Getting tattoos can be nerve-wracking. When it’s your first time, the needle is scary because you have no idea how much it will hurt. The next time, the pain can be scary because you do know how much it hurts. The biggest concern, however, is how permanent the art is. When a client commits to having something on their body for the rest of their life, it’s important they feel comfortable and confident in their decision.
Most artists have a gift for making clients feel at ease, but unfortunately, there are exceptions. Last month, a woman named Dalina posted a TikTok detailing a horrible encounter she had with an unprofessional tattoo artist. Below you can hear Dalina’s upsetting story, along with an interview between her and Bored Panda, and read some of the responses that her video received.
Last month, Dalina agreed to get a tattoo from an artist who approached her at the gym
Image credits: daliestella
Image credits: senoracabrona
The appointment quickly took a turn when the artist began making inappropriate comments and body shaming Dalina
Image credits: senoracabrona
Dalina mentioned later that when the artist began getting the stencil ready, he told her, "just take off your shirt". And "once [her] shirt was off, things got weird quickly". Apparently she had to sit there waiting for 20-30 minutes shirtless before the artist even started putting the stencil on her skin.
Below you can hear Dalina tell the story herself
We reached out to Dalina on Instagram to hear about some of her favorite tattoo experiences, considering this one was so negative. She told us, “When I lived on the East Coast I got most of the tattoos I have now from a woman named Desiree. She was the sweetest and always made sure I was comfortable. We spent so much time together and she never made me feel weird for having new ideas or setting boundaries. She really showed me what it was like to be tattooed in a great environment. The neck tattoo was amazing because it was like this huge milestone for the both of us. We just laughed and when we were done it was like omg we did it.”
As far as the tattoo Dalina was trying to get done the day she posted this video, it’s currently a work in progress. “I’ve started finishing it with a female artist in my area- Paula. She actually contacted me before the video went viral and asked to finish it because she knows how weird men in the industry can be. I’m excited to see how it finishes, but overall I’m happy I stopped him when I did so I could get it completed by someone who respected me.”
Dalina is now in the process of having the tattoo finished by a female artist she trusts
Image credits: senoracabrona
Image credits: senoracabrona
Image credits: daliestella
We also asked Dalina if she had any advice for women who have felt uncomfortable in situations like this before. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- trust your gut. You shouldn’t feel unsafe or uncomfortable with anybody whose modifying your body. All bodies deserve the art their owners want without fear of being shamed or ridiculed.” Lastly, she wanted to add that “body mods are supposed to be a fun experience for everybody”. “It is a privilege to have someone work on you as a canvas.”
While no artist should ever act as inappropriate and unprofessional as the man described in the video, it’s wonderful to hear that Dalina will finally be able to get the tattoo she imagined and turn it into a positive memory. Be sure to follow her on TikTok if you’d like to keep up with her fresh new artwork, then let us know in the comments: do you have any tattoos? We’d love to hear about your experiences with the artists!
Responses from viewers are unanimously in support of Dalina, with many reassuring her that she was not being dramatic
