the tattoo market | France

1.1 Definition and scope of the study

A tattoo is a permanent drawing made on the skin, by means of pointed objects or needles that introduce indelible dyes under the skin. It has always been practiced in many parts of the world and can have symbolic, religious or decorative functions.

We can distinguish two kinds of tattoos:

• the temporary tattoo: the inks belong to the category of cosmetic products
• the permanent tattoo: realized by professional tattooers, the inks used come under a particular regulation

The present study will focus on the permanent tattoos.

Tattoos are more and more adopted by French people: between 2010 and 2018, the proportion of French people declaring to have experienced a tattoo has increased from 10 to 18%. At the same time, the number of tattoo artists has also increased. The market is becoming more and more competitive and tattoo artists are vying with each other to distinguish themselves by communicating massively on social networks. France remains "late" on the issue of tattooing compared to other countries where it is more practiced (French people are use to get tattooed during travels most of the time).

The profession of tattooer-perceiver does not require any particular diploma but the person must nevertheless declare himself to the ARS and follow a training relating to the conditions of hygiene and salubrity, this one lasts at least 21 hours distributed on 3 consecutive days.

The sector was largely affected by the crisis of the Covid-19, the studios of tattooing underwent of full force the closings bound to the confinement. Taking the example of the tattoo parlour of Auxerre "Frappe Chirurgicale", the latter lost 80% of its turnover during the first confinement in 2020, and received only a small aid of 1 500 €. The aid from the second containment, however, made it possible to compensate for the losses.