As the January 1st feature of the day, I have the opportunity to fill this space with a look back on the top tattoo stories of 2006. This means I can regurgitate text and links as I nurse a hangover in the Caribbean.

Tattoos made major headlines this year, making us laugh, cry and vomit. For this look back, I’ve chosen some stories with the greatest punch and threw in a couple of faves for flavor. Enjoy!


Oklahoma Lifts Tattoo Ban

The last US state banning tattoos changed its tune and new regulations came sweeping down the plains. While the law has a few flaws, at least it protects tattoo artists from being raided and jailed as they were at the start of the year.

The past year also marked the first legal tattoo ever needled in South Carolina.


New Survey: Over A Quarter of Americans Are Tattooed

The media slurped up a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology revealing that one in four Americans are tattooed, and that total rises to nearly one in three for those between 18-to-29 years of age. Mainstream status is solidified. Tattooed lawyers are inexplicably “messengers of cool”. Children’s books are crafted for decorated moms. And the good ole tramp stamp needs defending.


Tattoos in the Workplace

With the rising popularity of body art, comes the rising debate of whether tattoos and piercings should be forbidden at work. Even though tattooed professionals make headlines, dress codes telling workers to cover up are consistently upheld. The issue even gets debated in the NY Times Ethicist column.

At least, Cisco Burger is hiring.


Disappearing Tattoo Inks

For those looking for tattoo cool but only until graduation, new inks were developed this year that fade or get zapped away with a single laser shot. Commitment-phobes rejoice. Parents of teenagers breathe collective sigh of relief.


Frozen Tattooed Mummy Found

Proving that tattoos were once meant to last a lifetime and even 2,500 years afterward, the mummified corpse of a Scythian warrior was found in Mongolia with inked skin intact. The term "old school" is quickly redefined.


Such record breaking tattoo news begs the question: Will this new year be able to top it?

It just might if the eBay forehead tattoo play is any prediction.


Marisa_DiMattia is a lawyer and editor of Needled.com, a blog on tattoo art and culture.