We believe that the customer's safety always comes first. That's why we put great emphasis on education and sterilizing. Our staff gets trained in sterilization techniques and bloodborne pathogens once a year. This is very important, as very small things can turn very big when it comes to your health. Anatomy training is also important, as you could seriously hurt somebody, if you don't know what's going on under the skin. We are also first aid trained.

We use a disinfectant bath, ultrasonic cleaner and a steam autoclave in our sterilization process. We use indicators, integrators and spore tests to monitor the results.

Please don't ever be fooled to believe that an N-type autoclave (which looks like a bucket or a pressure cooker) or a blue dot that turns brown would be enough to ensure proper sterilization. Ask questions!

Needles should always be single-use and thrown away while you watch. A professional studio NEVER re-sterilizes needles and uses them again on another customer.

Never accept jewelry that is not sterilized. If it is taken from under the counter, soaked in a liquid and placed in a plastic bag, it is not sterile. The only exception to this rule is materials that cannot be sterilized in an autoclave, such as plastic UV-jewelry. These should never be used in a new, unhealed piercing. Your jewelry should be in a sterilization pouch with the expiration date (30 days from sterilizing) clearly marked or it should be sterilized while you wait.

Never trust a studio that is willing to take your jewelry in exchange. Who knows who was wearing your new piece the day before? Never change jewelry with your friends. It is not safe.

Since summer 2001 it is illegal to use surgical steel 316L in a new and unhealed piercing (it is still okay to put it in a healed piercing). Materials that can be used include titanium, niobium and nickel-negative steel. While 316L is not a dangerous material, that fact that a studio is breaking the law by using it in a new piercing, should make you worried.

Never let anyone come near you with an ear piercing gun! They cannot be sterilized, which puts you in risk for hepatitis and HIV among other things, and they can severely damage tissue.

Keep an eye on your artist as they are working. Is the studio clean? (if they don't wipe their counters, their work cannot be clean enough.) There should be no smoking, drinking or eating in the working areas. Do they wash their hands before getting to work? Do you see them take all their equipment from unopened bags? Do they change their gloves every time they touch anything else than you or their equipment? (they have to take off their gloves before answering the phone, taking something from a drawer etc.) Are all surfaces and non-sterilizable equipment (table, arm rest, tattoo machine, clip cord, foot pedal, power unit, lamp, spray bottle etc.) covered with plastic that is changed after each customer? Can you see them throw away the needle after each customer? Are they able to answer your questions? Do they seem more interested in your safety and well-being than your money? If any of these questions make you feel unsure, just walk away!

And always remember that even though you go to a responsible artist, the main responsibility lies on your shoulders. It doesn't help to get quality work with sterile equipment if you don't follow your caring instructions, which you should always receive in writing.

Don't choose your studio by the price. Training the staff and keeping up with the standards for hygiene and sterility is not cheap. You should get the best possible tattoo/piercing. Check-ups, answering your questions, jewelry changes, touch-ups etc. should be free, however.

Usually a tattoo and piercing hurt less than you would imagine. It is not advisable to use anesthetics, and they can even cause a dangerous allergic reaction.

Make sure you are healthy before getting any work done. If you have for example a cold, it will take longer for your tattoo or piercing to heal. Bring ID with you and if you are 16 or 17 you also need your parent and their ID. Eat something before you come. You'll feel better, when your bloodsugar is high. Avoid alcohol, drugs and large amounts of aspirin and caffeine for 24 hours before your tattoo or piercing.

If you would like to know more, please don't ever hesitate to contact us! There's no such thing as a stupid question!