For quite some time now I have wanted to have a tattoo, but I don't want a tattoo. (Go back and read that again if that doesn't make sense the first time around)

So, just over a year ago I decided to have an inkless tattoo done.

Please note that if you are upset by blood, easilly offended, my parents, or of a nervous disposition, you probably shouldn't click the Read More link. However, if you want to find out more, then go right ahead and click...

What is an inkless tattoo? Well, it's a tattoo done exactly the same as any other tattoo, except... guess what... with no ink!

Why have an inless tattoo? Well, for me, I wanted to experience the whole tattoo process, the choosing a design, booking an appointment, marking it out, the feel of the needles ripping through flesh, the showing it off to mates, the feel of it, and the healing process. What I didn't want, however, was a picture on my skin for life.

So, where did I have it done? Duh! My leg!

No, where is the fine looking establishment that you went to to have it done? Ah, sorry, I'm with you now. The fine looking establishment is abody, and the good looking gentleman with the gun in his hand is Neil

Is anything done differently to a normal tattoo? The only difference is that Neil used rosewater instead of ink, as this keeps the needles lubricated and is completely harmless to the skin. Other than that, it's exactly the same.

So, how did it feel? Well, if it was possible to describe the exact feeling in a couple of lines, then I wouldn't have needed it doing in the first place! The only real way to know is to have one yourself.

What influienced your decission on what design to have? Well, for this to work, it had to be a bold black & white image with no shading, and very little detail. I wanted something that represented my life at that time, but that I wouldn't be ashamed of in case it didn't fade. That's why I chose the Jester from the Nottingham Juggling Club logo.

Why did you choose your right thigh? I wanted somewhere that I could see it (After all, it was for ME), but not somewhere that would be permanently on show. It had to be somewhere that I could choose to show people or not, and large enough to do the image justice. Also somewhere that wasn't ticklish! The thigh seemed to meet all that criteria, and everytime I talked about it to someone, I found myself slapping my right thigh... so that's where I had it!

How was the healilng process? It was a little sore for the first couple of days, and quite itchy for a while. I resisted the urge to itch it though. It was interesting to see it scabbing over, and peeling off to leave the same picture but with softer edges underneath.

How long did it last? It began to fade after a coupld of months. After about 4 months it was still there but quite pale. By 6 months old it was almost completely gone. It's now been 14 months since it was done, and apart from a couple of tiny bits that I know are there, it is completely invisible. It may show up a little if I get a sun tan, but it's high enough up my leg that it is fairly unlikely.

Would you have another one done? Yes.

Would you have one done with ink? No.

Why did you wait so long before putting this up on the site? Honestly? Scared that my mum would see it! But her main argument against tattoos is that they are there for life. Now that it has faded away to nothing, I should be safe :-)