Anannya Sarkar, a student of St. Xavier’s College, has the English translation of the Latin phrase Sic itor ad aspera — Thus I shall reach the stars — tattooed on her back

Some wear their attitude on their sleeve, some on their designer denims. But for the brat pack on campus, ink is in. For long a preserve of the daring few, getting a tattoo has now become the most desired wish for many and an obsession for a few. Some have one and want more, some are saving up to get one while others are still looking for that “perfect design”.

Why a tattoo

Why NOT, they ask. When a few strokes can transform an ordinary stretch of the arm, leg or stomach into a canvas for a statement of cool, either artistic or counter-cultural!

The reasons why young people get inked are numerous and varied. While many get a tattoo as a fashion statement, others use it to mark a major change in their life, or to highlight something that influenced them. It could be an inspirational quote, a symbol of something they believe in or religious motifs.

“For me, getting a tattoo is about expressing my attitude,” said Arpan Roy, an ex-student of Jadavpur University, whose first “expression” in ink was a pegasus. Arpan runs his own little tattoo parlour, Studio ’89, on Park Lane, not far from the Park Street police station.

Devyani Banthia’s tattoo is inspired by Rihanna’s star trail on her back. The six stars on Devyani’s nape and back represent the six friends who gifted her the tattoo for her birthday. “I really wanted to get rid of my fear of needles and what better occasion than my birthday and in the company of my closest friends?” said the mass communication student of iLead.

What to get

Everything. There is no limit to what you can get tattooed — any symbol, any language, any colour and in any size! But among today’s youngsters, stars, butterflies and angels seem more common with girls while tribal motifs, dragons and snake symbols are big among boys. Mythological figures like Shiva and Ganesh are also gaining ground, or rather skin.

Where to get it

Lizard Skin in Lake Gardens seems to be the most popular destination for the youth. Another option is White Star Tattoo and Body Art Studio in Salt Lake Sector III.

Pocket pinch

For black, coloured or ultra-violet tattoos, the first square inch comes for around Rs 1,000 and the next for Rs 600-700. The third sq inch is around Rs 500, said Niloy of Lizard Skin.

Think before you ink

Everyone, from those who have tattoos to those who draw them and especially the parents, can’t stress enough on the fact that tattoos are PERMANENT. So kids, think before you ink! You must carefully consider the design you want, make sure the tattoo artist understands exactly what you are looking for and opt for a parlour that is known to be hygienic.

The parental block

“Getting a tattoo is a very painful process, if it’s not the needle, convincing your parents definitely is,” quips Radhika Raychura, a student of South City College, who has a neatly inked wrist. Getting parental permission seems to be the first roadblock most youngsters hit on their tattoo trail. Some try bargaining with them, like Sreyashi Sengupta of Lady Brabourne College, who asked for her parents’ consent in exchange for a promise to keep her grades up. Others just go the sneaky way and tell their folks only after the deed is done. Some have successfully managed to keep their tattoos a secret from their parents, but that’s only if you’ve got inked in a place that is easy to hide.

“I got my tattoo in the winter and didn’t show it to my parents for two months. When they found out, it was too late!” says Presidency ex-student Arko Roychoudhury, who has a tribal design symbolising chivalry on his arm.

tips

Make sure new needles and gloves are used by the tattoo artist.

The fixed portion of the tattoo gun should be sterilised.

Keep the bandage on for at least three hours.

Wash the area with lukewarm water.

Avoid direct sunlight for three weeks.

Apply Vaseline on the tattooed area before taking a bath and be careful not to bring the tattoo in contact with water for one week.

Apply baby lotion every day for three weeks, four to five times a day.

Avoid sour and citric food items for at least two days after you get inked.

DO

Get it done by a tattoo artist who has enough experience of working on sensitive zones.

Ensure that the artist is aware of how much pressure is to be applied while tattooing and maintains the right speed.

Be calm and relaxed while getting inked.

DON’T

Swim for a month.

Soak the area in water, though it’s okay if it gets wet.

Shave or apply deo and cologne on the area.

Expose your tattoo to direct sunlight.

AFTERCARE

The bandage applied on the tattoo should be removed after two hours and not six hours.

The tattoo should be washed with lukewarm water and a mild antibacterial soap.

The ointment provided should be applied twice a day for three days.

Scabs start forming in four to five days, with a dark crust on the tattoo. These peel off in a few days. Don’t apply anything on it and don’t apply pressure on the area.

Once the scabs fall off, start moisturising and continue doing so. The longer the better.