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Where to get a tattoo and/or piercing in Dubai?

76

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 July 2017 - 15:03

Anyone knows a tried and tested, clean place for piercings and tattoos in Dubai?

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132

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 July 2017 - 12:35

Thanks albeit another interesting news article rather than anything published by the authorities but I'm sure it's correct. . It doesn't seem to mention the issue being Islam..... more of a health issue, which makes sense. Completely agree about the tattoonation site ..... didn't ever think it was genuine I'm not at all confused .... I was simply seeking clarification of your previous post stating "Tattoos for artistic purposes are illegal here and always have been" now you say "tattoos themselves are not illegal" which sounds slightly contradictory but I get what you mean. Either way looks like it'll be easier getting it done outside the UAE :) Thanks for the info and your help. I think you misunderstood what I said, I never said HAVING artistic tattoos was illegal - they're not and that would be ridiculous. HAVING artistic tattoos done here is illegal, that's why there are no licensed tattoo parlours. You seem to be being argumentative about the situation for some reason. Not sure why. I'm not being argumentative..... just trying to gain some clarity by perhaps politely questioning what you say. Things do change in Dubai (although perhaps this hasn't) so it's not unreasonable to question news or other online articles that are a few years old.

2264

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 15 July 2017 - 10:30

And just to throw another news source into the mix here's an article from The National which says getting a tattoo is not legally penalised and only that it is forbidden to get tattooed by someone unlicensed. The article is more current than the other two sources so I'd say laws could have changed since 2012. https://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-legal-q-as-are-tattoos-illegal-1.117346. Still not exactly clear and a grey area I think. Regardless, I would never get a tattoo here - speaking as someone heavily tattooed - the "talent" pool is far too small and there is just not the choice of quality artists. You should always choose an artist who specialises in the type of tattoo style that you want - not someone who is a jack of all trades and will scratch any old design on your arm with poor lines etc. Get something done in a major city around the world that is full of world class artists. Why would you ever want to put anything less than the best permanently on your skin? I read that Q&A - it's not an article. But there in lies the catch 22, yes they give licenses for 'medical and cosmetic tattoos', but they won't issue ones for people to operate a tattoo parlour, so those licensed are doing artistic tattoos on the side, they certainly won't be doing them within the salons/clinics. Also again in the Q&A it states that artistic tattoos are frowned upon in Islam, which is why it would be very unlikely that a tattoo parlour would ever ben licensed here. As someone who works in media and news, we would have been told if the laws/rules had changed, but nothing. There's a really simple way to find out, pick up the phone call the DHA and ask them. There are some really excellent artists here, who've operated in parlours all over the world and take part in global competitions every year. There's only one that I use and he's a true artist and his designs and the time he takes and his detailing is incredible. But these people are hard to find, because they will only be recommended by previous clients and then only to people that they know.

2264

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 15 July 2017 - 10:20

Thanks albeit another interesting news article rather than anything published by the authorities but I'm sure it's correct. . It doesn't seem to mention the issue being Islam..... more of a health issue, which makes sense. Completely agree about the tattoonation site ..... didn't ever think it was genuine I'm not at all confused .... I was simply seeking clarification of your previous post stating "Tattoos for artistic purposes are illegal here and always have been" now you say "tattoos themselves are not illegal" which sounds slightly contradictory but I get what you mean. Either way looks like it'll be easier getting it done outside the UAE :) Thanks for the info and your help. I think you misunderstood what I said, I never said HAVING artistic tattoos was illegal - they're not and that would be ridiculous. HAVING artistic tattoos done here is illegal, that's why there are no licensed tattoo parlours. You seem to be being argumentative about the situation for some reason. Not sure why.

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 July 2017 - 06:07

And just to throw another news source into the mix here's an article from The National which says getting a tattoo is not legally penalised and only that it is forbidden to get tattooed by someone unlicensed. The article is more current than the other two sources so I'd say laws could have changed since 2012. https://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-legal-q-as-are-tattoos-illegal-1.117346. Still not exactly clear and a grey area I think. Regardless, I would never get a tattoo here - speaking as someone heavily tattooed - the "talent" pool is far too small and there is just not the choice of quality artists. You should always choose an artist who specialises in the type of tattoo style that you want - not someone who is a jack of all trades and will scratch any old design on your arm with poor lines etc. Get something done in a major city around the world that is full of world class artists. Why would you ever want to put anything less than the best permanently on your skin?

132

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 July 2017 - 22:58

Thanks albeit another interesting news article rather than anything published by the authorities but I'm sure it's correct. . It doesn't seem to mention the issue being Islam..... more of a health issue, which makes sense. Completely agree about the tattoonation site ..... didn't ever think it was genuine I'm not at all confused .... I was simply seeking clarification of your previous post stating "Tattoos for artistic purposes are illegal here and always have been" now you say "tattoos themselves are not illegal" which sounds slightly contradictory but I get what you mean. Either way looks like it'll be easier getting it done outside the UAE :) Thanks for the info and your help.

2264

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 14 July 2017 - 20:08

Also if you look at that tattoo nation website, it's all very vague, no address, no names of artists, no prices, fake phone number. I recognise some of the work, so it's artists already operating in the UAE, but doing it privately, because, as we keep saying, you can't get a license for an artistic tattoo parlour. So it's people probably licensed through cosmetic salons and doing the other stuff on the side. The fact that you have to email them for details also suggests they'll look at who is asking first. There really is no point saying, but, but, but. That's the way it is. There was only ever ONE licensed tattoo shop, but it closed down years a go and they haven't done anything since, because as I said, under Islam it's not allowed. The alcohol argument is moot, as it IS allowed and license.

2264

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 14 July 2017 - 19:47

Sure. Here you go. It's a few years old, but still stands and nothing has changed. http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/health/providing-tattoo-services-in-guise-of-body-art-is-illegal-1.1007390 Licenses for artistic tattoo parlours have never been granted. As I said, 'some' of those cosmetic places that have licences will sometimes offer artistic tattoos if you ask them 'under the radar' but they're not meant to do them, for the reasons stated earlier. I've had tattoos done here, both cosmetically - in a salon, and artistically, by my 'go to' amazing guy. But his details I definitely won't be sharing. Also I think you're getting confused - tattoos themselves are not illegal, but there is no license given to do artistic ones.

132

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 July 2017 - 17:18

Tattoos for artistic purposes are illegal here, and always have been. Certainly it's NEVER been legal in the 14 years I've lived here. Semi-permanent make-up done by the salons is legal and they have licenses for that. But you can't get a license for a tattoo parlour - because, as far as I'm aware, permanent body adornment of that sort is haram under Islam, because it's seen as self harm. There might be 'some' clinics that do it, and are licensed but these aren't really professional artistic tattoo artists. However, that's not to say that there aren't people, and really good tattoo artists operating under the radar. I know of two of three really excellent ones, but they will ONLY work on recommendations from previous clients, because, huh shock, horror, it's illegal. I don't doubt your knowledge having lived here 14 years ! ..... Lots of activities are forbidden or frowned upon under Islam but that does not make them illegal per SE (drinking alcohol a good example) ..... and shock horror lots of things are stated as fact on forums incorrectly. Ive not found anything formal (The law, not a forum post or magazine article) that says 'artistic' tattoos are illegal .... only thing I've found is to practice unlicensed being illegal, perhaps you'd be kind enough to post links to something formal ?

2264

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 14 July 2017 - 10:47

Tattoos for artistic purposes are illegal here, and always have been. Certainly it's NEVER been legal in the 14 years I've lived here. Semi-permanent make-up done by the salons is legal and they have licenses for that. But you can't get a license for a tattoo parlour - because, as far as I'm aware, permanent body adornment of that sort is haram under Islam, because it's seen as self harm. There might be 'some' clinics that do it, and are licensed but these aren't really professional artistic tattoo artists. However, that's not to say that there aren't people, and really good tattoo artists operating under the radar. I know of two of three really excellent ones, but they will ONLY work on recommendations from previous clients, because, huh shock, horror, it's illegal.

132

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 July 2017 - 01:08

If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo in Dubai, Tattoo Nation Dubai offers you the completest repertory of professional tattoo artists in Dubai. https://tattoonation.ae/ Looks like you post after doing a google search :confused: Fake phone number No address given No ministry of Health approval number = NOT legal Having adverts and a website doesnt make it legal bye: In fairness ..... neither do articles found via Google make tattoo's illegal. ;)

145

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 July 2017 - 15:21

If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo in Dubai, Tattoo Nation Dubai offers you the completest repertory of professional tattoo artists in Dubai. https://tattoonation.ae/ Looks like you post after doing a google search :confused: Fake phone number No address given No ministry of Health approval number = NOT legal Having adverts and a website doesnt make it legal bye:

132

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 July 2017 - 02:20

Thats correct, if they are doing pictures and designs they are doing it illegally. I'm not being argumentative but where have you seen this other than articles online ? ..... everything I've researched states it's illegal to be unlicensed, once licensed it's seems it's a grey area at best (like many things in the UAE) as to what they can do ..... there are licensed tattoo places openly advertising.

145

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 July 2017 - 18:41

Thats correct, if they are doing pictures and designs they are doing it illegally.

175

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 July 2017 - 09:48

Ear and nose piercings can be done at gold shops too. Tattoo parlors are illegal here in Dubai Tattoos parlours are not illegal (unless it's been outlawed in the last year) ..... they just have to be done by a licensed artist. having permanent make up done by tattoo is legal here. But having a tattoo done as in getting a picture drawn on your skin is illegal Would be interested to know where you have read this ? Ive researched it thoroughly as I was looking at having one done. It is only illegal if carried out by an unlicensed tattooist. Generally they will only get a licence to perform medical or cosmetic tattoos, however once they have a licence they can and will tattoo other things and quite a few do. The law doesnt mention pictures or art ..... it simply states that they must be licenced. Perhaps its changed recently, because I found this by doing a search and seems this is a legitimate shop in Dubai for tattooing. I had mine done overseas as was always under the impression that it was illegal here and the people who did operate here were doing it illegally. https://tattoonation.ae/index.php

594

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 12 July 2017 - 09:31

Ear and nose piercings can be done at gold shops too. Tattoo parlors are illegal here in Dubai Tattoos parlours are not illegal (unless it's been outlawed in the last year) ..... they just have to be done by a licensed artist. having permanent make up done by tattoo is legal here. But having a tattoo done as in getting a picture drawn on your skin is illegal Would be interested to know where you have read this ? Ive researched it thoroughly as I was looking at having one done. It is only illegal if carried out by an unlicensed tattooist. Generally they will only get a licence to perform medical or cosmetic tattoos, however once they have a licence they can and will tattoo other things and quite a few do. The law doesnt mention pictures or art ..... it simply states that they must be licenced. http://www.alittihad.ae/details.php?id=12149&y=2013&article=full this article confirms that municipality doesnt provide license for tattoos. Its in arabic but feel free to get this translated...

132

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 July 2017 - 00:06

Ear and nose piercings can be done at gold shops too. Tattoo parlors are illegal here in Dubai Tattoos parlours are not illegal (unless it's been outlawed in the last year) ..... they just have to be done by a licensed artist. having permanent make up done by tattoo is legal here. But having a tattoo done as in getting a picture drawn on your skin is illegal Would be interested to know where you have read this ? Ive researched it thoroughly as I was looking at having one done. It is only illegal if carried out by an unlicensed tattooist. Generally they will only get a licence to perform medical or cosmetic tattoos, however once they have a licence they can and will tattoo other things and quite a few do. The law doesnt mention pictures or art ..... it simply states that they must be licenced.

175

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 July 2017 - 16:41

Ear and nose piercings can be done at gold shops too. Tattoo parlors are illegal here in Dubai Tattoos parlours are not illegal (unless it's been outlawed in the last year) ..... they just have to be done by a licensed artist. having permanent make up done by tattoo is legal here. But having a tattoo done as in getting a picture drawn on your skin is illegal

132

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 July 2017 - 20:40

Ear and nose piercings can be done at gold shops too. Tattoo parlors are illegal here in Dubai Tattoos parlours are not illegal (unless it's been outlawed in the last year) ..... they just have to be done by a licensed artist.

594

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 09 July 2017 - 14:49

Ear and nose piercings can be done at gold shops too. Tattoo parlors are illegal here in Dubai

22

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 July 2017 - 11:21

Many beauty salons are doing piercings nowadays. You can ask them itself about tattoos they will know exact details.

145

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 July 2017 - 11:24

Anyone knows a tried and tested, clean place for piercings and tattoos in Dubai? Most pharmacies do piercings, not sure about tattos though☺

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