There is an absence of tattoo regulation in Singapore, and minors are not shy from getting it done.
Mohamad Briane Ilhan, 20, got his first tattoo done at the age of 13 and dropped out of secondary school just a few months after it started as he had lost interest in it. He had done a sleeve tattoo of a Japanese warrior theme at that time simply out of curiosity as he wanted to know how it feels and thought that it would look cool.
“I managed to get it done because it was my friend who did it, and it was free. He was 15 at the time and was learning to do tattoos, while I was curious about how it felt. That was why I did it.” Briane giggled.
As he did it without the knowledge of his parents, he tried his best to hide it until they saw it when he was sleeping.
“I was so shocked to see the tattoo on his hand because he does not even have money, how could he have done it? I was so angry, especially since he was very young, so I slapped his hand!” his father, Mr Shamdol, 43, exclaimed.
Getting Tattooed As a Minor
According to the Ministry of Education (MOE), Students in school are still not allowed to have visible tattoos while wearing their school uniform. They believe that tattooing may result from the students’ need to express their personal identity, an act of defiance or to fit into certain social circles. Thus, any student found with visible tattoos will either be asked to cover up their tattoos or to have them removed.
As the art of tattooing has become more significant in this modern era, many youngsters have shown appreciation towards the art form, but what about minors getting tattoos done? Are they displaying their appreciation for the art or is it a decision that they made at the spur of the moment?
Briane was not the only one to get a tattoo at a young age.
Claudia Lee, 20, shares her experience of her first tattoo at the age of 15 at a tattoo parlour for $70, for a meaningful reason. The tattoo she had was an arrow on her forearm, which was to be a constant reminder and inspiration for her to move forward and not to look back as arrows are thrown forward.
As her tattoo was on her forearm, which was really obvious, her mother too was displeased and lashed out in anger.
Claudia’s first and freshly done tattoo on her forearm, at the age of 15. (PHOTO: CLAUDIA LEE)
“I’ve always been a spontaneous person, though I should have chosen a better spot,” she added.
Since Claudia was in secondary three, her teachers eventually found out about the tattoo and she got suspended from the school. Although she had done a tattoo that is not associated with gangsterism in Singapore, and serves more towards emotional support for her, she had gotten it lasered.
“I did not choose to have it removed, frankly I would love to have it but it was due to school. The condition was I had to constantly go for (laser) treatments and cover it up,“ she admits.
Her mother had paid for the full laser treatment which cost about $2000, since it was not ultimately her decision to remove it. Besides that, she also could not have afforded it, especially at that age.
The outcome after one of Claudia’s laser tattoo removal sessions. (PHOTO: CLAUDIA LEE)
Claudia also mentioned that it eventually got in the way of her life on a daily basis, especially when she had to attend meetings as she had to make sure to wear long sleeves. The laser treatments had left permanent marks on her hand from the lasered tattoo.
“My advice is not to get one unless you’re exceptionally sure, and even if you do, experiment with places that can easily be covered on a daily basis such as your back or sternum etc,“ she advised.
As for Briane, he was easily influenced at that age and had done several things he was not proud of, and to start afresh, he had laser treatment to get rid of his tattoo when he was in a boys’ home, to face the consequences of his actions. It took 8 laser sessions to fully remove the tattoo and described the pain was very minimal. Thankfully, the laser did not leave any scars and had healed nicely. It almost looked like nothing had been on his arms at all.
Briane’s current arm where the tattoo had been lasered and is now barely detectable. (PHOTO: SYAFEERA SOFIAN)
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2019, there are no regulations on tattooing in Singapore. There are also no laws or legislation that state that it is an offence to get a tattoo under the age of 18. MHA does not track the number of minors who tattoo themselves and there is no requirement for minors to seek parental consent when choosing to get a tattoo done.
The Professional Tattooists Speaks
Karyan and Min Hui are two up-and-coming young tattoo artists in Singapore. The two run a tattoo studio called Studio Zenya in Jalan Rajah.
Karyan Chow, 25, had her very first ever tattoo of a butterfly done at the age of 23 and was then attracted to this industry.
Karyan tattooing a fairy on her client’s arm. (PHOTO: JERLYNN TAY)
“I realised that tattoos are not just about the bad stuff,” she recalled.
Yong Min Hui, 22, who freshly graduated from Nanyang Technological University last year expressed that she did not want to work a corporate job.
Min Hui tattooing butterflies on her client’s ribs. (PHOTO: JERLYNN TAY)
“I wanted to capitalise on my interest, which was art, as much as possible,” she shared as she explained to us why she decided to become a tattooist full-time.
These two young and bold tattoo artists decided to set up a studio of their own after an apprenticeship at another tattoo studio.
“We wanted a space for ourselves and did not want to cramp with other tattoo artists from our previous place.” Min Hui said with a smile on her face.
Karyan and Min Hui, tattooing their clients in the comfort of their own studio at Jalan Rajah.
(PHOTO: JERLYNN TAY)
With that one thought, they took a leap of faith and made Studio Zenya come to life.
Being young tattoo artists themselves, it was surprising that both Min Hui and Karyan got their first tattoos at the legal age of 18 and 23 respectively.
“I’ve always wanted a tattoo since my younger days, but I obeyed my parents and they eventually allowed me to choose for myself when I was legal,” explained Min Hui.
The Lack of Tattooing Regulations in Singapore
There are currently no laws to particularly regulate the tattoo industry, thus, young tattoo artists like them in Singapore do also see the need to impose a law or legislation to make the legal age of getting a tattoo to be at least 18 to prevent minors from making decisions they might regret as they get older.
“I think it’s fair that schools do not allow students to have tattoos as they have their rules and stuff. So, if they feel that tattoos may affect their image then it is up to them. There are also still a lot of people in Singapore that do not think that tattoo is a good thing or a bad thing.“ Karyan explained.
Although they are young tattoo artists in Singapore, both Min Hui and Karyan share the same consensus that minors should not be getting tattooed until they reach the age of 18.
When asked why they do not tattoo individuals under 18, Min Hui responded,
“When you’re under 18, it is most likely that your parents do no see you as an adult so they do not see you as somebody who is capable of making permanent or life long decisions so when they screw up by wanting to get a tattoo, the parents actually feel like we as the adults in the situation, we’re kind of liable for their child.” She explained.
Min Hui also went on to explain that Karyan and herself do not want to promote that kind of rash decision-making, especially for a permanent decision like a tattoo to minors in Singapore.
Getting a tattoo involves high risk, especially with hygiene. As a tattoo requires skin-to-skin contact through a needle, the tattoo artist has to do their due diligence to ensure that the needles are always changed to prevent the risk of transmitting diseases. If a tattoo artist were to tattoo a minor, their parents could hold the tattoo artist accountable for the consequences in the event that something goes wrong.
According to Healthline, getting a tattoo involves using a handheld machine with an attached needle to puncture the skin. Every time this device makes a hole, it injects ink into the dermis layer of skin.
While the artist does that, there is a chance of clients getting complications such as allergic reactions to tattoo dyes, which may develop years later. A skin infection, such as a staph infection or cutaneous tuberculosis, burning or swelling at the tattoo site, granulomas, or nodules of inflamed tissue, around the tattoo site, keloids, or overgrowths of scar tissue. Last but not least, bloodborne diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and tetanus can be contracted via contaminated, unsanitary needles.
It would have been great if schools could be open about tattoos as that would help to break the stigma and misunderstanding of tattoos in Singapore. However, as mentioned earlier, students may not be the best representatives because of their age and maturity.
“Adding regulation is also legitimising the tattoo industry. Without regulations, people don’t view the tattoo industry as legitimate as it is a grey area,” Min Hui suggests.
“We definitely need more tattooed people in the mainstream media, not just people who are portrayed as gangsters in the show, but more like normal people with normal tattoos that represent their own experiences,” she added.
Min Hui and Karyan both feel that minors should stay away from tattoos and only encourage youths to think through their decision before committing to getting a tattoo that will stick with you for life.
“Your tastes and preferences when you’re 18 are very different when you’re an adult. You can think something is very cool when you’re 16 and you think you’re never going to get sick of it but there are a lot of things that will change down the road,” she explained.
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