We at Local Color want you to feel safe and confident about receiving your next tattoo or piercing. We
would like to encourage you to ask question about any concerns that you may have about your safety. We offer clients a safe sterile environment and we go above and beyond the Center of Disease Controls guide for Universal Precautions. All of our artist are certified by the American Red Cross and have completed the Requirements for Preventing Disease Transmission and Bloodborne Pathogens. We are also members of the Alliance of Professional Tattoo Artist. www.safe-tattoos.com

Here are some things we would like you know:
All artist wear gloves for our protection and yours. New needles are used for each client, and then disposed are disposed of in a biohazard container, and removed by a medical waste pick up service, all equipment is ultra sonically cleaned, and then a cold germicidal chemical sterilization is done before it is autoclaved.(Hospital Sterilization) All equipment is individually packed and sterilized in an autoclave our autoclave is spore tested once a month, please ask to See reports if concerned All inks, razors, ointments are individually dispensed and a single service items for Every client. All surfaces are covered with a barrier film, counters, chairs, armrest, clip cord covers, plastic Bags, etc., and then wiped down before and after each client with an anti-viral, anti-bacterial germicidal Spray. We use every precaution to ensure your safety and ours

If you have, any questions or concerns that were not answered please feel free to stop by our studio and we Can go over everything with you Remember, no question is a stupid question when it comes to your safety

Will I get HIV or AIDS?
HIV is a very delicate virus and does not survive long outside the human body. The virus is transmitted when infected blood enters into the body of another. According to the Center for Disease Control, there has never been a case of HIV transmission from tattooing in the United States.

What about Hepatitis?
Hepatitis, unlike HIV, is a very hardy virus that is transmits through an infected needle. To combat
this and any other infectious blood borne pathogen, all artists have been certified from the Red Cross Disease Transmission courses. We autoclave single service equipment, use individual portions of ink and lubricant, dispose of used needles in a sharps container according to OSHA guidelines. We also use virucidals to clean our stations between clients, and use barrier protection. Basically, we treat everyone as though they were infectious, so the potential for infection is reduced to next to nothing.

What is single Service Equipment?
All equipment should be single service. This means that each needle and tube set is individually packaged
and sealed and autoclaved. We discard any ointments, pigments, needles, and razors that have been used. After Your tattoo is done the artist will disinfect the work area with an EPA approved virucidal that will kill any Surface bacteria or viruses

Will my tattoo get infected?
If you do not take care of your tattoo,it can get infected, just like any other break in the skin. Always
Follow the instructions of aftercare from your artist

What if I am pregnant or on medications?
We will not tattoo anyone that thinks they might be pregnant.

Please consult your doctor before being tattooed, especially if you are on medications
blood thinners, any heart medications, diabetes, etc.

Does it hurt?
Getting your first tattoo can be very exciting experience and being prepared for what to expect can keep your more relaxed. First, you should be well rested, and don’t come in on an empty stomach, or your blood sugar levels are low. Drinking alcohol before a tattoo is always a bad idea, it will cause you to bleed more and have a negative effect on your new tattoo.

As far as pain goes this will vary from person to person, but usually it is about what you would expect from a cat scratch or bee sting. The best thing to do is try to relax and not fight it. The worst part of getting a tattoo for the first time is the anxiety of not knowing, once you feel the first line go in you will be relieved that it is not as bad as you thought it would be.

Can a tattoo be removed?
Yes, but it is very expensive and very painful. Think, before you ink.

Can I bring in my own design?
Of course you can. We also have a huge design selection, you can choose from, or alter any one of them, or better yet, have one of our artist designs something custom just for you

Do I need an Appointment?
Walk INS are always welcome, but appointments are a guarantee. It is very hard to judge how long a tattoo will take over the phone so we prefer that you come in to make an appointment so that we can discuss what you are getting first. To make an appointment we require a 20.00 cash deposit, which will go towards the price of your tattoo. If you do not show up you will lose your deposit. No exceptions so think before you leave a deposit. If you are running late, please call us and let us know, because if you are more than 15 minutes late, and we haven’t heard from you, and someone else is waiting to get tattooed, you will lose your deposit.

We do not rush people, so please be patient if we are running late. We like to take our time with each
customer, and we are sure you don’t want us rushing your tattoo to stay on schedule.

How much does it cost?
Our shop minimum is 50.00. It is really hard to give prices over the phone without seeing the design first.
Please feel free to send us an email for a price estimate. Please let us know where you are placing it on your body because certain areas take longer to tattoo.

Should I tip my artist?
All of our artist work on commission. If you feel that they have done a good job then tipping is up to your
discretion. Tipping is never expected, but always appreciated.

Why should I not go in the sun or go swimming for two weeks?
The sun can dry out your tattoo or cause blistering while healing. The salt water or chlorine water can cause colors to fade and lead to infections. Do yourself a favor by not throwing your money away, and just don’t do it.

Can a tattoo be covered up?
Yes, it most certainly can. Your artist will be happy to work with you on your options for cover-ups.
Sometimes, your options might be limited, depending on what you have and how old or dark the tattoo is.
We cannot use flesh tones to cover a tattoo instead of getting it removed.