As the tattoo industry expands, more and more people are getting inked at home. But just because everyone is doing it, doesn't mean you should. Before you let someone tattoo you in a basement, you should understand the risks of not getting permanent body art done at a business.
Ink may be unsafe
Perhaps one of the biggest risks is in the at-home kit itself. The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that the ink may be the problem. Over the summer, White and Blue Lion, Inc. recalled a line of at-home kits after learning that several had bacterial contamination. This type of issue can lead to an infection and make you sick because the bacteria has direct access to your bloodstream.
Even if the ink isn't being recalled, getting inked outside of the parlor can still lead to infection. People's homes are swarming with germs. From the kitchen to the bathroom, getting stuck with a needle can expose you to said germs, making you ill.
Artists lack experience
Additionally, you want to be wary of getting a tattoo at someone's home because it could be an indicator that they can't get a job as a tattoo artist. Think about it – if a person is unable to get hired by a business, would you really trust them to paint a permanent picture onto your skin?
Ask to see his or her portfolio, and really think about it before committing to get an at-home tatt. Tattooing is a unique and intricate skill. They are called "artists" for a reason, which is why you should be choosey in selecting yours.
Zero liability
You may also run into an issue in terms of liability. If you don't like how your tattoo came out, you might not be able to do anything about it. You can't exactly walk back into the business and ask them to touch it up if it doesn't exist. What's more, liability is a gray area for tattoo artists because they typically have very little legal protection when they opt to run an inking business through their homes.
Think before you let someone ink you at home. If you have gotten a tattoo outside of a shop, you don't have to live with tattoo regret forever. Consider laser tattoo removal, so you can forget all about your horrific experience.
Over 45 million US adults* are living with tattoos, but now permanent ink can be a thing of the past. PicoSure® is the world's latest breakthrough technology in laser tattoo removal providing faster results in fewer treatments. Visit www.picosurear.wpengine.com to learn more and find a PicoSure Practitioner near you. * Source: Harris Interactive, 2012
