Sorry for commenting so many times in a row here but I just had a flash back (not a ptsd "flashback") but to a fond memory from high school. I had a very artistic friend; we'd sit in the back of health class and every day she would draw a little green creature on my arm. It started as an alien with the green but it evolved into the great fun of "stick-figure-of-the-day." (Ohh yeah, the wonders of the American education system. How is it possible I read and write?? ha.)
My mother actually expressed concern that the ink might be toxic! She had her moments... She thought I would come down with scurvy when I left for college. She does not remember this now, but I swear up and down she had this bizarre fear.
WAIT that's off the point.
The point is - when you are 16 years old, it is not very revolutionary to put ink on one's skin. I am glad I always went the non-permanent way - I have heard that people who self-harm tend to get more tattoos than average.
Also though if ink helps it is absolutely worthwhile to go with the pen. You are absolutely right - you've got to know the underlying reasons before coming up with any workable plan.
