i dont think the standards should be lowered.
i have more than a few tattoos and i am smart enough to have gotten them where thay can be covered by clothing at work.
(chest, calf, right arm just barely above short sleeve line, back, ect)
the military is now discharging people who get tats that show outside the uniform. (people who have the tats documented before this rule change are grandfathered by the old standard as long as the tats are not gang related or offensive.
professionally, it's hard for some people take a person seriously when they are painted up like a clown with ink everywhere- although this doesnt apply to all occupations.
ie: construction- get inked where ever you like as you normally do not come into direct contact with the customer.
but for other things ie; banker, insurance agent, doctor, ect, tattoos that can be seen should be no-no's