Thinking about getting a tattoo?
Getting a tattoo is a serious decision. It is important to arm yourself with as much information as possible. Health regulations vary from state to state, city to city and in some cases, there are no health regulations in place.
This is a basic guideline for what to look for when choosing a studio and a tattoo artist. Included are precautions meant to help prevent cross-contamination of blood borne diseases from one client to the next and instructions on how to care for your new tattoo.
These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. Be aware, however, that many doctors have no specific training or experience regarding tattoos and may not be educated on how to best assist you.
For more information, please feel free to
call us at: 508.533.1369.
Education is of the utmost importance to us at Visions
Tattoo, Piercing & Art Gallery, Inc. Please familiarize yourself
with the following tattoo guidelines. Any studio you select should abide
by these basic rules for your safety:
Always insist on clean and sterile equipment. Only ultrasonically cleaned
and freshly sterilized instruments should be used for tattooing. Ultrasonic
units use ultrasonic waves to disintegrate ink debris, blood and plasma
off of tattoo instruments ensuring superior uniform cleaning. The only
acceptable means of sterilization is by an autoclave. The autoclave should
be spore tested, at least, monthly to ensure that it is functioning properly.
Any reputable studio should have no problem producing these test records
upon request.
Needles should be single-use only. Make
sure your tattoo artist removes new needles and tubes from sealed autoclave
bags in front of you. Autoclave bags have color indicators to show
that they have been sterilized in an autoclave. However, these indicators
can change colors even if the autoclave is not working properly. This is
another reason you should ask to see autoclave test records.
Be certain that your tattoo artist pours fresh ink into new disposable ink
caps. Under NO circumstances should ink that has been poured out or used,
be poured back into ink bottles.
All tattoo artists should wash their
hands and put on a new pair of gloves when starting a tattoo. Make sure
that any item that may be touched during the tattoo process is covered by
plastic or barrier film, to avoid cross contamination. Cross contamination
is the act of spreading potential pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms
from one item or surface to another. Even if a tattoo artist has on new
gloves but touches a cross contamination item or surface, you are then in
danger of those pathogens being transferred to your freshly broken skin.
The best way to prevent cross contamination from one client to the next
is by covering all surfaces that a tattoo artist might touch during the
tattoo process with disposable plastic or barrier film. Items that should
be covered include spray bottles, clip cords, lamps, knobs on power supplies
and chair adjustments. Be sure your artist does not touch anything with
dirty gloves, and that all items are wiped down with a disinfectant in between
tattoos as an extra precautionary step.
Your tattoo artist should be clean in appearance and sober. The furnishings
in a studio should also be clean and orderly in appearance. All containers,
work stations, and floors should be made of hard non-porous materials so
they can be cleaned with a hard surface disinfectant.
Feel free to question the tattoo artist about any of these basic guidelines and procedures. If a tattoo artist is a professional, they will have no problem complying with these standards. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable or if a tattoo artist appears evasive when questioned - go elsewhere!
Choosing a Design
Tattoos should reflect who you are and
what you like. Take your time and make sure your tattoo will be something
that you can live with forever. Don't be limited to what a studio has on
hand; sometimes part of finding the perfect tattoo involves explaining your
ideas to the tattooist, and/or bringing in reference materials. Your tattoo
artist should be able to draw a custom design for you. Discuss size, color,
and placement. Sometimes designs that work on paper may not work on skin.
You should be comfortable enough to trust in the experience of your chosen
tattooist.
Placement and Size
of the Design
Give the placement of your tattoo a lot
of thought. Most people have a gut feeling about where they would like to
have their tattoos placed. Choosing where your tattoo is placed should not
necessarily be based on a fear of how much it might or might not hurt. Every
person's body reacts differently, so the sensation will vary from person
to person. Size is another issue. Starting small is not always best. As
tattoos age they spread a little, so get the tattoo the size that it will
look the best over time. Discuss these, and all other aspects of your tattoo
with your artist. They can share their experience with you.
Choosing an Artist
In choosing an artist to tattoo, you should
never "price shop". Tattoo prices are based on quality as well
as time, and prices will vary artist to artist, region to region. This is
not a trade where there are fixed prices. Look at portfolios showcasing
examples of tattoos by the artist that will be working on you. Look
at line quality and smoothness of blends of color. These photos are the
best way to determine if a tattoo artist is worth what you pay them or is
capable of the style you seek. A professional will refer you to someone
else if they feel they can not do the piece you want correctly. Bargain
tattoos, however, are often a sign of someone more interested in your money
than your health. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Don't gamble with your skin. A cheap tattoo now, may cost you hundreds of
dollars to fix later or even worse, may cost you your health.
