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When Adelaide Chin got her first tattoo at just 15 years old, she thought it was cool to be “different”.
Like many teenagers, it felt like a way to express herself, to stand out, and maybe even to feel a little more “grown up” than she actually was.
But years later, the tattoo she once hid throughout high school became something she deeply regretted.
Today, the 27-year-old tattoo artist from Ipoh is still undergoing removal treatment for that very tattoo.
For Adelaide, that experience became more than just a personal regret. It shaped the way she sees tattooing now – not just as art, but a decision that stays with someone long after the excitement fades.
“Maybe this is why underage tattooing is not allowed, as we are not mature enough to think,” she added.
Excelled in art
Before she became known as a tattoo artist, Adelaide was just a girl from Ipoh who grew up in a family that had to carry on after loss.
Her father passed away when she was four, and she was mostly raised by her maternal grandparents.
Although she remembers attending art classes and doing well when she was in Standard One, Adelaide said she was not exactly the kind of child who was always obsessed with drawing.
“As I grew older, art slowly became less of a focus in my life.Still, somewhere along the way, the idea of becoming a tattoo artist remained at the back of my mind.
“After getting my first tattoo, I dreamt of entering the tattoo industry, but life took me elsewhere and this led me to pursue a diploma in Mass Communication, followed by another diploma in e-commerce in China.”
It was in 2021 during the FMCO period that Adelaide made one of the biggest decisions of her life by moving to Johor Bahru from Ipoh to further her career.
At first, she was working as an online supporter for a small private business that was still new and under a test-run phase. But eventually, she decided to quit and go for an interview as a tattoo apprentice.
It was a risky move given the uncertainties, but Adelaide said she was lucky to have the support of her mother and stepfather.
From there, Adelaide began learning under her current boss, who was also her teacher during her apprenticeship. Another teacher from the same studio also guided her, with one focusing more on drawing and the other on tattooing skills and techniques.
Not easy as it seems
Entering the tattoo industry was not as glamorous as some might imagine, something that Adelaide knows all too well as the early days were both financially and emotionally difficult.
“I was new to Johor Bahru, had no friends there, and had to find clients on my own. At the start of my career, I was at my lowest point financially and emotionally.
To outsiders, tattooing might look simple as all you need is a design, needle, some ink, and viola. But for me, it’s never just that because if you’re a responsible tattoo artist who takes care of your client’s skin, the inking process is really challenging,” she said.
Adelaide admitted that she would be ridden with guilt whenever she made a mistake and it took her a full year to finally feel confident in her work.
She also conceded that there are still certain styles she is not fully familiar with, which can affect her confidence. But instead of seeing that as a weakness, she sees it as part of the process.
For Adelaide, one of the biggest misconceptions about tattoos in Malaysia is that people often associate them with being a “samseng” (gangster) or rebellious.
But to her, tattoos can be deeply personal, elegant, soft, and meaningful.
“Some of the tattoos that stay with me the most are cover-ups, or tattoos done in memory of loved ones who have passed away.
“To me, all the tattoos I did were meaningful, as all tattoos are meaningful for my clients,” she said.
This is also why Adelaide hopes more people will understand that proper tattoo work is often pricey for a reason.
It is not just about drawing something onto skin. It involves skill, time, hygiene, experience, and responsibility. And for those thinking of getting one, I only have one simple reminder: think carefully.”
Going viral for turning away Muslim first-timers
Earlier this year, Adelaide went viral after sharing that she would turn away Muslim clients who were getting their first tattoo, even if it meant losing income.
Her stance drew both praise and criticism online, with some expressing admiration, while others accused her of being judgemental and discriminatory.
But Adelaide said her intention was never to judge anyone or make decisions on their behalf.
“One comment that stayed with me was from someone who felt I had described tattooed skin as “dirty “.
“In reality, I did not mean “dirty” in the sense of being disgusting or morally wrong. Rather, what I meant was that once skin has been tattooed, it is no longer empty or untouched. But I’m aware that some may understand it differently.”
In reality, I did not mean “dirty” in the sense of being disgusting or morally wrong. Rather, what I meant was that once skin has been tattooed, it is no longer empty or untouched. But I’m aware that some may understand it differently.”
When asked what she would say to critics, Adelaide said everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Everyone has their own opinion and I don’t really care. I know what I am doing. It is about being careful, especially in Malaysia, where religion and race can easily become sensitive topics.”
Being a woman in the tattoo industry
While tattooing is still seen by many as a male-dominated field, Adelaide said she is grateful to be in a good working environment.
“The males in our studio protect the ladies here. And I’m proud to be their colleague,” she quipped.
It is a simple statement, but one that says a lot. For Adelaide, having the right environment has allowed her to focus on learning, growing, and becoming better at her craft.
Looking back, Adelaide believes her younger self would be proud of who she has become.
After all, she did what she once said she wanted to do.
From a teenager who got a tattoo way too young to a young woman who left home during FMCO, struggled to find clients in a new city, and slowly built her confidence as a tattoo artist, Adelaide’s story is not just about ink.
It is about growing up, learning from regret, and understanding that every decision has weight.
Today, she is still working hard to improve her art. And beyond her career, there is one thing that keeps her going: “I want my kid to feel proud of me.”
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