing off his art. But the
face tattoo seems to be the next big thing amongst
rappers. Birdman, Lil Wayne, The Game, Gucci
Mane, Yung L.A., and Soulja Boy, among others,
have all received media attention for sporting face
tattoos (some larger than others). Though they may
not have gotten as much attention as, let's say, Mike
Tyson, they sure got people talking.
The trend, however, has gone beyond the
celebrity. And while a celeb's face tattoo may be
a good press move, the average person may not
reap the benefits. Now that regular people are
proudly sporting face tattoos, it begs the question of
whether or not the permanent facial mark can hinder
them. When a Drake fan tattooed his name on her
forehead last December, the YMCMB rapper spoke
out against it, taking aim at the tattoo artist.
"I don't.mind if 78% to 90% of their body is inked;
if they want the face tattoo, I say go for it," says
In Polynesian societies, including countries like Samoa
and Tahiti, face tattoos are symbols that depict power.
The facial area is supposed to show the person's
deep dedication toward the traditional ways of the
culture. In 2003, National Geographic interviewed a
Maori chief during a film tour, when he described the
pride of getting a facial tattoo and how it affects his
culture. Then there's gang culture. Tattooed teardrops
on the face are believed to represent either killing
someone or losing someone close to you, with the first
being the most popular meaning.
For the average person trying to work a 9 to 5
in the US, however, the societal effects of a face
tattoo should not be ignored. According to a few
news reports, employers have done even deeper
background checks on employees and potential
employees with tattoos to weed out those they don't
want to hire. Some employees who work regular jobs
have had to cover up their tattoos to go to work. Nine
times out of 10, a face tattoo cannot be covered.
Removing a tattoo in general can cost hundreds, if
not thousands, of dollars, and several passes of the
laser. Johnston says he knows people who have only
face tattoos, including one man who doesn't have
"I DON'T BASH FACE TATTOOS AS LONG AS THE DECISION
IS WELL THOUGHT OUT BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY
FOR ME. IQUESTION THEM AND IF IAM SATISFIED, THEN IWILL
DO IT. IF THEY COME IN ON AWHIM, THEN IWON'T," SAYS
NICK JOHNSTON, TATTOO ARTIST.
Nick Johnston, a tattoo artist from Saving Grace
Tattoos in Brooklyn, New York. For Johnston, being .
a tattoo artist is almost like being a plastic surgeon,
counselling people before giving them a tattoo,
especially on their face. "I don't bash face tattoos
as long as the decision is well thought out because
it's not about the money for me. I question them
and if I am satisfied, then I will do it," says Johnston.
"If they come in on a whim, then I won't But that
means someone else out there will do it."
Research shows that face tattoos aren't as
abnormal as American culture would have you believe.
THESOURCE 040 THESOURCE.COM
any other ink on his body but is heavily tattooed on
his face with just words and logos. "Some people
want to give the impression they are heavily tattooed
by getting visible tattoos," he says.
According to Johnston, a lot of younger people
want their hands and neck done first, and that's a
line he won't cross. In the old days, an artist would
not tattoo hands or necks, he says. "There is a
code of ethics that a lot of new artists out here don't
respect. It's about my reputation , and if it's going to
be some bullshit, I don't want my name out there."
- Lulaine Compere
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