Tattoos may be cool but think twice — Tattooist

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MIRI: With modern society’s acceptance to the idea of inking, one tattoo master however, wants youngsters to think twice before making the ultimate decision to prevent regrets.

Freelance tattooist Emin Tan observed that a growing number of young people are thrilled to get inked.

“Getting a tattoo probably means to these youths that they appear ‘cool’ among their peers. After all, they are young and rebellious. But as they enter the real job market, a tattoo is something they might regret (if the size of the tattoo is too big or obvious),” said the 37-year-old.

Tan recounted several instances of some with those regrets, who resorted to laser off their inking after the ‘not-painless’ insertion of indelible ink into the pigments of the skin.

“For those who get a tiny tattoo, which could be hidden with their apparel, there is certainly no problem. However, for those with super big tattoo on their arm, leg, or backside, it is not easy to get rid of it.

“Moreover, compared to westerners, our society is more conservative towards a tattoo bearer, which may make it difficult to pursue a career they want later in life,”  Tan told  thesundaypost.

As for body-art enthusiasts, he said there was a variety of different ink ranging from the classic and common to those that makes one stand out in a crowd.

“Getting a tattoo is no longer a taboo. It all depends very much on what kind of tattoo you are getting and the kind of impression you are expressing,” he said, adding that his clients varied from construction site workers to office ladies.

The self-taught tattooist, who has been practising the art for over a decade, previously worked in the car accessories industry.

Mesmerised by the beauty of body arts, Tan left his job to pursue a career in Peninsular Malaysia while learning on the job.

“My first ink on a client wasn’t good enough to show off to people, and I wasn’t proud of it. So, I worked thrice as hard to perfect my skills.

“There are, of course, the types of artistically designed tattoo that deserves appreciation as it reflects the artist’s passion and the amount of time they’ve spent.”

Today, Tan runs his own home tattoo parlour, assisted by an apprentice.

While the father-of-two admitted that he makes a decent income as a tattoo freelancer, he wouldn’t encourage his children to follow his footsteps.

“I would encourage them to pursue other careers for a change, but if they are passionate and destined to become a tattooist, I would accept their decision.”