The Independent newspaper approached the agency when covering a news story on the latest suggestion that all Tattoo Salons should be given a hygiene rating. The feature sparked off quite a debate, some comments to be expected, but some rather interesting points made non the less. It certainly proved to be rather entertaining in the office amongst the Spirit Staff.
Our model Beau Macabre (Danielle Power) was used as their case study:
“When I got my first tattoo, it was at a really dodgy shop. They didn’t ask for any ID, even though I was clearly 14, and I didn’t look old for my age. I wanted to be the girl at school who made everyone go, ‘Look what she’s got.’ It went OK, but it was rubbish. It was some Chinese writing on my back, which was the height of fashion in the 1990s. I’ve had it covered. I’m constantly updating my tattoos; I tend to go in every couple of months. My left arm is covered in roses, and I’ve got an owl and a ball of wool on my chest – I’m really into arts and crafts.
“There should definitely be a hygiene rating: they have one for food in restaurants, but a tattoo is for life. There are health checks, but as long as they’re good on the day then they’re covered for a year. Random spot-checks would be a good idea. If a parlour could display a five-star rating, then you’d know it was a good place.
“I’m very choosy: I seek out designers for unique artworks, and they wouldn’t want to sully their reputation with bad hygiene. Ratings would definitely make it safer. I know there are a lot of places that do the bare minimum”.
Photographer: Terence Mendoza- http://www.retrophotostudio.co.uk/