The Benefits of Permanent Make-up at Stick Tattoo in Morgantown, WV
Comments Off on The Benefits of Permanent Make-up at Stick Tattoo in Morgantown, WVStick Tattoo, a professional and locally-owned tattoo and body piercing studio, offers a unique blend of expertise and creativity in the world of cosmetic enhancement and permanent make-up. Discover the numerous benefits of choosing Stick Tattoo for your permanent make-up needs.
1. Expertise and Professionalism
At Stick Tattoo Company, you are in good hands with our skilled and experienced make-up artist Sydney Martisko. Sydney is dedicated to delivering high-quality results that exceed your expectations. With meticulous attention to detail and a keen eye for aesthetics, Stick Tattoo ensures that your permanent make-up enhances your natural beauty.
2. Customized Solutions
Each client at Stick Tattoo receives personalized treatment tailored to their unique preferences and features. Whether you’re looking for perfectly shaped eyebrows or luscious lip color, Sydney works closely with you to design a look that complements your style and enhances your facial features. Say goodbye to daily makeup routines and hello to effortless beauty with permanent make-up from Stick Tattoo.
3. Time-Saving Convenience
One of the key advantages of permanent make-up is the time saved on daily beauty routines. Imagine waking up with flawless eyebrows without the need for applying makeup. With permanent make-up from Sydney at Stick Tattoo, you can enjoy the convenience of looking polished and put-together effortlessly, saving precious time in your busy schedule.
4. Long-lasting Results
Unlike traditional cosmetics that fade throughout the day, permanent make-up from Stick Tattoo offers long-lasting results that stay vibrant and fresh. Whether you’re hitting the gym, lounging by the pool, or attending a special event, your permanent make-up remains intact, ensuring you look your best at all times. With proper care and maintenance, your enhanced features will maintain their allure for years to come.
5. Confidence Boost
Enhancing your natural beauty through permanent make-up can significantly boost your confidence and self-esteem. At Stick Tattoo, Sydney understands the transformative power of well-executed permanent make-up and strives to empower clients by helping them look and feel their best. Step out with renewed confidence and radiate beauty with permanent make-up from Sydney Martisko and Stick Tattoo.
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Experience the unparalleled benefits of permanent make-up at Stick Tattoo in Morgantown, WV. Elevate your beauty routine, save time, and boost your confidence with customized, long-lasting results crafted by expert professionals. Book your appointment today and unlock a world of effortless beauty and glamour with Sydney Martisko at Stick Tattoo.
For more information and to book an appointment, visit Stick Tattoo Company.
Steps for Communicating With Your Tattoo Artist
Comments Off on Steps for Communicating With Your Tattoo ArtistAt Stick Tattoo, our artists take great pride in both their artwork, but also their customer service to our clients. This last year has been quite challenging for our industry as the pandemic has created changes to our typical operation, as well as an influx of appointments. However, we are still working to provide the same level of service and communication for all of our customers. To help with this, we have created a streamlined process for communicating with your artist, and have outlined this information to make it as easy and efficient for you and your artist. Please keep in mind that our artists see and speak with numerous tattoo ideas on a daily basis, so this guide is created to help ensure all the details and needs of your tattoo are saved for reference.
When Emailing Your Tattoo Artist:
- In the subject line, please include your first/last name and “Tattoo Appointment” or “Consult Inquiry”.
- In the body of the email, you can copy/paste the following guideline that you can then answer for your specific tattoo. We do encourage that the more detailed the answers, the better it is for our artists to understand.
Contact Info:
- Name:
- Cell:
- Email:
- Date of Appt:
Tattoo Info:
- Location on Body:
- Approx Size:
- Is this a cover-up? — if yes, please provide a picture of the tattoo being covered up.
- Will this tie into an existing tattoo? — If yes, please provide a picture of the area being tattooed, with as much of the existing tattoos as possible.
- Please list any additional details about your concept.
A Few Additional Notes:
- Please attach any and all reference pictures to be used for creating your custom artwork.
- Also, please note, our team works to respond to every email as quickly as possible, but often may take a week or two to reply for appointments that are scheduled over a month out.
- Each artist handles custom artwork differently, however, as a general rule, our artists will be creating your tattoo within the final weeks before your appointment. This ensures your ideas have not changed or altered.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the shop directly at 304-212-5543 or email our front desk team at info@sticktattoo.com.
Winter Weather Tattoo Care
Comments Off on Winter Weather Tattoo CareFor many of us that live in the north, colder weather means dry skin, and worse, dry, itchy tattoos. How many times have you gone to show off your tattoos to notice them covered in pasty, flaky skin? The dreaded tongue-lick, or spit and wipe method only works for so long!
No worries — we at STICK Tattoo have your back. Here is a quick list of things you can do to help fight dry skin this winter, and keep those tattoos looking fresh year round with a little help from the great folks at The Wellness Junction (wellnessjunction.com).
1. Moisturize! Cream moisturizers are best for normal to dry skin, and people with sensitive skin should use moisturizers without smelly shit. If needed, stop into our shop in Morgantown and pick up any of the different moisturizers we carry from H2Ocean, including OceanCare or InkRenu.
2. Clean! You can wash your hands, face, feet and between the folds of the skin with soap daily. Your trunk, arms and legs can be rinsed daily. But, be sure to avoid using soap or cleanser on these areas every day. Too much cleansing removes natural moisturizers from the skin.
3. Limit the use of hot water and soap. To help with that “winter itch,” take short, lukewarm showers or baths with a non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleanser, and follow up by applying a water-in-oil type moisturizer immediately afterward. Gently pat that shit into your skin until dry.
4. Avoid the extreme cold. Cold temperatures can cause skin disorders or frostbite. There is no reason to continue wearing shorts in 10 degree weather to prove the cold doesn’t bother you.
5. Avoid excessive heat — STOP SITTING IN FRONT OF A DAMN ELECTRIC HEATER. Try not keeping your heat above 78 degrees; it depletes moisture from the air and adds to winter itch.
So basically, keep your skin conditioned, bath regularly but not for 90 minutes each time, don’t be an idiot, and we will get through these dreaded winter months together!
STICK Tattoo is Morgantown’s most distinct tattoo and body piercing shop located in the heart of West Virginia University. Open six days a week, we are within a quick drive to Pittsburgh, Clarksburg, Fairmont, Kingwood, Oakland and Wheeling. Stop in or give us a call to set an appointment today.
Understanding How to Choose a Tattoo Design
Comments Off on Understanding How to Choose a Tattoo DesignAt Stick Tattoo, we have a team of talented and experienced artists to help you create the perfect tattoo. And while each of our artists are extremely well-rounded, each artist has a unique style and specialization that they enjoy tattooing. Our job is to help you find the perfect artist for your next tattoo, to create an amazing experience and tattoo that exceeds your expectation.
But that process begins with understanding the design and concept of your tattoo design. The following gives some points and tips on understanding the design process and how you can prepare for your tattoo or consultation.
Have an Idea of What You Want.
We are excited that you want a tattoo, but you also need to have an idea of what you want. Our team can help suggest various ideas and concepts, but your tattoo should also have some sort of meaning to you. Our team suggesting a tattoo concept should not be where you start the process.
Start with “WHY” you are getting your next tattoo, and what it stands for and represents.
Be Creative and Think Outside of the Box.
Next, think of all the things that could represent that meaning. Your tattoo design does not need to be as direct and straight-forward as you may think. Think of some other icons or elements that may represent that same concept.
Many people are drawn towards quotes. We often ask our customers if there is an element or aspect of the quote that could represent that full quote in a less traditional or straightforward manner than simply replicating the quote.
Do Some Research.
We absolutely encourage our customers to look on the internet to find ideas and concepts on what they may want their next tattoo to be. The internet is a great tool for searching “concepts” and seeing a variety of ideas. We do not advise anyone to steal another artist’s work or want an existing tattoo verbatim – but we will address that in another post.
If researching for an upcoming tattoo, we advise to find a few ideas or concepts that stand out to you and bring those to your artist. From here, we can see the types of designs and ideas that are appealing to you and start creating a custom piece based on those concepts.
Creating an Original Tattoo.
One of the most challenging things we face as tattoo artists are when our customers come in and bring us an existing tattoo design and want the exact same concept. As artists, this is very frustrating due to asking us to replicate someone else’s work, but it also crosses a line of our artist integrity and copying someone else’s existing work. We strongly encourage you to bring us a few concepts and allow our artists to create a custom, unique piece for you based on the ideas you have identified.
And we get it – some of these Pinterest tattoos are simple and cute – and there is not much anyone can do to change them up, but we do ask that we not steal or replicate an exact concept from another artist or shop. We will always suggest to add a slight modification to ensure we are creating an original piece.
Check (and Recheck) Spelling and Meaning.
While our artists are all very talented and dedicated to their profession, it is not our responsibility to spell check, or proofread your tattoo. Please be sure to ensure the spelling, grammar, and meaning are exactly what you want prior to handing it to your artist.
Understanding Tattoo Design Principles.
Another challenge we face when creating tattoos is the placement and orientation of your tattoo design. Often, a client will ask for a tattoo quote or image to “face them” when, proper placement will always be facing outward. We often hear, “But it’s for me”, and while we understand that, it is still our job to advise on the proper ‘do’s and don’t’s’ of our industry.
Changing Your Design or Ideas.
We appreciate you wanting a unique idea or design, and our artists work hard to create something that exceeds our customer’s expectations. However, every drawing takes time, research and effort. If you are thinking of changing your design or idea prior to your appointment, please contact us immediately, so the artist can be prepared for your new idea, but also save time from drawing something you are no longer interested in. Please be courteous of their time and talents.
Given all the information above, at Stick Tattoo, our artists hold the right to refuse any tattoo idea or design they do not feel comfortable tattooing, whether because of a duplicate tattoo design, poor placement or ignoring tattoo principles.
Tips For Your Lettering Tattoo
Comments Off on Tips For Your Lettering TattooAt Stick Tattoo, we often have clients requesting lettering tattoos, so we wanted to share some tips to ensure you receive the best tattoo, and have the best experience possible! Tattoo lettering has been popular for many years because, for many, expressing meaning, emotion or remembrance is often easier with words than pictures. There are a number of ideas and concepts that you can do with lettering or word tattoos, such as:
- Motivational or Inspirational Quote Tattoos
- Memorial Quote Tattoos
- Signatures of Loved Ones
- Family Quotes/Saying Tattoos
- Bible Verse Tattoos
- Patriotic Lettering Tattoos
- And More
The unique possibilities for lettering tattoos are endless, which is a great way to help create something that is special or meaningful to you.
Below are a few tips to ensure you receive the best tattoo, as well as help you understand the tattoo process — including steps needed from you!
Research the artist and their portfolio.
The first step before getting any tattoo is to research the quality and skill of the various tattoo artists. But when it comes to lettering/words – it’s important to go a step further and seek out tattoo artists who specialize in strong lettering tattoos and fine line tattoos. Often, customers will make the mistake of seeing some great tattoos that catch their eye in portfolios, but that are nothing like the tattoos they are wanting to get. Not all artists enjoy or specialize in lettering tattoos, so this will help ensure you find the right artist for your style tattoo!
Know your quote and check the spelling and accuracy.
Our shop has tried to make it as easy as possible for customers to submit tattoo requests, including our website, social media, phone and in-person, but this convenience can sometimes get challenging with word or lettering tattoos for a couple reasons. Often, clients will request a quote tattoo without knowing specifically what they want. While we appreciate and encourage the excitement, it is very difficult to schedule your appointment with the right artist, and for the right amount of time if YOU do not even know what you want. This will also help prevent multiple last minute tattoo design changes, which can end up costing you more time (and more money).
We also strongly recommend proofing (and re-proofing) your tattoo lettering quote before submitting a request for an appointment. When we receive a tattoo request, we put that exact information into our system, and that exact letting us what the artist will ultimately use to create your tattoo. It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy, grammar and spelling of the tattoo, prior to your appointment. We have some extremely talented artists, but we are not spell-checkers, able to decipher slang/concepts or ensure accuracy on long quotes. You will always have the opportunity to view and proof your lettering BEFORE it gets tattooed, but we strongly suggest you ensuring its accuracy from the start!
Selecting a font for lettering tattoos.
Selecting the perfect font for your lettering tattoo is a fun and important part of the process, but can also be a pretty challenging aspect due to the endless number of fonts available. Because of this, we require our tattoo lettering customers to research and select the right font for their tattoo prior to their appointment. Our artists will always provide some guidance and tips, based on your specific tattoo and meaning, but it is very important that you research and find the right font to ensure you like the tattoo for the lifetime of the tattoo.
There are a number of styles that you can choose from, including script, handwritten, bold, typewriter/book, old english, delicate/fine line and custom. We recommend looking on such websites as www.DaFont.com or 1001freefonts.com, which allow you to preview your specific quote in the various font styles. Once you have narrowed it down to 1 or 2 fonts, be sure to screenshot or save your quote in that lettering, as well as ensuring you tell us the font name, in case it is not in the screenshot.
**** Please keep these few things in mind when selecting a font:
- Intricate fonts, or fonts with thick and thin lines do not make for good tattoos. This also applies for fonts that are very condensed or close together. As your tattoo ages, it will naturally expand within your skin. Intricate fonts will naturally begin to expand, and overtime may distort the quality and legibility of the tattoo!
- Your tattoo lettering size MUST be at least 1/2″ tall or more. Tattoos less than this size will not last or hold up their legibility and quality well long term, which is why our artists will not tattoo small lettering.
- We do not suggest certain areas for your lettering tattoo, such as the side of your fingers, the side of your foot, or within any natural bends or creases on your body (like the wrist crease or elbow ditch). Depending on how much tattoo coverage you have, our artists may refrain from any hand, neck or face tattoos.
Stylizing your lettering tattoo
In addition to the font and style of your tattoo, there are also various styles and techniques that our artists can do to customize your tattoo, such as reverse lettering, shading, gradients, recreating signatures or handwriting, outling and more. If you have ideas or examples of the style you are wanting to have tattooed, be sure to include those references with your tattoo request, or bring them with you for your consultation. If you are looking for something really custom or stylized, we highly recommend an artist consultation, and may require it depending on the tattoo and/or selected artist.
If you have questions, please just ask!
We realize that there still may be questions, ideas or clarification on various fonts, so please do not hesitate to contact us with examples of your lettering tattoo, font and design and our front desk team and artists will help talk you through the process to ensure you are happy and comfortable with your final design.
Tips For Your First Tattoo
Comments Off on Tips For Your First TattooAt Stick Tattoo, we wanted to provide some advice and tips for your first tattoo. We get asked a number of questions from our customers – from design, to the process and after-care.
Here are a few tips to help make your first-time tattoo a great experience – for you… and the tattoo shop. 🙂
1. Research the shop and the artist.
Like any important decision, we encourage you to research and find the right shop for you. Be sure to check out the artists’ work and style, research reviews and visit the shop to see its cleanliness and attention to health standards. Most shops take a lot of pride in their location, so be sure to find a shop that reflects the quality of work and atmosphere you’re seeking.
2. Ask Questions.
When getting your first tattoo, we want you to be excited and confident about your tattoo and the placement, so do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you need. We understand and recognize that there is some anxiety and nerves that come along with your first tattoo, but our team is on hand to answer any questions you may have – including placement options, “will it hurt?”(yes, it will), how long it will take, etc.!
To help with these questions, we at Stick Tattoo have a team of Shop Coordinators that are available to help answer many of your questions. They can also schedule you with a pre-tattoo consultation with an artist to talk through the process and overall capabilities. You will want to ensure you are on the same page as your artist beforehand to ensure a smooth experience from start to finish. Note that while there is no cost for this consultation, our artists will not draw, or design, a tattoo without you scheduling an actual tattoo appointment. This just protects their time and creativity.
3. Research your design and ideas.
We love what we do, and will absolutely help you with your design to ensure you are getting a quality tattoo, but be sure to do some research ahead of time and have some ideas and references for what you are looking to do. We suggest this for a number of reasons:
First, it helps you feel more confident and comfortable with what you are going to get. Remember, we strongly encourage you not to rush just into any design.
Next, it really helps our artists to be able to customize and create the exact design you want. While the artists are extremely talented, they are not mind-readers, so having some reference pictures will help give them an idea of the design and concept you’re envisioning.
At Stick Tattoo, we have a number of available computer stations that you can utilize at no cost to assist you in your research. Once you find some ideas, we encourage you to share these references with your artist. If you are looking to dive right into a larger piece such as a sleeve, or a complex piece such as a portrait, we recommend contacting the shop to schedule a consultation to ensure you and your artist are on the same page.
Please keep in mind that there is a direct correlation as to the size and complexity of your tattoo. The smaller the size, the more challenged you will be with detail.
Also, while we appreciate – and encourage – you to be happy with the design and concept of your tattoo, please be courteous to your artist and let them know ahead of your appointment if you are changing design aspects or placement locations. While it may not be a major change or revision, it will help ensure your artist does not spend time preparing for a tattoo or location unnecessarily. Simply call, text or email the shop and let us know any changes before 48 hours of your appointment. Should your changes be larger, or more detailed, and not communicated before 48 hours of your appointment, we may not be able to keep your appointment, nor refund your deposit.
4. Understand Your Tattoo Placement.
While many people handle or describe the feeling of getting tattooed differently, we can tell you that some places are easier and less painful than others. You may want to keep this in mind for your first appointment to ensure you are prepared.
Also with placement, you will want to think through your desired location in regards to visibility and your work/school/family environment. While we clearly support visible tattoos in the workplace, not all employers do. So your tattoo location could become a factor. We often do not recommend such visible spots as your face, neck and hands for your first tattoo.
5. Understand the Cost.
While specific costs may vary between shops, understand that there are often similar cost approaches for your tattoo. At Stick Tattoo, we have a shop minimum for any tattoo. This cost includes the overhead and supplies that go into every tattoo, regardless of how small it may be.
For larger pieces, we can price your tattoo by the hour, or by the piece. In most situations, your cost will be determined by how long it will take the artist, with their hourly rate. Please understand that the time it takes to tattoo your design is based on the overall size and detail that goes into the piece.
Many shops will also charge you a deposit for your initial appointment. At Stick Tattoo, this cost is then applied to the overall cost of your tattoo. We provide a 48-hour window for you to cancel your appointment and still keep your deposit. Any cancellations after this 48-hour window, or no-shows, will result in us keeping your deposit.
6. Day of Preparation.
Final preparations for your first tattoo are very important, not only for the tattoo and quality, but also for your overall experience. We can tell you up front – it might hurt a little and it might bleed a little, but this is all a normal part of the process. Understanding these potentials will help you mentally prepare. (And don’t worry – it doesn’t hurt that bad. We promise.)
We strongly encourage you to eat prior to your appointment. During the tattoo process, your body starts to treat and react to the process, and eating beforehand will help you from start to finish.
Do not drink alcohol, or try and show up intoxicated for your appointment. Not only will it complicate the process and thin your blood, but it will also make you more fidgety and increase the likelihood of not thinking your design completely through. At Stick Tattoo, we will not tattoo you if we feel you are under the influence. Not only is this our own shop rule, it is a requirement of the West Virginia State Health Code.
Be sure to wear comfortable and appropriate clothes based on the location placement of your tattoo. You want to dress to be comfortable, but also will want to ensure the artist can easily access the preferred tattoo location. At Stick Tattoo, our artists each have private rooms should your location require a more private environment.
We also strongly encourage you to shower and clean the location of the tattoo. Not only will that benefit you and your tattoo, consider it as a general courtesy for the artist. Our artist will also do a thorough cleaning of the specific tattoo location upon arrival.
7. Relax, Enjoy and Have Fun.
Tattoos are a work of art, that all have special and unique meaning to each person. To ensure you have the best experience possible, you will want to make sure you are 100% happy with the design, location, artist and shop. Following the above tips will help make your first tattoo a great experience.
And as the saying goes… once you get one, you will want more. (And we support this, too!)
Tattoos in the Workplace
Comments Off on Tattoos in the WorkplaceSTICK Tattoo is a proud supporter of tattoos and piercings (go figure) and is an advocate for the increasing rights of tattoos in the workforce. Based in Morgantown, West Virginia, our region is home to some of the best education, medical, energy, and pharmaceutical companies in the world. These companies are seeing the increased growth in both their clients and employees— a sure sign that the times are changing.
The following article from Forbes.com was a great view on the industry and covers both the medical and educational systems. The article also provides a more national perspective on tattoos in the workplace.
“Now you’re never going to get a job!” Almost everyone in the 14% pool of tattooed Americans has heard something like this from a relative or friend. But as the number of inked Americans grows, is the traditional assumption that tattoos and jobs don’t mix really true in 2013?
Workplace tattoo policies vary among and within industries. But with many contemporary companies stressing commitments to diversity and inclusion, tattoos are becoming increasingly unproblematic across the board. Lax tattoo policies for blue-collar and art-related jobs aren’t shocking, but the increasingly tolerant outlook of frontrunners in corporate,educational and m
As consulting firm CEO John Challenger explained, most employers today would agree that a person’s appearance is nowhere near as important as his or her professional skills. “Even in this tight job market, most companies aren’t going to view tattoos too harshly. Companies have a vested interest in hiring the most qualified candidate.”
According to Bank of America BAC -0.52% Spokeswoman Ferris Morrison, Bank of America has no written rules or restrictions when it comes to inked corporate employees. “We have no formal policy about tattoos because we value our differences and recognize that diversity and inclusion are good for our business and make our company stronger,” she said.
This attitude is not uncommon in contemporary corporate
Still, tattoo policies vary from one office to another, the contra argument being that tattoos – like unconventional hairdos or bold garments – can distract coworkers and clients. “Depending on if they are visible or offensive in nature, tattoos can have an impact on professionalism,” Mark Brenner, senior vice president of external affairs at Apollo Group APOL -0.1% said.
Tattoo policies for positions in academia differ as well, depending on the institution’s mission. Bruce Potts, professor at The University of New Mexico, sports a full tribal tattoo on his face. “I haven’t had trouble getting a job because success is all about how one presents him or herself, and doesn’t solely depend on appearance,” he explained.
But UNM’s acceptance of Potts’ atypical appearance is not necessarily representative of all employers. Especially when it comes to younger children, institutions and camps are more concerned with the message that a leader’s appearance may be sending. John Beitner, director of L.A.’s Tumbleweed Day Camp, felt pressure from parents to employ more “appropriate looking role models” after his camp saw a 15% increase in tattooed counselors over the past decade. Beitner decided to tackle the issue on a case-by-case basis, evaluating levels of offensiveness for individual tattoos. He commented that a no-tattoo policy would mean losing excellent candidates.
In the medical field, having a tattoo does not impede a person’s chance at landing a position, but rules about covering them tend to be more stringent. Most facilities require a certain level of concealment during work hours because demonstrating the utmost external professionalism is key to gaining patients’ trust.
According to the UCLA Health System policy: “Any tattoo that may be considered offensive by patients or visitors must be covered by clothing, a band-aid or make-up.” The Cleveland Clinic has a similar policy: “Tattoos must be covered during working hours to ensure a consistent professional appearance while working.”
Mayo Clinic Spokesman Bryan Anderson stated, “Mayo Clinic has long recognized the importance of presenting a professional image to our patients. Under our policy, employees are asked to cover tattoos or other body art.”
Workplace concealment policies vary, but having a tattoo in 2013 certainly doesn’t ruin one’s chance at having a successful career. Still, a 2011 study byCareerBuilder shows that 31% of surveyed employers ranked “having a visible tattoo” as the top personal attribute that would dissuade them from promoting an employee. So although companies across many fields are increasingly focused on diversity and inclusion, tattoo flaunting is still probably best reserved for post-work hours.
** Article as seen on Forbes.com, posted by Rachel Henessey. @RachHen91Tattoo/Piercing Minors (PLEASE READ)
Comments Off on Tattoo/Piercing Minors (PLEASE READ)PARENT/GUARDIAN CONSENT REQUIRED:
In West Virginia, ANYONE under 18 years old MUST have Parent/Guardian consent on-site at the time of tattoo or piercing with a copy of Birth Certificate or documentation proving guardianship and age verification! NO EXCEPTIONS!
This is a State Law and one that we at Stick Tattoo strictly adhere and enforce. We require all documentation and identifications to be present at the time of piercings. We understand that you may forget this paperwork, but we will not tattoo or pierce a minor without the required documentations. This is for everyone’s own safety.
PIERCING MINORS & AGE REQUIREMENTS:
At Stick Tattoo, the youngest age that we will pierce earlobes is 5 years old. Not only is this an age that we feel is appropriate for the child’s ears and development, but also an age that we feel the child can understand and comprehend caring for the piercing. We certainly are not implying that the child can take care of the piercing by themselves, but rather help with understanding ‘do not touch’ and keeping it clean. A piercing for a child between the ages of 5-8 will require a consultation before we can schedule an appointment.
There are also additional age limits for specific piercings, that are listed on our piercing price list.
To view that list, please click here.
Click here to read and download our Piercing Minor Consent Form.
TATTOOING MINORS & AGE REQUIREMENTS:
We at Stick Tattoo require any underage minor to be at least 16 years of age to be tattooed, with the consent of their parent/guardian. While the state of West Virginia does not specifically state an age requirement for tattoos with parental consent, our shop has set this as our age limit as for what is best for our customers.
In addition to the age limit, we also will not tattoo hands, necks, faces, or any other locations or tattoo concepts that we deem inappropriate. While we certainly encourage tattoos and individualism, we also take pride in our profession and our artwork and hold the right to refuse any customer or tattoo we feel is not in that customer’s best interest.
Any minor interested in getting a tattoo must schedule a consultation before we can schedule an appointment.
Click here to read and download our Tattoo Minor Consent Form.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please contact us today!
Stages of Healing for a New Tattoo
Comments Off on Stages of Healing for a New TattooAt Stick Tattoo, we try to provide as much education and knowledge about the tattoo process as possible. After all, proper tattoo aftercare is nearly as important as the actual tattoo application itself. If interested in proper tattoo aftercare, be sure to read our article on our tattoo aftercare instructions.
Many of our customers are often curious about the various stages of healing that your new tattoo will go through. To help get a better understanding of this, we have outlined those various stages below.
- Immediately following your tattoo, you may notice some redness, swelling or bruising. This is fairly common. Within the first couple of hours, the limb or area may be stiff and sore, as well as tender to touch. To your body’s immune system, your new tattoo is viewed as an open wound. So it will react as such, beginning to heal your body naturally.
- After a few hours, you can remove the wrap or bandage that was applied immediately after your tattoo from your artist. You should not be alarmed by the possibility of blood, plasma, ink and other fluid that may have compounded on your skin. You will want to gently wash your tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap. Pat dry and do not wrap or cover your tattoo, but rather keep your tattoo open to the air.
- During the first week, you will continue to experience swelling, redness, and possible oozing that will gradually get better towards the end of the week. The tattoo will still remain tender to touch. Continue to wash, dry and apply a thin layer of ointment.
- The second week following your tattoo, you will start to notice more itching, skin flaking and scabbing. This is a normal, and essential part of the healing process. This means that your dead skin is falling off, and your new skin is replacing it.
- Your tattoo will start scabbing towards the end of week one, and into week two. DO NOT pick at these scabs! These scabs are part of the healing process and removing these scabs can directly effect the outcome of your tattoo. These scabs may still be attached to the ink-bearing layer of your skin, so removing them prematurely will make your tattoo blotchy and discolored.
- This stage of the healing process can be quite difficult as the itching and scratching may feel overwhelming. Solving the itch can vary from person to person, but remember – the worst thing you can do is pick at your tattoo or scab! We recommend patting the itching area, or even applying pressure to the agitated area.
- By the end of week two, your tattoo should not be swollen, red, or show any bruising. You should also notice less, if any, itching or scabbing. Your tattoo is almost healed!
- By the third week, you are now in the final stages of your tattoo healing process. However, your tattoo may look faded or washed out. This is still part of the healing process, and still requires continued care.
- Your risk of infection is drastically reduced, and should show no signs of bruising or swelling. You should also be nearing the end of any itching or agitation from your tattoo. We still recommend applying moisturizing lotion 2-3 times during the third week. But, remember to apply in thin layers, and not over-apply.
- After your third week of care, you are good to resume normal activity, such as swimming and sun exposure on your tattoo. We still recommend caring for your tattoo, such as sunblock and moisturizing lotion when applicable.
Extreme pain, oozing of white or greenish substances, foul-smelling tattoos, and fever are all signs of a tattoo infection (see below). If you think you might have an infection, see a doctor right away.
Say No To Piercing Guns:
The Advantages Of Professional Piercings For All Ages
Comments Off on Say No To Piercing Guns:The Advantages Of Professional Piercings For All Ages
As a professional tattoo and body piercing shop, we always try to educate our customers on the various health standards of the industry through tips, advice and suggestions. We pride ourselves on providing a piercing shop that is safe for customers of all ages, and raises the bar from your stereotypical tattoo and body piercing shop. This week, we wanted to share and emphasize the importance of NOT using a piercing gun for any piercings on anyone, young or old.
There is a big movement currently centered on “Saying no to piercing guns.” These guns cause harm and damage to your ears and can do severe damage to the body. And trust us, we hear you and understand when you say: ” Well, I got mine done in the mall and my ears are fine.” But, knowing what we know, and considering the following reasons, we hope this helps you change your mind, and think twice before having someone in the mall piercing your own or your child’s ears.
One of our customers, Amy Rutter, of Amy Rutter Photography, contacted Stick Tattoo for this exact reason. We appreciated Amy and her family coming in and having this memorable experience with us, but also, using her photography talents to document it. Here is how she described her experience:
“A tattoo parlor isn’t exactly the first place you think to take your 4 year old daughter and 80 year old mother-in-law, but it is the ONLY place we will be getting our ears pierced from now on! My oldest daughter and I both had severe problems with piercing guns from the mall – even requiring surgery to repair. I decided to do my research and take a different route with my next daughter. I found STICK Tattoo and was so impressed with the cleanliness and professionalism there! My 4 year old and my mother-in-law both haven’t had any issues whatsoever with their piercings! I am so happy we decided on a healthier and more sterile option with STICK Tattoo! I only hope others will be made aware of the danger of piercing guns and will make the same change we did!”
For those of you wondering why to “say no to piercing guns”, here are a few reasons:
Reason No.1 – Risk of infection and disease:
Because places that use piercing guns are not as regulated as tattoo and body piercing shops, they run the risk of practicing sub par sanitation. Disease transmission and infection is even possible when using disposable needles when they are not used correctly, or if the operator does not understand or implement standard hygiene practices. Common bacteria and body fluids could potentially come into contact with any area of the piercing gun and then later can be transferred to another client.
Why even take that chance to risk serious infection?
Reason No. 2 – Piercing guns cause blunt force trauma to earlobes:
Most piercing guns aggressively force blunt ended studs through the tissue of your ears which is painful and unnatural, and can cause serious damage. This process simply forces the stud through your ear, wedging the jewelry between irritated and now-inflamed skin.
A piercing professional, such as a certified body piercing specialist like STICK Tattoo’s Harmony Mafield, will pierce you with a razor-sharp hollow needle that will safely remove the section of skin with the needle, without causing damage to the surrounding tissue. This process is generally less painful than using a piercing gun, and will allow for a much more natural healing process.
Reason No. 3 – Lack of piercer training
Most retail shops offering piercing gun services do NOT have the same health care standards and restrictions as a professional body piercing shop. Many people who have worked in these retail establishments have told us that they began piercing after a short amount of training, often only a few hours. This is not enough training or knowledge to ensure proper technique or sanitary precautions to adhere to proper healthcare codes.
At STICK Tattoo, we are dedicated to providing the most safe and sanitary environment for our customers ensuring that we not only meet, but exceed all state mandated health codes. Our body piercers are career-driven professionals who are trained and experienced for your benefit. Our shop also requires the following certifications in order to pierce:
• WV DHHR Registration Body Piercing Certificate
• OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Certificate
• Monthly 3rd Party Autoclave Spore Testing
• Routine WV State Health Code Inspections
Reason No. 4 — Bad jewelry, bad placement, bad experience
If the first three reasons are still not enough to make you think twice about getting your ears pierced from a non-professional – AKA, anyone who uses a piercing gun; then please consider the other potential issues that may result. Bad or poor quality jewelry may be used or suggested due to the lack of knowledge and experience found in retail shops. Because a piercing is essentially creating an open wound in the ear, you will want to use professional and surgical steel jewelry when first pieced. Often, customers will want more fancy or decorative jewelry, but, at our shop, we ensure the proper jewelry is used at the time of piercing, and proper aftercare information is provided.
Too often we see customers come in asking us to fix a bad or crooked placement of jewelry. While it is not impossible, the solution is to often remove the original piercing, allow the ear to heal, and then re-pierce. A process that could have been avoided by simply getting pierced initially by a professional body piercer.
Also, please know that piercing guns should NEVER be used to pierce any parts of the body except an earlobe. Do not use them on your cartilage or other areas of your ear. Ear cartilage can be shattered by guns and many states have added laws to prevent inappropriate use of piercing guns.
Come visit our shop or schedule a consultation:
At STICK Tattoo, we pride ourselves on ensuring a positive and overall great experience with your piercing, especially when piercing minors. We encourage you to research the location you are using before allowing them to do something as simple as an ear piercing on your child. We also invite you to come in and check out our shop for yourself, and bring your child with you, to see how dedicated we are to raising the bar from the stereotypical tattoo and body piercing shop.