Body art is more popular than ever before and now a University of Calgary student is investigating whether the old stigmas remain.

The demand for tattooing and body piercing has grown in recent years.

The graduate student study examines employer's reaction to body art.

"I found people are still experiencing this. We think it's a trend and should be more accepted but people are still finding stigma," said Cayla Martin from the Faculty of Education at the U of C.

The study focuses on women and whether they need to consider how body art is perceived ahead of making the decision to get a tattoo or piercing.

At Immaculate Concept Tattoo and Piercings demand for body ink has grown.

Artist Steve Peace says most of the stigma has gone and it's become main stream.

"It's still there but it's a lot better. So many people have tattoos and piercings, employers have to allow it or they wouldn't have employees," said Peace.

The American Academy of Dermatology found nearly a quarter of 18 to 50 year olds had tattoos in 2004.