Coimbatore has seen a sharp rise in tattoo studios, growing from just 40 in 2021 to over 100 today. Once rare a decade ago, tattoos are now as common as beauty parlours, with at least one studio on every commercial street. Vaishnavi, founder of Yara Tattoos, notes that most customers are working professionals aged 22 to 30. Popular designs include names of loved ones, tribal art, portraits of deceased family members, and religious symbols like Lord Shiva, Murugan’s Vel, and Christian crosses.

Ink prices vary, with a 500ml bottle costing between ₹2,000 and ₹3,000. Smaller studios charge around ₹200–₹300 per square inch but sometimes cut corners by reusing needles or ink, posing health risks. Professional studios charge a minimum of ₹500 per square inch to maintain hygiene standards.

Dr. V Arul Selvan from Coimbatore Medical College Hospital warns that unsafe tattooing practices can spread infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. Symptoms often appear only after significant liver damage, and he advises clients to ensure the use of sterile, single-use needles and perform patch tests if prone to allergies.

Consumer advocate N Logu urges stricter licensing and regular inspections of tattoo studios. District health officer Dr. P Balusamy confirms public health authorities have begun directing inspections, especially in rural areas, though official data on studio numbers remains unavailable.

With tattoo culture booming, Coimbatore faces the challenge of balancing artistic expression with public health safety.

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