Chinese mothers tattoo over C-section scars

Reuters

featured

May 12, 2017

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The Wider Image: Chinese mothers tattoo over C-section scars

China has one of the highest C-section rates in the world, reaching a peak between 2004 and 2008 when nearly half of the country’s babies were born using the procedure, the World Health Organization said in 2010. Some women spend up to 300 yuan ($43.44) for a 30 ml tube of silicone gel that promises to make their scars go away. Tattoo artist Shi Hailei said he offers an alternative to mothers unhappy with the results from gels and tummy tucks. Reuters

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“A tattoo makes a woman more confident. She will no longer feel ashamed to show her abdomen,” said Shi, the 32-year-old owner of Samurai Tattoo in Shanghai. Reuters

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Shi said he was inspired by Brazilian tattoo artist Flavia Carvalho, who offers tattoos to women physically scarred by domestic violence. He thought tattoos could help improve the self-esteem of Chinese mothers unhappy with their scars. Reuters

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Shi performed his first free C-section tattoo in 2015. His shop now helps up to six women per month and sometimes there is a waiting list due to high demand. Reuters

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Wang Ruoyu, 37, a mother and yoga coach, shows her new tattoo. Reuters

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“I love all beautiful things that make me look better,” she said, “I chose the pattern of a crown with wings to cover the scar. It looks nice.” Reuters

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Kiki, 25, mother of a 5-year-old boy, poses with her new tattoo. Reuters

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“This is my fifth tattoo. I like flowers and have tattoos of flowers on my shoulders and legs. I enjoy getting tattoos, it’s addictive,” Kiki said. Reuters

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Eason Zhou, 28, mother of a 5-year-old child, checks a tattoo design on a computer with tattoo artist Shi Hailei at Samurai Tattoo. Reuters

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Zhou, the mother of a 5-year-old child, turned to a tattoo after scar-removal gel didn’t work. Reuters

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“In the past people thought tattoos were just for men, but now women are starting to get them too,” Zhou said. Reuters

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Li Ling, 34, mother of a 6-year-old boy, has a tattoo of a forest under the night sky showing the Capricornus Constellation. Reuters

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“I constantly felt hungry during my last month of pregnancy and I couldn’t stop eating. As a result my son grew too big for a natural birth.” Reuters

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Shi Hailei, 32, designs a tattoo for Li Ling in Samurai Tattoo in Shanghai, China, March 25, 2017. The idea came from a South American tattoo artist who gave scar-covering… Reuters

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Wang Jing, 46, has spent thousands of dollars over the years on treatments to remove her C-section scar. Reuters

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“I want to be more confident when wearing low-rise pants,” Jing said. Reuters

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Covering a belly scar can be a challenge because the skin is softer than other parts of the body. Each scar is unique and requires careful thought about the tattoo design. Reuters

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Grace Yuan, 34, a dance instructor, feels awkward when her C-section scar is exposed when she wears costumes. Reuters

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“Now I feel more confident after getting this tattoo. I can dance freely on the stage without worries or awkwardness,” said Yuan. Reuters

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Yuan’s 3-year-old daughter Rebecca looks at the scar on her mother’s belly, which is being worked on. Reuters

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