Curious to hear if anyone here has ever got a bamboo tattoo done while in Thailand? How did it compare to a "Western" machine tattoo in terms of the pain involved, colour of the tattoo etc? I'm not tempted at permanently marking my body, just curious, as I maintain the website of a friend who runs a bamboo tattoo studio in up north in the UK (here - The Bamboo Rooms, Shipley, Bradford | Bamboo Tattoo - if you're interested). Her husband is Thai, and truly talented by the look of his work.

If you've got a bamboo tat you're pleased with, post a pic here...

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I have had 3 bamboo tats done in thailand! The pain is much less than using a gun. Its doesn't bleed so you can go swimming the next day after. Just for example I had one done on my foot and i was able to wear flip flops the next day. My tats are just black so im not sure how shading would be. The color is still nice and black.

Gary said the same, less pain with bamboo, heals quicker etc.
Cathy

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Thanks for those posts - my friend tells me because the pain is less, it's well suited for thin/sensitive areas of skin like feet. I was offered a free tattoo for putting the website together for her... I politely refused, as I don't think tattoos are really my thing

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Interesting topic.

Im heading over in May and was curious about a bamboo tattoo.

Is the bamboo sterilised/never used?

How much would a tattoo cost?

I have had 6 bamboo tattoos done in Patong. The prices range from about 4000 Baht to 10,000 Baht.
If you go to Patong Tattoo and the tattoo bar, you will be worked on by a real professional.
He will show the new clean piercing tip before he starts your tattoo.

The pain is relevent to the place you get it. Shoulder, not bad, back of the enck easy, bi-cep hurts as well as chest but still all a lot less than mahine.

When your back in Bangkok pop in the bar Steve, I will have a new tattoo done by then and it will be getting done with bamboo.

Please suggest good tattoo shops/parlours in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Thank You.
Heading out to Thailand at end of March and want to get a bamboo tatt. - Wish to get it done in the beggining of holiday. The first week, my time will divided between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Thanks Guys!! Natalie.

Bamboo tattoos do not use bamboo as the actual needle. Typically, up to five very thin needles are placed in a line and then wrapped into the end of a tapered piece of bamboo which is then dipped in the ink and 'tapped' into your skin.

I am not a tattoo expert, by the way, I only have one tattoo but it is a bamboo tattoo. From my experience I can tell you that it was a lot less painful than I thought it would be and I was able to touch, sunbathe and engage in the Songkran water throwing the same day. There was no bleeding or scabbing and the colour is still black and clear four years later.

As an aside, tattoos (bamboo or machine) are A LOT more expensive in tourist areas. A friend of mine wanted a large tattoo on his shoulder/back/arm area. On the Khao San Road he was quoted 30,000 baht! He eventually had the tattoo done in a local tattoo shop in Ubon Ratchathani for 6,000 baht.

Both me and my boyfiend just got from Thailand and got a bamboo tattoo each,it was almost painless, just like someone pinching you and no blood. This was my first so I had a small one on my wrist (meant to be painful in that spot) and I quite enjoyed it! My boyfriend had quite a large buddha tattooed on his upper arm, took about 9hrs all togther (two sittings) and although he did have a bit of pain he said it was much nore bareable than the machine ones-which he's had two of. The detail and shading were amazing, really impressed me!

With reguards to cleanilness they showed me, on request, how they sterilise the needles before use and then gave us the sticks after to take with us so know they haven't been used before.

Basically I'd really reccomend getting a bamboo over machine any day! Hope this helps