BY: CHRISTOPHER MONZON AND DENEASE ANN PABANDERO (UNIVERSITY OF BAGUIO INTERNS)
Painful, dirty, a health risk, and most of all, a barrier to getting a good job.
These were the common beliefs about tattoos in the past.
Tattoo artist Butch is well aware of this.
According to Butch San Diego, Tattoo Artist from Butch Tattoo Studio, “Before, yes, it was a big deal. Especially when entering a church, it felt awkward, so you had to wear sleeves. But now, society has become more accepting.”
Because of this, college instructor Nicole was once hesitant to get a tattoo.
However, Nicole Naval, a Full-time College Instructor, mentioned, “Honestly, before, I was afraid to have visible tattoos, so all of my tattoos were in hidden places such as on my back, thighs, or somewhere concealed. But later on, as I became more comfortable in my work environment, I realized that tattoos shouldn’t limit you. They don’t define you, rather, they are a form of body art.”
Nowadays, many companies no longer see tattoos as an issue for their employees.
Kath Tiñozo, Advisor II, Email Support, expressed, “Not really because in the BPO industry, it’s already widely accepted. I feel like there’s no discrimination in BPO. Even before I joined, I already knew people in the industry who had tattoos.”
For tattoo artists, tattoos are a form of art.
Jhay-Arr has been working as a tattoo artist for over 12 years, and he says the number of people getting tattoos continues to rise.
“Everywhere you look now, people have tattoos. It’s no longer uncommon. In fact, it’s so common now that if you don’t have a tattoo, you’re the one who stands out,” said Jhay-Arr Cariaso, a Tattoo Artist.
Despite this growing trend, ensuring safety, especially health-wise, is crucial.
Some people experience infections, allergic reactions, and other negative effects.
One major reason is the possible use of unsanitary tattooing equipment.
Diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C can also be transmitted through contaminated needles.
Senate Bill No. 2141 or the Body Piercing and Tattooing Regulation Act outlines the requirements for tattoo artists and shops, including securing permits from the Department of Health.
The DOH ensures that tattoo shops and their equipment meet hygiene and safety standards.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1126, or the Tattoo Patrons Protection Act of 2010 safeguards the rights of individuals getting tattoos.
Tattoo artists are responsible for ensuring the safety of their clients before, during, and after the tattooing process.
Customers must also be educated about proper aftercare to prevent infections.
Tattooing is prohibited for minors, individuals with certain skin conditions, and others deemed at risk.
Violators may face fines ranging from 100,000 pesos to 500,000 pesos or imprisonment from one to four years.
Tattoo artists could also have their licenses revoked.
So, a reminder to everyone: be careful and make informed choices, because just like tattoos, their effects can be permanent.
