Tattoo Party
A tattoo party is a bad idea. remember, a tattoo is permanent. Whatever tattoo you get (or don’t get) should be researched, explored, and considered in great detail. Not done on an impulse and with alcohol in your system. And certainly not done at a tattoo party. You wouldn’t have a tummy-tuck done at a weight loss party! Tattoo parties are done for the benefit of the amateur tattooist, and the host (who gets a cut of the tattooist’s money). Everyone else looses.
Tattoo Regret
A large number of people getting tattoos at tattoo parties regret their decisions. Many find that “they were not thinking” and somewhat rushed and limited in their options. Many regret multiple aspects of their tattoos including its content, design, artistic value, and location. Because there was alcohol at the party, their consideration were not consistent with their usual train of thought. . . in other words, they made a bad decision at the wrong place and at the wrong time.
Because tattoo parties usually are not held in tattoo parlors, the cleanliness and sterile equipment access is limited. There are no autoclaves (the machines used to sterilize the needles and tubing) and your assurance that everything is clean and won’t cause an infection is severely limited. If you ever went to a professional tattoo parlor, you would think you were at a clinical office. There are autoclaves, organized tattoo equipment (sterilized and separated by size and dated for expiration or rotation). Inks organized by color, date, lot, manufacturer, etc. They have computer programs that track all of the client data in addition to placement, reaction, lot number, etc. The people at tattoo parties don’t track anything, keep no documentation, and bear no responsibilities after the night is over.
So . . . tattoo parties are bad. Your chances for tattoo regret go up when you get a tattoo on an impulse.
Tattoo parties are not all bad, if done right. I am doing one a licensed tattoo parlor that has a bar in it as well. All patrons have been advised not to consume alcohol if they are getting tattoos. This is not at home or done by an novice artist. So I don’t agree with the total negative outlook on tattoo parties. They can be done in a safe way. But at home is usually not the best.
Thanks for the note. Your approach is controlled (licensed, parameters, etc.), and not what we’re against. Maybe its the semantics, but where we come from a Tattoo Party is designed to entice, usually underage, teens into getting unprofessional cut-rate tattoos. There are no rules or limitations. One of my patients had “stank ho” tattooed on her neck while drunk at a tattoo party. Professional tattooist are most comfortable at a business with controlled conditions so that their work is at its best. For people getting their FIRST tattoo, a party atmosphere is probably not the best way to start. Thanks again for writing because there is merit to what you are saying.
I agree!!!!
You’re the greaestt! JMHO