An economic slowdown is all around us -- and most of us are often under the impression that it does not affect us directly. However, various industries are struggling to get back onto their feet after a crippling blow by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several witnessed the same in the form of unmerciful payroll cuts, and numerous others have fought the wrath of unemployment during these trying times.
Amid this period of struggle, tattoo artists, too, have found themselves in a soup. After all, in a time and age where physical contact is considered a bane, who in their right mind would get themselves a tattoo? Affirming the same, several tattoo artists realised how getting a tattoo was gradually turning into a luxury not everyone could afford during the lockdown.
"People are only looking forward to doing what is necessary for them and tattoo is a luxury now," Vikas Malani, veteran & celebrity tattoo artist, said to The Bridge Chronicle. "They have become conscious about spending money, and that's why they're curtailing all their expenses on tattoos because there are no returns on that," he added.
It wasn't easy for tattoo and piercing studios to resume operations almost immediately, but with the Unlock guidelines coming into play, doors have now opened up for body art again.
"The pandemic has definitely affected every sector and industry today. However, as things are now slowly getting back to normal, and we have re-opened our operations to our customers," said Micky, owner and tattoo artist at Mickyz Tattoo Studio. "Many of our clients had already booked their respective appointments way before, so attending them right after resuming the operations was obviously a must for us," he added.
Vikas, who runs BodyCanvas Studios in Mumbai, Delhi and London, also mentioned how a lot of times getting a tattoo is more of a personal affair for a lot of people. "People only get a tattoo when they have a psychological milestone, which we don't get to see anymore," he said.
Despite this notion, tattoo studios are thriving and have received numerous requests from clients wanting to get themselves inked. As bizarre it sounds -- tattoo artists have a perfectly valid explanation for this phenomenon.
"We've come across a lot of clients who made themselves a 'bucket-list' of sorts during the lockdown," Vikas stated. "So, we see a lot of minimalistic tattoos requests nowadays, because people are finally able to put whatever they have in their mind into the tattoos that they want," he explained. He also mentioned how the uncertainty of life is what drove several to 'seize the day'.
However, it is the question of hygiene still that haunts not only the clients but the tattoo artists as well. "People have begun coming to the studio, we tell them that we want them to wear a mask, we want to educate them, but they've become very carefree," Vikas said.
Micky, who has been around in the industry for more than 18 years, has enforced strict sanitation protocols for his clients. "Every time I attend a client, I have always made sure that I follow strict hygiene. This rule applies to my team, as well. Today, our clients are well-versed with our high medical background, and this has been an added value for us," he said. "We make efforts to live up to our brand value and commit to the needs of our clients in every given situation," he stated.
Getting a tattoo earlier was as easy as walking into a studio, but the COVID-19 outbreak has played a significant role in changing this routine. "Earlier we used to allow walk-ins, but now we strictly attend those clients who book their appointment a day or two prior. We make sure that the studio is not overcrowded and we make it a point to sanitise it after every session," said Micky.
Despite the lockdown weighing their services down, tattoo artists have begun to see a silver lining for themselves. "People have had enough time to do their RND during these six months of lockdown. You have a lot of time sitting at home and doing nothing," said Vikas. "I think that's when a lot of people realised that tattoo is not something you do on your skin there's a lot of homework behind it. Now people when they come to us, they're smarter about the choices they make," he added. Commenting further, Vikas also said how people no longer want to risk their lives or do something that will put them at risk. "It has become more about awareness," he concludes.
