Bigger, bolder, braver...

Gurnaaz Kaur

Sometimes the inspiration is a music star or an entertainment celebrity and other times it is a life’s story that needs picturisation, but the fact remains scores of people are getting inked and how. Tattoos may be looked at as a style statement or a hip element, no forgetting still that it also signifies permanence. As the industry has come a long way from when it was only about tribes getting inked or a sign of rebel, the latest trends are for all to fancy. 

Artistic freedom 

Over 10 years back tattooing was all about getting a tiger, khanda or flower and if not that, then it would be someone’s initial or an identical copy of a friend’s tattoo. Things have witnessed growth, tells Rishabh Narang who founded Immortal Tattoos. “Thankfully, people do some homework and research before coming. They are open to improvisation to the designs they find on the internet. But a majority of populace needs to be told that tattoos are a self-expression first and style later.” Among the most popular designs Rishabh says are Bebe Bapu, couple tattoos, dream catchers, realism and semi-realism tattoos, illustrations and Japanese tattoos. His team of five artists is of the view that people have started giving artistic freedom. 

Talking of change, Gaurav Mahajan, who runs 23 Guns Tattoo, tells clients are getting experimental. “These days eyebrow tattooing and portraits have really become a craze.” Mandalas, geometrical designs, heartbeat tattoos and even big-size tattoos are a rage among Deepak Narang’s clients, who runs Sins Tattoo Studio in Panchkula. 

Legit art

If the likes of Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen, Virat Kohli and Hrithik Roshan endorse the idea of inking, can the white-collared workers be far away? Now, this too reflects the popularity of body artwork. “It has not even been a decade when youngsters would hide their tattoos from parents and today the parents accompany them to get inked. Doctors, engineers, IAS officers, Army personnel— I’ve tattooed all of these professionals. This is what I think is becoming of a trend,” tells Taranjit Singh Sethi, who runs Tattoo Warriors in Zirakpur.

While the trends keep coming and going, what is here to stay is the acceptance and love for the artwork. These tattoo artists consider it a milestone. “Even people in their 40s and 50s come to get tattoos made. This indicates a dilution in stigma that was once attached to tattooing,” shares Deepak Narang. Gaurav Mahajan credits the international exposure for the booming love for the art.

Gender bender

Being a woman tattooist, Divya Sud, says has no direct bearing on the work. “I have tattooed both men and women and my work is judged as a standalone piece of art and not something done by a woman. Some years back I would have be relegated to the underbelly of the society because that was the popular opinion back then, but I am appreciated today and this means so is the art.” 

The fact in which Rishabh takes pride is women as old as 72 are getting inked. Not just that, they have tattoos that cover the whole arm. “They are making the real style-statement. Women with small, dainty tattoos is common, but they are getting bolder in their choice and savour it.”

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Stay safe

• Not just the needles  but everything that touches your skin must be new, such as grips, needle tips, ink caps, gloves, masks, razors, etc.
• The arm rest, tattoo bed or tattoo chairs should be wrapped freshly for every new session of a tattoo. 

Must know

• Do not soak your freshly tattooed skin in water for too long.
• Apply the ointment suggested by artist.
• Do not expose your new tattoo to dust and direct sunlight for four weeks.
• Do not scratch/pick on the scab of the tattoo. Let it fall off on its own (some itching is normal while the tattoo heals as it’s a wound).

Hold on 

• For a small tattoo it takes about 1-2 hours.
• For a medium sized tattoo it can take 3-5 hours.
• For a full sleeve (shoulder to wrist inside out)/ full back it can take 5-8 sessions.

Cost cal 

• For the first square inch it is anywhere between 1,800 and 2,000, then every other square inch is 700-1,000.
• Bigger projects need sessions, so charges are comparatively less and session wise.