A TATTOOIST has warned of the dangers of DIY tattooing kits and illegal tattoo parlours.

Ian Quinlan from Huddersfield tattoo studio Dragon’s Lair has spoken out as health chiefs launch a drive to halt the rise in amateur tattooing.

DIY tattoo kits can now be bought online for as little as £30.

But the Northumberland Street based tattooist said most people were ripping large chunks of skin away in their bid for cheap body art.

And he said the risk of infections such as hepatitis and septicaemia meant the DIY option should be avoided at all costs.

He said: “We see it all the time now.

“People are buying these kits and they mess about on their mates and make some real messes.

“Then they’re coming to us to sort it out.

“It’s not just the tattoo – it’s causing a lot of scarring.

“The depth of the needles are really butchering people up.

“We tell people to throw them away, they’re all cheap junk. We often can’t sort it out nine times out of 10.

“We can try to cover it up but nobody can get rid of scarring.”

Mr Quinlan said a lot of people were now visiting illegal tattooing dens around Huddersfield, especially if they were under 18 which is the minimum age to be legally tattooed.

He added: “When we knock somebody back for being underage they will go to someone who’s doing it in a house somewhere.

“I heard the council had got someone the other day who’d been tattooing 14-year-old girls.”

The warning comes as Kirklees Council takes part in a national drive to educate tattoo professionals about their responsibilities.

And last week the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health called for a total ban on kits sold to the public.

The council is holding a seminar at 9am tomorrow at the Textile Centre Of Excellence on Red Doles Lane for all tattooing and piercing operators.

The session will explain the current health and safety laws and feature speakers from the regional Health Protection Agency, Sheffield City Council and a nationally renowned tattooist and president of the Body Piercing Industry Graham Martin.

Clr Mary Harkin, Cabinet member for health and safety, said: “I would like to encourage everyone working in a tattoo or body piercing studio to attend this event.

“It is important to keep up-to-date with the latest laws and the information and advice provided on safe practice will help prevent and control infection which could be a risk to health.

“The advice covered ranges from registering businesses, training, cleaning and sterilising techniques, documentation and waste disposal.”