Australian Doctors Warn Against Bali General Anaesthesia Tattoos
Thousands of Australians have travelled to Bali regions such as Kuta and Legian this year to undergo full-body tattoos administered in hospital operation rooms under general anaesthesia, a trend that is drawing sharp warnings from medical professionals, 1News reported.
Multiple Artists Finish Tattoos in Fewer Sessions
The procedure allows up to nine tattoo artists to work on a single client simultaneously. According to Kuta tattoo artist Madhe Ink, speaking to 9News, an entire arm or leg can be finished in a 10-hour timeframe, with the complete body finished in just one or two sessions. Madhe Ink noted that Australians make up roughly 70 percent of his clientele, with the remainder coming from America, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, and elsewhere.
Before undergoing the procedure, prospective clients must complete two medical check-ups, which include filling out a form and undergoing a medical examination. The general anaesthesia is administered by doctors and nurses inside a hospital operation room rather than a standard tattoo shop, according to the tattoo artist. High costs in Australia have driven the trend, with Australian studios charging tens of thousands of dollars for a full-body tattoo over months or years, compared to approximately AU$16,000 (NZ$19,700) in Kuta.
Doctors Warn Against Using General Anaesthesia
Australian doctors have raised concerns over the safety standards of the practice. Australian Medical Association WA president Dr Kyle Hoath warned that using general anaesthesia purely for convenience adds unnecessary risk to a procedure that should be straightforward. “It’s safer to make sure you avoid things like this. An anaesthetic just for convenience is a dangerous proposition, and not one I think you should entertain,” Hoath told 9News, adding that surgery and anaesthesia carry a risk of death.
Reactions among Australians visiting Bali were mixed. One woman expressed doubt about the healing process, stating, “Seems like a lot on the body to have that much tattooed and to heal all at once.” Another woman noted a preference for remaining conscious during the process, saying, “I would like to be awake, and wanting to know what is happening to my body – but each to their own.”