“AITA For Refusing To Tattoo An Extremely Overweight Woman?”
Interview With Expert
More and more people are getting tattoos. A whopping 225 million people worldwide have at least one tattoo. So, it’s natural that people of all shapes and sizes may want one. Yet the reality is that sometimes tattoo artists may turn away clients if they think they won’t be able to do a good job.
This is what happened to the OP of this story. She, a tattoo artist, already agreed on the design and placement of a tattoo with her client. But when the client showed up at the salon, the artist decided that her initial design wouldn’t be possible due to the woman’s plus-sized body. After a verbal altercation with the client, the OP came to Reddit to ask others whether her behavior was inappropriate.
Bored Panda asked Joanne Sherlock, the owner and manager of the tattoo studio Nomad Ink in Wirral, England, to tell us more about plus-sized people and tattoos. She has spoken up about similar subjects in the tattoo industry quite a few times and was kind enough to tell us whether tattoo artists often turn away clients because of their weight. Read her insights below!
Tattoo artists are free to choose who they do and don’t tattoo
Image credits: Thomas Despeyroux (not the actual photo)
But after this artist refused to tattoo a client, she got called some pretty insulting names
Image credits: kajsakiller
Tattoo salon owner says tattoo studios should be size-neutral
Joanne Sherlock is the owner of the Wirral, England-based tattoo salon Nomad Ink. She feels quite passionately about tattoos on plus-sized bodies, and she advocates for tattoo studios to be size-neutral.
“The tattoo industry is a celebration of bodies as much as art,” Joanne wrote in one of her Instagram posts. “When you leave a tattoo studio you’re supposed to love your body even more than when you arrived.”
Sherlock tells Bored Panda that she’s never heard of a tattoo artist turning away a customer because of their size. “In general, tattoo artists are alternative people who don’t have a narrow view of beauty standards. Also, the bigger the space, the bigger the tattoo, which is good for tattoo artists,” the owner of Nomad Ink says.
“That said, I also know lots of tattoo artists who aren’t mature enough to make sure their plus-sized client[s] feels comfortable,” Sherlock admits. “And many set up their studios using cheap beds that won’t stand up to a heavy client.”
Joanne says that the debate about whether some bodies can be tattooed or not is more about accessibility and ensuring an enabling environment. “There is nothing about the skin of a fat person that would stop you [from] tattooing them.”
“But what would get in the way would be if the client had mobility issues and couldn’t get up stairs (if the studio wasn’t [on the] ground floor, which many aren’t) or if they can not get on the tattoo bed or in a suitable chair.”
Image credits: AllGo – An App For Plus Size People (not the actual photo)
Tattoo artists say that hygiene and safety are essential when getting a tattoo
When getting a tattoo, most people’s primary concerns are the artist’s skill and experience, what measures they take to sanitize their equipment, and the cleanliness of the salon overall. At least, these should be the primary concerns. How pretty the tattoo is and its price should come after that.
Respectable tattoo salons and artists understand that, which is why they have guidelines for clients before and after tattooing. Australian tattoo aftercare provider Dr. Pickles emphasizes the importance of a clean surface for a tattoo.
“Proper preparation minimises the risk of infection, ensures a smoother tattooing process, optimal ink absorption and leads to better healing for a more vibrant, and longer-lasting tattoo,” they write.
In their tattoo pre-care guide, they list six things clients should do before getting a tattoo:
- Hydrate. They advise starting to drink lots of water at least 3 days before the appointment. When the skin is well hydrated, it also takes in the ink better. That results in a smoother process overall.
- Moisturize. You should moisturize the place where your tattoo will be, not only after you get it. Well-moisturized skin is also more receptive to the tattooing process, so it will make the process easier for both the artist and the client.
- Shave. And while it can irritate the skin, doing so carefully can also be paramount. Especially if you’re getting a tattoo in a hairy place. Tattoo artists can do this for the client on the day of the appointment if they think they might do it wrong or just don’t feel confident.
- Shower or exfoliate. “You want to keep your skin as clean as possible since tattooing is breaking your skin’s barrier,” the site writes. They also advise you to exfoliate every 3-4 days before your appointment to make the canvas smoother for your artist.
- Eat. If you’re prone to dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, don’t forget to eat! Something that will keep your blood sugar level stable, like whole grains and nuts, should do the job.
- Dress appropriately. This one’s more for practical than health reasons. Wearing loose clothing will allow the artist easier access to the tattooing area. And if you’re worried about ink splatters – wear something dark.
Image credits: kevin turcios (not the actual photo)
It is possible to tattoo plus-sized people by incorporating their natural folds and creases
One of the reasons the OP turned her client away was because she wouldn’t be able to do her desired style on that type of body. Michigan-based Carrie Metz-Caporusso is an artist who creates beautiful “Flower Roll” tattoos on their clients’ bodies. They integrate the intricate floral designs around the body’s creases.
They told Allure that one of the reasons they created these designs was because different bodies simply weren’t represented. “I have been tattooing professionally for eight years and in that time I noticed that tattoo designs that were made to compliment someone’s body were always for thin or muscular body types. Never have I seen anyone come up with anything particularly for fat bodies.”
Metz-Caporusso also told CNN that there’s a lot of fat-shaming in the tattoo industry and that a lot of people above a certain size get turned away. “I knew when I designed the roll flowers, the first thing people would think was, ‘But what happens when you lose weight?’ So, I was trying to challenge that thought.”
“A fat person isn’t a failing thin person. A fat person is just a person, and they should be made to feel as good as anyone else should be made to feel,” Metz-Caporusso explained their philosophy.
The OP clarified some things in the comments
The majority of netizens said the OP was not the jerk for turning the client away
However, some people thought that either the OP or everyone involved in the situation was at fault
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I hate people who yap at others for setting boundaries. This disillusioned idea that people's body care is no one's business'. Hell no. Your body care IS other people's business if you want them to touch your body. Nope. You're not entitled to force others to offer 'professional solutions' so you don't have to do the most basic things like body hygiene. That's just disgusting.
Yep. As soon as working with that skin that needs cleaning before and for an extended period after becomes your job it most certainly is your business. Someone who is going to have their face inches from a body for what could be hours gets to refuse working with someone with BO.
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The artist was right to not tattoo her. That design, in the place she wanted it, simply would not have worked out in the way the client wanted. Most importantly, is the hygiene issue. You don't want needles jabbing in and out of an area that's filthy and stinking. Hello, staph infection!
Nah. I had an issue like this once with someone whose white keyboard was chocolate brown from finger dirt. I looked at it and said call me back when you've cleaned your keyboard. F**k you. If you do not have the respect for other people to practice hygiene, no. Another friend of mine was a waxer. She said the number of guys who do not clean properly and their stinking a******s... it was disgusting. She gave up.
I hate people who yap at others for setting boundaries. This disillusioned idea that people's body care is no one's business'. Hell no. Your body care IS other people's business if you want them to touch your body. Nope. You're not entitled to force others to offer 'professional solutions' so you don't have to do the most basic things like body hygiene. That's just disgusting.
Yep. As soon as working with that skin that needs cleaning before and for an extended period after becomes your job it most certainly is your business. Someone who is going to have their face inches from a body for what could be hours gets to refuse working with someone with BO.
Load More Replies... The artist was right to not tattoo her. That design, in the place she wanted it, simply would not have worked out in the way the client wanted. Most importantly, is the hygiene issue. You don't want needles jabbing in and out of an area that's filthy and stinking. Hello, staph infection!
Nah. I had an issue like this once with someone whose white keyboard was chocolate brown from finger dirt. I looked at it and said call me back when you've cleaned your keyboard. F**k you. If you do not have the respect for other people to practice hygiene, no. Another friend of mine was a waxer. She said the number of guys who do not clean properly and their stinking a******s... it was disgusting. She gave up.
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