How to Find a Safe Piercing Shop

Before deciding on a tattoo shop or artist piercing, make a preliminary visit to several different tattoo shops. Going to a random shop and artist on the spur of the moment could be the fastest road to an infection, since you haven't had time to determine if the shop and artist are clean and practice safe tattoo procedures. Ask the tattoo shop owner or manager for a tour. Talk to the shop owner or tattoo artist you are considering at length. Find out if the shop and the artist are required to be licensed by a state office. For example, in Oklahoma, shops and artists are both required to be licensed by the State Department of Health, Consumer Protection Division. Inspectors from the department are required to physically inspect each tattoo shop at least twice a year and anytime there is a complaint made against a shop. You can contact these departments directly to see if a specific shop or artist is licensed and some will even tell you if they've had any complaints. Look for current licenses, which should be hung in clear view for both the shop and the artist, if you are in a state that requires them. Although it's not required, it could mean the shop and artist are more up-to-date on industry standards and safety issues. Make sure the tattoo artist shaves and disinfects the area of skin being tattooed. An unlicensed shop or artist in a regulated state means they are operating illegally and may not be following all safety procedures, as well as the law.