Inked revellers turned up in their droves for the first day of The International London Tattoo Convention today.
More than 400 tattoo artists from around the world have made their way to Tobacco Dock, in the capital’s east end for the event.
And various styles, from traditional images to photo-realistic artworks, have been on display as visitors made their way around the stalls.
Some customers were pictured wincing in pain as they added to their impressive collections while others showed off designs that ranged from the inspirational to the bizarre.
A spokesman for the convention promised that this year’s event, which runs across the whole weekend, will be the ‘biggest yet’.
He added: ‘Several stages of electrifying entertainment will be positioned throughout the venue including our impressive Tattoo Life Competition stage and catwalk, offering visitors the chance to observe the most impressive skin-inked artworks of the weekend in detail.’
Inked revellers turned up in their droves for the first day of The International London Tattoo Convention today
![Some customers were pictured wincing in pain as they added to their impressive collections](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4497B37100000578-4911268-image-m-42_1506108006377.jpg)
Some customers were pictured wincing in pain as they added to their impressive collections
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B3DB00000578-4911268-image-a-23_1506107833666.jpg)
![More than 400 tattoo artists from around the world have made their way to Tobacco Docks, in the capital's east end for the event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B09700000578-4911268-image-a-22_1506107833539.jpg)
More than 400 tattoo artists from around the world have made their way to Tobacco Docks, in the capital’s east end for the event
![Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular with an estimated one in three young adults in the UK choosing to go under the needle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B3D300000578-4911268-image-m-28_1506107907326.jpg)
![Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular with an estimated one in three young adults in the UK choosing to go under the needle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B16500000578-4911268-image-a-29_1506107914338.jpg)
Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular with an estimated one in three young adults in the UK choosing to go under the needle
![To get a tattoo, the skin is pierced between 50 and 3,000 times a minute by a tattoo machine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B26800000578-4911268-image-a-31_1506107928152.jpg)
To get a tattoo, the skin is pierced between 50 and 3,000 times a minute by a tattoo machine
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B29F00000578-4911268-image-m-36_1506107951221.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B27B00000578-4911268-image-a-37_1506107967543.jpg)
Various styles, from traditional images to photo-realistic artworks, were on display as visitors made their way around the stalls
![It is estimated that about one in five of the UK population has a tattoo with that number rising to around one in three young people](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4497615700000578-4911268-image-m-43_1506108018255.jpg)
It is estimated that about one in five of the UK population has a tattoo with that number rising to around one in three young people
![Archeologists have discovered tools in France, Portugal, and Scandinavia that were probably used for tattooing. These are at least 12,000 years old](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B20B00000578-4911268-image-a-38_1506107987107.jpg)
Archeologists have discovered tools in France, Portugal, and Scandinavia that were probably used for tattooing. These are at least 12,000 years old
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4497623D00000578-4911268-image-m-48_1506108050038.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4497B06700000578-4911268-image-a-49_1506108063618.jpg)
Laser surgery is the most effective way to remove a tattoo. The laser penetrates the skin and breaks up the tattoo pigments so that they can be carried away naturally by the body’s immune system
![The tattoo machine was invented by American Samuel O'Reilly around the late 19th century. He based his design on the autographic printer, an engraving machine invented by Thomas Edison](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B1A000000578-4911268-image-a-51_1506108080043.jpg)
The tattoo machine was invented by American Samuel O’Reilly around the late 19th century. He based his design on the autographic printer, an engraving machine invented by Thomas Edison
![Visitors were treated to live performances which included dancing and fire breathing](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B01F00000578-4911268-image-a-52_1506108198907.jpg)
Visitors were treated to live performances which included dancing and fire breathing
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499AFFB00000578-4911268-image-m-58_1506108234333.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B01700000578-4911268-image-a-59_1506108252958.jpg)
For many people tattoos represent significant traits or moments in their lives. Film star Johnny Depp once said: ‘My body is my journal and my tattoos are my story’
![Some people opt to get UV tattoos, which are created with ink that is completely invisible in normal daylight but glows brightly under ultraviolet light](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B04700000578-4911268-image-a-60_1506108293795.jpg)
Some people opt to get UV tattoos, which are created with ink that is completely invisible in normal daylight but glows brightly under ultraviolet light
![Pyrex perform on stage at the London Tattoo Convention, held at Tobacco Dock](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/22/20/4499B07B00000578-4911268-image-a-63_1506108298345.jpg)
Pyrex perform on stage at the London Tattoo Convention, held at Tobacco Dock