Tattoos and Piercings with Some Extras

Every year I get the urge for a new tattoo, new piercing or hair color just to mix things up a bit. I have six tattoos, more than eight piercings and dye my hair at least once every year or two. Having learned a few things here and there I’m going to share with you some tips on what to look for and consider in body modification. Regardless of your location or job, if you are considering any form of body modification there are a few things you should really keep in mind.

Hair dying isn’t as serious as tattoos or piercings, but I will say a few things about it. Try to avoid ammonia and/or peroxide in the dye itself, for it can really fry out your hair without you being able to see the damage. Also, make sure you aren’t allergic to any ingredient used in the product for obvious reasons, so you don’t break out in a rash or have any other harsh reaction from it. There is such a thing as a henna hair dye that has just a couple natural ingredients in it that really enriches your hair instead of frying it out. Plus, it’s half the price of a regular box of hair dye, so that’s definitely a bonus!
As for tattoos and piercings, that it a whole new checklist of things you need to look out for. Go around to each tattoo shop and make sure the place is absolutely spotless. Legit shops also have their certificates on the wall as well as their licenses. Check the dates and make sure they are all up to date, approved and officially certified by the state. Also make sure your profession or work place will allow such body modifications, to save you money and effort.

Piercings are generally best to have done at an actual tattoo shop, not a boutique or a shop that the application online doesn’t need you to have a certificate to pierce. Tattoo shops should do piercings with hollow needles so that the extra skin from the puncture doesn’t heal with the piercing causing infection and disastrous scar tissue. As far as care is concerned, the shops should suggest antibacterial soap, foam preferably, and natural sea salt as cleaning agents. If the shop doesn’t offer those instructions it may not be the best place to go. Another thing is if you pay more than 50 dollars for a single piercing, you have paid too much.

Tattoos follow the same basic principles with certification, cleanliness and up to date licenses. If they’re not posted on the wall, ask to see their certification and license. Average shops cost about 100-125 dollars an hour. Check out the artists’ portfolios to see which style you like best and work with the artist and be flexible. Keep an eye out for shaky lines, inconsistent color and reused tools. While in the shop, again check out how clean the place is and if someone is getting some ink done check and see if they used new needles and have the proper cleaning materials set out on the tray they are using.

Aside from knowing what you truly want tattooed on your body the rest of your life or the scars you can get from piercings, I can’t stress enough that researching shops is the key to having good, clean work done. Look around at different shops, set up appointments with the artists, be patient for they are very busy people and make sure they are licensed and certified. Also listen around town for those who have had experience with certain places. And by all means take your time in deciding what you want.

Suzy is a junior majoring in music.