Can I get a disease like HIV/AIDS, or Hepatitis from getting a tattoo or piercing?

~ HIV is a very delicate virus and does not survive long outside the human body. Nor is it spread through casual contact. Generally, the virus is only transmitted when sufficient quantities of highly infected blood are introduced into the body of another. The structure of tattoo or piercing needles does not lend itself to HIV transmission. According to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, there has never been a case of HIV transmission from tattooing in the United States.

The disease to consider when getting tattooed is hepatitis. Hepatitis, unlike HIV, is a very hardy virus that can survive long periods outside the human body and can be transmitted through little more than a scratch with an infected needle. To combat this and any other infectious bloodborne pathogen, our artists autoclave their single service equipment, use individual portions of ink and lubricant, dispose of used sharps according to OSHA guidelines, use EPA registered virucidals to clean their stations between clients, and use barrier protection. These procedures are called Standard Precautions. Basically, our artists must treat everyone (including themselves) as though they were infectious. That way, everyone is protected and the potential for infection is reduced to next to nothing.

This is my first tattoo/piercing and I’m a little nervous.  What should I know?

First, you should be well rested and we suggest you eat within 4 hours of getting your tattoo. If you are tired, or your blood sugar is low, you may experience a higher level of discomfort than you normally would. It will be more difficult for you to relax.  We will not tattoo or pierce you if you have been drinking alcohol. It causes you to become dehydrated, and it will also cause you to bleed more and consequently have a negative effect on your new tattoo.

There may be a small amount of blood. The amount varies with each person, but usually it is about what you would expect from a scraped knee or rug burn. The pain also varies from person to person, but most people don't find it unbearable. The best thing to do is just accept the discomfort and relax. Fighting or tensing will only increase your discomfort.  The best description we have found for the feeling is to compare it to being scratched.  It is a feeling that is more annoying than painful.

If you start to feel faint lightheaded, tell your artist right away.  Please don’t try to tough it out. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a break. Our artists are prepared for this sort of thing and know how to handle it.

If you need to change position, stretch, go to the bathroom, sneeze, wiggle or fart, let your artist know BEFORE you do it. A sneeze can be really bad for a tattoo artist’s steady hand!

What is the most/least painful spot to get a tattoo?

Everyone’s tolerance for pain is completely different, so there’s no one spot that’s the least painful or the most painful.  Typically, parts of the body that have less meat or more nerve endings are the ones that are the most irritating.  Our suggestion is to pick the spot that you WANT to have tattooed, and realize that is the more important decision.   You’ll probably find that it’s not nearly as bad as you anticipate.

I’ve heard that people will pass out or vomit during a tattoo/piercing?  Is this true and will I?

Any experiences that we’ve had with people that vomit or pass out have all been for the same reasons.  Typically, the cause is low blood sugar, and way too much anxiety.  Make sure you eat something healthy within 4 hours before your tattoo or piercing, and RELAX!!  The more anxious and tense you are, the more likely you are to have a negative feeling during your tattoo.  And don’t forget to breathe!