You can get tattoos in GTA 5 by visiting any Tattoo Parlor, speaking to the tattoo artist, and purchasing a design for the body part you want to customize. Tattoo Parlors are marked with a heart icon on the map, and each of the three protagonists has access to a different selection of designs.
Despite looking permanent, tattoos can also be removed whenever you want. You simply need to return to a Tattoo Parlor and deselect the tattoo currently equipped.
Where to Get Tattoos in GTA 5
There are six Tattoo Parlors available around GTA 5’s map. Look for the heart icon to identify them.
Tattoo shops can be found in areas including Vespucci Canals, Sandy Shores, Downtown Vinewood, and El Burro Heights, along with other locations around Los Santos and Blaine County.
Vespucci Canals is particularly convenient since it’s an area you’ll frequently encounter while playing through the story with Michael, Franklin, and Trevor.
Once you’ve found a Tattoo Parlor, enter the building and approach the tattoo artist to begin customizing your character.
How to Buy a Tattoo
Interact with the tattoo artist to open the tattoo menu. From here, you can browse available designs and preview how each one looks before spending any money.
Tattoos are divided between six areas of the body:
- Head
- Torso
- Left Arm
- Right Arm
- Left Leg
- Right Leg
Choose the body area you want to customize, browse its available designs, and purchase your preferred tattoo.
Make sure you have enough cash before visiting. Unlike removing a tattoo, applying a new one costs money.
Do Michael, Franklin, and Trevor Have Different Tattoos?
Yes. Michael, Franklin, and Trevor have their own tattoo selections, so the three protagonists don’t all choose from an identical pool of designs.
If you’re looking for a particular tattoo, you’ll therefore need to check what’s available for the character you’re currently controlling.
This makes tattoos another way of giving each protagonist a distinct appearance alongside GTA 5’s clothing and hairstyle customization.
How to Remove Tattoos in GTA 5
Tattoos aren’t actually permanent despite their appearance.
To remove one, return to any Tattoo Parlor and interact with the artist. Navigate to the body area containing the tattoo you want to remove, then select the currently equipped design again.
The tattoo will be removed and the character’s skin will return to its default appearance in that area.
Better still, removing a tattoo is free. There’s no waiting period or multi-step removal process, so you can change your character’s appearance whenever you visit a Tattoo Parlor.
That also means there’s little risk in experimenting with different designs. If a tattoo doesn’t look as good as expected once you’re back in the world, simply return to a shop and remove or replace it.
