In Kovai, tattoos are trending, and studios are growing, yet no rules are in sight.

Time of India

2 days ago

With tattooing booming among youngsters in Coimbatore, health authorities have been asked to inspect studios, even though there are still no clear rules in place to regulate them.
In Coimbatore, the number of tattoo studios more than doubled in the past three years, from 40 in 2021 to more than 100 today. "A decade ago, there were barely ten tattoo studios in the city. Now, they're as common as beauty parlours, with at least one on every commercial street," says Vaishnavi, founder of Yara Tattoos in Coimbatore.
She adds that most clients are working professionals between the ages of 22 and 30. "Many get names of their partners, spouses, or parents inked.
Women usually prefer butterflies, flowers, and birds, while men often go for tribal designs. Portrait tattoos, especially of deceased loved ones, are also popular. Among religious motifs, Lord Shiva and Murugan's Vel are the most popular, followed by crosses among Christians," she says.
"A 500ml bottle of ink costs anywhere between ₹2,000 and ₹3,000, depending on the quality," says tattoo artist A Gunasekar. "Smaller studios charge ₹200 to ₹300 per square inch, but to cut costs, some may reuse needles and ink, which is risky.
Professional studios charge at least ₹500 per square inch to ensure quality and hygiene."
Dr V Arul Selvan, Associate Professor of Medical Gastroenterology at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, warns that unsafe practices, especially reusing needles, can spread serious infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. "Symptoms of hepatitis often appear only after significant liver damage occurs. Patients may experience fatigue, jaundice, abdominal swelling, and in advanced cases, even liver cancer," he says.
"Many people, when asked about risk factors, recall getting tattoos with reused needles. If you're planning to get a tattoo, make sure the studio uses sterile, single-use needles. And if you're prone to skin allergies, always do a patch test first."
N Logu, Secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Voice, has called for stricter regulations. "Tattoo artists and studios must be licensed. Health department officials should regularly inspect studios for cleanliness and proper sterilisation practices," he says.
District health officer Dr P Balusamy adds that the directorate of public health recently directed them to begin inspections. "We don't have official data on how many studios are operating. Only after inspections will we know the actual numbers," he says. While block medical officers have been assigned to inspect studios in rural areas, those within city limits will be covered by the city health officer.
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