Artist Receives ‘Special Request’ to Tattoo Realistic Fingernails on Man Who Lost Part of His Fingers

A man walked into a New York City tattoo shop with an unusual request — and the artist was ready to take it on.

Todd, a client at Inked Tattoo Shop in N.Y.C., asked for realistic fingernail tattoos after losing part of his fingers 15 years ago.

Brooklyn-based tattoo artist Farid Hadechini, 40, embraced the challenge, despite never having done anything similar before.

“I’ve done many finger tattoos and understand the complexities of working on that area, but this was more about repairing than decorating the body. It felt different — more meaningful — and definitely a very special request,” Hadechini told PEOPLE.

He described his client as “very trusting throughout the whole process” and said he felt “immediately connected” to him.

“It became a moment to honor the past and honor the body — and a life filled with different experiences,” Hadechini explained.

The session lasted about three hours, with the artist carefully focusing on details to make the tattoos feel authentic.

“It wasn’t about drawing what I think a finger looks like,” he said. “It was about looking closely and realizing that fingers, skin, eyes — our bodies — tell a story. We can learn so much about who a person is and what their life is like by paying attention to these small details.”

Todd was thrilled with the results and even shared photos of his new tattoos with his family.

Hadechini noted that finger tattoos present unique challenges, being “especially fragile” and often more painful than tattoos in other areas.

“I kept checking to see if he was in pain because it’s such a sensitive area, but he was fine! He’s clearly strong and handled it really well,” Hadechini said.

The shop later posted Todd’s story, along with photos and videos of the tattooing process, on Instagram. Followers praised Hadechini’s artistry, saying the work was so realistic it looked like “magic.”

Reacting to the online response, Hadechini said, “It’s wild. It felt fresh and real, and that’s a little scary — but also inspiring. Touching someone’s life through a story or a piece of art is a beautiful thing.”

With a decade of tattooing experience, Hadechini says the craft has transformed his life.

“The gratitude I feel toward my clients is impossible to put into words. In a world where real human connection can be hard to find, being able to connect through my craft — whether to honor a memory, help someone find closure, or create something they love — is deeply fulfilling. Watching a new idea come to life, line by line, is something truly special.”