When considering a tattoo shop, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Take into consideration that tattooing is like a minor surgery: look for cleanliness in the shop and work-stations, including the floors, the counter surfaces, and the chairs/tables you will be seated on. There should also...

I went to The Redneck Games this weekend in lovely Dublin, GA. It was a blast, for the most part. Taz has been replaced by the blob. Ugly people with ugly, BAD tattoos. The worst part was they had people doing tattoos and piercings at the festival. In an open-air tent (10 x 10). Let's list all of...

Anyone know of a *GOOD* Piercer near Long Beach or Huntington Beach or close by? Ideally, a shop with an autoclave, but it *HAS* to be a shop with a male piercer (gay, straight, or whatever I don't mind!). (Please don't bother telling me about Somatic in Long Beach, as the people there that I've...

Folks, Just curious as to what the actual regulations are regarding *specifically* a piercing studio these days? Do they have to be registered? Is it governed by regional or national regulations? Are there specific rules about frequency of spore testing of autoclaves? If it is actually a regional thing...

I recently started getting my natural nails done. I started to lose patience with doing myself. For a few months I would check out various salons in my area. My number one requirement for a salon is that they use an autoclave to clean their instruments. My second choice is the salon needs to be close...

I am currently looking to start tattooing again, I was an artist over 4 yrs. ago, and I need to build up the portfolio again. I've worked it out that a few of my friends are willing to let me use them for photos and to practice in exchange for free tattoos. Here is my problem. Because I am not in...

Hi I got my first tattoo a couple of days ago. I am from the United Kingdom - some things may be slightly different but I thought I'd explain from my point of view the feelings etc. for anyone thinking of getting their first. 1. First thing I did was to check out the studio, didn't even bother...

During the a.m. commute, I heard a tattoo story about military members tattooing their fellow soldiers in Iraq. Googled npr, tattoo but the story didn't pop up. The following article (URL below) from two years ago, however, did. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=895768 http://www...

apparently you're not supposed to ask, "where's your autoclave? how about spore tests?" when you climb into the bloodmobile. they ignored me & handed me a form to fill out. i asked again & received a couple of obviously ignorant, indifferent, apathetic shrugs. i proclaimed,...