Til Tattoo Do Us Part - Tattoo Removal Treatment

Til Tattoo Do Us Part
January 10, 2008
TEJASWINI TIRTA
The Times of India

Saif Ali Khan seems ready to announce his love for Kareena Kapoor to the world. Inspired by soccer star David Beckham, he has reportedly had ÎKareenaÌ tattooed in the Devnagari script on his forearm.

Trends, however, show that name tattoos rendered in the heat of passion can sometimes be cause for regret once emotions cool down.

ÏI get at least two customers a month asking me to tattoo their loverÌs names on their bodies. Almost 80 per cent of them come back later asking for the tattoos be removed,Ó says tattoo artist Pradeep Menon. ÏNothing is permanent today. Definitely not tattoos,Ó says photographer Waseem Khan.

In showbiz especially, name tattoos are as short-lived as some of the relationships. ThereÌs Johnny DeppÌs ÎWinona ForeverÌ arm tattoo that has been edited to ÎWino ForeverÌ.

Pamela AndersonÌs ÎTommyÌ finger tattoo reads ÎMommyÌ after their split. And Tom Arnold has no choice but to look at his ex-wife RosesanneÌs face inked permanently on his chest whenever he takes off his shirt. Angelina Jolie has had several tattoos lasered off, the most talked-about being Billy Bob ThorntonÌs name.

ÏPeople have always got tattoos of their partnersÌ names to express their love. ItÌs just that now that Saif has it, itÌs being talked about,Ó says tattooist Sameer Patange. But most tattoo artists say they discourage customers from getting name tattoos. Ï

Permanent name tattoos are a ridiculous idea unless you are 100 per cent sure about what youÌre doing. Then again, itÌs a personal choice. But itÌs the duty of every tattoo artist to advise people to think hard before going ahead,Ó says Sameer.

ÏEven if someone insists on getting their loverÌs name tattooed, I suggest they get it in a foreign language, so itÌs meaning is known only to that person,Ó says Pradeep. ÏIÌm not a great fan of permanent tattoos, be it names or images,Ó says Waseem. ÏItÌs like trying to make permanent something thatÌs inherently transient.Ó

Pradeep sees negative connotations in name tattoos. ÏA name belongs to one person. Having someoneÌs name written on your body is like taking it away from them. The person getting the tattoo now has a part of you and you donÌt have enough of yourself,Ó he says.

And itÌs costly too. ÏA simple permanent tattoo costs between Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000. And prices can go higher. It costs 10 times more to get a tattoo off Û through laser or plastic surgery Û and thereÌs no guarantee that youÌll get your original skin tone back,Ó says Sameer.

Not that everyone who gets a name tattoo takes it off eventually. David Beckham has VictoriaÌs name on his arm in the Devnagiri script, and his three sonsÌ names in different spots on his back. Melanie Griffith can still show off husband Antonio BanderasÌ name.

For some people, itÌs forever. Like hairstylist Kevin Billings and his wife, who both have each otherÌs names tattooed on their arms. ÏI got my wifeÌs name tattooed even before marriage. My wife got my initials tattooed much later. A lot of people think itÌs stupid, but if you believe in the relationship, why not?Ó asks Kevin.