TATTOO BOOM

Tattoos were once a sign of rebellion or masculinity, proudly worn by the likes of bikies, rockstars, soldiers and sailors.

But now their reach is far wider.

The tattoo industry is currently booming, and has found its way into popular culture.

Brad Bako runs Fat Ink Tattoo in Newcastle, the oldest studio in the city, and says designs are becoming bigger and bolder.

“I think people are still interested in tattooing, I think the TV shows make it look easy, make it look un-painful…I think there are more people who are interested.”

“I think these days people are considering their designs more, they are not just getting the little tiny sticker in the middle of their arms. They are planning it out, they are wanting a full sleeve or a half sleeve, something bigger for their first tattoos.”

The success of tattoo reality TV shows such as Miami Ink and the exposure of tattooed celebrities has helped eliminate any negative stigma associated with the practice.

“Rhianna might have a little bit done and we’ll have 100 people walk in asking for the same thing. I this it’s common for people to follow on what celebrities get.” Mr Bako says.

As they become more common there is no limit to who or what can be tattooed.

” I had a customer that had his arm cut off just below his elbow and we tattooed a big fingernail on there and he looked like he had a finger coming out of his arm which was bizarre but a lot of fun.”

So how does it work?

Graphic by David Threlfo

Needles repeatedly inject ink into the dermis layer of the skin – a painful and permanent process – raising the question of how young is too young to get a tattoo.

Mr Bako says even 18 is too young in some cases to know what design you’ll want as you get older.

But he has concerns for those who are even younger thinking they are ready for a tattoo.

” I don’t think a 16-year-old can decide on a tattoo that’s going to last forever and we are having a problem where these 16-year-olds are buying machines off the internet.

A quick internet search shows just how easily and cheaply a tattoo kit can be purchased online.

Fat Ink Tattoos has noticed an influx of people coming in wanting their DIY tattoos repaired.

” A lot of times they are applied heavily and incorrectly that they are causing scarring and when you’re covering them you’ll always see the original design through, they are that badly done.” Mr Bako said.

And he wants to see tighter restrictions on their sale.

” The health side of things that come with that is more concerning, they’re not really knowing the proper hygiene, the proper set up, where the needles and ink are coming from.”

TATTOO REMOVAL

As tattooing becomes more mainstream the tattoo removal business is also booming.

Sarah MacDonald works at Newcastle Tattoo Removal and says business has increased in the past 6 months.

” Every month it’s getting more and more popular with tattoo removal.”

Laser technology can be used to fade or remove ink. It is just as painful as getting the tattoo and can take between 5 and 15 treatments.

” Basically the tattoo is absorbed by the energy of the laser and it breaks that tattoo into tiny particles and the body gets rid of it through the lymphatic system.” Ms MacDonald says.

Some people are even changing their mind soon after having the work done.

” As little as a week post having their tattoo applied they want it off, we are getting more and more cover ups so people get something on and want it faded so they can get something over the top.”

Matt Thornton has gone through seven treatments to remove a dragon tattoo he had done at 18.

At the time he said he never thought he would want to get it removed.

” I just didn’t like it anymore as I aged, I just had a little daughter so I just wanted to get it off.”

While they are becoming more acceptable in society – some professions still don’t allow tattoos to be visible, and those trying to get into certain industry’s are also getting them removed.

” We are getting more and more people coming in trying to get into the military and quite a few flight attendants actually they are not allowed to have visible tattoos on their wrist.”

But the reasons for getting them off are as diverse as the designs themselves.

” We have a couple of ex-partner’s names and usually their next partner will want that removed, so they encourage the partner to get that off.”

LUCKY – The World’s Most Tattooed Man

At the age of 16 Lucky received his first tattoo – a juggling club to symbolise the time he had spent with the circus. Since then he has transformed his body into a canvas and has now found his way into the pages of the Guiness Book of World Records as the world’s most tattooed man.

It took 1500 hours in the chair to claim the title, but he hasn’t stopped. He visits Fat Ink frequently to have more done to his latest design.

And for him, getting tattooed is more than just changing his look.

“One is that I love tattoo, two I love the connection between me and the artist and what magic comes out of being creative together.”