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DIY tattoos on the rise
Tattoos are thought to be more popular than ever, but some people are taking things into their own hands and tattooing themselves.
The popularity of this body adornment is also being blamed for another trend - DIY tattooing. While no official figures exist, trained tattoo artists say they are increasingly being asked to cover botched, amateur inkings.
Many have been done with kits bought over the internet for as little £60, they say. Environmental health professionals fear that amateur tattoos have a high risk of infection, and are calling for them to be banned.
"If it is cheap and cheerful, it is going to be nasty," says Andrew Griffiths from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
One woman bought a kit for just $45 (£32) from China on eBay. It came with no instructions and, despite having no guidance from a tattoo artist, she says she managed quite well. She has now tattooed herself twice, on her foot and on her wrist, and also done designs for her friends.
One of her DIY tattoos became infected but that has not put her off. She blames herself, not the kit, and took antibiotics to clear it up.
She is not breaking the law by tattooing herself, even without training. But it's a different matter when it comes to her friends.
The law says you can tattoo yourself, but tattooing others must be supervised by a licensed premises. Both tattooist and client must also be over the age of 18. The regulations aim to ensure health and safety procedures are followed, with the correct kit and equipment used.
There is also the possibility of an allergic reaction to the ink, as well as having something ugly and messy permanently marked on your body.
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