Educate yourself before getting a Tattoo or Piercing

Any silence is an awkward silence.

2012-02-20T13:30:00.000-05:00

If there is one thing I have learned in the last few years, it is that the vast majority of those who come to get tattooed or pierced enjoy the social interaction that is commonplace in most shops. Much like they do with their hairdressers, bartenders and even therapists, our clients want to be able to engage in conversation and have a positive experience. Whether it be a tattoo, piercing or any other form of body modification, we are performing painful procedures on every person who sits in our chair. Many people are nervous, anxious and in some cases truly scared before the procedure regardless if it is their first time, or 100th. Engaging in conversation with not only the person in your chair, but others around you does a great deal to help put them at ease and decrease their anxiety level. Social interaction helps to shift some of the focus away from the pain the client is being sujected to. Silence, on the other hand, creates an environment where the only thing they have is the pain.

Imagine how awkward and uncomfortable it would be to have someone inflicting pain upon you, for several hours in some cases with only an occasional word or two. It is our responsibility to ensure every person who walks out the door had a positive and enjoyable experience! Personally, I like to joke around and have fun with those I tattoo as well as others around me, and for each person who may not appreciate that approach, there are countless others who return because of it. You can never please everyone, but if they see that you enjoy what you are doing and making an effort to connect with them, the vast majority will do the same.

We DO NOT work in a funeral home or library, so it shouldn't sound and feel like one. With a shop on almost every corner these days, you need to create a positive and enjoyable experience for your clients....or someone else will!!!

When going for a tattoo or piercing, your first impression may not always be correct!!

2012-01-21T09:04:00.000-05:00

When going for a tattoo or piercing, your first impression may not always be the correct one.

You have decided to get that new tattoo or piercing that you have been wanting. You have talked to friends, looked online and know what to look for to ensure the place is clean and safe.....ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT?

The most common concern that most customers have is whether you will be using clean needles or not. While this is a very important question, there are numerous other factors that need to be taken into consideration.

The first things that you will most likely notice are the look and smell of the shop when you walk in. Yes, these are two important factors, but there are several other things to look at. When you step in, what are you stepping on? Are you standing on carpet, or is it a hard surface? Carpeting may be acceptable in a lobby or waiting area, but NEVER in the work areas. Carpet and fabrics cannot be properly disinfected by wiping them down. Every surface in the tattooing or piercing areas, from floor to ceiling must be non-porous in order to be properly decontaminated after the procedure. If you see fabric or upholstery in the work area it means one of two things. Either those working there have no knowledge of blood borne pathogens and cross contamination, or they simply are not concerned about your well-being, nor their own. What do you smell? It should go without saying, but if you smell smoke, alcohol or any offensive odors you need to turn around and walk out! You are about to have an invasive medical procedure performed. Would you go to a doctor or hospital where they smoke or drink? Not only is this unsafe, but illegal nearly every state in the country.

Everything looks and smells right, so now it's time to sit down and get your new tattoo or piercing. Take notice as to whether reusable or disposable instruments are being used. Needles are NEVER to be reused! Regardless of which is being used, the needles, tubes and piercing tools will be sealed in packages or bags which have indicators that show whether it has been sterilized. The two types of sterilization that are commonly used are EO gas and steam. When reusable instruments are being used, the shop will be utilizing an autoclave for sterilization. You would assume that because an autoclave is being used, everything will be sterile. This is not the case. When an autoclave is being used as the sterilization method, spore testing MUST be done periodically to ensure that it is working properly. All shops that use autoclave sterilization should be able to provide spore test results if you ask. If they are not having the equipment tested, there is no way to know if it is working properly. Ask to see the reports. Make sure that anything that should be sterilized is opened in front of you and ask to see the sterilization indicators on the packaging. This, in addition to seeing the spore test results is the best way to protect yourself. If you are called back to the work station and the sterilized items are already opened, insist on new items being used so you can see for yourself that things are as they should be. If you don't see it with your own eyes, you need to assume it doesn't exist. Additionally, packaging should never be opened with bare hands. Make sure gloves are being worn when opening the packaging.

These are just a few of the many things to take notice to when you are having a tattoo or piercing procedure performed. If one of these things are off, there is a strong likely hood that others are as well. BE SAFE!!!

Awesome Tattoo Artist....or THIEF????

2012-01-19T19:10:00.002-05:00

It seems that the the number of tattooers stealing pictures from other's portfolios and posting the as their own is drastically increasing. I have personally called out 2 such people recently. One of these individuals (who I will refer to as Russ), even after the actual person who did the tattoo claimed itin a public forum, still tried to say it was his. Many of those who are stealing the work of others, do so as a pathetic last ditch effort to make themselves appear to be better than the tattoos they actually do. With the quality of tattoos being done becoming more and more amazing, those who have not improved their skill level are resorting to drastic measures in a desperate effort to stay in business.

We like to feel that by looking at a tattooers portfolio, we are able to make an informed decision as to who will mark us for life. This premise has become more complicated, as these thieves are becoming more and more common. My suggestion, when looking at someone's portfolio is to look for things that don't belong. When you see that all but a handfull of the tattoos are total garbage, and then a few are completely clean and awesome....something is not right. It is normal to see a gradual improvement or shift in overall style when viewing a portfolio, but keep an eye out for drastic differences.

There is now a search feature on Google images that allows anyone to determine whether someone is a photo thief. In the images search box, there is a camera icon, click the icon. Locate the photo that you want to make sure belongs to that tattooer, right click and copy image URL. Paste the url into the search box back on Google and the results will come up for most photos. If all the results reference someone besides the portfolio you found it in....guess what?

I felt this topic needed to be touched on due to the amount of people not only losing hard earned money, but more importantly, having their bodies destroyed by these scumbags.

Thanks for reading.

Aran Campas

Is your Tattoo Artist or Piercer knowledgeable or just full of themselves?

2011-12-11T20:22:00.001-05:00

The vast majority of tattooers and body piercers have no proper medical training. Most information relating to things that typically go wrong during and after a procedure is passed from one person to another, whether during an apprenticeship or working along side someone who has experience in their profession.

I am NOT saying that you should avoid getting tattooed or pierced by someone who lacks medical knowledge. However, you need to take this into consideration when getting medical advice if a problem arises as a result of your tattoo or piercing.
When in doubt, seek professional medical attention.

There are 2 specific examples I can give as to why you need to consider the source when seeking advice.

1. You and a friend recently got a tattoo by 2 different tattooers at 2 different shops. Both tattoos are red, swollen and sore to the touch. You got back to where your friend had theirs done and show them yours. They proceed to tell you that it's infected and the person that tattooed you sucks and gave you an infection. Your friend then shows theirs to the same person immediately after you and is told that it's just part of the normal healing process.

2. Similar to the example above, you and a friend both got piercings at different places. You both have a lump developing at the piercing site. The person looks at the piercing they didn't do and of course tells you it's infected because the person who did it is dirty and doesn't know what they are doing. Next they look at the piercing they did and tell you not to worry, it's just a keloid.

I'm sure many of you reading this have witnessed first-hand how so-called professionals will look at a nearly identical issue and criticize the one they did not do while defending the one they did. It is individuals like this, who are trying to compensate for their lack of ability, training and professionalism that are destroying the world of body art as a whole.

The type of person described above is easy to recognize. They will start to talk badly of any competitors by whom the feel threatened almost immediately if they feel there is a chance you will go, or have already gone elsewhere for your tattoo or piercing. It is a complete waste of your time and effort to call them out on these behaviors, because people that act in this manner have usually developed an over the top ego as a way to hide from their lack of abilities and knowledge.

The bottom line is this: A good tattoo or piercing is a good one, a bad one is a bad one. It doesn't matter who did it!!!!!!!

Ignorance and Arrogance are NOT the norm!

2011-12-09T08:53:00.001-05:00

When we get a tattoo it is something that will be on our bodies for life. Every time you see it, a wide range of memories are triggered. Most people will remember why they got it, where they got it, who did it and whether it was a positive experience or not. The staff of the shop you choose will ultimately control whether you have positive or negative memories when you look at your tattoo and reminisce. There are several negative personality traits that are commonly attributed to tattoo artists and shop staff in general, that are accepted as the norm.

You pull up to the tattoo shop and walk through the door. The way you are greeted may be the first indication of whether you have made a good choice or not. Do you get a friendly hello, be right with you, a nod or just get ignored for a few minutes? It is important to be verbally acknowledged when you walk in the door. Whether the staff is tattooing, piercing, assisting other customers or just sitting around, there is no excuse not to take two seconds of their time to say something and make you feel welcome. You are just as important as any other person in the building.

It is very common for people to go to several shops to decide where to have their tattoo done. Most will gladly give you a price estimate and refer you to the artist's portfolio so that you can judge for yourself if the work they do meets your expectations. Unfortunately there are many who will begin talking trash on other shops and artists in the area as soon as they realize you are looking at other places before making your final decision. There are also those who will drop the price when the find out you are considering going elsewhere, if this occurs you need to turn around and walk out! You need to ask yourself why is this person trying to prevent me from looking elsewhere, and do I really want to support someone who feels the need to use negativity as way to gain new customers.

There is a fine line between stating facts and talking trash, and many times it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two. If the person is stating facts, they will have no problem with you going somewhere else so you can see with your own eyes that what they are telling you is indeed true. Someone that is just running their mouth and blatantly lying will do everything they can to prevent you from going elsewhere. Regardless of the reasoning behind what is being said, this should send up a warning signal.

A truly great artist will not have to tell you they are great, as you will already know. One of the biggest plagues in the world of tattooing is the overwhelming number of egomaniacs. If you go to a shop and the immediately start telling you how awesome they are, you have to wonder why they need to make themselves feel better than everyone else. Someone that needs to boost themselves up in this manner is typically trying to draw your attention away from something negative.

The hypocrisy of price wars in Tattooing and Piercing

2011-12-08T10:18:00.002-05:00

This goes along with my previous post, but for some reason I didn't include it there.

Price wars have been running rampant for the past couple of years as a result of so many people feeling they are too good to work for someone else. A person decides they are going to open their own shop so that they can keep all the money, don't have to answer to anyone and can do things their way. In addition to adding another shop to the over saturated market, they drop their prices lower than everyone else.

Next thing you see is other shops attacking the cheap pricing being offered by these idiots, which is great. Educate the public on the dangers associated with cheap tattoos and piercings!!! But NOOOO...what do they do now? Lower their prices to the same level. Rather than have some respect for yourself, your clients and your art form, just drop your standards...yeah, that will show them! All this is doing is cheapening something that was once respected in a way to show who's boss.

You see a lot of shops ranting how "good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good". Hey genius....same thing goes for piercings!!! If one of the services you provide is cheap....guess what? it's all cheap!

The positive side to this is that more and more customers, both current and potential, are realizing this.

HAVE A LITTLE SELF RESPECT!!!!!

Looking for a cheap tattoo or piercing? Better think twice!!!

2011-12-07T23:09:00.000-05:00

Nowadays, there seems to be tattoo and piercing studios opening on every corner. Typically, in business, competition results in expanded choices, higher quality products and a more budget friendly pricing. Unlike typical businesses, this is not so much the case in the body modification industry. In the world of consumer goods, a rise in sales volume results in increased purchasing power for the company itself, leading to lower prices which can then be passed on to the consumer. The vast majority of materials used for tattoos and piercings are at set prices, and even volume purchasing has little to no benefit as to lowering costs. The amount of products needed to properly perform a tattoo or piercing is substantially more than you may think. Most clients only take notice to the obvious supplies such as gloves, needles, ink and jewelry. The average client never takes into account the cost of tray liners, ink caps, tattoo machines, piercing implements, anti-microbial solutions and wipes, disposable tubes, autoclaves, autoclave pouches, clip cord covers, barrier film, paper towels, marking pens and so on. The true cost of each tattoo or piercing is staggering when the actual products used for the procedure is taken into account.

This leads to one of the most important questions you need to ask yourself when seeking your next tattoo or piercing. Why are the prices so much lower at one place than another down the street? In order to perform a $20-$30 tattoo or piercing, you have no choice but to cut costs. There are only 2 reasonable possibilities to drastically cut costs for a tattoo or piercing. The first is to use substandard equipment or materials. The negatives to using substandard materials is obvious, for example:

When cleaning up after a procedure, an antimicrobial such as cavicide or madacide must be used. One of the easiest ways to reduce costs is to use a spray bottle rather than wipes, but keep in mind that when you spray the contaminated area, the spray causes the contaminants to spread to areas that were previously uncontaminated. A good example would be spraying a hose on a muddy sidewalk. It does not remove the mud, it just moves it to another area.

The second reason may be the fact that many tattooers and piercers are willing to work for next to nothing and care only about the persona that many attribute to being a tattooer or piercer. It's more about looking cool than anything else. When you go for that cheap tattoo or piercing, think about this:

The vast majority of us have bills to pay and families to support, so working for next to nothing is not an option. People walk through the door every day looking for nothing but the absolute lowest price on a tattoo or piercing. This tells me that not only do they have no respect or appreciation for what we do, but they also have no appreciation for their own bodies. The other side of this, is that those who are willing to perform these procedures so cheaply, have no respect for their art form, themselves or the person standing in front of them.

When it comes to price.....THINK!!!!

Aran Campas
www.arancampas.com
www.facebook.com/sicktattoos