Lower-back tattoo

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Two women with lower-back tattoos wearing thongs

low-rise jeans or crop tops. Their popularity was in part due to the influence of female celebrities. A 2011 study of media stereotypes criticized media portrayals of lower-back tattoos, arguing that they were unfairly cast as a symbol of promiscuity.[1]

History

Although historically in the

low-rise jeans and crop tops may have also spurred the increase in lower-back tattoos.[4] Another appeal of tattooing the lower back is that there is little fat there, lessening the chance that images will become misshapen over time.[5] Also, the lower back is often concealed, providing women the choice of when to reveal their tattoo.[3] Although some males have lower-back tattoos, including some celebrities,[4] they are generally not acquired by men.[6]

Perception

Women's lower backs are often viewed by people as an erotic body part, leading to the association of lower-back tattoos with sexuality.[3] Lower-back tattoos are also perceived as an indication of promiscuity by some, possibly owing to media portrayals of women with tattoos.[7] A 2011 study of media stereotypes criticized media portrayals of lower-back tattoos, arguing that they are unfairly cast as a symbol of promiscuity.[1] The show Saturday Night Live seems to at least have partially played a role in bringing prejudice and shaming to the placement of the tattoo. For instance, the term "tramp stamp" started gaining widespread popularity after being used in one of their May 2004 skits.[8] In another instance, the show also satirized the practice, describing a "rub-on" tattoo remover marketed at middle-age women who received lower-back tattoos while young.[1] Sports Illustrated once edited out Danica Patrick's tattoo out of the magazine for her issue. SI stated Patrick was aware of the edit and responded "The Swimsuit Issue emphasizes natural beauty".[9] Actress Jessica Alba regretted her lower back bow tattoo and had it removed. [10][11]

Medical aspects

Medical practitioners who administer anesthesia have questioned whether

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal concluded that "epidural catheter placement through lumbar tattoos is a practitioner's decision based on clinical judgment".[12] In Current Opinion in Anesthesiology, Frédéric J. Mercier and Marie-Pierre Bonnet state that the evidence for complications when placing epidural catheters is unconvincing, but advocate avoiding the practice owing to the lack of long-term evidence.[13]

See also

References