As tattoos stay for a lifetime, persons wanting tattoos should have a keen reason, say tattooists in the city.
They said that people approach them with unclear ideas and without understanding that tattoos stay for their lifetime. When they do not like it later, they erase it with the laser, a method that is costly.
Though tattooing has been in vogue since ancient times, it is gaining importance with new techniques and designs for the past ten years. Body art centres are also mushrooming in the city for the last two years.
Prithviraj, a tattoo artist of Kad Tattoos Studio at Anna Nagar, said, “Tattoos are of two types – the temporary one stays for between two to ten days, depending upon how the person maintains it. This costs from '200 to '5000. While permanent tattoos start at '1,500 and are rated at '500 per square inch design, there are people who have done it for '20,000 to '1 lakh. This is done using needles and machines. Training centres for tattooists are also increasing in the city these days.”
However, tattooists do not recommend a temporary tattoo as it leads to skin infection, with the design only sprayed and painted.
Clients are both men and women from 18 to 40 years. Girls prefer floral patterns, phoenix, peacocks, jewellery designs, while men prefer dragons, tribal designs, zodiac signs and armband designs.
Commenting that most boys and girls approach for a tattoo of their boyfriend or girlfriend’s name, Dr Raj, who quit dentistry due to his passion for tattooing and is the proprietor of Black Magic Body Art Studio at St Thomas Mount, says, “I don’t encourage tattooing names as it creates trouble for people in the future when there is a change in the course of living.”
“Every design has a meaning and people can show who they are through their tattoos,” he said and added that floral patterns on a girl’s body gives her a feminine look, while a fish or a phoenix signifies power. There is also a sentiment that the dragon on a man’s body should indicate his success, he noted.
