Las Vegas Residents Don't Need To Take Chances When It Comes To Custom Tattoos

By Marcel Cromack


When it comes to those elusive custom tattoos Las Vegas residents have a wealth of choices. A plethora of skilled artists have set up shop in the City of Lights. You can find a range of styles and techniques.

You may be in the Gambling Capital of the World but don't take a chance on your tattoo. Finding the perfect individual to execute your new ink is a big commitment. You risk ending up with a design that isn't what you wanted; if it's badly done on a technical level, the ink could fade or spread.

Far more grave than the risk of a poorly-done tattoo is the danger of infection and disease. Poor hygienic practices spread bacteria and viruses. The vast majority of today's artists understand this and have excellent safety procedures; a few, however, sacrifice good hygiene for speed and convenience. Because fresh tattoo is, to all intents and purposes, an open wound, infection must be guarded against. Good safety protocols and effective aftercare help to ensure that dangerous microbes don't get into your tattoo so it can heal cleanly.

Failing to maintain proper cleanliness between clients can lead to cross-contamination of needles and other equipment by infected body fluids. The results can be catastrophic: various strains of hepatitis can be carried in the blood, potentially resulting in liver damage. Syphilis can also be transmitted via contaminated equipment. One of the biggest hazards is the AIDS virus, which causes HIV.

Some cheap, low-quality inks can also pose health concerns. Imported inks may contain dangerous ingredients or contaminants, resulting in allergic reactions to the ink or even introducing poison into the bloodstream. Of particular concern are inks such as black light ink; this glows fetchingly under ultraviolet light but has never been certified as safe for humans, having been formulated for use on fish.

It's true that "scratchers" who make their living from substandard work are generally a lot cheaper than a professional. The risks simply aren't worth it. If you can't afford quality work, you can't afford a tattoo.

The best way to find a tattooist is through the recommendation of a friend who knows tattoos and who you can trust. For non-locals, this may not be a possibility. Instead, try visiting discussion forums devoted to tattoos and centered around Las Vegas. You can also check out online review sites.

If your first impression of a tattooist's establishment is that it's dingy, untidy and poorly-maintained, you should probably go elsewhere. Take the time to speak with the artist and discuss their safety practices and anti-infection measures. A good artist will let you examine their portfolio of past work to make sure their style meshes well with your desired piece. Only when you're completely satisfied and not before should you let someone work on you. The custom tattoos Las Vegas visitors want can be artistic and safely executed.




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