Click here to download a copy of our "Tattoo Aftercare" pamphlet in .PDF format - 72kB

Ask to see a portfolio of his/her work. If it's not to your liking - shop around. Make sure the studio is clean and in good shape. Make sure the artist is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Ask to see their sterilization area and the autoclave. Make sure all needles and needle bars are disposed of in a sharps container. Make sure all tubes/needles are in sterile packages and are opened in front of you. Make sure razors, inks and ink caps are used only once and disposed of after the tattoo is finished. Make sure your artist uses a new pair of gloves at the beginning of every procedure. To prevent cross contamination, make sure your artist changes his/her gloves before touching anything but you and the area he/she is working in. Make sure that all equipment that cannot be sterilized is covered in plastic so that the plastic can be disposed of at the end of the tattoo session. Make sure the area to be tattooed has been cleaned with a disinfectant solution. Make sure your tattoo artist clearly explains the aftercare instructions and gives you an aftercare sheet for referencing. If for any reason you don't have a good feeling about the studio, you should leave.

Click here to download a copy of our "Piercing Aftercare" pamphlet in .PDF format - 127kB Click here to download a copy of our "General Piercing Aftercare" pamphlet in .PDF format - 69kB Click here to download a copy of our "Tongue Piercing Aftercare" pamphlet in .PDF format - 121kB Click here to download a copy of our "Oral Piercing Aftercare" pamphlet in .PDF format - 130kB Click here to download a copy of our "Genital Piercing Aftercare" pamphlet in .PDF format - 118kB

Ask to see a portfolio of his/her work. Ask if they have done your type of piercing before. Make sure the studio is clean and in good shape. Make sure there is good lighting in the piercing room Make sure the piercer is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Make sure a sterile needle is used for each piercing. Piercing guns are not to be used as they cannot be sterilized. Make sure all equipment used is in sterile packaging and is opened in front of you. Ask to see their autoclave. Autoclaves are a must for 100% proper sterilization. Make sure your piercer uses a new pair of gloves for every piercing. Make sure the jewellery they are using is made out of 316L surgical stainless steel, 316 LVM implantation grade surgical stainless steel, Titanium or Niobium. Gold cannot be used in an initial piercing because it cannot be sterilized. Gold will turn black when sterilized in an autoclave. Make sure all needles are disposed of in a sharps container. Make sure skin is cleaned with an antiseptic solution before each piercing. Ask your piercer to clearly explain aftercare instructions and make sure he/she gives you an aftercare sheet for referencing. Make sure when getting a tongue or genital piercing that a single use, non toxic marker is used, and then disposed of in the garbage.