Two businesses have joined forces to create pre-tattooed prosthetic limbs.
Tattoo studio Black Rabbit Tattoo Collective and The Silicone Centre have teamed up for the unique venture.
The bespoke service means clients can get a prosthetic body part that still shows off their personality.
The idea is the brainchild of Silicone Centre managing director Michael Li-Rouse, who suggested the idea to tattoo artist Carrie Buckley.
“I am excited about the potential of this project,” Miss Buckley said.
“I have not seen anything like it and it is so important when you lose a limb that you can have a say in what your new limb, hand or even finger looks like.
“You get a bit of your personality back.”
She added: “People sometimes want to hide their prosthetics but he [Michael] hopes this will promote people to show them off a little bit and be proud of them.”
The pair have already started with someone already getting a tattooed prosthetic made up.
The process entails a consultation with colour swatches and photos of a person’s skin tone taken in order to create an accurate prosthetics before the silicone body part is then tattooed.
Miss Buckley has been practising her silicone tattooing on Mr Li-Rouse’s unused prosthetics which she says is completely different to working on real skin.
“I have been practising,” the Thatcham woman said.
“It is different to work on silicone, it is a bit of a slower process and you have to go over it a few times.
“But I can put it on a vice and move it around and it doesn’t feel pain. I struggle when I feel like I am inflicting pain on people.”
And she can’t wait to get started on some real ones.
“It has given me a drive when I know I am doing it for someone,” she said.
“It is nice to know I can use my skill to make a difference.
“Seeing Mike’s work first hand has really spurred me on knowing how much work and effort everyone there puts into each prosthetic.
“It makes me want to match and level up so the client gets the best product they can.”
Anyone wanting to get in contact, book a consultation or seek more information can contact Silicone Centre and Black Rabbit Tattoo Collective.
