Tattooing is a type of permanent body modification that is made by puncturing the skin with needles and injecting inks and dyes into the skin. Many people in the past considered tattoos to be taboo and associated it with rebellion and unprofessionalism. But the art form has come a long way and is now being accepted in society as man’s way of expressing themselves through body art. It may sound like a harsh procedure, but it is absolutely safe in contrast.
Top Tattoo Shops in Singapore
Tattoo Shop |
Iron Fist Tattoo |
Speciality | The sylphlike illustrations they do here at Iron Fist Tattoo are stunning and elegant, with an emphasis on tone and illusion. From stunning geometrical craftsmanship to the bizarre, this studio will definitely carve up a one-of-a-kind creation for you. |
Website | https://www.facebook.com/pg/ironfisttattoo |
Address | 21B Mosque Street |
Review 1 | Beverly is a talented and aspiring tattooist that hears you out! ~this memorial tattoo will not be as beautiful as it is right now without Bev’s patience and commitment for it! Her colleagues are encouraging and friendly as well! |
Review 2 | Khai was very professional and extremely patient with me since I had a hard time keeping still.
He is very skilled in tattooing a moving target and meticulous in making sure all the details of the tattoo match the original piece. |
Review 3 | I traveled to Iron Fist from Indonesia to get tattooed by Khai and couldn’t have been happier with the experience. The shop was clean, sunny and comfortable. Khai was very professional and down to earth, I enjoyed every aspect of getting tattooed by him. My tattoo looks amazing! It won’t be my last from him… this guy seriously rocks and he’s got a great team and studio at very fair prices. Thanks Khai |
Tattoo Shop |
Wild Paw Tattoo Co. |
Speciality | Wild Paw is famous for its modern and classic tattoo styles. Most of their best tattoos in Singapore consist of lovely and cute designs, perfect for the women out there who’d like to treat themselves to a beautiful portrait of their pets or favourite cartoon characters.
For men, they also create gothic and ethical designs for a cool and classic look. |
Website | https://www.wildpawtattoo.com/ |
Address | 30a Bali Lane |
Telephone | (65) 9116 1885 |
Review 1 | Extremely clean, great vibe and excellent work. Thank you, Olivia! |
Review 2 | Got a tattoo from Jia Bei. She is a wonderful artist. Patient(she is very calming and doesn’t make me nervous!), friendly(she talk to me like a friend!), and caring(she printed a few of different sizes and direction of the tattoo for me to choose and gave me nice advice based on what I really need!), and extremely gentle(she keep asking if I’m okay or comfortable as I was laying down). She even offered to help me wrap on my another fresh tattoo(done by other artist one day ago). So sweet and lovely
And the place was amazing, definitely recommend |
Review 3 | Great place with the chillest vibes! The artists are also incredibly skilled and super nice! I love coming here :)) |
Tattoo Studio |
Lovesick Tattoo Studio |
Speciality | LOVESICK TATTOO Studio was established in 2012 and founded by tattoo artist Louis Tham who has been in this profession for a decade. Alongside Louis, Lovesick Tattoo Singapore has two professional resident tattooist M.H and Kian Tan.
They are committed to delivering a safe sterile working environment for our customers and staff along with producing breathtaking tattoos. |
Website | https://www.lovesicktattoostudio.com/ |
Address |
Parklane Shopping Mall, 35 Selegie Road #05-03
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Telephone | (65) 8163 0700 |
Review 1 | My tattooist – Ming Hui was awesome! I compared the stencil vs the end results on my arm – there were so much more details on the actual ink. He took his time to really perfect the ink and yes he was very much focus throughout the process – 2 hours of undivided attention – no joke. I will definitely return to Lovesick when the itch kicks in again! thank you once again for the lovely design! |
Review 2 | nice place..and they very kind person the artist who will do the tattoo..they want you to satisfied so theyre doing the best and good job |
Review 3 | Noah is professional in his work and he’s quite a nice and friendly person, charming as well. lol.. He gave great advice and recommendations which is relevantly helpful. During the process of the art, he did it spontaneously and he could slay a dragon with those needles. No qualms about it. I am sure that I love the tattoo he did for me. No doubts I’ll come back for more haha |
Tattoo Studio |
Vagabond Ink Tattoo |
Speciality | Vagabond Ink is a private studio that sits in the heritage district of Singapore. A bunch of very different personalities with diverse backgrounds and influences, the VI crew prides itself as a collective of artists and designers, each donning a distinctive style. |
Website | https://www.vagabondink.com/ |
Address | 333 Kreta Ayer Road #01-21 |
Contact | Contact them here |
Review 1 | Love getting my tattoos done here, especially Valerie. Very satisfied with the final product always! Thanks and will definitely come back for my next touch up and tattoo 🙂 |
Review 2 | Valerie and the VI team of artists welcomed us with open arms in planning, designing and completing our projects. When we arrived in Singapore at VI we immediately noticed how professional, clean and well kept the studio was. Valerie accepted my project and immediately customized an amazing work of art. Exacting detail – vibrant colors – personalized touches are what make this tattoo seriously bad ass! Now, with the US Navy ban on Tattoo parlors lifted I strongly recommend Vagabond Ink to anyone who wants excellent customer service, a clean and sterile studio, and most of all SERIOUS TALENT and EXCELLENT WORK. Outstanding work Valerie! Thank you for making it permanent. |
Review 3 | Great vibes and great artists. They really try to read and analyze your skin before you got inked. They have strict rules of procedure and cleanliness. Totally recommended. |
Tattoo Studio |
Charlotte Tattoo. Makeup. Hair |
Speciality | Graduated from Art school with more than 20 years of tattooing experience under his belt. An eye for the finest detail in the artwork. Light-handed, no bleeding during the tattoo session. Hygienic and sterile tattoo parlour with numbing available. |
Website | http://www.charlottetattoosg.co |
Address | NEWest 1 West Coast Drive #01-K16 Singapore 128020 |
Contact | Telephone: 96522546
Email: [email protected] |
Review 1 |
first time having a tattoo. and after considering I decided to let charlotte tattoo done it for me. I was very happy with the result and really glad that I didn’t regret the choices. !! definitely will support again when i need another one
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Review 2 |
First time with Vivian, and she’s fabulous! She really takes time to understand my hair and what I want, before she starts the whole process. And I liked the personalized service, as she only does 1 to 1 basis so full attention given. Would definitely be back. Thanks Vivian! -Jeslyn Choo
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Review 3 |
Absolutely brilliant service. Second time getting a tattoo done and i am very pleased and grateful to have choose Charlotte Tattoos as it as they made it as comforting and smooth as possible for me. They didnt judge me for being afraid and was very patient . Will definitely recommend and will be back soon for more! The best anyone could get ! – Simran Kaur
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Tattoo Shop |
Think Tattoo Singapore |
Website | https://thinktattoo.org/ |
Address | #02-65 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Rd, |
Telephone | (65) 9247 1099 |
Review 1 | Elson is very professional. just completed my first session and already very satisfied with the 1st layer. cant wait to finish my tattoo and see the final product on me. |
Review 2 | Very passionate artist with amazing works! Love his designs and details. Recommended many friends here and they all love their tattoos! |
Review 3 | Professional & amazing character. If you are looking for detailed tattoo, look no further and visit thinktattoo at FarEastPlaza. |
Tattoo Shop |
Of Gods and Monsters |
Speciality | If intricate linework and legendary motifs are your thing, Samuel from Of Gods And Monsters is a master. A lot of his work is focused on figures from Asian myths and folktales and occasionally modern heroes such as Batman.
His ability to craft his artwork on flesh and make it dynamic has made him immensely popular in the local scene for those wanting more than just aesthetic appeal. |
Website | http://www.ofgodsandmonsters.com/ |
Address | 213 Jalan Besar, 4th Floor, |
Contact |
(65) 8189 7899
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Review 1 |
Samuel is a fantastic artist who is one of the most down to earth people I’ve met, despite being incredibly talented. His art is top notch and so is his customer service. From the first time you talk to him about getting your tattoo, he walks you through the process and makes sure that you are comfortable every step of the way. I’ve had several lengthy sessions with him and each time he has made it go by quickly by engaging with me in some top quality banter. If you’re looking for new ink, whether this is your 1st tattooing your 20th, give this guy a go, you won’t be disappointed!
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Review 2 |
Hey wanted to say thanks for a couple great tattoos. Tracy loves her tattoo healed very well, as well as mine. Samuel is very professional and puts down great ink. Also great conversation, very easy to talk too.
Thanks again from your Canadian friends. We’ll see you again next time through Singapore |
Review 3 |
Went in on Thursday, talked about what i wanted and gave samuel the pics, made the tattoo appointment for Monday. Go in today talk with Samuel and Moon, get the tattoo all drawn up, and bang 4 hours later I walk out with a new awesome tattoo. Great chilled workspace, the guys had agents of shield playing on tv in the background 😉 recommend going in and seeing the guys if your looking for a great tattoo place in Singapore.
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Tattoo Shop |
Visual Orgasm Tattoo |
Speciality | Visual Orgasm first opened its doors in 2005, for those that believe in the “freedom of expression”, Creating what’s beyond our imaginations without boundaries or limitations.
They take pride in providing a positive experience from easing someone into their first tattoo to marking significant events in their lives. All with the client’s best interests in mind. |
Website | https://www.visual-orgasm.com/ |
Address | 8B Canton St, Level 3 |
Telephone | (65) 9856 9478 |
Review 1 | I know Joe from last 10 or so years. And he is super talented and an amazin person to hang out with. I have most of body tattooed by Joe.. highly recommended for insane custom tattoos. |
Review 2 | Ah! How could I ever forget to write a review for the talented Joseph?! He was an angel and redid a tattoo that had been done a bit poorly in Thailand. He made it look perfect! An artist that dares to fix someone else’s mistake is a humble artist that deserves much gratitude. Then I got a beautiful black and grey realistic rose tattoo on my shoulder. This was about 5 years ago already. Eek! Sorry for the very late review. But, better late than never right? I love my rose and get loads of compliments for it! Joseph was kind, easy going, and an amazing tattoo artist! Thank you Joseph! I would go back to him for many more if I had him closer to me! |
Review 3 | Bobo was a lovely, knowledgeable man, and did a FANTASTIC job on my arm (which was to cover a scar). I’m very very happy with my tattoo and the time and care that was taken to create such a beautiful design for me. I’d highly recommend Bobo and visual orgasm. I’ll definitely be going back to see him again. |
Tattoo Shop |
8 Volts Tattoo |
Speciality | For the chance to display some flashy color work, 8 Volts Tattoo is your place, whether it’s a more classical design or the more eccentric pieces. The pompous use of bold colors immediately draws the eye and works really well on large scale.
Besides that, the intimidating wave-like, tiled layering makes the whole piece pop out immediately and is further accented with what seems to be rather uncanny interpretations of Japanese artwork. Services: tattoo and piercing services |
Website | http://www.8voltstattoo.com/
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/8VoltsTattoo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/8voltstattoo/?hl=en |
Address | 150 Orchard Road, #03-12 Orchard Plaza Singapore 238841 |
Contact | Tel: (65) 6737 7948
Email: [email protected] |
Review 1 | From the initial meeting and subsequent design discussions to the tattoo sessions themselves, Joe put me completely at ease. Fantastic service, amazing artist and all round good bloke. Have already recommended Joe and 8 Volts to friends and sing the shops praises whenever I’m asked about my sleeve. Looking forward to my next visit! |
Review 2 | Joe helped me design a meaningful and beautiful irezumi piece on my back. It is my biggest and most special tattoo yet! Even through the pain of almost 4 hours, the pleasure of my artwork is timeless. I’ll definitely return once I commit to my next idea. |
Review 3 | Joe and his team are very professional and friendly people! Got my tattoos by Joe and I am very impressed with his detailed explantation throughout the process to make me feel at ease, he is extremely knowledgeable to answer all questions. The shop’s hygiene is world class and I know i’m in good hands. Definitely a place to go for getting an awesome piece of tattoo! Thanks Joe and team. |
Tattoo Shop |
Singapore Electric by Gimmelovetattoo |
Speciality | With more and more people leaning toward more indiscernible tattoos or sticker-style shapes you could place at any particular part of your body, it’s amazing to see someone still pulling epic landscape, full-body needlework that inspires awe and wonder like the ones created by head honcho Augustine Nezumi.
Every brilliant artist leaves a mark, and you will leave here with ink that will stupefy and amaze. |
Website | https://www.facebook.com/singaporeelectric/ |
Address | 24 Bali Lane |
Telephone | (65) 9672 2347 |
Review 1 | Had my Souichi Tsujii tattoo done by Frankie today, did amazing work and the line art is superb! Not only was he accommodating he’s also very fun to talk and easy to talk to, the effort he puts into his ink is top notch.
Definitely worth a visit! |
Review 2 | Couldn’t be happier with how my tattoo came out. Even better than I had in my head. Would 100% recommend |
Review 3 | I had Kelvin tattoo a kabuto mask on the back of my arm. good communication (considering he works very late so the man needs his sleep). kelvin was able to proportion my tattoo with my body and i am over the moon with the results! highly recommend this studio. Very relaxed atmosphere. Thanks once again Kelvin to you and your team! |
Tattoo Shop |
Fingers Crossed Studio |
Speciality | Jared Asalli is the mastermind behind this enterprise, and he is not easy to reach because he is booked months in advance. Sublime, labyrinthine Polynesian-inspired graphical works are his specialty, working in the abstract and abstruse to create some of the more transcendental ink work in Singapore.
Focusing almost always on black and grey, which is his signature, his skill is such that his patterns more often than not require a second glance. |
Website | https://itsfingerscrossed.com/ |
Address | 802 French Road |
Review 1 | I had the best experience possible for my first tattoo with Jared from Fingers Crossed Studio. Not only does the design, colour surpasses every bit of expectation I had (in terms of how neat, precise and intricate it is), the service was also extremely good and everyone has been super helpful with me and really did me a solid favour. I can’t thank you guys enough, and I will definitely recommend to any person that ask me about my piece!! THANK YOU |
Review 2 | My second visit. Still the same friendly welcome. Love the peaceful & clean ambience. Will definitely go back. Highly recommended. |
Tattoo Shop |
Inkvasion Tattoo Studio |
Speciality | Inkvasion Tattoo Studio is owned by Tattoo Artist Glenn Tan who has over a decade of tattooing experience tattooing since 2009 and was previously working at a reputable tattoo shop in Clarke Quay together with Brandon Christopher.
They offer UV blacklight tattoos for a magical glow and cover-up tattoos to hide unwanted tattoos. They feature dynamic tattoo styles such as traditional American, Japanese oriental, pet portraits, fine line tattoos, and many more! |
Website | https://inkvasiontattoo.com/ |
Address | 545 Orchard Road #06-15, Far East Shopping Centre |
Telephone | (65) 8127 5371 |
Review 1 | This place is really good!! The tattoo artist was nice and they are really hands on to their work. When it comes their design, they are really good and very detailed to the design. The interior oh their shop was quite good and comfortable. And when it comes to the price, it was really affordable and suits to you budget. If I’ll be given a chance to go back here, I would lovely do. |
Review 2 | I got my parents’ signature tattooed by Glenn and it was a memorable and enjoyable experience! I felt very comfortable getting tattooed by him. This tattoo is the only meaningful tattoo that I have and definitely my favorite, all thanks to Glenn! He is very easy to work with. He is skillful, safe, punctual, efficient and most importantly professional. The work station is also very sterile and uncluttered, something I always look out for when getting tattooed. It was a terrific experience overall, thanks Glenn! |
Review 3 |
I’ve been reading good reviews about Glen’s work and was not disappointed. I got a very good impression of professionalism from glen and I’ve been to quite a few tattoo artists over the years. He was friendly nice and on top of that the prices are reasonable. He did a great job with my tattoo and I’m very happy with my new ink!! I found my favourite tattoo shop and would have a hard time being convinced to go elsewhere.
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Tattoo Shop |
Galaxy Tattoo 2 |
Speciality | If you favour the ever-popular intricate and epic Japanese inkwork, this place should be high on your list. Helmed by legend Nicckuhori, who is himself a protege of the legendary Horiyoshi III, you know you will be getting something that is powerful, bright and jaw-dropping if you’re to get your tattoo done here |
Website | https://www.facebook.com/galaxytattoo2 |
Address |
16A Trengganu Street |
Telephone | (65) 6222 2182 |
Review 1 | Clean and hygienic – Had a few tattoos done by Nicc before and he has great, steady hands! He takes the time to plan and work things out for you how you want it. Highly recommended. |
Review 2 | Clean and hygienic – Had a few tattoos done by Nicc before and he has great, steady hands! He takes the time to plan and work things out for you how you want it. Highly recommended. |
Review 3 | stumbled in wandering around. was here on Port visit and they took me in, and made it happen! very pleased with the work, quality, safety, and cleanliness. will return if I ever visit Singapore again! |
Tattoo Shop |
C.K. Tattoo Singapore |
Speciality | Here’s a studio that offers a refreshingly post-modernistic take. If you have something that is far out, left-of-centre and an amalgamation of different concepts and styles, this studio would probably be able to pull it off for you and make it look great.
A lot of their Japanese and Asian designs show a fresh take that breathes new life into an age-old art form. |
Website | https://cktattoosingapore.com/ |
Address | #03-01, 77 Kampong Bahru Road |
Telephone | (65) 9759 2036 |
Review | amazing artist and amazing studio, beautiful vibes. Highly recommended. |
Tattoo Shops |
Familiar Strangers |
Speciality | Familiar Strangers specialises in realism tattoos, animal portraits, Japanese and oriental designs, Polynesian tribal tattoos, feminine tattoos, and more. |
Website | https://www.familiarstrangers.info/ |
Address | Balestier Plaza, #02-31, 400 Balestier Road |
Telephone | (65) 9760 4147 |
Review 1 | Highly recommended, Joey is very friendly and is very experience and confidence. I was travelling and decided to get a tattoo, very easy to deal with, honest, listens to what you want and quoted me a fair price before we started. Did a tattoo session till 4 am because I only had one day, it took about 14 hour with about 10 hours of needlework, Passionate about his art as others have said also I enjoy my time with Joey( J.P from British Columbia, Canada). |
Review 2 | I’ve just got my 2nd tattoo done by Tommy. And again, I’m satisfied with Tommy’s dedication. The session is as good as getting a good massage! Keep up the good work, Tommy! |
Review 3 | I got a small piece done by Savin in January 2019 and I absolutely love it! I was in town, thought “let me get a tattoo” as you do, so jumped online and found this place. I read their reviews, looked up their work, and was impressed. I popped into store where I got booked in for a few days later. As I said, I love my piece 😀 |
Tattoo Shops |
Oracle Tattoo |
Speciality | Oracle Tattoo is a nondescript tattoo parlour opened in 2011 by Bradley Tan. He has been inking skins for over a decade and strictly does black and grey realism tattoos. Besides Tan, look out for Chester Lee, who specialises in blackout tattoos. |
Website | https://www.facebook.com/oracle-tattoo-136060886476453 |
Address | 19 Jasmine Road |
Review 1 | You don’t leave Oracle with just a fresh tattoo. The camaraderie between artists, friends and clients alike masks the pain; or the fact you’re getting your skin pierced every hundredth of a second. The great conversations and jokes cracked never fail to remind me: You also leave Oracle with an experience that is priceless. |
Review 2 | The artists here does amazing work. Sean took care of me. He specializes in realistic tattoos. It came out really really great! Definitely recommend Sean to anyone that wants realistic work done. Note, each artist works on appointment bases only. |
Review 3 | Greatest and most awesome tattoo parlour that Singapore had to offer. Artist are great at what they do, all them are so warm, and welcoming! Artist or a customer, everyone instantaneously become friends. |
Why do people get tattoos?
A form of self-expression
Most of the time, people get inked simply to express themselves. They see their bodies as canvases and tattoos to be intricate pieces of artwork that belong on their bodies to be displayed. Some of these tattoos may have a significant meaning, but they can also just be a pretty design that they want to be inked on their skin. These people usually see tattoos as an accessory, just as you would with jewellery and makeup and see it as a way to make a statement and create their own identity through it.
Sentimental reasons
One of the most common reasons for people getting tattooed is for sentimental reasons. These designs usually have a meaning to it and were well thought of, and sometimes even customised by an artist. These tattoos usually have a form of symbolism tied into it — whether it’s to honour a family member that has passed, a significant date, an ancient saying, or even a religious text.
Just because they want to
Finally, the simplest of reasons to get a tattoo is just because you can. Some people feel that every tattoo must hold a sort of significance or have a deep meaning behind it. But there are some people who walk into a tattoo studio and pick a design that they want on the spot. Not everything has to have a meaning behind it and the misconception that there needs to be, need to go.
Ranked: which tattoos hurt the most and the least
While the tattooing process is commonly associated with pain, there are areas in the body that hurt more than others. Here’s a brief list of common areas that hurt the least to the most.
Least pain: Arms, calves, and outer shoulder
Typically the areas that have more fat, muscle, and skin will hurt the least. This includes the arms, calves, outer shoulders, forearm, and upper thighs. The reason for this is that these areas are padded with a layer of tight skin that has fewer nerve endings and isn’t close to the bone. This layer of skin acts as a cushion or protective layer. If you want to get inked on these areas, the pain level will most likely be low to moderate, depending on your pain tolerance.
Moderate pain: Face area, hands, fingers, feet, stomach, and inner bicep
With these body parts, they don’t have as much fat or skin in the area and may have more nerve endings as well. Getting inked in these places may be more painful but definitely tolerable. Areas like the lips, hands, and stomach may be more sensitive due to the numerous nerve endings that it has compared to other body parts, so please proceed with caution.
Most pain: Rib cage, ankles, elbows, hips, neck and spine
The common denominator for the body parts mentioned above is that the skin around these areas is extremely thin and has less fat than other parts of your body. This means that when a tattoo needle comes into contact with any of these areas, they will tend to be more sensitive and also the most painful.
Now that you know which areas hurt the most and the least, you can now decide where you want to get inked!
Things to note before you get a tattoo
Get a tattoo artist that you can trust
Tattoos are permanent. The last thing that you want to go down with is an infection or terrible and poorly-made tattoo. Going to a reputable tattoo studio or finding an artist you can trust will surely lower your risk of infection and ultimately the disappointment of getting a bad tattoo.
Always look for references to an artist’s past work to see if you like the quality of their designs. Furthermore, it is important to also look up reviews of a specific tattoo studio that you’re eyeing to make sure that other people have only said good things about the work that they do.
Consider your tattoo placement carefully
Deciding where you want to place your tattoo is one of the most important decisions throughout this process. You have to consider if the design that you want will look good in the placement you desire. There are occasions where a client’s design can be pretty, but the placement is not ideal. Large designs will typically need a lot of surface area to cover such as your back, arm or rib cage, while simpler and smaller designs can be placed in more intimate areas like your wrist, ankle, or shoulder.
Ask for pain relief if you need to
There is no shame in asking for pain relief! Sometimes, there are people who have less pain tolerance than others, which is absolutely acceptable. Generally, tattoo artists go ahead with the process without general anaesthesia. But clients can avail for numbing cream upon request at an additional price.
What to expect during the entire tattooing process?
If you have finally got down to deciding to get your very first tattoo but am completely unfamiliar with the tattooing process, the thought of it may meet you with much anticipation.
As exciting as it may sound, there may also be a small element of fear for some. What if it hurts too much? What if the design does not come out the way I had in mind?
These fears may sometimes cause us to put off that decision to get our very first tattoo. However, by educating yourself on the entire tattooing process – from design all through to application – it helps to prep yourself mentally for what to expect!
So how is a tattoo applied to your skin? Here is the detailed breakdown of how a beautiful piece of art is transferred (permanently) onto your skin:
Do a thorough research on the tattoo studio and artist
There are plenty of tattoo studios and artists in Singapore. However, each tattoo artist has their own style and speciality. Some may specialise in minimalist-style tattoos, while others may focus on large and colour tattoo works. Hence, each tattoo artist may interpret your design idea differently.
Most tattoo artists tend to showcase their portfolio on social media. Use that to your advantage and narrow down the tattoo artists which you feel best suits your style and preference. Once you have found the tattoo studio and/or tattoo artist, check online reviews or enquire with them directly to ensure that they are safe and reputable.
Discuss your tattoo design with your tattoo artist
After booking an appointment with your tattoo artist, it is time to communicate your tattoo design and idea to them. Some people are dead set on a design that they have in mind, while others may have a design idea and are open to the tattoo artist’s inputs and suggestions.
Decide on the placement and size
Once you have decided on your tattoo design, it is time to decide on the placement and size. Similar to the aesthetic of your tattoo, the placement is completely up to you to decide! However, you may want to think twice about certain tattoo placements depending on various factors such as your skin condition or nature of work. For example, if you were to work in a social worker setting, having tattoos along your arms may not be appropriate for that environment.
Depending on your tattoo placement and body shape, your tattoo artist may also recommend that your tattoo be of a certain size to ensure that your tattoo placement does not look odd.
Preparation of the tattoo area
Once you have decided on your tattoo design, placement and size, it is time to get started on the actual tattooing work! The chosen area on your body for the tattoo will first need to be cleaned. This is usually done by rubbing alcohol to ensure that the area is sterilised. Any hair on the target area will also be removed by shaving with a disposable razor. Do not underestimate the importance of this step – even the finest hair can get in the way of the tattooing process and may affect the final outcome of your tattoo!
Once the shaving is done, your tattoo artist will reclean the area with alcohol to ensure that it is completely smooth and ready for the tattoo stencil transfer.
Approve placement of tattoo stencil transfer
Most tattoo studios leverage on a particular machine, also known as the thermal-fax to produce your tattoo stencil. This saves them time from having to trace the tattoo by hand on your skin. The tattoo artist will simply insert your tattoo design into the machine, and viola, it will be transferred onto a special thermal paper which can then be pasted directly onto your skin.
The transferring process from the thermal paper to your skin is typically done by moistening the skin with water or soak. This helps to ensure that the stencil transfer is better and darker on your skin, facilitating the tracing of the design during the actual tattooing process.
Your tattoo artist will prepare the necessary equipment
As your tattoo artist leaves some time for the stencil to dry, they will start preparing the necessary tattooing equipment. The tattoo inks will be placed in little cups and the tattoo needles and tubes will be removed from their sterile pouches and placed inside the tattooing machine.
Your tattoo artist will also prepare a cup of clean and distilled water to clean the tattoo needles during the tattoo process in order to change from one colour to another.
Brace yourself for the linework / tracing / shading
Now the actual tattooing process begins! Your tattoo artist will first start off by tracing the tattoo stencil that was previously transferred on your skin. They will typically apply a little ointment over your tattoo design during the process. This helps to ensure that the transfer stays on your skin longer and also ensure that the tattoo needle slides along your skin easily, ensuring smoother tattoo lines.
Once all the tattoo linework is done, your tattoo artist will move on with the shading or colour depending on your tattoo design. Some tattoo artists may switch to a different set of tattoo needles that are specifically meant for tattoo shading and colouring.
Dressing and bandaging your tattoo
While the entire tattooing process may be slightly painful for some, the entire process tends to go along quickly. Before you know it, you have a completed tattoo! It is now time to start admiring and flaunting your new tattoo!
Some tattoo artists may prefer to take a photo of your tattoo to add to their existing portfolio. This is also a good time for you to practise taking your tattoo shot as well. After all, it is a design that you and your tattoo artist have conceptualised together!
Now that your tattoo is completed, you have to treat it like a wound.The tattoo artist will first apply a layer of ointment over the tattoo which acts as a protective layer to prevent any potential infection. A bandage is subsequently applied to it and taped up to ensure that it does not come loose. Your tattoo artist will also share with you specific aftercare instructions. It is imperative to follow these aftercare instructions diligently to ensure that your tattoo heals properly and lasts longer.
What do I do if I want my tattoo removed?
In some unfortunate cases, there are times where people want their tattoo removed. Tattoo removals are usually done with laser treatments that may even cost more than when you got inked. What laser tattoo removals do is break down the tattoo ink and flush it out of your system. Depending on the size of your ink, these procedures are usually done in multiple sessions ranging from five to ten sessions. Before finally deciding to remove a tattoo, please consult with a professional first on the suitable treatments for you.
Editor’s Note:
While every precaution has been made to ensure the accuracy and fairness of this listing, we acknowledge that they may be inaccuracies. Therefore, we urge you to contact the service provider above for the correct information and/or contact us with the correct information.
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