Twenty-one percent of U.S. adults now have at least one tattoo, up from 16 percent in 2008 and 14 percent in 2003.

Why? It could be TV. The proliferation of tattoo-related television shows seems to have sparked an interest in permanent body art and made this a more acceptable form of self-expression.

But there is still a great divide when it comes to tattoos. While many embrace this as personal artwork, those who do not have tattoos are less understanding. Forty-five percent of those who don't have tattoos say adults who do have them are less attractive and 39 percent say that are not as sexy. Ouch.

That's the word from The Harris Poll, which surveyed 2,016 adults to find out who has tattoos, who doesn't and what they think of them.

Who has tattoos?

• When it comes to regions of the country, tattoos are more prevalent in the West where 26 percent of adults have at least one tattoo, compared to the South where they are more uncommon with just 18 percent inking their skin.

• 38 percent of adults ages 30 to 39 have a tattoo, compared with just 5 percent of those 65 and older.

• Surprise! Women are slightly more likely to have a tattoo than a man with 23 percent of women being inked, compared to 19 percent of men.

• Among those with a tattoo, most have never regretted getting a tattoo (86 percent) and three in 10 say it makes them feel more sexy (30 percent).

How does a tattoo make you feel?

• Sexy: 30 percent
  
• Rebellious: 25 percent
  
• Attractive: 21 percent
  
• Strong: 21 percent
  
• Spiritual: 16 percent
  
• Healthy: 9 percent
  
• Intelligent: 8 percent
  
• Athletic: 5 percent

The non-tattooed have a word or two to say: People who don't have tattoos look down on those who do, saying they are not only less attractive (45 percent) and sexy (39 percent), but also less intelligent (27 percent), healthy (25 percent) and spiritual (25 percent). In addition, half of those without a tattoo say people with tattoos are more rebellious.

--From the Editors at Netscape