Tattoo industry will benefit from guidelines
By LAM LIJOHOR BARU: Several tattooists here have acknowledged that both customers and operators will benefit if there are guidelines and hygiene standards to govern tattoo and body piercing services.
Operators interviewed said the risks of acquiring diseases like hepatitis and HIV were not limited to their clients but also tattooists if proper procedures were not followed.
Some believed that the guidelines would lift the stigma on tattoo and body piercing and improve the industry’s image.
It was reported yesterday that the Malaysian Medical Association wanted strict controls on such services to avoid the spread of diseases.
Hwee Lo Nay, 24, who runs a tattoo outlet in City Square, said there was a perception that tattooists were “unclean” and operating an “underground” business.
“If proper guidelines are introduced, all operators would have to live up to certain expectations and the confidence level among the public will improve.
“Currently, it is up to the individual operator to implement hygiene controls that are deemed fit and within their budget,” she said.
A check around here revealed that tattoo centres in shopping complexes or shoplots have different levels of cleanliness.
Some operators take precautions by requiring clients to sign a letter declaring they are free from communicable diseases.
However, the clients are not required to submit medical reports to back their claim.
Industry sources said female clients are generally more concerned about hygiene while the men would source for the cheapest service available.
Male customers also prefer more complicated designs covering a bigger area, thus costing about RM800 if the outlet was an established one with proper sterilisation equipment.
A woman in her 20s who declined to be named said she had been tattooed twice recently, adding that she was prepared to have another one since she found a clean outlet.
“I find tattoos beautiful, trendy and sexy. I have been wanting to get it done long ago but many outlets look rather unkempt and dark that I did not dare to even step in to make enquiries,” she said.
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