Most people these days look at Tattoo artists in the same light as rock stars ! and, think yes I want some of that [ Oh ok, I hear you cry - well why not ? ]

Why not indeed ? But before you decide to try your hand at tattooing think about a few things first.

1. why would you want to be exposed to other peoples body fluids - every day - and the risk that goes with that ?

2.What knowledge do you have on cleaning up any blood contaminated items, eg - tissues, the work station, the floor,[ Your machines ! ]

 yourself ? etc etc etc.

3.What knowledge do you have about cross contamination ? and the controle of such ?

4.What do you know about contraindications ?

5. Are you familiar with all sterilizing techniques ?

5. Do you know the law on tattooing, eg the tattooing of minors act 1969 ?

6. Do you have a health registration ?

7. Are you registered with you local health depot and, council ?

8.Do you / or would you keep customer profile cards ? if so do you have the relevent licence ?

9.Are you aware of the health risks involved with tattooing for both you and, your customer ?

10.Do you know how to set a machine up ?

11.Do you now how to use a machine corectly ?

12. Do you own an autoclave ?

13. Do you own an ultrasonic bath ?

14.Are you aware of how to use all equipment, for both tattooing and sterilizing ?

15.Do you know what are the best pigments to use ?

16.Do you know the best type of needles to use ?

17. Do you know what different needle groupings are used for ? and what techniques you need to know to use them ?

18.Have you the desire to strive on and become a pro Tattoo Artist ?

19.Then why have you just paid fifteen pounds for a crappy tattoo machine ?

20. And twenty quid for a few bottles of unknown content inks ?

If you can not answer yes to the questions above,[ not including 19 and 20 ] then you need to think on, before someone gets hurt / seriously ill or worse ?

and yes it can all happen if, you do not know what you are doing;

Everyone and his dog want,s to be a tattooist these days, so you are not on your own - so if that is what you want to do - then do the right thing !

Train under the guidence of a pro Artist, throw away those silly machines and colours and, learn the correct way ! after all it,s your future and, its in

your hands;

If your friend got a nice new scalple for a gift, would you nip over to his place next sunday for an operation ? I think the answer would be NO -

as he would not be a surgeon/doctor and the risk would not be worth it, would it - so why do you think people would put there lives at risk

being tattooed over your kitchen table ? More to the point, if you want to become a Tattooist, why would you want to start this way - do the right thing -

in the long run it will be the best choice , as you would not want a conviction for tattooing someone under age would you ?

You would not need a conviction for infecting someone would you ?

You would not want a fine and or conviction from the local council would you ?

You would not want a criminal record would you ? because if you have any of the above, if and when you have enough money and desire

to try to open a studio, those convictions are not looked apon in a good light with the authorities and, or landlords who you may wish to lease a shop from.

Think careful, think hard, get your innoculations, [ you will need them ]get your training and, do the right thing.