Could your tattoo stop you from getting a job?

Tattoos have been in the cultural mainstream for years. Even the prime minister has got one (a bee, on his bicep).

And there are no signs the trend is starting to fade. More people than ever are going under the needle as a form of self-expression: 40% of British 25-49 year-olds have at least one tattoo, according to a 2024 YouGov poll.

The most popular body part to be inked? The upper arm, says YouGov.

Sociologist Dr Michael Rees says a big gulf in social acceptability remains between visible and non-visible tattoos, particularly those on hands, neck and face as opposed to the rest of the body.

"I don't think it's completely accepted, and I think there's probably limits to that."

While Rees himself has his hands and neck inked, he didn't get either done until he got his first permanent job as an academic.

"Even working in the career I work in, I was concerned that it may harm my job prospects.

"I think people getting tattooed in those areas are potentially restricting the careers that they go into."