Tattoos no longer taboo as facial ink becomes more popular

A growing number of Aussies are sporting tattoos, with one in four sporting ink somewhere on their bodies. But are face tattoos accepted yet?

Only a few years ago, a facial tattoo would ruin your chances of getting a job and guarantee your parents-in-law wouldn’t invite you over for Christmas lunch.

But now, thanks to a growing acceptance for tattoos, and a number of inked-up high-profile music stars, they are growing in popularity.

Data from 2020 shows one in four Australians have a tattoo, up from 20 per cent in 2018 and 19 per cent in 2016.

Sydney tattoo artist Raymond Vom, 32 said face and head tattoos had “definitely gained popularity” over the past five years.

“They (face and head tattoos) are definitely more common than a couple of years ago, at the moment demand is pretty steady.

Joel Meakin says he has never faced discrimination because of his face and head tattoos. Picture: Tim Hunter

“We range from small face tatts to full-on dragons on the side of the face.

“I do think they are becoming more accepted (in society),” Mr Vom said.

Motorcycle technician Joel Meakin, 28 got his face tattoo four years ago.

“I’ve always been drawn to them (face tattoos), it’s something that sets you aside and makes you a bit different,” he told The Saturday Telegraph.

Despite being heavily tattooed, Mr Meakin said he has never felt discriminated against.

“Everyone would say the same thing, ‘you will never get a job’ but I’ve never had a problem, but to be fair, I work in an industry where I wouldn’t say it’s common, but it’s not unusual,” he said.

“I know some venues are strict with tattoos but I don’t go out much so it doesn’t affect me, not being let into a venue is probably the most discrimination I’ve had.

“My mum still cries when she sees me, she’s horrified, I don’t think they (face tattoos) will be fully accepted until the young generation becomes the old generation.

“No one’s grandma wants to see their grandchild with a face tattoo.”

Celebrities like Teddy Swims are making face tattoos more mainstream. Picture: Getty Images

CEO of Robert Walters recruiters Shay Peters said many employers now would be “fairly comfortable” hiring staff with visible tattoos, but it would depend on the industry.

“In professional services environments people can wear shirts and physical tattoos can be covered easily,” he said.

“If someone was to wear short sleeves or a visible tattoo was to be seen, that level of shock factor wouldn’t be the same and has dissipated over time.”

Mr Peters said while visible neck tattoos were “almost ok, with the sensitivity wearing off around those”, he felt there was less acceptance of face tattoos.

“I think we haven’t got to the point where we are quite comfortable with face tattoos yet, unless they are cultural,” he said.

US model and rapper Amber Rose with her face tatt. Picture: AFP

“I think it would depend on who the employer would be, in some environments it might not be an issue but in some it might be. There may be sensitivity in professional services, traditional industries such as law or accounting firms, but not in every instance.”

The recruitment expert said it was “refreshing” to see employers more focused on outcome over tattoos or looks.

Celebrities like Post Malone, Cardi B, Teddy Swims, Lil Wayne and Amber Rose are also no strangers to inking their faces.

Heavily inked pop singer Teddy Swims has a dozen face tattoos.

Swims told Confidential last month that he was done with face tattoos, yet recently had the top of his ears inked out.

“I think I am done with my face, I believe,” he said.

Justin Bieber also gained attention when the pop star inked a small cross on his face in 2018.

And M&Ms has been running an advert where the new boyfriend with facial tattoos is accepted by the woman’s father because he likes gardening.

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