A tattoo artist from California is facing heavy criticism after revealing his client’s first-ever tattoo—a decision many consider extreme for a newcomer to ink.
Javi, who has been in the tattoo industry for nearly 15 years, is known for his range of work, from large back pieces to delicate floral designs and simple text tattoos. He has built a strong following of nearly 71,000 on Instagram, where he shares his work under the handle @javi_tattoos. Over the years, his posts have generally been met with positive feedback.
However, in September, Javi found himself in the midst of backlash after sharing a tattoo he did for a first-time client—a sideburn tattoo featuring Roman numerals of the client’s birthdate.
In the post, Javi wrote, “My guy got his first tattoo on his face,” accompanied by a video showcasing the fresh sideburn tattoo. He followed up with another post, acknowledging, “I believe this is the 1st time in my career I do a face tat as someone’s 1st tattoo!”
The decision sparked outrage among commenters, with many expressing concern about the impact of such a bold choice for a first tattoo. One comment read, “Great way to ruin your life,” while another added, “I hope you’re joking. Many artists won’t even tattoo hands or necks for first-timers. Why start with a face?”
Another critic wrote, “Why would you agree to give someone a face tattoo for their first? It’s unethical. He’s going to regret that in a day.”
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