I’m a tattoo artist – here’s the ‘unhygienic’ customer request I always refuse to do
A TATTOO artist has revealed the ‘unhygienic’ customer request he will always refuse to do.
Gordon James, from Livingston, has worked with plenty of famous faces such as Game of Thrones fave Hafþór Björnsson, music megastar Machine Gun Kelly and Scots UFC scrapper Paul Craig.
But he’s also noticed a growing trend of people asking for ritual tattoos - inkings where a small amount of cremation ashes are added to the ink.
Despite appreciating the sentiment, the expert reckons there’s safer ways to pay tribute to loved ones.
Gordon, who you can book , adds: “One of the biggest requests for memorial tattoos is ashes in the ink.
“I refuse to do this because of the hygiene issues with the cremation process itself.
“I've heard of people being hospitalised with tattoo infections and getting ashes in the ink is asking for trouble.
“It's a lovely sentiment but if you did your research into the cremation process you'd quite quickly change your mind.”
Gordon adds: “And another problem with the process is the fact it’s impossible to clean the chamber fully.
“This means you could end up with the remains of someone else in your tattoo.
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“There's much better ways to remember them and with minimal risk.
“For example portraits, things that remind you of your loved ones and quotes that remind you of them.”