What You Should Know

Do you, a family member or friend have a tattoo or piercing that is not what you hoped for? Well here are some tips you may not have considered or been aware of to ensure your health, safety and the outcome of your tattoo or piercing.

1. Look at the overall appearance of the studio, is it clean? Is it maintained well? This is a direct reflection of the owner. The employees you talked to professional and friendly?

2. How long did it take for someone to greet you? Were the employees you talked to friendly and professional?

3. Take your time. Ask to see portfolios of tattoos done by each artist. Ask to see their sketchbook to see if their style of art appeals to you.

4. Ask to speak with the artist of your choice. You will be spending some time together, make sure you feel comfortable with this person.

5. Look for references, ask around. Most everyone has an opinion, if it’s an overwhelming one, then its most likely true. Check with the Better Business Bureau for Customer Service rating. Are you concerned about a business? Have there been any violations? Or need to report one. You can contact the Delaware Department of Environmental Health to find the proper procedures.

6. Ask to watch a tattoo or piercing being performed. Look at the way each artist has set up their environment. Red Cross standards require everything the artist comes in contact with to be covered, unless disposable or able to be sterilized. Next, everything should be wiped down with a solution that is able to kill any transmissible disease. This will ensure you will not obtain what the previous client may have had. The artist should also wash their hands before and after each procedure. The artist should have short finger nails, no nail polish, rings or bracelets. All of these hold bacteria.

7. Make sure they check their needles! Checking the tip of the needle through an eye loop before each set up will ensure you are not being tattooed with a damaged needle.

8. Ask the artist to show you where the indicator has changed on the tattoo packs. These packs should also have an expiration date. (Beware some pre-made needles are shipped in packs to prevent damage. Not because they are sterile.)

9. When scheduling an appointment most studios will require a deposit. It’s important to ask what types of payment will be accepted. Ask for an estimate on what your total will be. Make sure to get a receipt with your artists’ name, date and time of your appointment and deposit total. Look for a receipt with a business name on it; do not accept a handwritten piece of paper.

10. Anyone under the age of 18 years cannot legally be tattooed or pierced without parent or guardian written consent. Ages 16 and under will need a notarized form. A photo-id of parent or guardian must be on file.

11. Tattoos and Piercings may only be performed in a Health Department inspected and licensed studio or Mobil Unit. (Tattoo parties in an unlicensed building or unit is illegal. The risk of transmitting a disease or a serious infection is much greater. See information on “Flesh eating disease”.)

12. You can’t price shop and expect quality at the same time. This is not a pair of shoes or a loaf of bread; this is a life changing alteration to your body. Make it one to be proud of.