TATTOO FACTS & STATISTICS

Tattoo Facts & Statistics has been compiled and updated since 1999 and contains
the best available data on the prevalence and occurrence of tattooing and basic
information about tattoo culture. This information is shared on our web site as a
public service and as a resource for those interested in tattoo culture and its study
and research. Please feel free to use this information, but also please acknowledge
your source, www.vanishingtattoo.com

Emerging from their often unsavoury reputation of the recent past, tattoos have gained increasing prominence in the
past decade. Life magazine estimated in 1936 that 10 million Americans, or approximately 6% of the population had
least one tattoo. Harris Polls, done in 2003 and 2008, shows those numbers at an estimated 16% (2003) and 14%
(2008) of Americans now have one or more tattoos. For a complete breakdown of the Harris Poll numbers and
trends, see below.

Thirty-six percent of those ages 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40, have at least one tattoo, according
a fall 2006 survey by the Pew Research Center. (see pdf of tattoo poll numbers)

The National Geographic News stated in April 2000 that 15% of Americans were tattooed (or approximately 40 millio
people!)

Esquire Magazine estimated in March 2002 that 1 in 8 Americans was tattooed.

The Harris Poll done in 2003, estimated that fully 36% of those aged 25-29 had one or more tattoos. Another Harris
Poll done in 2008 showed that same age group had dropped to 32% with one or more tattoos.

According to the American Society of Dermatological Surgery, they stated in 2005, that of all the people they
treat with laser and light therapy, only only 6% are getting a tattoo removed.

A 2006 a study done by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatologyfound that 24% of Americans
between 18 and 50 are tattooed; that's almost one in four. And the survey showed that about 36% of Americans
age 18 to 29 have at least one tattoo!

Make no mistake about it, the tattoo industry is hot property. There are an estimated 20,000+ parlors operating in
the United States, according to a U.S. News & World Report article, which said, on the average, an establishment is
being added in the country every day. The article ranked tattooing as the sixth fastest growing retail venture of the
1990s, right behind Internet, paging services, bagels, computer and cellular phone service.

TATTOO INDUSTRY SPAWNS POPULAR OUTGROWTH

*Search Engine Lycos, ranked the Top 50 search terms every week. "Tattoos" was the third most popular search
term in 2002, the fourth most popular search term in 2001, seventh most popular search term for the year 2000,
and the eleventh most popular search term in 1999. "Tattoo and tattoos" is one of only seven search terms to
never fall out of the Top 50 Search terms in the 199 weeks since Lycos has been keeping track. The other six are
Dragon Ball, Pamela Anderson, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Las Vegas and the WWE/WWF.

*In July of 2002 "tattoos" reached its highest ranking ever, coming in as the number two most requested search
term on the internet. "Tattoos" was requested more often than Britney Spears, marijuana or Kazaa, illustrating that
skin ink is more popular than "sex, drugs and rock n' roll!"

Lycos dropped the term "tattoos" from it's Poll because the term was so popular. According to Lycos, tattoos rarely
drops out of the top ten search terms requested on the Internet and Lycos dropped the term because they wanted
to make room for other searches.

Search engine Ask.com found these stats about tattoo searches:

LA fashion week reminds us once again that trends come and go. But, while the Devil may wear Prada, Search
Engine Ask.com reveals that tattoos have been stealing the scene as the #1 searched beauty term since 2003. No
longer taboo, the popularity of tattoos prove that skin is always in.

-- Virtually every language is searched for in tattoo designs: from Aztec sayings to Russian phrases, but Japanese
and Chinese characters/symbols are among the most frequently searched.

-- Location, location, location: Backs rank the highest in searches (lower, upper and all over). But, not far behind:
necks, arms, wrists and ankles. Unmentionables also rank high.

-- Angelina's number, choice and types of tattoos rank the highest in the celebrity category. Ask.com searchers are
also intrigued by other celebs. Most notably, Nicole Richie, Alyssa Milano and heavy metal
rockers Metallica.

-- As for who searches for tattoos more: given the top five ranked designs, which are tribal, cross, stars, butterflies
and fairies, we'd say women.

Three in Ten Americans with a Tattoo Say Having One Makes Them Feel Sexier

Just under Half of Adults without a Tattoo Say Those with One are Less Attractive

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – February 12, 2008 – Tattoos are a much discussed form of body art. Who has them? How
many do they have and what do they mean? And, what does having a tattoo make people feel/do differently?
Currently, 14 percent of the population says they have a tattoo, just slightly down from 2003, when 16 percent had
a tattoo. Certain groups are more likely to have a tattoo then others. One in five (20%) of those who live in the
West have a tattoo, compared to just 10 percent of those who live in the Midwest.

Among age groups, one-third (32%) of those ages 25-29 and one-quarter (25%) of those 30-39 have tattoos, as
do 12 percent of those 40-49. The youngest age group (18-24) is one of the age groups least likely to have a tattoo
(9%), the same as the oldest age group of 65 and older. Men are just slightly more likely to have a tattoo than
women (15% versus 13%) and Democrats are a little more likely to have tattoos (15%) than Republicans and
Independents (13% each).

These are some of the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 2,302 U.S. adults surveyed online between January 15
and 22, 2008 by Harris Interactive . ®
Not Many Regrets

Most people with a tattoo do not regret getting it (84%). As to why they have this regret, one in five (20%) say it‟s
because they were too young when they got the tattoo while 19 percent say it‟s because it is permanent and they
are market for life. Others say they regret the tattoo because they don‟t like it (18%) while 16 percent regret their
tattoo because they fade over time.

How Tattoos Make People Feel

When presented with eight different personal characteristics, majorities say that compared to not having a tattoo,
having one makes them feel no different. This is especially true when attributed to being healthy, athletic or
intelligent, where more than nine in ten with tattoos say it makes no difference in how they feel. Over one-third
(36%) of those with a tattoo, however, saying having it makes them feel more rebellious, up from 29 percent who
felt this way in 2003, and three in ten (31%) say the tattoo makes then feel sexy. One in five (19%) each say
having the tattoo makes them feel attractive and strong.

What People Without Tattoos Think About People With Them

One-third of those without a tattoo (32%) say people with tattoos are more likely to do something most people
would consider deviant compared to 12 percent of those with a tattoo who say the same. Two-thirds (67%) of
those without a tattoo say having a tattoo makes no difference in whether someone would do something deviant.

Over half of those without a tattoo (54%) do believe that someone with one is more rebellious, almost the same as
those who thought this in 2003 (57%).

While those with a tattoo may think it makes them look attractive, those without do not agree as just under half
(47%) say people with tattoos are less attractive (up from 42% who felt this way in 2003) and two in five (39%) of
those without one, say people with a tattoo are less sexy. Just about one-quarter of those without tattoos, say
those with are less intelligent (27%) and less healthy (25%).

What About Piercings and Henna Tattoos?

This year we also asked about other things people might have. First, half of all adults have pierced ears (50%)
while half do not have them (50%). When it comes to other types of piercings, the number drops drastically. Just 5
percent of adults have a piercing on their body, but not on their face, while 2 percent of adults have a piercing on
their face, but not their ears. The number of adults who have a henna tattoo, that is tattoos that are not
permanent, is also very small, just two percent.

There is a difference among those who have tattoos and those who do not among these other items. Two-thirds
(65%) of those with a tattoo have pierced ears compared to 47 percent of those who do not have tattoos. Other
piercings are also more common among those with tattoos as 16 percent have something on their body, but not on
their face, pierced and 6 percent have a piercing on their face, but not their ears compared to just 3 percent and 1
percent respectively of those with no tattoo.

So What?

In the past five years, much has been discussed about the stigmas of those with tattoos. But, that does not seem
to have much of an impact of the number of people who have them as just 2 percent fewer Americans say they
have tattoos. Also, the number who regrets their tattoo has also not really changed in the past five years. But, if
the number of the youngest age group continues to shun tattoos, and that continues as younger teens hit 18, there
may be a change in those having tattoos in the long run.

The Harris Poll #15, February 12, 2008

By Regina A. Corso, Director, The Harris Poll, Harris Interactive
 TABLE 1
WHO HAS TATTOOS?
"How many tattoos do you currently have on your body?"
(People saying "one or more")
2003 2008
Base: All Adults
All Adults 16% 14%
Region
East 14% 12%
Midwest 14% 10%
South 15% 13%
West 20% 20%
Age
18 - 24 13% 9%
25 - 29 36% 32%
30 - 39 28% 25%
40 - 49 14% 12%
50 - 64 10% 8%
65 + 7% 9%
Sex
Male 16% 15%
Female 15% 13%

Race/Ethnicity
White 16% 15%
Black 14% 7%
Hispanic 18% 15%

Party I.D.
Republican 14% 13%
Democratic 18% 15%
Independent 12% 13%
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual 31% 25%

TABLE 2
REGRET HAVING A TATTOO?
"Do you ever regret getting a tattoo?"

Base: Currently Have a Tattoo

2003 2008
Yes 17% 16%
No 83% 84

TABLE 3
WHY REGRET HAVING A TATTOO?
"Why do you regret getting a tattoo?"

Base: Yes, Regret Getting a Tattoo

Too young when I got the tattoo 20%

Permanent (marked for life) 19%
Don‟t like it 18%
They fade over time 16%
Location (too hard to hide) 12%
 Poor choice/picked the wrong tattoo 11%
Was stupid/dumb thing to do 10%
Poorly done/doesn‟t look professional 9%
Cost too much to remove 7%
Ugly/doesn‟t look good 7%
Personality changes/doesn‟t fit my present lifestyle 3%
Other 5%

TABLE 4
TATTOOS AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
“Do you think people with tattoos are more or less likely to do
something most people would consider deviant?”

Base: All Adults

Totals 2008 - Have tattoo
2003 2008 Have Do not have
More likely 27% 29% 12% 32%
Less likely 2% 2% 3% 1%
No difference 71% 69% 86% 67%

TABLE 5
HOW HAVE A TATTOO MAKES ME FEEL
"Please complete the following sentence:
'Compared to not having a tattoo having a tattoo has made me feel...?'"

Base: Currently Have a Tattoo

More Less No Difference
Intelligent 5% 2% 93%
Sexy 31% 1% 68%
Spiritual 13% 5% 82%
Rebellious 36% 2% 62%
Attractive 19% 3% 78%
Athletic 5% 1% 94%
Healthy 4% 3% 93%
Strong 19% * 81%
Note * indicates less than 0.5%

TABLE 6
HOW HAVE A TATTOO MAKES ME FEEL - TREND
"Please complete the following sentence:
'Compared to not having a tattoo having a tattoo has made me feel...?'"
Those saying more

Base: Currently Have a Tattoo

2003 2008
Rebellious 29% 36%
Sexy 34% 31%
Attractive 26% 19%
Strong 16% 19%
Spiritual 20% 13%
Intelligent 5% 5%
Athletic 3% 5%
Healthy 4% 4%
Note * indicates less than 0.5%

TABLE 7
ATTITUDES OF THOSE WITHOUT A TATTOO
"Please complete the following sentence:
'Compared to people without tattoos, I think people with tattoos are...?'"

Base: All Without Tattoos

More Less No Difference
Intelligent 1% 27% 71%
Sexy 6% 39% 55%
Spiritual 5% 25% 70%
Rebellious 54% 3% 43%
Attractive 4% 47% 49%
Athletic 5% 13% 82%
Healthy 2% 25% 73%
Strong 8% 10% 82%

TABLE 8
ATTITUDES OF THOSE WITHOUT A TATTOO - TREND
"Please complete the following sentence:
'Compared to people without tattoos, I think people with tattoos are...?'"

Base: All Without Tattoos

More Less
2003 2008 2003 2008
Intelligent * 1% 31% 27%
Sexy 8% 6% 36% 39%
Spiritual 3% 5% 29% 25%
Rebellious 57% 54% 2% 3%
Attractive 4% 4% 42% 47%
Athletic 4% 5% 14% 13%
Healthy 1% 2% 21% 25%
Strong 8% 8% 8% 10%

TABLE 9
PIERCINGS AND HENNA TATTOOS
“Do you have any of the following?”

Base: All Adults

Have Do not have Decline to answer
Pierced ears 50% 50% *
A piercing on your body, 5% 95% 1%
but not on your face
Henna tattoos, that is tattoos that 2% 97% 1%
are not permanent
A piercing on your face, but not on 2% 98% 1%
your ears

TABLE 10
PIERCINGS AND HENNA TATTOOS
“Do you have any of the following?”
 Those saying have

Base: All Adults

Total Have Do not have
Pierced ears 50% 65% 47%
A piercing on your body, 5% 16% 3%
but not on your face
Henna tattoos, that is tattoos that 2% 3% 2%
are not permanent
A piercing on your face, but not on 2% 6% 1%
your ears

Methodology

This Harris Poll® was conducted online within the United States January 15 and 22, 2008, among 2,302 adults
(aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted
where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting
was also used to adjust for respondents‟ propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error
which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated
with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and
adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words “margin of error” as they are misleading. All that can
be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random
samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive
surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is
based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error
can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the largest and fastest-growing market research firms in the world. The company
provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which
lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris
Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The
company has built what it believes to be the world‟s largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online.
Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its North American, European and Asian offices, and through a
global network of independent market research firms. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at
www.harrisinteractive.com.

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to participate in future online surveys, visit
www.harrispollonline.com.

Press Contact:
Tracey McNerney
Harris Interactive
585-214-7756

The Harris Poll #15, February 12, 2008

By Regina A. Corso, Director, The Harris Poll, Harris Interactive

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