A TATTOO ARTIST has been criticised after showing off a young customer’s very first tattoo on his face.
Tattoo artist Javi shared a video on his Instagram page of a young man who had his date of birth etched in Roman numerals on the side of his face.
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“Customer’s first tattoo – his date of birth on his sideburn,” he wrote at the top the video.
And he added in the caption: “My boyfriend got his first tattoo on his face…
“The customer has since come back and had more tattoos done.”
The video showed Javi applying a clear gel over the design he had just inked, which had a red area around it.
But people in the comments were quick to criticize the tattoo artist for even giving permission for the etching.
“I’m not gonna lie, it’s a huge red flag for an artist to tattoo a face on someone who has no ink at all,” one person wrote.
“A reputable tattoo artist would have rejected or turned this boy away,” said another.
A third person, a fellow tattoo artist, added: “I would never tattoo someone’s face if they were getting their first tattoo.”
“Have standards. Don’t destroy people’s lives,” someone else urged.
“Artists need to learn to say no,” sighed another.
While someone else said, “I’ve seen a few tattoo artists say they refuse to tattoo a face unless it’s the only place left tattooable.
“Of course there are exceptions, but I’ve noticed that even within the industry some artists consider it a no-go until there are no other places for a client.
“Same concept as tattooing a drunk person.
“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should!”
“When I was 19, I was SO close to getting Japanese letters tattooed on my cheekbone as my first tattoo,” recalls another.
“No artist around me would do this, and now that I look back on it, I’m so glad I did!”
What to do and not to do when getting a tattoo
1. Think, think and think again
Tattoos that you get done on a whim are much more likely to lead to regret than a tattoo that you have thought long and hard about. Think about why you want what you have chosen. And if you still want it after a few months, get it.
2. Age restrictions apply
In the UK you must be 18 years old to get a tattoo.
3. Don’t negotiate the price
When you go to a tattoo shop, the price is the price. You pay for the time and skill of an artist, they charge what they think those things are worth.
4. Don’t get tattooed when you’re hungry
Eat before you go to your tattoo session and make sure you are hydrated. You are about to be subjected to a period of prolonged physical discomfort, if you are feeling a little weak from hunger or dehydrated it will not go as smoothly as it should.
5. Don’t drink alcohol before getting a tattoo
If you are drunk or on drugs, do not get a tattoo. In fact, if your tattoo artist has any of their stuff, they will turn you away if you are clearly under the influence of any intoxicants. I would also not drink the night before, even a few drinks will thin your blood and make you bleed more.
“This is how you never get respected in this industry,” someone else shouted.
However, others were highly critical of the man’s design after he chose to have 11/26/2001 tattooed on his face, making him 22 years old.
“Imagine wanting a tattoo on your face so badly that the only thing you can get is your birthday,” someone giggled.
“People just get what they want,” sighed another.
“Does he get his social security number on the other end?” someone else asked.
As another wondered if it was “in case he forgets?”
