Choosing Your Tattoo Salon

Choosing Your Tattoo Salon If you have resolved to have a tattoo, the decision was probably hard enough - at least it ought to have been - but now you have to decide where you are going to have it done. It is not so difficult to find a reliable tattoo artist in most countries, but it is still worth carrying out a few routine checks before you walk into the parlour.

To start with, you ought to keep in mind that they are going to carry out minor surgery on you and that that person is not medically qualified, which is why it is worth being cautious. You do not need to have an infected tattoo and have to go to hospital. So, the first thing you could do is phone the environmental health department and enquire whether they know of any worries with that particular tattoo parlour.

The chances are that they have not, otherwise they would almost certainly have shut it down, but at least you will know for sure. The next thing to do is to go into the shop as if you just have a passing interest. Look around for certificates of competence and make a mental note of the name of the person it was granted to and when.

Most people find it more reassuring, the longer the tattooist has been plying his or her trade. If the studio is busy come back later or create an appointment to talk to someone. Make sure that the person you are going to speak to holds some place of responsibility - the proprietor or a qualified, working tattooist.

When you are there, look for signs of cleanliness. Does the parlour look clean? Are people wearing gloves? Are they smoking or eating when working? Disease is the biggest problem, but some infections can be deadly Therefore, we are not just talking about perhaps having to take a course of penicillin.

Disease can become very grave, although it seldom is, but you would not like it anyway.

While you are discuss the tattoo that you would like, ask if the tattooist has experience with that type of design. Some tattoo artists may specialize in Celtic designs or Dragons. It is definitely worth being certain that they can do the job. Ask to see an example - they probably have photographs of previous clients.

When discussing your tattoo, does the tattooist strive to get you to have a bigger or dearer tattoo? There ought not to be any hassling. If they think that your tattoo is too small for them, they should only say that they are too busy. If you think that you are being pressured into having a more expensive tattoo, go elsewhere.

Finally, price is not everything. If it all works out well for you, you will be happy with your tattoo for the rest of your life, so paying a bit more to have it done correctly and safely is a small price to pay unless you are an octogenarian already.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece writes on quite a lot of topics, but is at present concerned with Dragon Tattoos. If you would like to know more go to our website at Amiable Dragon.