Micro tattoos might be the right choice for people who like their skin art simple. It is not a new style of tattoo, but the term certainly is. Since the tattoos are smaller in size, they require lower maintenance.

"From what I know, the trend came from South Korea. Many of my customers brought their preferred designs and I checked: they were from South Korea," said Mawar Pajouw, a tattoo artist and the owner of Pajouw Tattoos.

There are some things that make micro tattoos different from conventional ones. For instance, some colors typically used for traditional styles, especially black, might not suit the smaller designs and finer details of micro tattoos, which are more prone to blowout, where the ink spreads beyond the original design to leave a blurred effect.

Mawar said that most of his customers who requested micro tattoos were women, ranging from twentysomethings to over 50s. Popular designs include line work, doodles and "cutesy" illustrations.

Many people prefer micro tattoos as a way to express themselves in a simpler, low-key manner.

Always there: Micro tattoos require the same commitment as regular sized tattoos as they lasts the same long life. (Courtesy of Christine So). (Personal collection/Courtesy of Christine So)

"I chose micro tattoos because they're smaller and more personal. They're more for me rather than for other people to see," said Listy Inezia "Inez" Amanda Tedjo, 25, a singer.

Among her micro tattoos are a treble clef and the play symbol. Inez has sentimental reasons for her choices, saying that they serve as a personal reminder of her roots in a family of musicians and how this has played a large part in her life.

Preferred techniques

Micro tattoos are generally applied using the “stick and poke” technique, in which artists use a single needle to apply the ink by poking the needle under the skin. Considered the “traditional” way to apply a tattoo, the whole process takes longer than using a tattoo machine.

Many DIY stick and poke kits, also called hand-poke kits, are sold in the market today, allowing anyone to ink designs on skin, even untrained tattoo artists.

Professional tattoo artists, however, warn inexperienced people against using these kits. "It's dangerous if they don't understand the standards of tattooing, as they might not do it under sterile conditions," said Maria Christine Berliana of Little Tattoos in Surabaya, East Java, referring to the industry standard of sterilizing equipment, the tattooist’s hands as well as the environment.

Maria also stressed the importance of technique, as multiple applications of ink in the same spot could damage the skin.

She therefore encourages people to go to a professional tattoo artist for an initial consultation on design, price and other aspects. Safety reasons aside, doing so can help find the middle ground if budget is a concern.

"Some consultations are free and it is much safer than [applying] your own tattoo at home," Maria added.

Hand decor: Inez shows off the micro tattoo on the side of her right hand. (Courtesy of Listy Inezia Amanda Tedjo) (Personal collection/Courtesy of Listy Inezia Amanda Tedjo)

Christine So, a cofounder of Revolver Tattoos that specializes in micro tattoos, took a similar line. While she praised the work of some “scratchers”, she warned that aside from hygiene issues, untrained tattooists who used stick and poke kits might encounter design issues as well.

"Some don't measure the placement of the stencil correctly,” she said, which could end up with poor results. The lines of a design could also be altered during the application process, such as if they stood up. The ink may also 'blow out' if they put [the needle] too deep within their skin," said Christine.

Think before getting inked

At the end of the day, if a person wants to get inked, no matter the size of the tattoo, the best option is to go to a professional.

Tattoo artists always remind their customers to choose a design they truly want, not what others want. This way, they will not regret the tattoo as time goes by, or at least, they’ll regret it less.

Choosing the right design and artist is essential, as the ink in their skin is forever.

Cuties: One of the creations of Christine from Revolver with animal theme (Courtesy of Christine So) (Personal collection/Courtesy of Christine So)

"I admit I made a mistake in choosing a different tattoo artist the second time around," said Ananda Dessy Sukma Imanto, 29, a regional manager at a food and beverage company.

For her first tattoo, Ananda went to a tattoo artist recommended by several people she knew whose tattoos she had seen personally. For her second tattoo, however, she went to a different tattoo artist who offered a lower price.

Unfortunately for her, the difference shows. The design did not come out like she wanted, with some lines looking "shaky and uneven".

Ananda is now undergoing laser tattoo removal, a procedure that costs much more than getting the tattoo in the first place. It is also more painful, especially when removing a tattoo applied to thinner skin.

Some tattoos only require three treatment sessions to remove, while others may take up to eight separate sessions. Multiple sessions are required to remove large or intricate tattoos and the sessions cannot be done back-to-back, but micro tattoos usually don't take as many.

Fatma Rosida, a dermatologist at ZAP Premiere Surabaya Blambangan, a laser dermatology clinic, typically gives her patients four to six weeks between sessions to allow the skin to heal.

Tattoo removal involves breaking up the ink under the skin, and the procedure could damage the skin if it is done in sessions scheduled at too short of an interval. The patient’s skin condition also needs to be moisturized with a special cream and monitored to prevent infection, which can lead to scarring.

"There are many steps to go through when you want to get your tattoo removed," Fatma explained.

She also warned against getting a tattoo without ample planning and thinking, as it was not an "instant" process and would “take multiple sessions depending on the size, design and color".

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