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Tattoos

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Apprentice tattooist

6 replies

Aseagullatemybaby · 18/04/2023 15:22

Sensitive TW for learning disabilities.

Just been for a couple of bits of script added to a previous tattoo, booked in at my usual place and was offered the apprentice, I said yes that’s fine (cheaper and quicker to fit me in) and turned up. He was lovely but had clear learning disabilities (I’m an LD support worker), he told me he is autistic during the session (which btw isn’t the issue but the fact he wasn’t supported when clearly he was struggling is) and took him just over an hour just to find the placement of 2 small names because he needed it to be right, which wasn’t an issue as I was completely understanding, when he printed them out and placed them the script looked kind of similar to what I wanted it matching to but missing details but he said he’d add the accents after (he didn’t).. the whole thing was nerve wrecking in all honesty and I felt so worried about upsetting him that I just kept my mouth shut (honestly what else was I meant to do?), the person that was meant to be teaching him (my usual tattooist) was busy tattooing someone else in a different room and just shrugged off every question he had re. Placement, font etc. They’re obviously not matching tattoos.. at all infact 🥺 but the shop was so dark and hard to tell with just placement that it wasn’t apparent until it was too late and I felt so awful as it was a shop full and the apprentice was very proud I just paid and left. His LD was very apparent and he definitely needed the professional tattooist to have sat with him but he didn’t, he was just left fumbling his way around, he dropped the needle on the floor and went to use it in the gun.. I had to ask him to use a new needle, his hygiene wasn’t the best (he didn’t wash his hands once and cross contaminated lots) and he didn’t have a clue re. Aftercare. Im left with completely mismatch tattoos and going to need to get them covered at some point (£80 down the swanny!). What would you do?

OP posts:
BringtheJury · 18/04/2023 15:27

You should go back and complain to your usual tattooist.If this person is working and charging money then they should at least adhere to the hygiene guidelines even if their work isn't up to scratch.

Aseagullatemybaby · 18/04/2023 16:04

Do you think? I don’t really know what to say.. should I send an email? I’m not great with confrontation unfortunately.

OP posts:
RosaBaby2 · 18/04/2023 16:13

Oh no this is such an awful situation for you. That also sounds really expensive for a small job if he is not very good! I go to an apprentice and she is an amazing artist but she did set price £50 for any tattoo (black linework mostly) for ages. Her mentor tattoos in the same room next to her.

I'd definitely say something, send an email if you struggle like I probably would too.

BringtheJury · 18/04/2023 16:14

Just go in and explain nicely about the lack of hygiene and that he seemed out of his depth. If he's not washing his hands and dropping needles on the floor, he could give someone an infection. The owner needs to know , if it happens to anyone else, they could be reported to environmental health.

Danikm151 · 18/04/2023 16:18

It’s not a confrontation it’s correcting an error.

It’s their reputation on the line.

An apprentice is there to learn. They can’t learn if they aren’t aware of their errors

Stressyfab · 18/04/2023 17:05

Oh my god. Complain directly to your usual guy- explain you require a touch up for x y and z, you should not be expected to pay extra for this. And the touch up needs to be done by your normal guy. If they refuse to sort it or acknowledge your concerns about cross contamination etc, report to environmental health. It’s very important.

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