A tattoo is a mark made by inserting pigment into the skin for decorative or other reasons. Tattoos on humans are a type of decorative body modification, while tattoos on animals are most commonly used for identification or branding.

Tattooing has been practiced worldwide. The Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, wore facial tattoos, as do some Maori of New Zealand to this day. Tattooing was widespread among Polynesian peoples, and among certain tribal groups in the Philippines, Borneo, Mentawai Islands, Africa, North America, South America, Mesoamerica, Europe, Japan, Cambodia, New Zealand and China. Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular all over the world. - As defined by Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it hurt? Depends on the person’s tolerance to pain. Most people find it uncomfortable but not unbearable or more irritating than anything else. If it was really that bad…people would not get them. I have had people compare the feeling of a tattoo to a bee sting or a scratch; some have even said that it tickles. The needle is going up and down so fast that it does not feel like a needle. Going when you are sick is not a good idea. Your body is already dealing with whatever illness you have and making it deal with a tattoo can be too much for it. Eat an hour or so before the tattoo. Having low blood sugar makes it more likely to become light headed.
How deep does the needle go?  A tattoo needle only goes into the 3rd layer of your skin (1/16 of a inch). A good tattoo artist will try to make sure that it goes in just deep enough to be permanent, but not so deep that a scar can occur. Tattoos that are done too deep also look faded right away because you have to look through more layers of skin to see the tattoo. If I were to tattoo a cheap paper plate, the needle should go in enough to dent the other side but not rip all the way through.

Can I bring a friend with me for support? Yes….I encourage any support mechanisms you may need to make your tattooing experience the best it can be. But, I don’t think it’s necessary to bring your entire family. I ask you to bring 1 friend only please.
How do I prepare for my appointment?  On the day one comes in to be tattooed, it is important not to consume alcohol or take any aspirin. Please be clear-headed, healthy, and not have an empty stomach. These conditions will help ensure the best possible conditions receiving the tattoo, and help make the experience positive. Successful tattoo healing depends on how well it is cared for afterwards. Be prepared to follow the aftercare instructions your artist provides. Curtis wants you to be absolutely satisfied with your new tattoo.

Does a tattoo bleed? Yes. A tattoo will bleed both while you are getting it done and for a little while afterwards. The tattoo will barely bleed while the outline is being done, and then will bleed a little more noticeably while the color is being done. Once the tattoo is over, it will seem like it is bleeding more. This is due to the fact that you are moving around (your heart rate will go up, which makes you bleed more). You notice that the artist will wipe your tattoo while they are working on it. This is not necessarily to wipe away the blood. In most cases, the tattoo artist is simply wiping away any extra ink that may have splattered out of the tip of the tube.


Does a tattoo hurt after it is done? It may be a little sore after it is done, but a tattoo really does not hurt any more than a rug burn or sunburn would. The tattoo will hurt a little if someone bumps it, it might feel a little warm, but it is not going to be very painful.
Why can't I go drunk? Being drunk does not help the pain of a tattoo, and in fact can make it worse. Most tattoo artists will not tattoo you if you are drunk for many reasons. First, you do not make good rational decisions when you have been drinking. A tattoo artist with a conscience will not want to tattoo something on you that you may regret. You will have a much harder time holding still when you have been drinking, and holding still is very important. It is hard to do a good tattoo on a moving target. You also have a far greater likelihood of throwing up. To top it off, people who are drunk can be obnoxious. Go sober, it really is not that bad.

I have a tattoo that I would like to temporarily cover for a wedding or other special event. Is there a way I can do this? There is a product called Dermablend that will cover tattoos very well. You can find it at many major department stores. If you buy a shade that is really close to the color of your skin, (talk to a consultant) and you practice with it a little bit before the event, you can literally make it look like you do not have tattoos.

Body piercing usually refers to the piercing of a part of the human body for the purpose of wearing jewellery in the opening created. Body piercing is a form of body modification. The word "piercing" can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to a specific pierced opening in the body. Some people practice piercing for religious or other cultural reasons, while many individuals, particularly in the modern West, choose to be pierced for spiritual, ornamental, or sexual reasons, or as a form of rebellion in punk, heavy metal, and alternative culture.  - As defined by Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

Frequently Asked Questions


Is it going to hurt? Not nearly as much as you might think! In fact, the actual piercing is so brief that the worst part is the preceding mental anxiety and fear. And, no matter how the piercing felt, almost everyone who gets pierced can't help but laugh or smile when it's over. Don't get me wrong, piercing is not a painless experience--but pain is completely relative to the individual and the pain incurred during a piercing is nothing that the average person can't handle. Remember: the piercing process only lasts a split second, while the new addition to your body can be enjoyed as long as you like!

Can't I just get pierced with a gun at the mall? Getting pierced with a piercing-gun is very unhealthy for your body. A piercing-gun inflicts blunt trauma force to the body (sort of like trying to punch a hole through your arm) which increases the chance for infection and an unpleasant healing process. ALL piercings should be performed with a hollow, surgical steel tribevel needle. This will alleviate the problem of "blowout" (having a volcano-like build-up of flesh around the exit hole of you piercing) and decrease chances for infection.

The first such problem is the risk of contracting disease. Most guns have plastic parts which cannot be properly sterilized, giving rise to the possibility of spreading bacterial infections, such as those suffered recently by a group of people in Oregon after getting pierced at a mall, or more serious blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B and C.

The second problem has to do with the shape and composition of the jewellery itself and the force applied by it to the earlobe (or any body part), making healing difficult. These guns were first manufactured to tag livestock, and inflict unnecessary blunt trauma to the tissue. The studs used by the guns have clasps which trap bacteria and which, when combined with the too-short post used by the jewellery, compress the tissue. This does not allow for any swelling, makes cleaning the site difficult, and reduces the availability of oxygen to the wound. In addition, the metal used for most of the gunned jewellery is of inferior quality and may inhibit healing by causing contact dermatitis or nickel allergies.

What can and can't I do during the healing period? Basically, treat your piercing like what it is: a wound. Would you play rough sports or have rough sexual encounters if you were wounded? Would you irritate a wound that is trying to heal? You should treat your fresh piercings as gently as possible--at all times, at all costs. This will insure that your body is healing your new piercing at the fastest rate possible. And always remember to wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap before touching your healing piercing. For further information regarding healing and aftercare please click on the 'Healing and Aftercare' link.

How long before I can change the starter jewellery? In accordance with healing, this time period can vary from person to person. There are two things to consider: the initial and full healing periods. The initial healing period is that time when the body creates a nice layer of skin between you and the starter jewellery. The full healing period is when the new piercing is entirely healed. Now, when deciding how long to wait before changing your jewellery you have to remember that you don’t want to reopen the wound. This will delay your healing process and require intense aftercare to prevent possible infection. And when you change your jewellery you are going to irritate your new piercing—no matter how gentle you are. So, my advice is to wait until the piercing is no longer tender (meaning, you can play with your piercing without experiencing ANY discomfort). At this point you can consider changing your jewellery. However, use as much care as possible when changing your jewellery for the first time!

For how long can I keep out my jewellery? This depends. Each piercing has a different lifespan without jewellery. Bottom line, if you have to remove your jewellery, get a retainer. This will prevent any chance of losing the piercing. And retainers are made with clear Lucite, flesh colored or clear acrylic ends, and other styles of "hideable" accessories. So hiding your piercing shouldn't be an issue. And for athletes, a PTFE tongue retainer, monofilament nylon, or other types of inert metallic substances may serve to keep your piercing open while engaging in activity.

Should I use alcohol to clean my piercing? DO NOT use any type of alcohol to clean your piercing. Alcohol is not meant for internal use, and will only irritate and further complicate the healing process.

There is a bump next to the piercing? (like a pimple) Is it red and inflamed? Does puss sometimes ooze out? Is it tender near the bump? "Yes" to these could indicate a follicular cyst. Something is stuck inside the piercing or a pore or follicle near the piercing is blocked. Hot soaks should take care of it very quickly