Rachel shows off her tattoo. Picture: Pabitra Das; make-up: Nabin; styling: Sandy

For those who manage to face down their fear and get inked, tattoos are more than a passing fad — they are a tool of self-expression. For a small number amongst this group, it escalates into something of an addiction — get one and they will get another. But many others remain too afraid to take that final step towards permanent body change, not to mention the temporary pain, and it is for this group that knowing more might be the required push towards the tattoo of their dreams…

Design decision

Needles and piercing might conjure gruesome images in the mind, but the process of tattooing is fairly simple and not scary, promise the experts. “People get needlessly panic-stricken,” feels Niloy, the owner of Lizard’s Skin Tattoos, which has become the go-to tattoo destination for Calcutta’s music community. “The client first has to decide on a pattern. The area to be tattooed is shaved, cleaned with medical spirit and the imprint traced on the skin. A sterilised needle is then dipped in special tattoo ink and brushed into the first layer of skin, where the colour is trapped. The process is scientific and if proper hygiene is maintained, there is no reason to be afraid.”

Colour code

Black, multi-coloured, UV… what’s your thing? This is a question you might want to ask yourself before heading to the parlour. The colour scheme depends to a large extent on the pattern you choose. Tribal patterns, names and initials look better in black and grey (the most popular type as far as Calcutta goes), whereas more elaborate tattoos come alive with colour. The most expensive and the trendiest tattoos are now in UV. These glow in the dark, adding a touch of funk to your style statement.

Megan Fox

Top trends

Ethnic tattoos, spiritual tattoos, biomechanical tattoos, or the somewhat misguided fad of the moment — name tattoos. Which way should you go? Celebrity tattoo artist and owner of Kraayonz tattoo studio in Mumbai, Sameer Patange, who is responsible for many Bollywood tattoos — including those embellishing Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Hrithik Roshan and Salman Khan — spells it out: “Trends like spiritual tattoos or ethnic ones are merely one genre amongst so many others and they always will remain popular. But the current trend is of personalised tattoos, something new and meaningful that the wearer relates to. Eight out of 10 tattoos now are customised rather than copies of designs. Everyone has a different story to tell and they are taking tattoos very seriously.”

Sameer advises a serious rethink for all those leaning towards name tattoos. “I ideally would discourage people from doing it because given today’s scenario, it is highly possible that they will want it removed soon. The hassle is unnecessary. So think well before you get a tattoo.”

Hrithik & Sussanne

Does it hurt?

Needle piercing skin repeatedly: you do the math. Of course getting a tattoo is a painful process, but that doesn’t mean it’s as painful as you think it will be. And the good news is that after a while, numbness kicks in to block all feeling in the area.

“The pain felt varies from person to person, on their pain threshold. Many don’t feel anything, others say it hurts a lot. But from personal experience I can say that the pain is hardly much,” says Pranaadhika Sinha Devburman, the owner of White Star Tattoo studio in Salt Lake, which has a licensed tattoo artist from the US working his magic in ink. “It also depends on the skill of the artist. If the artist is good and the gadgets are state of the art, you will hardly feel any pain.”

Where does it hurt the most?

Well-muscled areas will hurt more, but it is the stomach region that is the most sensitive to the needle.

Deepika Padukone

What is the most common area for a tattoo?

Girls like to flaunt theirs on the shoulder blade while boys prefer the upper arm. Lower back and the nape of the neck (think Deepika Padukone) are other popular tattoo zones for girls. The inner wrist is a new canvas for creations in ink.

How much does it cost?

Depending on where you get your tattoo, you may be charged per sq inch or a total fee. Prices start at Rs 1,000 for a small tattoo, based on the intricacy of the design.

What not to do…

Scared or not, drinking alcohol to fortify your courage is not a good plan. Niloy explains why: “There is a practical explanation as to why we don’t work with people who have alcohol in their system. In fact, before a sitting, clients have to sign an agreement admitting that they are not under the effects of intoxicants. These make the blood thinner and can thus lead to excessive bleeding. As a result, the colours often seep out instead of staying under the skin, leaving the artwork looking washed out.”

When is the best time to do it?

Anytime is the right time if you have been bitten by the tattoo bug. If you are prepared to deal with a little extra pain to promote quick healing, winter is the time for you as the dry weather will help the skin heal faster, though the nip of the needle might feel a tad sharper.

Brendon McCullum

How do I care for my body art?

Treat your tattoo like any other wound. “We give medication, special ointments and after-safety directions to every customer. But the basic rules are simple — keep it clean, swab it with antiseptic solution, moisturise well and take the prescribed antibiotics till the scab forms,” says Pranaadhika.

You should also avoid the swimming pool immediately after getting a tattoo, though working out is no problem.

Can I remove my tattoo?

It is possible, but tedious. So think twice before you get your tattoo in the first place.

“Try and keep it for life,” suggests Sameer. If you can’t stand to look at it anymore, there are only two methods of removal — skin grafting and laser surgery.

David Beckham

“Removal of tattoos requires a lot of skill. While skin grafting is still an option, customers should refrain from getting laser surgery as it involves burning the top layer of skin and may result in permanent scarring. There is no 100 per cent guarantee of a clean removal, so it can be worse than having a bad tattoo. If you do want to get rid of a tattoo, the best way out is to get a cover-up done by a skilled artist. Work around your tattoo and transform the old into a new design,” explains Sameer.

And if you already have taken the tattoo plunge, remember to get it refreshed once in a while to touch up on faded colours.