Would you get a tattoo at the moment?

[BearSoFair]

I was planning to book in just before lockdown, studio is now opening from Monday and I'm not sure whether to book (expecting a long waiting list so who knows when the actual appointment would be!) now or wait and see how things play out over the next couple of months.

Part of me thinks it'd probably be fine, they're spotlessly clean even before covid, plus new rules that only the artist and client will be in the room, both have to wear masks, temperature checks on staff every day and on customers when entering, strict one in one out policy, hand sanitiser provided...but on the other hand it's 2-3 hours of very close contact with someone who will have prolonged contact with multiple others each day. Even with masks, is it safe? I'm really in two minds about it!

If you wouldn't get a tattoo regardless of covid, please can we not have the usual shitty 'oh no they're so tacky' comments as I really don't care about that, I'm just asking from a safety perspective, not a style one!

I wouldn't purely because broken skin is prone to infection anyway. I do have a tattoo so definitely not snobbery

Yes I’m waiting. Had a week off work at the end of March to get a tattoo and typically we went into lockdown. Iv messaged the tattoo shop to let them know I’m ready and waiting.

I have had tattoos since lockdown ended here (not UK). Our national (and local) infection rate is massively lower than in the UK mind, how is the infection rate locally where you are?

It’s probably safer now than it will be in few months time.

Honestly I'd rather have a tattoo than go to tesco or out for dinner. The aesthetics industry are known for their cleanliness and PPE long before this (well the good, respectable ones are). A tattoo, an eyebrow wax, whatever in my eyes is safer than a lot of things deemed as safe at the moment. Especially with new additional measures in place.

If lockdown hadn't decimated my savings I'd be booking in as soon as i could.

OwlBasket That's kind of my thinking as well, booking in as soon as possible might be safer than in a few months when there has potentially been more spread again. I'm in London so high numbers overall but our borough has never been one of the worst.

Barry That's been my thinking as well, they're already at the peak of cleaning and hygiene by their very nature!

Yy, I’d trust a tattooist as much with cleanliness, hygiene en awareness of infection control as I would a doctor or nurse.

As long as you know the artist is a reputable one and you make sure you take extra care of it later I can't see it been a problem at all .

Hell yes - already booked in - they should have been open earlier as cleanliness is exceptional

i would. Im only not as I plan to do it for my next birthday(60!!)
but then I would be going to a reputable one.

For me it depends where the tattoo will be. Obviously more risk of breathing in each others exhaled particles if it's being done near your face than if being done on your foot.

Any reputable studio (my own especially) should already be impeccably clean and with the added measures such as visors etc you will be fine 😊

Also if you're happy to go shopping, or anywhere really then you're going to be much safer in a studio!

Although do your research, we can all claim to be clean but that doesn't mean they are!

Very reputable long running studio. I got my last tattoo from them and it was the best tattoo experience I've had so I have full faith in them. Would be the top of my arm so they would be quite close to my face, that's something I've been considering as well.

Yeah, the tattoo shop I go to is the cleanest place I've ever stepped foot in. I'd have no concerns at all. Cleanliness and safety are key parts of the industry.

Yes! In fact I'm trying to decide what design I want as I have been toying with the idea of one on my forearm now that I no longer have to go into work. The studio I have been to for previous tattoos on my back and hip are very clean anyway and I trust them to adhere to the additional measures.

I would if I had any money lol.

Just turn your head away from them. That plus mask, I definitely would

IME good tattoo parlours are more hygienic than most hospitals. Right now I probably wouldn't but that's more because I worry that I could infect others (my job makes social distancing v difficult and many colleagues have had the virus) than that I would get unwell myself, if that makes sense.

I’d certainly rather have a tattoo than sit in a restaurant for a couple of hours. I also think now (If you can get an appointment - that might be where you struggle) would be a better time to have one, rather than later in the year.

Several studios I know have confirmed that they aren’t doing facial tattoos or piercings just yet. On top of all of the usual hygiene stuff, they all seem to be taking it very seriously.

Me, I'm booked in next Saturday for a rib tattoo. I feel safer doing that than having my hair cut!

I would get one right now, my tattooist is great. The only reason I haven't is that I need to allow 4 months minimum between a tattoo and the next blood donation (which is already booked).