‘Bottomless tattoos cheapen industry’ say artists
Tattoo experts say demand from people wanting to have small tattoos removed is increasing, while tattooists say “bottomless tattooing” activities are devaluing their craft.
Chantale Coady-McCombs, owner of Picture House Tattoo Studio in Chippenham, Wiltshire, said the rise of “micro-tattoo bottomless brunch studios” had led to more clients needing help to fix or cover unwanted artwork.
The concept allows clients to book a specific time with an artist and get as many small tattoos as they want during the session.
BBC News contacted a number of studios offering bottomless tattoos for comment.
Tanya Buxton, owner of Paradise Tattoo Studio in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: “It promotes irresponsibility.”
“Having a tattoo doesn’t mean cheating,” he added.
The trend, often advertised on Instagram and TikTok for as little as £150 for a three-hour session, has been fueled in part by permanent make-up practitioners turning to fine-line tattooing, Buxton said.
“They are always trying to find new customers,” he said. “That’s why they start doing these little tattoos.
“It’s something that makes a lot of tattoo studios feel like they have to fit in, so people now expect cheap tattoos,” he added.
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While Buxton understands businesses are looking for new ways to attract customers, he said the trend risks undermining a craft built on skill and artistry.
“These events cheapen the industry,” he added. “This isn’t like an all-you-can-eat buffet.”
Coady-McCombs said she has heard clients regret participating in bottomless sessions after feeling the pressure from friends.
“The general complaint is that they don’t want to look like a whiz and now they feel pressured to do it because they’ve drawn what looks like a bad pen on them,” he said.
“In some cases, it can affect their mental health,” the tattoo artist added.
Wayne Joyce has had his tattoos removed for the last 18 years [BBC]
Wayne Joyce, manager of the Reset Room tattoo removal service in Bristol, said he had noticed an increasing number of people coming in with micro-tattoos and wanting to remove them.
He said many people believe smaller, lighter tattoos are easier to reverse.
“There’s a theory going around right now that if you get lighter tattoos, it’s going to be a lot easier to get them removed,” he said.
Tattoo degradation occurs when a laser targets ink particles and breaks them down into more manageable particles for your immune system to metabolize, Joyce said.
Micro tattoos are easier to remove because they are less saturated with ink and are not as deep in the skin, he said.
“Therefore, there are many people who come and ask how much does a tattoo cost, and how much will it cost to remove the tattoo, in the same sentence,” he added.
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