The trick at many places of employment, it's your job to represent the company or client, not yourself. Inability to recognize that basic fact reflects on your professional judgment if you're looking for work in such an environment. You can do fine with ink, piercings, and the like, but make sure you choose a profession where that won't get in the way.

The reality is that there are always standards for appearance at work and in regular life. This has nothing to do with tats per se -- suits and ties generate negative impressions in plenty of environments too. Once you reach a certain level of departure from the "norm," you will be perceived as provocative. There's nothing wrong with that. But if you do something that you expect others will find provocative, you shouldn't be surprised if your plan succeeds.