I have often tried to find cognitive arguments for using piercing and/or tattoos specifically (that some religions forbade for some reasons) but never have I found such arguments:

I can recognize evolution based communicative logic in "looking fitted yet fertile" or "looking symmetric" (or "sharp") as "logic" for sexual attraction (based on the visual context of sexual orientation of course, which can also have a pheromonaml/vocal/tactile and tasteful contexts),

but I don't recognize how piercings and/or tattoos make someone to look more fitted, fertile or symmetric/sharp (rather the contrary with symmetry) and I feel it leaves me mostly with an emotional meaning or some linguistic meaning and perhaps just these.

Does cognitive psychology explain why people use piercing/tattoos (personally but not religiously)?

I am interested in reasons why people engage in body modifications, such as piercings or tattoos. I am aware of some religious reasons, and some religions forbidding such activity, but I am interested in personal reasons in particular.

For example, I don't see how piercings and tattoos communicate fitness or fertility, help with symmetry, or improve sexual attractiveness. Perhaps there are other emotional or linguistic meanings involved?

Is there research into why people use piercings or tattoos for personal reasons?

I have often tried to find cognitive arguments for using piercing and/or tattoos specifically (that some religions forbade for some reasons) but never I found such arguments:

I can recognize evolution based communicative logic in "looking fitted yet fertile" or "looking symmetric" (or "sharp") as "logic" for sexual attraction (based on the visual context of sexual orientation of course, which can also have a pheromonaml/vocal/tactile and tasteful contexts),

but I don't recognize how piercings and/or tattoos make someone to look more fitted, fertile or symmetric/sharp (rather the contrary with symmetry) and I feel it leaves me mostly with an emotional meaning or some linguistic meaning but just these too.

Does cognitive psychology explain why people use piercing/tattoos (personally but not religiously)?

I have often tried to find cognitive arguments for using piercing and/or tattoos specifically (that some religions forbade for some reasons) but never have I found such arguments:

I can recognize evolution based communicative logic in "looking fitted yet fertile" or "looking symmetric" (or "sharp") as "logic" for sexual attraction (based on the visual context of sexual orientation of course, which can also have a pheromonaml/vocal/tactile and tasteful contexts),

but I don't recognize how piercings and/or tattoos make someone to look more fitted, fertile or symmetric/sharp (rather the contrary with symmetry) and I feel it leaves me mostly with an emotional meaning or some linguistic meaning and perhaps just these.

Does cognitive psychology explain why people use piercing/tattoos (personally but not religiously)?