I want to get a tattoo, but one thing is turning me off..

job seeker

So as the title suggests, I really want to get my first tattoo. But one thing is preventing me from getting it. I'm really worried bout the cleanliness of needles. Is there any regulations a tattoo shop must follow etc.or how could you be sure? Any advice at all is appreciated.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Any good reputable tattoo shop has cleanliness as their #1 priority. You'll see fresh new needles taken out of sterilised packaging in front of you.

Feel free to post up the shop here, people will generally know if it's good or not.

JamboMac

If its a well known shop you should be safe. If its some bloke in his house i'd dodge it. This may be a reason why not to try and find a bargain as its something you have to live with.

job seeker

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Any good reputable tattoo shop has cleanliness as their #1 priority. You'll see fresh new needles taken out of sterilised packaging in front of you.

Feel free to post up the shop here, people will generally know if it's good or not.

Hi Jimmy,

Zen Buddha Tattoo & Piercing in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.

Thanks.

job seeker

JamboMac wrote: »

If its a well known shop you should be safe. If its some bloke in his house i'd dodge it. This may be a reason why not to try and find a bargain as its something you have to live with.

Hi Jambo

No this would be a tattoo shop in a town. But, I'd prefer to be 100% than, "you should be safe" if you get what I mean.

Thanks.

JamboMac

job seeker wrote: »

Hi Jambo

No this would be a tattoo shop in a town. But, I'd prefer to be 100% than, "you should be safe" if you get what I mean.

Thanks.

Fully understand, can't help you personally as i'm in dublin and wouldn't know anything of them. Have you been in and checked the place out spoke to the tattooist or receptionist. Should get a good overview, i'm sure somebody can help you with what you require.

Does the tattooist specialise in what you want because some tattooist can be picky bastards.

job seeker

JamboMac wrote: »

Fully understand, can't help you personally as i'm in dublin and wouldn't know anything of them. Have you been in and checked the place out spoke to the tattooist or receptionist. Should get a good overview, i'm sure somebody can help you with what you require.

Does the tattooist specialise in what you want because some tattooist can be picky bastards.

No worries at all, Thanks for the advice.

Naw, I haven't been in yet, it's just himself he has no receptionist. No, he doesn't specialise in anything really. You just go in and he draws up your tattoo for you. I've heard this from someone I know. Naw this person, says he uses new needles. But you know, I prefer more than just his word..

Jimmy Bottlehead

Had a brief look at their Facebook page. Work looks alright, gets good reviews. Can't tell much apart from that.

Have you actually seen the artists work or have you looked anywhere else?

2Mad2BeMad

Theirs loads of tattoo shops in Dublin, most of them are great to be honest.
The artists really do put alot of effort into any tattoo not because its their job but because they love their work. If they do a bad job its not just on that persons skin but it can affect greatly how many people would get a tattoo in that place.
So I wouldn't worry to much about it being a bad job.

Regarding the needles, they are taken straight out of a tight sealed package straight in front of you, 99percent take it out in front of you to show you its a new needle.
My friend he is a tattoo artist and does house calls, I know him all me life and he still to this day shows me the needle he is going to us on me and makes me watch him take it out of the package.

Honestly OP, I wouldn't worry, the only thing I would worry about is it becoming an addiction :P it rarely ever ends with a first one.

If you are still worried, go to a really well known place like Dublin Ink or The Ink Factory, both well known. Theirs another place in phisboro I'd recommend but can't remember the name its near the fire station.

Also sorry if you're not from Dublin just assuming you are.

Edups

Main thing is when you go in if he can fit you in that day - I usually avoid. An artist that isn't busy enough to need appointments is usually one i would avoid.

The shop should smell clean as well. If you take a look and it looks dirty or in anyway unkept I wouldn't stay.

Having willingness to travel would be good because in Dublin alone theres some of the best tattoo artists in Ireland - Dublin Ink is great and you can often get guests visiting who may specialise in youre style of tattoo.

When the artist is prepping he should wear gloves cleaning the area, apply the stencil and then change gloves again for setting up the needle. That will come out of a blue package (like what dentists use) and be fully sterile. If an artist picks up a tattoo gun and proceeds to tattoo or try at least just say no, this appointment is over. Don't accept "sorry I'll add needle now sure", he should do it in front of you or you leave. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If the price seems very cheap then that's another thing to be careful of.

There's no real regulations in tattooing and piercing in Ireland - there's EU regulations but they arent enforced. Body mod professionals should behave much like your dentist cleanliness wise. But like what's said that's only half the battle. If your artist is spotless but can't tattoo to save himself you're also screwed. Whatever you do be picky! This is your body and tattoos are expensive and painful to remove. Don't expect it to be cheap but don't get ripped off either you know? For context I know a person who does tattoos who shouldn't do them because he's ****e, don't know if I'm allowed say names but his last name is a bin bag and he's in Wexford.. but anyway he'd do a full sleeve for say 150 whereas a good artist wouldn't entertain the idea for less than double. Just be vigilant and do some heavy research and don't attend the local lad because he's local if you're not sure of him.

Edups

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

My friend he is a tattoo artist and does house calls, I know him all me life and he still to this day shows me the needle he is going to us on me and makes me watch him take it out of the package.

Off topic but house calls are a bad idea because your house isn't a sterile environment. I always use the "you wouldn't have an operation in your kitchen"

But carry on

JamboMac

If you choose dublin i'd recomend these although you might be waiting a while.

https://www.facebook.com/colourworkstattoodublin/

Colser

job seeker wrote:

No worries at all, Thanks for the advice.

Could I jump in here and ask for a recommendation for somewhere in Cork City?thanks

job seeker

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Had a brief look at their Facebook page. Work looks alright, gets good reviews. Can't tell much apart from that.


Have you actually seen the artists work or have you looked anywhere else?

That's how I found out about this artist, through facebook. But surely, if someone work is good they wouldn't skip on hygiene? There are two more tattoo studios in Sligo. Fat cat Tattoo and the Vibe. Havn't really looked into these in detail yet.

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Theirs loads of tattoo shops in Dublin, most of them are great to be honest.
The artists really do put alot of effort into any tattoo not because its their job but because they love their work. If they do a bad job its not just on that persons skin but it can affect greatly how many people would get a tattoo in that place.
So I wouldn't worry to much about it being a bad job.

Regarding the needles, they are taken straight out of a tight sealed package straight in front of you, 99percent take it out in front of you to show you its a new needle.
My friend he is a tattoo artist and does house calls, I know him all me life and he still to this day shows me the needle he is going to us on me and makes me watch him take it out of the package.

Honestly OP, I wouldn't worry, the only thing I would worry about is it becoming an addiction :P it rarely ever ends with a first one.

If you are still worried, go to a really well known place like Dublin Ink or The Ink Factory, both well known. Theirs another place in phisboro I'd recommend but can't remember the name its near the fire station.

Also sorry if you're not from Dublin just assuming you are.

No worries, I'm from Sligo, so a trip to dublin would be abit of a hike.

I am overthinking the safety side, but I don't want to end up with a diesaese either!

Edups wrote: »

Main thing is when you go in if he can fit you in that day - I usually avoid. An artist that isn't busy enough to need appointments is usually one i would avoid.

The shop should smell clean as well. If you take a look and it looks dirty or in anyway unkept I wouldn't stay.

Having willingness to travel would be good because in Dublin alone theres some of the best tattoo artists in Ireland - Dublin Ink is great and you can often get guests visiting who may specialise in youre style of tattoo.

When the artist is prepping he should wear gloves cleaning the area, apply the stencil and then change gloves again for setting up the needle. That will come out of a blue package (like what dentists use) and be fully sterile. If an artist picks up a tattoo gun and proceeds to tattoo or try at least just say no, this appointment is over. Don't accept "sorry I'll add needle now sure", he should do it in front of you or you leave. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If the price seems very cheap then that's another thing to be careful of.

There's no real regulations in tattooing and piercing in Ireland - there's EU regulations but they arent enforced. Body mod professionals should behave much like your dentist cleanliness wise. But like what's said that's only half the battle. If your artist is spotless but can't tattoo to save himself you're also screwed. Whatever you do be picky! This is your body and tattoos are expensive and painful to remove. Don't expect it to be cheap but don't get ripped off either you know? For context I know a person who does tattoos who shouldn't do them because he's ****e, don't know if I'm allowed say names but his last name is a bin bag and he's in Wexford.. but anyway he'd do a full sleeve for say 150 whereas a good artist wouldn't entertain the idea for less than double. Just be vigilant and do some heavy research and don't attend the local lad because he's local if you're not sure of him.

This artist would be fairly good. I happily go to him if he was clean etc.

JamboMac wrote: »

If you choose dublin i'd recomend these although you might be waiting a while.

https://www.facebook.com/colourworkstattoodublin/

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!


I was doing a bit of research and according to this article an artist is supposed to use new ink for every customer!?

new ink be used with every customer, and the layout of the parlour must be designed in a way that keeps out contamination (for example, the tattooing room cannot be adjacent to a kitchen).

https://www.actionwellness.org/blog/safe-ink-tattooing-and-hiv-transmission-risk/

What's your opinions on this?




Also thanks eveyone for the replys..

Hellrazer

Edups wrote: »

Off topic but house calls are a bad idea because your house isn't a sterile environment. I always use the "you wouldn't have an operation in your kitchen"

But carry on

My own artist that finished my sleeve did it as a house call.Not going to name him but he works professionally in one of the best shops in Dublin.

Theres no danger using an area in a house as long as you keep the area "sterile" and have an area that the work is carried out in is kept that way as best as possible which technically speaking is next to impossible.

You see theres a lot of myths about this whole thing.

Firstly as soon as the needle is open its no longer sterile--once the air hits it that's it--sterile is gone.Likewise with a tube.

The area once bleached--bleach kills almost everything is then sterile.You put the machine down on that sterile area after being in someones skin then its no longer sterile.
See the pattern here?

Its exactly the same with a studio.The artist cleans his area with bleach or some other disinfectant.Its then "sterile",new needle,new tube etc.Machines ready etc.
First line..area sterility is gone.
Now whether that's an area in a house or a studio its all the same.

Now coming from it and what I would advise regardless of where its done is.
1.Needle opened in front of you.
2.Tube--preferably disposable but if not look out for the autoclavable bag that changes colour and make sure the tubes removed in front of you.
3.Gloves through every part of the process.If the artist leaves the "sterile" area then new gloves every time.Likewise if he drops something on the ground and picks it up then new gloves again.
4.Tattoo machine preferable bagged and likewise the clipcord.
5.Ink bottles wrapped in cling film before he touches them.Cling wrap removed and disposed of after the tattoo is finished.
6.Unused ink disposed of.Not poured back into the bottle--yes it used to happen.

Stick to these rules and you`ll be fine.

Edups2.0

Hey dude you get tattooed in your house if you're happy to, I wouldn't and I'd run from an artist who offered.

OP, ink should be poured from a bottle into a little ink cup (I'll just call it that) they are tiny yokes and like Hellrazer said ink poured back is bad. The only thing is how would you observe that before getting a tattoo??

Word of mouth is key here. Artists don't bad mouth each other (unless they are arseholes) but if you mention an artist to someone reputable and they cringe a little or say something like "well I wouldn't be one to comment" I get a little nervous of that guy/girl. Generally you're not allowed sit in and watch a tattoo being done but you could ask and assuming the client is happy you might be allowed observe. Watching for the points above, gloves are changed, needles are clean etc. The way is most artists are good and clean if they're busy especially. Like I said - if you can get an appointment in a large town or city in a few days I'd avoid them like a plague.

Fielder90

Could I jump in here and ask for a recommendation for somewhere in Cork City?thanks[/quote]

Holy Cow in Middleton ask for John or Ross. Got my half sleeve done in there

Colser

Fielder90 wrote:

Holy Cow in Middleton ask for John or Ross. Got my half sleeve done in there

Thanks..would you recommend anyone in the city?

job seeker

Colser wrote: »

Thanks..would you recommend anyone in the city?

Hey, get off my lawn!

Fielder90

Thanks..would you recommend anyone in the city?[/quote]


honestly...........not personally but heard Smileydog has a good name.

rizzodun

Job Seeker, I can personally vouch for Urban Gorrilla in Sligo town, I have 2 tattoo's by him, a friend has 3, and the wife has 3 or 4 (she has 7 so I've lost count), he's is very very good, work is excellent, and really clean shop and procedures.

Colser

job seeker wrote:

Hey, get off my lawn!

Sorry...I'm done ðŸ˜