Planning to get inked?

The craze for tattoos show no sign of waning. If 2014 saw the trend peak with innovative designs, this year it's all about getting inked in funky and abstract tattoo designs.

Ink trends

Flash tattoos Temporary tattoos are in demand. And flash tattoos are temporary tattoo designs inspired by jewellery. It's being taken quite seriously by fashionistas. As the name suggests, flash tattoos are perfect for the beach, the pool, parties, festivals and concerts as they are flashy and are done with metallic inks like silver, gold, bronze and emerald green. These tattoos are low on maintenance. They last about four-six days, depending on how well you take care of it. Bandra-based tattoo artist Joel Fernandes says, "Avoid any soap, sunscreen, lotions or oils near or on your tattoo. These types of oil-based substances will begin to degrade the adhesive."

Safety measures Flash tattoos are extremely safe; they do not have any side-effects whatsoever. Since these are temporary tattoos, there is no long-term damage to the skin, neither does it leave any mark on your body when removed.

Glow in the dark tattoos Just like those t-shirts or accessories that glow in the dark, this form of body art will make you stand out in the dark. Hollywood celebrities Lil Wayne, Kim Kardashian and Lindsay Lohan already have a glow-in-the-dark tattoos. While regular tattoo ink is a metal, vegetable or plastic-based pigment suspended in a hypoallergenic carrier solution, glow-in-the-dark tattoos are made out of a solution containing phosphorus — it's invisible in normal light, but lights up in the dark.

Safety measures "Due to the presence of phosphorus, the tattoo might have side-effects like blistering, pain, burning sensations and skin rashes, as the use of phosphorous-based inks is not approved," says Minq Negi, a tattoo artist from Santacruz.

White ink tattoos Although they appear to be similar to the previous one, they are not. White ink tattoos are for the ones who subtly wish to ink themselves. Says tattoo artist Mini Sharma, "Done by a slightly thickened white ink, composed of UV components that make it shine under UV lights, these make a statement without being too loud. These tattoos look more like a texture on your skin, rather than a design. They are described as lace textures on the skin." They look good on any skin tone, provided they are intricate.

Safety measures Negi further adds, "These tattoos take longer to heal — one must avoid sun exposure as this might change the colour of the tattoo from white to grey, depending your skin tone."

Design trends

Ambigrams They are the next big thing in tattoo lettering. The best part about an ambigram is that it retains meaning when viewed or interpreted from different angles. Moreover, it is not common as the perfect ambigram is very difficult to create. One needs to choose the right words and letters, so it not just looks but sounds effective as well.

Dandelion Dandelion tattoos have become the recent favourite among women in the age group of 20 to 30s. Dandelion is a wild flower, which has yellow flowers with lots of thin petals on it. The tattoo has become prominent because of its popularity with ancient folklore and legends. In Christianity, it is associated with Jesus Christ's love and sacrifice. The tattoo symbolises what you wish for and is also considered to bring good luck and prosperity.

Dreamcatcher Another popular tattoo that will gain momentum this year is the dreamcatcher tattoo. It has a deep-rooted meaning and beliefs associated with it. Instead of the shaded dreamcatcher tattoo which has been popular for a while now, these days, tattoos are being done with different colours like pinks, oranges and reds. It is widely believed that getting this tattoo done will keep away bad dreams and allow only the good ones in your life.

Hamsa tattoos A popular talisman used in various cultures and religions, this tattoo is quite popular among the youth, irrespective of religion. It has always been used in art, jewellery and other artifacts; however, the tattoo world has also been exploring this symbol, as it's considered pious. The first design depicts the power to ward off evil, while the latter is a symbol of good luck. This tattoo is done to stay safe from those who emit looks/vibes of envy.

3D Tattoos Tattoos are going crazier and wilder this year. From 2D to 3D, these tattoos are done with different artwork and various use of shading. They not only look very real but are also different from the usual tattoos that you ideally get to spot on somebody.

Body trends

On the ear If you are looking for an earring that you never want to lose, ear tattoos are the 'in' thing. Since most women believe in resorting to subtle ways, when it comes to expressing feelings, a lot of women find ear tattoos very sexy.

On the neck Getting a tattoo done on the neck is very popular amongst women of all age groups. Whether it is getting a tattoo done on the back of the neck or on the side, the neck is possibly one of the less painful areas in the body to get a tattoo done. While big tattoos behind the neck looks great, small ones on the side of the neck look glamorous.

Under the breast People are not only getting tattoos done on more intimate areas like under the breast. Small tattoos like butterflies, tiger paws and angel wings are some of the popular ones.

Side of the hand These days, it's all about the 'not-so-obvious' places to get a tattoo, hence a lot of people like to sport their tattoos on the side of their hand.

Footline Letterings have always been a favourite among tattoo lovers, from sayings to chants, and from loved ones to beliefs, many people like to get inked in letters. And writing on your footline is the newest trend when it comes to lettering tattoos. Running letters across your foot, exactly moving through the curve and defining your sole look great.

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