Getting a tattoo is a big commitment – but there are some situations where it's just not safe. Tattoos are a great way to express yourself, and many people put a lot of thought into every design they choose to have inked on their skin. Not all tattoos need to have meaning, but most of us will at least consider the placement of the design, even if we choose to have a tattoo for fun rather than for a significant meaning.
One tattoo artist, however, has said that some circumstances would cause her to cancel a client's appointment – even after they've arrived at the parlour. A fine-line artist named Tamsin posted a video on TikTok in which she said that you must make sure your skin is in good condition before your appointment as if you turn up on the day and your artist can't tattoo you, you could end up losing your deposit.
First, Tamsin explained that she cannot tattoo anyone who has sunburn on the area they want their ink. She said she "can't tattoo over it" and won't even try, as she knows it will be "so painful" for the client and the tattoo won't heal properly because of how skin peels.
Another skin-related problem that could see you lose your deposit is having "active acne" or eczema on the area you want tattooed. Tamsin said: "I can't tattoo over it, it won't heal well. It won't heal at all; [the ink] won't be in your skin. It's not doable. If you are not willing to get your tattoo in a different placement, you can't get your tattoo at all.".
Third on the tattoo artist's list were people who show up to their appointment drunk or "on any kind of substance". She said that it might sound "obvious", but she has to turn these clients away because they "cannot give consent for a tattoo", which would "open up a whole can of worms" for the tattoo parlour.
