Genital tattooing
Encyclopedia
Genital tattooing is the practice of placing permanent marks under the skin of the genitals in the form of tattoo
s.
Though tattoos in general have enjoyed an upsurge of popularity, particularly in the west and among younger people, genital tattoos are still relatively rare. There are several probable reasons for this: the genital area is sensitive, it is not often publicly visible, and it is usually covered with hair
. Also, some tattooists refuse to place tattoos in these (and other) areas for a variety of reasons.
There are many reasons why a person might choose to have their genitals tattooed. Often the choice is decorative, and genital tattoo designs have been created to decoratively imitate pubic hair, to enhance the appearance of the genitals, or to create whimsical or other designs around the genital area. Some men have incorporated genital tattooing into the creation of a tattoo design in such a way that the penis
becomes a part of the overall design motif (for example, as a "nose" in a tattooed face, or as the "trunk" of an elephant). Women have created similar designs, incorporating their genitals into tattooed designs like faces and animals. This practice has long been a part of tattooing, and examples can be seen incorporating the nipples and other parts of the body into designs.
Some heavily tattooed people choose to have their genital and anal
regions tattooed to complete the work they have over much of their bodies. Others have used genital tattooing in a BDSM
context, for example to indicate "ownership" of a submissive by a dominant.
Nearly the entire genital region can be tattooed, including the shaft and head
of the penis
, the skin of the scrotum
, the pubic region and the outer labia.
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
s.
Though tattoos in general have enjoyed an upsurge of popularity, particularly in the west and among younger people, genital tattoos are still relatively rare. There are several probable reasons for this: the genital area is sensitive, it is not often publicly visible, and it is usually covered with hair
Pubic hair
Pubic hair is hair in the frontal genital area, the crotch, and sometimes at the top of the inside of the legs; these areas form the pubic region....
. Also, some tattooists refuse to place tattoos in these (and other) areas for a variety of reasons.
There are many reasons why a person might choose to have their genitals tattooed. Often the choice is decorative, and genital tattoo designs have been created to decoratively imitate pubic hair, to enhance the appearance of the genitals, or to create whimsical or other designs around the genital area. Some men have incorporated genital tattooing into the creation of a tattoo design in such a way that the penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
becomes a part of the overall design motif (for example, as a "nose" in a tattooed face, or as the "trunk" of an elephant). Women have created similar designs, incorporating their genitals into tattooed designs like faces and animals. This practice has long been a part of tattooing, and examples can be seen incorporating the nipples and other parts of the body into designs.
Some heavily tattooed people choose to have their genital and anal
Anus
The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
regions tattooed to complete the work they have over much of their bodies. Others have used genital tattooing in a BDSM
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
context, for example to indicate "ownership" of a submissive by a dominant.
Nearly the entire genital region can be tattooed, including the shaft and head
Glans penis
The glans penis is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the penis. The glans penis is anatomically homologous to the clitoral glans of the female...
of the penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
, the skin of the scrotum
Scrotum
In some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly...
, the pubic region and the outer labia.