there is a small faction of people who took tattooing to the next few levels with stretching of the earlobes and other areas as well as going full bore with implants.
I look at it as a survival of the fittest living in urban areas. As it happens in the jungle, swamps, deserts and the sea. Having an "edge" that gives the predator pause gives them another day. The criminal element will but rarely go after something even they think it too weird or "freaky" .
True story, Disclaimer: For those who have not met me i have a "few" tattoos
Back on topic. i along with other inked folks have attended conventions in some shall we say less than reputable areas of NY, Philly, Tuscon, LA etc. EXCEPT for New Awlins even in the "less than light skinned" areas anyone that approached us was like "man you white guys are crazy"
The ones who were into the large piercings, heavy facial tattoos and implants we saw the same 'groups" actually walk around them.