Skype with a web-cam

Q: I wish to subscribe to Skype and utilise the services. Skype is a very cheap way of speaking to your friends and family throughout the world by means of the internet. However, if both sides have a webcam attached to the computer, then you can see each other live whilst talking. If I use this service to speak to only my mahrams or only to those people with whom conversation is allowed, will it be permissible?

Covering tattoos with plain ink

Q:

  1. A brother accepted Islam, but previously was a Christian who has tattoos on his arms, some are facial images, possibly Christian crosses too, is it permissible that he tattoos those images with plain ink so images are not visible to see what it represents or should he leave it alone? 
  2. Will his wudhu and salaah be valid with the tattoos?