5 Safety Tips when Selecting a Tattoo Parlor

Look Deeper Than the "Surface"!

Mr. New Material
Are you thinking of getting a new tattoo? Sure it will come out looking everything like you pictured it to be, however; do you know the proper precautions to take before selecting a tattoo parlor to design your tattoo? While some tattoo parlors may appear "top notch" on the service, the truth is more than just "skin deep". You will have to literally observe every detail to ensure your safety. Follow this guideline on what to look out for before selecting a tattoo parlor.

Fully Licensed Parlor: When you first walk into the door for the tattoo parlor, this is what you should be looking for! Forget everything and everyone else in the parlor for now, look to see if they're a licensed studio. This is super important when it comes to your safety, a licensed studio means they know what they're doing. If you don't mind taking a chance getting a tattoo from an unlicensed studio, by all mean go ahead and take a chance......you're only playing with your life!

Private Area: When getting a tattoo from a tattoo parlor, pay attention to see the area around the tattoo artists. This means look to see if you will be shielded by a curtain of some sort in order to give you that privacy you want. If you don't mind others watching you get your tattoo, you don't have to worry about this tip. For those that care about a having a little of privacy when getting they're body art, pay special attention to check this out.

"Throw Away" Kits: Before sitting down to get your tattoo; see if the artist's uses "throw away" kits. "Throw Away" kits are anything that is disposable. Look to see if there are disposable needles, towels, gloves and inks. If the artist isn't throwing away the needles and using the same towels, you will be in risk of having one heck of a infection flare up. Protect yourself by finding this out before you get your tat!

Nearby Sink: When getting a tattoo, always make sure there is a sink nearby where you are going to be getting your tattoo. This may sound strange to the average rookie, however, the pro's know, anything can happen at any time. The artist should often clean their tools thru out the process of you getting your tattoo.

Sterile Equipment: Cleanliness is the number one thing to watch out for when trying to decide on a tattoo parlor. If the place looks dirty on the inside, believe that the equipment there are using is dirty. In some instances, the decoration of the parlor will have nothing to do with the cleanliness of the place, however; it just gives off a bad vibe. Look to see if tattoo guns and other equipment are soaking in alcohol and other sterilizing substances.

Published by Mr. New Material

CEO of Fiya Dro Records as well as Manager for Perfectly Pretty Models. Born and raised in the "YaY Area" California! I'm a Keep It Real Specialist, Ima tell you how it really is no matter how you feel about...  View profile

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  • ah hem2/20/2011

    yes, it would be nice, if the person writing this had any clue as to what they were talking about. a tattoo MACHINE not a GUN should not soak in alcohol, that would rust it, and therefore make it unsafe, and tubes and such are sterilized and bagged way before your tattoo, it would be supremely ignorant and dangerous to clean them in the sink, which is there to wash up. and here is why, picture this scenario: a gloved tattooist is touching your skin (with gloves of course) and CONSTANTLY touching the tube attached to the machine, if they were to just simply WASH it in the SINK it would leave behind blood and plasma, which is cross contamination for anyone who touches the sink afterwards. I appreciate a safety list on tattooing, but not when the person doesnt know what theyre talking about.

  • Jesse Sears3/9/2009

    It is always nice to hear someone reminding us to be responsible about tattoo hygiene.

  • Kofi Bofah2/17/2009

    Things to think about. Use common sense, of course.

  • mimpi2/14/2009

    great tips there!

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