Bhubaneswar, Aug. 2: The process of making tattoo involves skin penetration. Consequently, the need to maintain a high level of cleanliness by the body art practitioners is paramount.

To create awareness among upcoming tattoo artists on the need to adopt infection-control practices, city-based tattoo artist and founder of popular art studio Skivas, Om Acharya, is conducting a series of workshops for new tattoo artists who are entering the industry.

Om, who has been in the field for over five years, says that there is a high risk of spreading diseases as micro-organisms or germs can easily enter the body when the skin barrier is broken during tattooing. "A number cases of skin infections while making tattoos have come into focus recently. As the art form has gradually turned into a business, more and more youngsters are taking it up as a profession. So, it is extremely necessary that they are aware of the advanced tattoo-making techniques that lowers the chances of skin diseases," said Om.

His latest workshop was held last week and over 30 tattoo artists from various parts of the state took part in it. At the workshop, training on the use of a number of devices such as clip cord, machine cover and disposable grips were demonstrated.

"These items are used by tattoo artists in our country and abroad to prevent cross contamination. Disposable grips are used on tattoo machines these days and they are supposed to be used only once. However, very few artists actually practice these little things," said Om, who is an authorised distributor of tattooing devices in the state.

That apart, instructions on proper use of tattoo aftercare products such as rubbing alcohol and vitamin A and D ointments were also given. The workshops aim at sharing knowledge and the latest trends in various aspects of tattoo-making, including stencilling, lining and shading and skin preparation.

"A number of young tattoo artists have taken up the art as a business instead of focusing on its creative facets. The atmosphere has become so competitive that artists in the field hardly come together for knowledge sharing. So I wanted to bring them together to garner creativity in the field," said Alok Mohanty, a body art practitioner and one of the organisers of the workshops.

At the workshop, he demonstrated the making of watercolour tattoos that are a latest trend in the field. The next workshop will be conducted next month where popular tattoo artists from Hyderabad and Mumbai will also interact with the participants.