Tattoo enthusiasts may soon have to pay more for their body art due to new hygiene and safety regulations. Wales is now the first part of the UK to introduce these requirements, which necessitate that tattoo artists meet higher safety standards to obtain and renew their license every three years. The new rules come in response to concerns expressed by medical professionals regarding the danger of severe infections.
Kim Thomas, a tattoo artist who runs Mourning Star Tattoo in Newport, predicts that the price of tattoos will increase to accommodate these changes. She welcomes the reforms as she agrees that the tattoo industry requires more safety regulations. However, it’s critical to acknowledge that this will lead to the financial cost of renewing one’s license and studio, resulting in higher prices for customers.
Tattoo studios in Wales are now required to pay £203 for a license, and over 2,000 premises will require certification, costing £385. Tattoo businesses throughout the UK will likely face similar changes in the coming years. The cost of obtaining a tattoo in the UK has already risen significantly, and these new hygiene rules are likely to drive prices up further.
Tattoos have become more popular in the UK, with around 25% of the population admitting to having one. This number is likely to rise as tattoos become more mainstream. Women currently have a higher average than men, and the survey noted that over a third of people between the ages of 25 and 54 have been inked. The new Welsh regulations, which also extend to procedures such as acupuncture, piercing, and semi-permanent makeup, will provide an “extra level of assurance around safety,” according to Keith Reid, deputy chief medical officer for Wales
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