Why are there so many tattoo models in the sex industry?

Tattoo models have always been part of the sex industry but in the recent years, there are more and more of them. They use the image of their body to distinguish themselves from others, a method that seems to pay off in a society focused on appearances. Nowadays, tattoo models even play a significant role in promoting tattoo culture and artistry.

Although tattoos have been around for centuries, their function has evolved. Formerly used for religious reasons, belonging to a group or for reasons of discriminatory identification; it is today an aesthetic tool.

In the world of social media, the body has become a reflection of who we are. Having a lot of tattoos is no longer stereotyped to a specific crowd (such as bikers, goths, junkies, queer escorts or LGBT militants) but has now become trendy, now of interest, to a wide range of social groups.

The prostitution scene in Switzerland has not escaped that trend and has even experienced a growing acceptance of tattoo models. As a matter of fact, more and more escorts tattoo models have decorative, suggestive designs adorning their beautiful figure.

What is a tattoo model?

Before diving into why tattoo models are very common in the sex industry, it is important to define what is a tattoo model when it comes to sex work. In the escort industry, tattoo models are women (and men) who have tattoos that are prominently displayed, ranging from a few noticeable pieces to full-body tattoos.

For the tattoo models who choose to become an escort, having a cohesive look with their tattoos can enhance their appeal, making them stand out in the competitive sex industry.

However, it can also make it harder for them to get the clientele they are looking for because of the strong stereotype surrounding people with a lot of tattoos. Whereas a model with one or two small/medium-sized tattoos in discreet places on the body will not see any negative impact on her work potential, those who are heavily tattooed can have it more challenging. Generally, the more conservative a society/a city is, the harder it is for tattoo models to make a good living as an escort. Although some tattoo models are doing great, in Switzerland for instance, most of clients would prefer seeing an escort who has no tattoo or very few (and rather small) ones. In a city like Berlin (Germany) for instance, tattoo models will have it certainly easier than in Zurich.


Tattoo models and sex work: why so many tattoos?

Based on my observations and of my many years in this industry, I can estimate that 20% of escorts are heavily tattooed. Most of them do it to stand out of the crowd or to identify their belonging to a group. However, it seems that some of them wear tattoos to optimize their success in the sex industry and here are a few reasons why:

1- Taming their body

It must be remembered that many escorts start in this industry when they are still very young. Most of the time, they are young women in their twenties who see themselves emerging from adolescence and witness their changing body. The fact that some are propelled to the rank of "sex bomb" can be scary, so the tattoos help these young women tame their transformed bodies. It helps them to take ownership of their body.

2- Expressing an inner pain
 

While tattoos can be a form of self-expression and art, they can also embody deeper meanings related to pain (physical, psychological, facing life struggles…) and healing (trauma…). For many tattoo models, tattoos become a way to navigate their experiences, transforming pain into a permanent reminder of resilience, growth, and personal strength.

3- Paying tribute to her origins, history/background

Also, for many tattoo models who work as call-girls, being tattooed pays tribute to their origins. An escort with Polynesian background will choose a Māori tattoo for example, while the Arabic escort will prefer the henna. On the contrary, the Japanese escort will go for a Japanese style which follows the Yakuza/Geisha tradition.

4- An “in-situ” Act

If an escort gets a butterfly tattoo on the lower abdomen, it may symbolize the fact that she identifies herself with this little butterfly in motion. The act of tattooing is not only aesthetic, but a projection towards what we dream/aspire/identify with.

5- The "rite" of the tattoo

The tattoo artist, meanwhile, becomes the master of the art of doing harm to do good! The masochistic discharge of the tattoo seems explicit. A person comes to relieve themselves through this pain, as if the tattoo could provide enjoyment. From a bodily point of view, the link to the tattoo artist is intimate and loaded with eroticism. He/She is the one who offers a new identity to the young tattoo model in her construction phase.

We can freely admit that the approach implies living the present moment, through pain; enjoying the instant. The pleasure of designing the tattoo is just as important as the tattoo itself. The tattoo then becomes, like deflowering, a "rite of passage" to accept herself as a call-girl to be.


Avoid asking the meaning of her tattoos

Tattoo models choose to have many tattoos for a variety of reasons, often deeply personal and reflective of individual identity and experiences (self-expression, cultural and group affiliation, commemoration and memorialization, aesthetic preference, social acceptance and normalization, psychological and emotional factors…). These motivations highlight the diverse reasons behind why tattoo models choose to have many tattoos, each tattoo often carrying its own unique significance and story.

Although tattoos can become a good way to engage in a discussion with an escort during the "social part” of an encounter, remember that delving too deeply into the subject will certainly fall short of your expectations. If tattoo models want to share with you the story of their tattoos, why not? But you should not be too pushy on this and respect their decision of not wanting to talk about it, especially not with someone they don’t know.

Gentlemen, enjoy the aesthetic beauty of a tattoo model rather than trying to understand the symbolic significance of the tattoos that adorn her pretty body... Also do not assume that tattoo models will inevitably be willing to offer PSE or are more drawn to kinky services: actually many of them are mainly GFE providers!


Janet – The Velvet Rooms

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