CINDY, INCIDENTALLY:

As an ornery 17-year-old Goth kid, getting a black widow tattoo seemed like a logical idea, because it matched my black velvet trench coat, naturally.

Years later, this tattoo has evolved into a controversial conversation piece I defend when people ask what the “meaning” is behind the man-eating spider etched on my right shoulder.

Had I known I was going to spend the rest of my life convincing people my tattoo is not a symbol of my own personal relationship issues, I may have picked a unicorn or a puppy.

Nowadays, the popularity of tattoos is on the upswing, especially with reality shows like “LA Ink” and “Miami Ink,” which glamorize the underbelly of the ubiquitous tattoo culture.

For local tattoo artists the rise of ink comes with mixed feelings.

HB Tattoo on Beach Boulevard, one of Orange County’s most well-known tattoo shops, has clients from well-tatted surf punks to sorority girls coming in for their first ink.

The shop’s greatest challenge is dealing with folks who want tattoos that either mean something to them at that moment (read: intoxicated) or appear on a visible spot.

“It’s a trend right now,” said Dennis Forrester at HB Tattoo.

“People want to show their tattoos … we discourage against it. There’s a lot of mixed opinion (on the popularity) … people love it, because it’s a business, but getting tattoos can be a job stopper.”

Visible tattoos from the face, neck, knuckles, top of foot, wrist, lips and arms was once reserved for people in the industry.

This also goes for musicians, athletes, fashion and anyone who works in a non-traditional industry.

“I got (a face tattoo) so I never have to really get a job again,” said Shelby Lozano, 30, an HB Tattoo artist.

“So, I’m either going to be a tattoo artist or I’ll work down the street at Big Lots.”

For Lozano and other tattoo artists, a visible tattoo is a nonverbal declaration to a way of life. But what about everyone else who comes in requesting an “I love Mom” tattoo across their knuckles or colorful stars on their throat?

“People come in here intoxicated or something is wrong in their lives and they want to get tattooed,” said artist “Cormack,” 40.

“Almost every day I gotta talk someone out of a tattoo. I don’t think a lot of thought goes into it for people.”

Tattoo artists have a business to run, but some can’t shake the responsibility of having to explain a tattoo is forever and can be a stigma if you aren’t in the right industry.

Personally, it would have been nice for the artist who crafted my black widow tattoo to gingerly explain the whole “man-eater” issue I would have to ward against from people anywhere from bars to bat mitzvahs. But for the record, it doesn’t mean anything.

I swear.

CINDY ARORA is a freelance writer for the Huntington Beach Independent.