2008 Woodie Awards
Think before you're inked!
Issue date: 4/9/07 Section: Inside WCC
- Page 1 of 1
You've decided you want a tattoo: maybe a grim reaper complete with scythe, or entire sleeve of Japanese koi swimming in waves. One look at the phone book reveals that there are no fewer than 10 tattoo artists in town, plus there's that friend of a friend who tattoos out of his parent's basement. Do you know what to look for in a tattoo artist? Are you just going to throw a dart at a page from the phone book and go wherever it lands? Hopefully not. For the first timer, here's a quick look of things you should consider before you permanently modify your skin, compiled from artists' comments.
1. Sanitation
Corey Cuc from the Lucky Monkey Tattoo Parlor mentioned the importance of sanitation several times: He said that when entering the studio, the client "should be able to see a clean and smoke-free environment. When questioned about sanitation practices, [the artists] should be honest and open…When doing a procedure everything should be covered [with barrier film] to avoid cross-contamination." Get the picture? Clean is the keyword here.
Joey Singleton from S C Tattooing said that it is necessary to watch your artist in order to ensure that fresh needles are used and that the equipment is taken from sterile packages.
"Ask to watch them set up," said Singleton. "If they give you attitude, if you feel comfortable, I would just walk out."
The consequences of an unsanitary tattoo could be nasty. Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus that can cause chronic liver problems and death. That's why it's so important that the artist uses new and sanitized equipment. And although HIV can't live very long outside of the body, new needles are imperative to avoid the spread of the disease.
Wendi Wentzell, the Lucky Monkey's body piercer, said that there is another disease that artists and customers should be aware of: MRSA.
"MRSA can be threatening because it's something that lives on everyone's skin," said Wentzell. MRSA, which stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, is also resistant to other common antibiotics According to the Centers for Disease Control, antibiotic resistant staph infections make up over 60 percent of all staph infections.
That's why cleanliness is a top priority for tattoo artists: MRSA can be transmitted to equipment simply by touching it. Several MRSA infections were linked to illegal tattoos in Ohio, Kentucky, and Vermont, according to cnn.com.
Luckily, tattoo artists are required to have bloodborne pathogen training every year, according to Wentzel. And if you're not convinced that your tattoo artist is using sterile equipment, you can check out the autoclave, a machine that sterilizes the reusable portions off the tattoo gun using heat, steam, and pressure.
"Shops should have a book with proof of third party testing" that the autoclave is functioning properly, said Wentzel. The artist should test the machine minimally once a month. In order to reduce the risk cross-contamination, the Lucky Monkey boasts that it is the only tattoo shop in town with separate rooms for prepping and sterilizing materials.
2. Building a rapport
As Margaret Singleton from S C Tattooing said, some people will search for a perfect haircut, but when it comes to tattoos, they'll just pick the first person they see in the phone book. Unfortunately, bad tattoos don't just fade away like bad haircuts.
"If you get a stupid tattoo you better expect to pay a lot for a cover up," said Joey Singleton. The same goes for tattoo removal-for a larger piece, removals can cost thousands of dollars.
That's why it's important to talk to the artist of your choice and check out pictures of tattoos that he or she has already done.
Singleton can do a wide variety of tattoo styles, "but if it's not within my range I'll send them to someone more capable," he said.
In the end, you know what you want on your skin, and it's up to you to find the appropriate artist.
3. Location, location, location
A lot of shops have rules about where they will and won't put tattoos. Hands are a touchy area, as well as tattoos above the neckline, which are difficult to hide for that all-important job interview.
"We won't do anything above the neck or below the shirt sleeve until they're 21," said Singleton. The Lucky Monkey has a similar policy.
"We had a girl in here that wanted a swallow on the side of her neck," said Corey Maxey. Her request was denied.
"We don't do the neck or the hands unless they are already heavily tattooed," Maxey explained.
In addition, tattoo lovers may want to consider tattoo placement in the future.
"Your back is your largest piece of canvas," said Margaret Singleton. "Younger kids don't think ahead, they only think in the moment." Some may eventually regret scattering smaller tattoos all over their bodies once they realize they want a larger, integrated piece.
4. Subject matter
If you didn't already know, getting your loved one's name tattooed on your body might not be the best idea. Maragaret Singleton often regales customers with the following story.
"This couple said, 'Oh, we've been married 43 years, there's no way this'll be a problem,'" recounted Singleton. "Six months later they got a divorce." The ex-wife came into the shop to get the tattoo covered up not long after the separation.
"It's almost like a mindset," she continued. "You get [your name on someone's body] and a switch goes off in your head, like 'I own you.'"
In addition, artists may have problems with certain tattoos.
"No drug related or racist tattoos," said Corey Cuc firmly when questioned about his limits.
Retired tattoo artist Rev. John Schultz had a few parting words on "socially unacceptable" tattoos.
"Although tattoos are becoming more fashionable and more acceptable, a swastika on the neck still pretty much means that you are on the other side of conventional society," said Shultz. "Think it over before casting yourself to that other side."
1. Sanitation
Corey Cuc from the Lucky Monkey Tattoo Parlor mentioned the importance of sanitation several times: He said that when entering the studio, the client "should be able to see a clean and smoke-free environment. When questioned about sanitation practices, [the artists] should be honest and open…When doing a procedure everything should be covered [with barrier film] to avoid cross-contamination." Get the picture? Clean is the keyword here.
Joey Singleton from S C Tattooing said that it is necessary to watch your artist in order to ensure that fresh needles are used and that the equipment is taken from sterile packages.
"Ask to watch them set up," said Singleton. "If they give you attitude, if you feel comfortable, I would just walk out."
The consequences of an unsanitary tattoo could be nasty. Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus that can cause chronic liver problems and death. That's why it's so important that the artist uses new and sanitized equipment. And although HIV can't live very long outside of the body, new needles are imperative to avoid the spread of the disease.
Wendi Wentzell, the Lucky Monkey's body piercer, said that there is another disease that artists and customers should be aware of: MRSA.
"MRSA can be threatening because it's something that lives on everyone's skin," said Wentzell. MRSA, which stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, is also resistant to other common antibiotics According to the Centers for Disease Control, antibiotic resistant staph infections make up over 60 percent of all staph infections.
That's why cleanliness is a top priority for tattoo artists: MRSA can be transmitted to equipment simply by touching it. Several MRSA infections were linked to illegal tattoos in Ohio, Kentucky, and Vermont, according to cnn.com.
Luckily, tattoo artists are required to have bloodborne pathogen training every year, according to Wentzel. And if you're not convinced that your tattoo artist is using sterile equipment, you can check out the autoclave, a machine that sterilizes the reusable portions off the tattoo gun using heat, steam, and pressure.
"Shops should have a book with proof of third party testing" that the autoclave is functioning properly, said Wentzel. The artist should test the machine minimally once a month. In order to reduce the risk cross-contamination, the Lucky Monkey boasts that it is the only tattoo shop in town with separate rooms for prepping and sterilizing materials.
2. Building a rapport
As Margaret Singleton from S C Tattooing said, some people will search for a perfect haircut, but when it comes to tattoos, they'll just pick the first person they see in the phone book. Unfortunately, bad tattoos don't just fade away like bad haircuts.
"If you get a stupid tattoo you better expect to pay a lot for a cover up," said Joey Singleton. The same goes for tattoo removal-for a larger piece, removals can cost thousands of dollars.
That's why it's important to talk to the artist of your choice and check out pictures of tattoos that he or she has already done.
Singleton can do a wide variety of tattoo styles, "but if it's not within my range I'll send them to someone more capable," he said.
In the end, you know what you want on your skin, and it's up to you to find the appropriate artist.
3. Location, location, location
A lot of shops have rules about where they will and won't put tattoos. Hands are a touchy area, as well as tattoos above the neckline, which are difficult to hide for that all-important job interview.
"We won't do anything above the neck or below the shirt sleeve until they're 21," said Singleton. The Lucky Monkey has a similar policy.
"We had a girl in here that wanted a swallow on the side of her neck," said Corey Maxey. Her request was denied.
"We don't do the neck or the hands unless they are already heavily tattooed," Maxey explained.
In addition, tattoo lovers may want to consider tattoo placement in the future.
"Your back is your largest piece of canvas," said Margaret Singleton. "Younger kids don't think ahead, they only think in the moment." Some may eventually regret scattering smaller tattoos all over their bodies once they realize they want a larger, integrated piece.
4. Subject matter
If you didn't already know, getting your loved one's name tattooed on your body might not be the best idea. Maragaret Singleton often regales customers with the following story.
"This couple said, 'Oh, we've been married 43 years, there's no way this'll be a problem,'" recounted Singleton. "Six months later they got a divorce." The ex-wife came into the shop to get the tattoo covered up not long after the separation.
"It's almost like a mindset," she continued. "You get [your name on someone's body] and a switch goes off in your head, like 'I own you.'"
In addition, artists may have problems with certain tattoos.
"No drug related or racist tattoos," said Corey Cuc firmly when questioned about his limits.
Retired tattoo artist Rev. John Schultz had a few parting words on "socially unacceptable" tattoos.
"Although tattoos are becoming more fashionable and more acceptable, a swastika on the neck still pretty much means that you are on the other side of conventional society," said Shultz. "Think it over before casting yourself to that other side."
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