Recently, former Desperate Housewives and soon-to-be Jane the Virgin actress, Eva Longoria, posted various pictures and videos on her Snapchat about the removal of a small wrist tattoo. Although she did not directly say it, her statements on pain of tattoo removal and her personal regrets on that tattoo and several others she had already had removed hinted at an advisory to not get tattoos at all. While she may have meant to think through the body-altering decision thoroughly before committing to something practically irreversible, I believe it is very impolite to tell others what they should do with their bodies—especially when it comes down to emotions and art.

For almost a year now, I have had my tattoo and have had almost no regrets at all. While some people have criticized it for many reasons, at the end of the day it was ultimately my choice that I'm content on. Some people get tattoos in sensitive areas or even controversial areas like the face (a place I would never get one at), it comes down to whatever you want to do with your body. As a feminist and someone who supports personal choice over one's body, tattoos like piercings and many other body modifications should be based on what you want because nobody else owns your body except for you.

One of the biggest criticisms of tattoos is that they are unprofessional, despite the fact that about 21% of people were tattooed by 2012 and recent updates to research and statistics show that most people may have been positively viewing tattoos for a while, even in professional settings. Another great critique of tattoos is that they are permanent and that the removal is costly and what Longoria calls "…ten times worse"; the best part of tattoos, for many people including myself, is that they do stay with you forever. For me, the meaning behind mine is one I want to keep with me eternally, regardless of others' opinions. Longoria, whose previous three tattoo removals were tied to her ex-husband, proves that if you do choose to make this lasting decision that billions have done before, you should still think the decision cognizantly.