How to Choose a Body Piercing or Tattoo Studio

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Body art such as tattooing and piercing has become increasingly popular over recent years. Read on for advice on choosing a piercer or tattooist.

Steps

Look in your telephone directory for a list of local artists. Many tattooists offer both piercing and tattoo work under one roof.
Ask around for recommendations from your friends, making a shortlist of places which are recommended and avoiding anywhere with a bad reputation.
Visit several studios,and have a look around. You should look for a clean environment,ensuring needles are changed for each client,seating areas are cleaned frequently and that the artist wears medical gloves. Ask to see their autoclave and spore test.
Ask to see portfolios. Look for new and healed work. Ask how much experience the artist has had, and about any certifications.
When you have decided which studio to use,try to have a chat with the staff and if you feel comfortable with letting them work on you-then go ahead!

Tips

If you see someone with a great tattoo or piercing,don't be afraid to ask who did it. People are usually happy to recommend their favourite artist,and word of mouth is generally reliable on the body art scene.
In the UK, there is no recognised certification for body piercing.
Never choose a studio which rushes its clients. Some businesses let customers walk out when they are faint or feeling ill,which is seen as very bad practice.
Most studios require parental permission for piercings on anyone under 18.
Eat at least 2 hours before your tattoo or piercing.
Wash the area to be worked on.
Inform your artist about any diseases you have that are transmissible, and any conditions such as hemophilia.

Warnings

Avoid any studio which uses guns for body piercing, as piercing guns cannot be sterilized. Furthermore, piercings guns can cause blunt force trauma, complicating healing. They are also more painful than needles.
It is illegal for anyone under 18 to get a tattoo (US, UK).
Cheaper is almost never better.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

http://www.bmezine.com
Tattoo Artists
http://tattoo.about.com/cs/psafety/a/piercing_guns.htm [this explains why piercings guns are the worst way to get pierced]

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