Body art or body modification, be it tattoo, piercing, branding and a host of other options, has become increasingly popular among the mainstream of our society. In Hawaii tattooing is a rich part of the Polynesian culture and history. While popularity and acceptance has grown, there are still some very serious considerations a person should understand before undertaking any form of modification. As tattooing and piercing are most popular those are the two areas I will address.
First allow me to introduce myself. I am Peggy Sucher, a licensed tattooer in the state of Hawaii. I have been associated in the business for 25+ years. I am a 22 year member of the National Tattoo Association and also an officer in that organization. I am a member and soon to be an instructor for the Alliance of Professional Tattooists. . I work in one of the oldest tattoo studios on Oahu as a cosmetic tattooist. I am a graduate of Purdue University with a BS in Design. I've worked as a professional (yep, a 'suit) in retail management prior to and during some of my years in tattooing. I deeply care about my profession and strive to educate people regarding the processes and the repercussions of body modification.
SAFETY
The first and most important issue is keeping one's health intact. Body modification means in most cases breaking our skin either with a tattoo needle or a piercing needle. Think of your skin as a lawn... lots of things can live on the surface and do no harm to your lawn. Dig a hole and you have broken that surface and given an entry portal to insects and other pests. Same with our skin... once the surface has been 'broken' we are an open vessel to any and all microorganisms that reside on and around our skin. If that skin has not been prepared properly by cleaning, if the instruments used are not properly sterilized and/or if the practitioner is not educated to prevent cross contamination microorganisms can make their way into our system to reek havoc.
It is most important that the person you choose to tattoo or pierce you is properly trained. They should be not only schooled in the modification that you choose but they should be educated in first aid and absolutely in prevention of disease transmission. For their own protection they should be vaccinated for Hepatitis B.
It is your right to know the qualifications of the person you are trusting with your health. Ask questions: How did you learn? Do you use single service, sterilized needles? (NO 'new' does not cut it, they MUST be sterilized) Autoclave sterilizer on site? (how do they sterilize the tubes used to carry the tattoo needles?) Is the tattooer/piercer clean and sober? Don't laugh... I know too many people who talk about 'the guy reeked of booze'!!! You are trusting your health to this person!! If your questions aren't answered in an informative, civil manner WALK OUT. There are too many professionals out there who will take the time to answer your questions and be happy to educate you to their shop's procedures. They understand it is your right to know just what and how things will be done. A professional will guide you if the procedure is even right for you... age considerations, professional ramifications, social issues should all be considered.
If I had a penny for every person who has come into my studio with a buddy's project who wants to cover it... wow! I could fully retire!! But let me say also that we choose not to work on many of the 'home tattooed' because the risk of them being carriers of Hepatitis and/or other diseases are very, very great. While we practice Standard Precautions there is no need to take undue risks.
It is appalling that people even consider letting someone into their home to host a 'tattoo party'. Not only is it in violation of Hawaii state law but think... .would you have a teeth cleaning party? Tattooing is a body invasive procedure that should be conducted in a clean, sanitized controlled atmosphere. After a tattoo is done there are a number of procedures required to prevent disease transmission. People actually allow this in their homes where their children live and play? This is not Tupperware, this is serious business. Not to be undertaken by the inexperienced in a home environment.
While it may cost a bit more to trust your skin to a professional it is money well spent. The availability of tattoo/piercing equipment has grown as the industry has grown... and not for the better. Relate it to a surgeon... did he first buy a scalpel and gather his friends to learn on? No, he was educated FIRST. While it may seem very cool to let your buddy try out things with his new 'gun' (they are machines, not 'guns') it is not very cool to have a nasty piece of junk tattoo for life... or to contract a host of diseases that do not have a cure. In a following column I will go into Hepatitis and other life threatening issues and their impact in body modifications.
Now how expensive is that professional again?
PROFESSIONALISM
A quality tattooer/piercer will not take on just any piece. They understand the tattoo they will do on you marks you for life. While we see sports figures with facial and neck tattoos... .how far do you think that will go in a job interview in the real world? Multiple facial piercings will have the same effect on your potential employer. Your tattooer or piercer has a moral and ethical obligation to help you take these things into consideration before you take a dead end path.
Daily we turn people away who want boyfriend/girlfriend/ spouse's names tattooed on them. Mom, Dad and kids are forever, relationships are not. 75% of our coverup work is names!! Listen when your tattooer says 'NO'. While there are unethical tattooers who will do anything for any money, YOU are the one who has to look at it for the rest of your life.
We are constantly asked to tattoo people under 18. A tattoo is a lifelong decision and unfortunately too many people make a wrong decision. While it may seem 'cool' it may be something that will come back to haunt you every day of your life.
Be smart, be safe, think before you take the plunge. Your life and your future depend on it.
