Getting your first tattoo? These are the best tattoo artists to visit in Singapore

Walk down Far East Plaza, and you’ll come across more tattoo parlours than you can count on one hand. 

That’s a far cry from the beginnings that tattoo had in Singapore. They were first brought to the island by British and ANZAC soldiers (one of the pioneering artists, Johnny “Two Thumbs”, still retains a strong legacy in Singapore: there’s one namesake studio started by those who worked under him, and one studio run by his descendants). Tattoos then became a mark of the secret societies in Singapore, and garnered much stigma in Singapore as a result – a stigma that still lingers today, especially with certain “fierce” designs. It’s not uncommon to see people ink in spots they can hide, like their ribs or their thighs, especially if they’re in more sensitive people-facing industries like teaching or healthcare. 

That said, things have definitely changed massively however. More people are embracing tattoos as a form of body art and self-expression. It's a way to mark milestones in life, to enshrine one’s memories and lessons permanently on their bodies. This is especially so for women: more young women have been getting tattoos than men in countries like the US, a sign of how tattoos have become normalised and even fashionable, and that’s a trend that’s been rising in Singapore as well. 

Things to keep in mind before your first ink

Before you get into thinking about your first ink though, there are some things you might want to keep in mind. 

First, hand-poked versus machine tattoos. Hand-poking will involve a needle dipped in ink poking into your skin (there’s something cool about how this was how tattoos started as well). What you opt for depends on your needs: hand-poking heals faster, due to doing less damage to the skin compared to machine tattoos. Machine tattoos, on the other hand, can cover much more ground faster – which can matter if you’re paying the artist by the hour. Some prefer how the hand-poking process tends to be more intimate. Machine tattoos, though, are said to have cleaner-looking results and last longer. 

There is some controversy over hand-poked tattoos though, due to how they’re much more accessible. There has been a trend of people offering self-taught hand-poking services, earning the chagrin of some professional tattoo artists as these self-taught artists are accused of lacking technique and professional cleanliness standards. 

That brings us to the next consideration: cleanliness. Ensure that your tattoo artist adheres to proper sanitation standards, like using new needles, disinfecting surfaces, using disposable gloves, and sterilising equipment used. That reduces the risk of you getting infections or bloodborne diseases. 

What should I get for my first tattoo?

You should thoroughly research your artist, and their portfolios. Look for artists whose style aligns with what you're looking for and who have a track record of designing and executing tattoos with crisp lines. Do examine how their work looks after the tattoo has healed.

Before committing to a tattoo design, you can create a moodboard with plenty of ideas and inspiration. This helps you communicate your vision to the tattoo artist, ensuring that the final design meets your expectations.

You should also think carefully about the placement of your first tattoo, as tattoos tend to beget tattoos. Even if you don’t have any long-term plans for tattoos in that area, you should consider how you would build more pieces in the area, just in case.

First-day regret is normal as well, but this tends to go away. If you've put plenty of thought into your tattoo design and picked a reputable artist you like, you'll likely be happy with the outcome in the long run.

Who should I turn to?

Apart from that, feel free to run wild! There’s so many talented artists in Singapore, specialising in a wide range of styles. There are residencies you should keep an eye out for too, where artists from across the globe come down to Singapore for a brief window of time. We’ll be spotlighting a few female-friendly ones in this listicle – just be sure to take their aftercare instructions seriously.