Tattoos are a powerful tool for people with childhood trauma to express their strength, hope, and recovery. These tattoos often feature symbols such as phoenixes, broken chains, and shackles, which symbolize the triumph over anger and the journey of healing from abuse. Survivor of abuse tattoos are a form of self-expression and healing for survivors of abuse, reflecting their journey, strength, and hope.
Tattoos that symbolize physical abuse often include imagery such as semicolons, broken chains, and phoenixes, serving as powerful representations of survival, resilience, and the journey of healing from abuse. Tattooing can help survivors of sexual assault reclaim their bodies, empower themselves, and spread awareness.
Tattoos can also help sexual assault survivors heal by allowing them to regain their sense of control, redefine their relationship with their bodies, and move away from the identity of a victim. A pomegranate tattoo symbolizes a woman who has been used or abused by a man repeatedly but loved him too much to leave him.
Medusa tattoos are typically symbols of strength, such as phoenixes rising from ashes, lotus flowers representing rebirth, or intricate chains being broken. For some, the Medusa tattoo represents a sense of hope and strength, while others may symbolize the loss of control and the struggle for self-worth.
In conclusion, tattoos play a significant role in the lives of individuals with childhood trauma, helping them regain control, redefine their relationship with their bodies, and spread awareness.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| What Tattoo Means Abuse Survivor | What does a tattoo symbolizing abuse survivor look like? The tattoo is a unity symbol inspired by the loops of our DNA structure and our … | tiktok.com |
| Tattoo with The Hidden Meaning of Domestic Abuse | What are the symbolic meanings of tattoos related to domestic abuse? Medusa tattoo symbolizes strength and survival for sexual assault victims. | tiktok.com |
| 23 Tattoos That Represent Healing From Childhood Trauma | We asked our mental health community to share tattoos inspired by healing from childhood trauma. | themighty.com |
📹 The Tattoo Industry’s Substance Abuse Problem
Today we’re going over two stories of tattoo clients who were likely tattooed by individuals on substances. This is a difficult topic to …
What Is The Depression Tattoo?
Un tatuaje de punto y coma es un tatuaje del símbolo de puntuación (;) que simboliza un mensaje de afirmación y solidaridad con aquellas personas que han enfrentado el suicidio, la depresión, la adicción y otros problemas de salud mental. Este tipo de tatuaje se utiliza comúnmente para expresar luchas personales, resiliencia y esperanza, actuando como un testimonio de la fuerza interior de quienes viven con estos desafíos. Los tatuajes de depresión pueden servir como una forma de demostrar y enfrentar dicha condición, siendo una representación duradera de la lucha personal.
Con más de 50 ideas únicas, estos tatuajes reflejan la vida y la lucha contra la depresión, proporcionando una manera creativa de expresar el viaje de sanación. Comúnmente, los diseños incluyen imágenes de nubes oscuras que simbolizan la opresión de la depresión, así como otros símbolos que representan la ansiedad, la fatiga y el desgaste emocional. Además, estos tatuajes son altamente personales, reflejando mensajes individuales, ya sea una forma de recordar la necesidad de mantenerse fuerte o un desafío al estigma en torno a la salud mental.
Algunos ejemplos populares incluyen el símbolo de la serpiente Ouroboros que representa la inmortalidad, simbolizando para algunos el valor de no rendirse. En resumen, los tatuajes relacionados con la superación de la depresión son expresiones poderosas y personalizadas de los recorridos individuales, más que simples arte corporal. Sirven como marcadores emocionales y una herramienta para combatir el estigma asociado a las enfermedades mentales.
What Is The Symbol For PTSD Tattoo?
Common symbols for PTSD tattoos include semicolons, phoenixes, and lotus flowers, each representing strength, rebirth, and healing. These tattoos signify that while trauma leaves its mark, these scars can fade and transform over time with healing. They serve as a permanent, empowering reminder of resilience in the face of adversity.
Tattoos can also function as personal anchors throughout recovery, with designs that resonate with individual experiences. For instance, one recovery tattoo features a geometric pawn and the phrase "One square at a time," signaling progress rather than being solely a symbol of CPTSD.
The semicolon tattoo has gained popularity, reflecting the semicolon movement that advocates for mental health awareness; it embodies survival against mental health struggles. Additional symbols like the infinity symbol, often depicted in vibrant colors, signify continual love and support for those affected by PTSD and mental health issues. The teal color represents PTSD awareness, while black is a tribute to the heavy burdens carried.
Incorporating various designs and symbols, PTSD tattoos transcend mere art, becoming powerful statements of survival and healing journeys. Those who bear them often express individual narratives of trauma and recovery. The notion that each person's story is unique fuels the personalization of these tattoos, allowing victims to showcase their battles and triumphs artistically.
Overall, these tattoos not only highlight the ongoing struggle against PTSD but also celebrate the courage associated with healing and recovery. They serve as powerful visual reminders of hope and strength amidst life's challenges.
What Does The Black Spade Mean?
The black spade tattoo embodies various meanings, symbolizing power, dominance, and good fortune, as well as connections to death and danger. Historically linked to graves and funerals, the spade also holds a prominent place in playing cards. The term "spade" transformed in the 1920s from a simple card symbol into a derogatory slang referring to Black individuals, coinciding with the Harlem Renaissance.
This shift contributed to the offensive phrase "black as the ace of spades." Nevertheless, the current interpretation of black spade tattoos has evolved to reflect positive associations, including strength and luck, especially due to its status as the highest-ranking card in many games.
Black spade tattoos often feature varying designs, typically placed on intimate areas like hips or thighs. They can also be seen in delicate placements behind the ear or on the wrist. According to tattoo artist Leah Sinclair, the appeal of small spade tattoos among women lies in their subtlety and mysterious aura. Historically viewed by sailors as bearers of bad luck or omens of death, black spades now signify good fortune and control.
Furthermore, the black spade has become a symbol in popular culture, suggesting risk-taking and excitement. For some, it denotes relationships between white women and Black men, while others utilize it as a sign of one's adventurous nature.
The phrase "call a spade a spade" has roots in these complex racial connotations. Despite its nefarious beginnings, the symbol has been reclaimed by many to signify hope, luck, and empowerment over time. Overall, the black spade represents a fusion of contradictory meanings, rooted in cultural history while still resonating with modern interpretations of strength and fortune, serving as a reminder of the complex legacies behind symbols we encounter today.
What Is The Meaning Of A Moana Tattoo?
In "Moana 2," Moana receives a special tattoo that marks a pivotal moment in her character's journey, further exploring Polynesian culture and mythology, which intertwines with her adventures. Despite the original "Moana" film concluding its narrative, this sequel continues to delve into Moana's experiences, revealing a profound connection between her tattoos and her identity as a demigod. The film features significant spoilers, especially concerning Moana's new tattoo, which appears when she awakens with intricate patterns on her arm similar to those of Maui, the Polynesian demigod who assists her.
Moana's new tattoo symbolizes her transformation and acceptance of her demi-god status, as tattoos in Polynesian culture traditionally convey personal history, social standing, and ancestral ties. Within the narrative, the tattoo bears a resemblance to the artifacts that initiated Moana's journey, suggesting that its magical nature is tied to her new role. Co-writer and co-director Dana Ledoux Miller affirms that Moana interprets the tattoo as a crucial indicator of her demigod status, a concept supported by the film's visual storytelling.
The tattoos serve as a powerful form of narrative within the film, bringing to life Polynesian tatau, which narrate the significant milestones and identities of individuals. In the story, Moana’s tattoo reflects and honors this rich tradition, signifying her achievements, adventures, and connections to past legends. The tattoos are not merely decorative; they animate the characters' histories and experiences, illustrated similarly to Maui's evolving tattoos that depict crucial events from his life.
With Moana's tattoo appearing at the film's climax, it enhances her narrative arc and emphasizes her place within the Moana universe alongside other demigods, who similarly bear markings chronicling their own paths. The ending of "Moana 2" signifies a rebirth and transformation for Moana, and her tattoo stands as a representation of this evolution, merging her character development with cultural symbolism fundamental to Polynesian identity and storytelling.
What Does The Tattoo 777 Mean?
A 777 tattoo symbolizes luck and holds deep significance across various cultures and religions. Frequently associated with divine guidance, spiritual enlightenment, and personal transformation, the number seven represents perfection and completion, particularly in the Judeo-Christian tradition. When considering a 777 tattoo, it evokes curiosity about its meaning, especially for those contemplating getting one. The tattoo is often linked to messages of good fortune, spiritual awakening, and wisdom.
The 777 number has multiple interpretations, such as guidance from guardian angels, the holy trinity in Christianity, and good luck in games like slot machines. Generally, 777 tattoos are viewed as positive and inspiring designs symbolizing spirituality and a connection to the divine. They typically resonate with themes of inner wisdom and true fulfillment.
In spiritual settings, 777 is considered highly significant, often signifying that one's guardian angels are watching over them. For some, it reflects a belief in self-empowerment, even suggesting that one can be their own god. Additionally, the tattoo can serve as a reminder of the universe's capacity for providing unexpected blessings and miracles.
The overarching themes surrounding the 777 tattoo incorporate spiritual awakening, divine guidance, and the journey of personal growth. Whether interpreted as an angelic sign of being on the right path or as a symbol of self-discovery, the 777 tattoo encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural, spiritual, and personal meanings. Ultimately, sporting this tattoo can signify an individual's belief in transformative experiences and the abundance of positivity in the universe.
Can Tattoos Help Heal From Trauma?
Tattoos can serve as enduring symbols of healing from trauma, acting as powerful reminders that recovery is attainable. In seeking insights from our mental health community, we discovered how personal tattoos play pivotal roles in individual healing journeys. While trauma often engenders feelings of isolation, many find solace in knowing they are not alone, and that hope exists even when healing seems out of reach. Tattoos can narrate one's journey of recovery by providing a means to articulate the unspeakable experiences of trauma.
They can facilitate creative expression, providing individuals a way to externalize their pain. However, it’s crucial to note that tattoos are not a replacement for professional therapy, which necessitates specialized training. Many individuals with childhood trauma have shared how tattoos symbolize their resilience, featuring designs that reflect their strength and transformation—common symbols include phoenixes and semicolons.
For instance, the anchor tattoo serves as a personal life buoy, representing stability in the aftermath of chaos. Research indicates that experiencing trauma can motivate individuals to seek tattoos as a method of asserting control over a body that feels compromised. Tattoos help dismantle the shame often linked to traumatic experiences and can remedy both visible and invisible scars.
They also provide survivors a means to reclaim their bodies and improve self-image by offering autonomy over their physical form. Initiatives like Project New Moon provide supportive tattoo services for those with scars from self-harm, demonstrating that tattooing can foster connection among survivors. Tattoos create space for dialogue, allowing trauma to transform into words, thus promoting healing.
As prior studies have suggested, tattooing bears medicinal value in trauma recovery, inviting individuals to redefine their narratives beyond societal stereotypes. Ultimately, getting inked can be a vibrant means of reclaiming one's identity and processing grief, facilitating a profound sense of empowerment on one's healing journey.
What Does A Tattoo Of Healing Hands Mean?
Touch of Healing Hands, whether expressed through prayer, meditation, or embrace, symbolizes care, healing, and connection. Tattoos featuring intertwined hands can represent both the support received and the self-love nurtured throughout one’s healing journey. The rising sun after a dark night—the Dawn of a New Day—serves as a universal symbol of hope. In recent years, hand tattoos have gained popularity as more individuals embrace body art for self-expression. Unlike tattoos placed in less visible areas, hand tattoos are prominent and typically carry profound meanings.
In collaboration with Impeccable Nest, we delve into how tattoos can aid in healing trauma while narrating a story of resilience and strength. We introduce twelve distinctive tattoo designs that embody transformation, survival, and freedom, such as anchors, butterflies, and heartbeats. The symbolism of healing hands and self-love manifests in gestures of care and support. Hand tattoos are rich in symbolism, encompassing a spectrum of cultural emblems and modern designs, each offering its unique significances.
Choosing a healing tattoo design can be both a meaningful and challenging process. In our article, we explore the meanings behind healing tattoos and offer inspiration. You can discover what your tattoo signifies or select symbols carrying special meanings. We present an alphabetical list of tattoo meanings, from anchors to zodiac signs, providing insights into their origins and styles.
Tattoos symbolizing healing may include mandalas, lotus flowers, and the Hamsa hand, all representing a deep mind-body connection and cultural significance. Healing tattoos are intended to illustrate an individual's personal journey towards recovery, differentiating them from traditional tattoos that might simply reflect aesthetic choices. Notably, the placement of hand tattoos also plays a role—tattoos on the right hand signify what one gives, while those on the left can symbolize what one receives. Every finger can carry unique meanings and energies.
The healing hand symbol, depicted as a hand with a spiral in the palm, signifies healing and protection, with the spiral representing eternity. This powerful emblem, known as the Shaman's hand, captures the complexity and energy associated with healing. The healing hands concept is not only an emblem of strength but also a means of honoring personal struggles and resilience, making tattooing a significant avenue for expression. Additionally, we address practical aspects like costs, care, and touch-up needs for hand tattoos.
What Does A Surviving Domestic Violence Tattoo Mean?
Domestic violence survivor tattoos serve as powerful symbols of resilience, healing, and strength for those who have experienced trauma. These tattoos often incorporate meaningful imagery and words, such as birds symbolizing freedom, ribbons representing awareness, and daggers signifying the shattering of abusive cycles. The inclusion of phrases like "survivor" reclaims a sense of identity for individuals who have faced domestic violence.
These tattoos function as enduring reminders that recovery from trauma is achievable. Participants from a mental health community have shared their personal tattoo journeys, underscoring the notion that these designs are not merely decorative but integral to the healing process. They provide tangible representations of the survivor's path toward growth and perseverance amidst adversity.
The work of tattoo artists, such as Russian artist Zhenya Zahar and Brazilian tattooist Flavia Carvalho, has shed light on the transformative power of ink for covering scars left by abuse. Iconic designs, like the Medusa tattoo, symbolize survival from extreme forms of trauma and may also serve to ward off negativity. Other popular motifs include butterflies, which signify transformation, and the purple ribbon for domestic violence awareness, reflecting renewal after leaving abusive situations.
In exploring the topic, a blog post has highlighted the top designs for domestic violence survivor tattoos, illustrating how these tattoos weave poignant narratives of bravery and resilience. Each tattoo encapsulates individual journeys and fosters empowerment by allowing survivors to reclaim their narratives. Ultimately, whether through intricate designs or minimalist expressions, these tattoos represent battles fought and won, aligning with a survivor's ongoing journey.
What Does Medusa Tattoo Mean In Abuse?
Medusa tattoos carry significant cultural weight, especially among women who have survived violence, sexual abuse, or harassment. The imagery of Medusa, a figure from Greek mythology, has evolved to represent strength, empowerment, and protection against sexual assault. Women who have faced trauma may choose Medusa tattoos as a silent declaration of their resilience. This choice often stems from a desire to reclaim their narrative and display the courage necessary to overcome their experiences.
In broader terms, Medusa tattoos serve as symbols of survival, reflecting the journey of many individuals recovering from sexual violence. The connection to the MeToo movement has solidified Medusa's role as a potent emblem of the struggles faced by survivors, highlighting their resilience and strength. Medusa’s ability to turn others to stone underscores the power dynamics often at play in these experiences, transforming her from a figure of terror to one of female empowerment.
For many, such tattoos resonate deeply, reflecting personal battles against trauma and the overarching fight against societal violence. They not only symbolize individual survival but also convey solidarity with others who have faced similar adversities. As a result, Medusa tattoos have gained popularity, removing stigma attached to discussions surrounding sexual assault and abuse.
Ultimately, Medusa serves as a protective figure—one who embodies the strength and defiance of survivors. The tattoo’s allure lies in its multifaceted meanings, making it a versatile symbol for those asserting their strength after trauma. Through art, individuals reclaim their identities and assert their narratives, embodying the belief that they are not defined by their past but rather by their strength to endure and overcome. Medusa tattoos stand as powerful visual statements, endorsing the importance of survival and empowerment in the face of adversity.
📹 Comparison: Secret Tattoo Meanings
In this comparison video, we will show you secret tattoo meanings! Did you know that 80% of people know the teardrop tattoo …
since celle didn’t explain this part too well, rory DID NOT ask for a refund. she stated at least 3x that she never asked atomic for a refund. she reached out to atomic tattoo to let them know about the situation, and they responded by blaming her and saying they won’t refund her. rory showed an email she sent atomic last week where she said “i haven’t even ever asked for a refund, but i can definitely tell that you don’t want to give me one based on how many times you’ve brought it up.” she did not ask for a refund. celle honestly just assumed rory did even though rory is shown in this article saying “i don’t even want a refund though, or else i would’ve asked for the money back 5 years ago.”
Imagine telling a 22 yr old girl to confront a meth head abt money 😅 y’all are crazy. No one should have to state they have a problem with meth tattoos. It’s kinda a given. Regardless no one in their right mind would blame the client in this situation. Sure she was in a shop but it’s a shop in which they allow their employees to do hard drugs. Walking away was a completely rational thing to do. The way ppl will do anything to displace blame blows my mind.
🤩 My first tattoo in a professional shop was performed by someone that was on drugs. My friend and I walked in and he got a nice tattoo and mine was horrible. I came back the next day to complain and the shop owner admitted that the guy who did my tattoo was having drug use issues. If they knew, then why was he tattooing clients!!!!! They had another artist try to fix it but it wasn’t better because the damage was done. I was just18 so I didn’t know what rights I had and I was so upset at how it looked nothing like the stencil applied to my arm. I drew the design myself and the stencil was good, but he went way off script and the quality was visibly bad. I suffered with it for 20 years and then finally had it removed…
Addicts need compassion, but compassion doesn’t mean putting a tattoo gun in someone’s hand. Just like if someone was dead sober but severely emotionally distressed you wouldn’t want them to be tattooing you. Doesn’t mean they’re a bad person or a bad artist, it just means they probably shouldn’t be making permanent body alterations to people at the moment out of respect for the client AND out of respect for their portfolio/business
🍈I understand that tattooing is an art; however, it is also a medical procedure. Skin is being penetrated, tattoo artists are working with blood and potential blood-borne pathogens and they are permanently altering a person’s body. I wouldn’t tolerate my surgeon, my dentist, or any other professional to be under the influence while my safety is on the line. Same goes for a tattoo artist. Period.
I think the issue we keep running into dealing with addiction in any environment is folks either confront it with total apathy or total sympathy. people wanna act like you can’t be compassionate with someone struggling while also holding them responsible for choices and actions made while under the influence. either way, nobody is putting in real work to help someone come out the other side of it and they’re left to deal with it on their own.
Not sure why we’re tiptoeing around the fact that an impaired person is getting paid to render a professional service – hence, they should be held accountable/liable to their actions. Getting a shitty tattoo and getting cheated out of your money is one thing, possibly getting a disease because who knows what kind of protocol that person remembered or forgot to follow, that’s a bigger problem… I’m a recovering addict and see no problem in an artist’s/shop’s name be revealed, if they operate that way. Mental problems are not an excuse to risk anyone’s safety/wellbeing, and accountability needs to be taken. Imagine if we started feeling bad about drunk drivers, arsonists, murderers… They all have mental problems and feelings too – and actions have consequences.
The place where I had most of my tattoos done had a big sign on the wall that said the following: It is our responsibility to respect your body and do our best work. It is your responsibility to speak up if we don’t. You should never hold back if you don’t like something we are doing. A tattoo is forever.
Im a year and a half clean and sober… It’s such a difficult illness to deal with. I feel for these artists struggling with addiction, but they shouldn’t put people in that situation.. so much trust goes into this. And if they do? I think they need to make it right. Somehow. I hope these artists can get clean.
1:45 my son‘s a tattoo artist, and he tells me all the time about how hard it is to work with people using and not so much that he wants to. It’s just hard to be around all the time. We’ve had our share of addicts in our family and the broken hearts that come along with it so he doesn’t use he’s 26 but he’s an independent contractor and he could go anywhere that he wants. I know that he is doing wonderfully in the business and it’s booked and busy, but I can’t wait till he could maybe have his own studio. I would even help pay for it.
The tattoo industry should be like every other industry. It isn’t about the substance, it’s about the impairment. If someone has a drink at lunch at a corporate job it’s usually acceptable. If they come back stumbling drunk and unable to complete their work properly, it’s a problem. Ive worked in HR for a couple decades and have seen this play out many times. Substance use exists everywhere, but people have a responsibility to keep it from affecting their work if they’re getting paid for something.
8:48 when she showed the front of her arm and said “you can see the other two pieces she had already done” like they were supposed to look better than the “botched” inner arm I was like ooohh… Honey.. None of those tattoos look good in the first place….. Like… They look bad….. She just didn’t realize the artists quality was bad in general. I hope someone told her 😂
I can imagine seeing “substance free” studios someday, with some businesses deciding to prioritize or distinguish themselves with this label as a way of supporting clients and tattoo artists. Could be where artists work who do not have this issue or those who want the support to stay clean if that is their focus. Just a thought…
my mom had a client who was a tattoo artist and he told her he can’t do appointments before 12pm because his hands would be too shaky. and another well known artist from that area died because a gang started to get tattoos from him and they let him choose to be paid in money or snow. substance abuse in that line of work is no joke
Much like other mental illnesses, substance abuse is an illness and the people with it need help like anyone else with a mental illness, but that also doesn’t mean that they’re not responsible for their actions and the way they affect others. The behavior of these artists absolutely disgusts me and I hope they reach a point in their lives where they can take responsibility for their own actions.
As a recovering addict, I could barely be trusted to wash the dishes without nodding out or doing something insane, like sticking my Kindle under the water instead of the dish (true story😭). I canNOT imagine being tasked with creating permanent body art on someone in this state. Random drug testing really isn’t a bad idea in this instance.
16:50 also a big thing that so many ppl cough cis men cough refuse to recognize is how much misogyny also plays a role in the situation w/ Rory. to expect a 22 y/o woman to feel comfortable confronting a dude who is a) actively h*gh on a substance, b) has access to dangerous tools, and c) is a man in a studio where he is more likely to be respected over a random client, is absolutely bonkers. sincerely hope these folks were able to find ways to get these tattoos fixed and/or removed
Cause God forbid I’d want the person permanently drawing something on my body to be sober. It’s the same if a doctor or nurse came into work plastered and hurt a patient. Yeah, shops should be held accountable if they know one of their artist is doing substances like that. Also hold said artist accountable, if you can’t stand up for yourself bring someone with you who can.
🍈Surely if you run a tattoo shop and suspect one of your artists is high, you have to send them home to sober up or get help. You can then either reschedule or refund the client. We know that shop owners take a good chunk of their artists’ fees. To earn it, they have to exercise some quality control, even if that’s uncomfortable. If an artist does get sent home and forfeits a fee, that’s their warning that it’s time to sort themselves out. 🍈
Nahh as soon as i heard that she needed a break after every step i said “that’s coke….” no hate to the artist, substance abuse is a serious problem. But please get out if you think your artist is on coke, the way it affects your mind, you can’t think straight or properly evaluate your own abilities. Even if it was some other substance you need to leave that situation
It’s hard to tell a hairdresser you don’t like the haircut they gave you. And you know that haircuts are temporary- it will grow back and you’ll just have to look like that for a bit. Now imagine you have just spent hundreds of dollars and however many hours getting ink permanently pushed under your skin by a needle, and imagine looking your artist in the eyes and saying ‘this looks awful, and i think it’s because you’re high’. Have compassion for the artist who is suffering, and have compassion for the person who has to have the evidence of that suffering on their skin forever.
I’m a recovering addict & I think you did an incredible job at tackling this. I really appreciate your understanding when talking about addiction. Ppl who have never experienced it first hand or thru a friend/loved one are usually just uneducated & they don’t understand the complexities of what addiction is. How it comes about & how not every addict is the type you see on tv. In my experience it’s actually the opposite. So thank you for being so kind to ppl like me & ppl struggling.
Oof the first story hits home a little bit. I’m a hairstylist and even though it’s a different industry, we deal with this problem as well. I have a soft spot for people in my industry with substance abuse problems because I’ve personally been witness to it. You can’t imagine what people are going through and how ashamed they feel. We have had to cover for people and made stories up for them (or follow along with the ones they’ve made up) when clients show up and they’re not there. We’ve even had to try holding someone up and talking them out of driving themselves home after work while under the influence. It’s very sad to see. People don’t do those things maliciously, it’s an illness like you said, and people have to eat (and support their habit), so they WILL absolutely still show up to work at some point when their funds are low. I don’t completely agree with outing people (in certain sensitive situations of course, I’m reasonable) like it’s done nowadays. But to have something permanent on your body, I mean ouch, that is really terrible and irresponsible.
I was agreeing with you on everything up until the “whose to say what substances tattoo artists can be on, it’s a difficult one.” It’s not difficult at all to me. Caffeine and meth have wildly different effects on a person. If I’m getting a tattoo from someone, I don’t want them on anything I wouldn’t be comfortable with my doctor using.
Will say that the voucher promos can be good sometimes! One of the artists I go to runs them occasionally, usually around the holidays (generally $150 worth of tattoo per $100 on a tattoo gift card). But he also puts his all even into the smallest flash pieces. I’ve done a few $40-80 flash specials with him and he always makes them insanely detailed and tends to run over his time to make sure the piece is perfect. I am constantly blown away at the quality from his work and the level of professionalism no matter the size or cost of the piece. I am hoping to get a voucher from him at the holidays this year for the backs of my knees!
I use to work at a studio and we had a guy there who was a drunk plain and simple and we had to fire him because he would show up wasted. Just like telling people who came into the shop drunk wanting to get work done and turning them away we had to shitcan this guy and a few others over the years I worked there. Any responsible owner/operator will do and should do the same because the days of the old school biker junkie owning a shop and being maxed while doing work are over and theres no place for this ever again in my opinion.
A few years ago, I got a tattoo on my bicep of a deer and tribal-like pattern around it that I drew because it’s a tattoo of one of my Native American characters (as am I) from a story I wrote. I went to a shop my brother had gone to a few times, so I trusted that I would receive a great turn out of it. I asked the price, accepted, made sure that I explained every detail thoroughly. When I came back with the money while they set up, the artist they had assigned to it was… off. He couldn’t understand the design despite it being extremely simple, whenever I pointed something out, it was like he couldn’t hear me and I know I was speaking loudly because my friend across from us could hear me perfectly. He was getting easily frustrated, started getting mad at me for some reason whenever I said he was missing something. He even charged me more than agreed on. I turned to his co-workers and suddenly they all avoid eye contact with me. When we left, even my friend said that guy was under the influence of something before I could even bring it up. I had a meaningful tattoo ruined because of this unfortunately 🙁🍈
I would consider getting a tattoo in a tattoo studio, piercing studio, dentist office, doctors office, urgent care… Not that it would ever happen but those are the cleanliness standards that I expect. I expect sharps containers. I expect a room dedicated to tattooing. I expect tables and chairs that are sterilized in between clients and dedicated to tattooing. I don’t think a kitchen table would ever be clean enough.
I have full empathy and compassion for people with this illness, but if their job involved driving and they chose to keep driving and putting others in danger, we would rightfully have a problem with that. And putting something permanent on someone’s body is a big responsibility. I understand that denial is part of the illness and many affected are in denial about it affecting theirabilities but that doesn’t make it okay.The client not being happy with the art is the least that could happen, but what if someone who keeps getting high while tattooing and in between clients doesnt sterilise needles properly, for example? Then it could become a health problem for the client. I do think studios should definitely be aware of the issue and have conversations with their artists about the importance, just like i think they, like any employers, should have to keep their staff members employed and support them while they are in rehab (as is law in my country, you cannot fire someone for an illness). Testing randomly, I don’t know, but i think just awareness would already do a lot. As a studio you’re responsible for your clients health and safety. This is about more than just clients being unhappy with how a tattoo looks, it can affect their health and safety also.
for people saying w33d is fine to be on while tattooing someone, i disagree heavily. as a heavy stoner who is just deciding now to start quitting, it really does affect your ability to work normally and to the best of your ability. especially if youre super high. its not normal. tattooing should be a completely sober activity wether youre tattooing or getting tattooed. way too many risks involved.
🍈This is an extremely nuanced situation, and you handled it with grace. My bio mother has been an addict since before I was born, and it led her to being incarcerated for my whole childhood. As soon as she would get out of jail, life would get hard and she’d find the nearest plug. My dad had full custody of me, but let me see her on my terms as a teen. I cut her off immediately, and haven’t spoken to her in years. We can have all the compassion in the world for the illness side of addiction, but it never excuses the pain that addicted people put others through. Tattoo artists included.
I might be biased because I’ve been through hell and back with addicted loved ones(even buried one), but my compassion wears thin when someone’s addiction starts negatively impacting others. Help is available, and while ultimately it’s your choice whether or not you want to get clean, at least have the decency to be sober at work. Tattooing is still a job, just cause it’s a cool laid-back job doesn’t mean you get to show up trashed. That should not be a controversial statement at all, and I kind of can’t believe that it’s seen as “gatekeeping” or a “boomer mentality” to expect cleanliness and sobriety when I’m paying someone to perform what is essentially a medical procedure. Random drug tests should be mandatory for all workers who alter people’s bodies in any way, from tattoo artists to doctors to nail technicians. No one’s getting hurt if the Walmart stockboy smokes a J out back on break, but there needs to be zero tolerance for impairment in jobs that require skill and precision.
I’m a recovering addict and recently after I got sober, my hair stylist gave me a haircut and dye while she was clearly drunk, and I just sat through it like “if anyone deserves this, it’s me” and I’m still growing that bad haircut out 2 years later. Not mad though, I don’t have clients or customers of any sort but I definitely caused more chaos than a bad haircut in my addiction. I hope she’s doing better now.
i’m only 57 seconds into this article and can already tell you my opinion on this. if i, as the client, have to sign a consent form to confirm that i am not under the influence in order to sit still and make a decision, then the person tattooing me should not be under the influence either. we should both be held to the standards of the consent form that i am signing – so no drink/drugs, over the age of 18, aware of the risks, etc.
My first professional tattoo in a shop, I got at 16 years old. It was a birthday present from my dad, he made the appointment at a shop a state over (only about a 2 hour drive to the shop from our house, in the neighboring state) a nice cool big forearm piece I could design MYSELF to cover my scars. I was stoked of course, and I got it, and I still love it, but my dad mentioned off hand when we left, the guy doing my tattoo (also the owner) and his artists where talking in blatant “Code” about drugs and drug deals and stuff. And I was like wow damn, but I was 16 I didn’t know and I didn’t rlly care LMAO, but years later, when I was like 18 or 19 my dad mentioned to me that the artist who did my tattoo had died of a heroin overdose. He was a really sweet man, and he made my first tattoo experience a good one, but the saddest part, is he called his 4 year old daughter on the phone before tattooing me… now I can never not look at my arm and think heroin left a 6 year old girl without her father, who adored her, and she adored him :(((
Doctors: Never allowed to be on drugs even outside of work. Nurses: Not allowed to be on substances in or outside of work if they’re on call. Construction works: No substances on site and drugs tests will be done. Everyone else on Earth: No drugs or alcohol allowed at work and can be fired. Tattoo artists (that work with blood, health, and people’s bodies): Do drugs and alcohol, I guess? Why do they get a pass? Why shouldn’t they be tested? I’m tested as a commercial painter any time I even bump my elbow for the sake of our safety system. Soooo, no. No drugs or alcohol. And also quit smoking! I’m allergic to nicotine so if someone comes in with nicotine on their clothes I can get hives all over. I also don’t think coffee is even slightly comparable.
My partner is a tatoo artist and at this point he has to work out of a private studio, because most of the shops in town he now refuses to work at exactly because of this issue! They let addicts and drunk people work, which leads to safety and clenliness issues, and he wants no part in that. He has seen some truly awful things. Not to mention it creates a work environment more toxic than feuding cliques of 8th graders! But just imagine that the safest, best place to get tattooed in your entire city is a guy who has a studio in a bedroom of a random house?! So depressing.
I’m gonna be honest, I have personally dealt with substance abuse, and I have known people who have dealt with it as well. I know how fucking awful it is. But if I knew someone tattooed me while pretty obviously high on drugs I would report that shop to the health and safety department. I understand that shop owners don’t always know what’s going on, but with Rory’s story particularly, that was straight up negligence. A tattoo isn’t just art, there is a medical aspect to it as well. In my opinion the best thing you could walk out of that shop with is a shitty tattoo. What’s the probability that artist is following proper sanitary practice? You could get so many blood borne illnesses and infections from a dirty tattoo station. What these tattoo artists are doing isn’t just shitty, they are risking people’s health and safety. They deserve compassion but this kind of behavior is not acceptable. Full stop.
Getting a bad haircut at the barber, nightmare mode. I have no sympathy for someone doing a procedure while under the influence. They should be fired on the spot for putting someone at risk. As for the question, yes. It’s not a hard question at all. If you are in an industry that has this problem and you’ve been informed of your staff acting suspect, you should take the problem seriously. I’d want my doctor tested too.
I’ve got a similar story to Rory! At least the initial unable to speak up. I’m now 30 and last year I travelled the world and decided to collect tattoos along my way. I’ve spent thousands on high quality work by wonderful artists I love and respect and do beautiful work. While in one country I decided to put it out on a few social media groups that I was looking for x style and a specific kind of vibe; I’m quite particular in only being tattooed by people I connect and align with as I am carrying a piece of them with me now. Someone in the group reached out to me and sent me their info-that they were super interested and to check out their work to see if we can vibe. I ended up loving their work and we decided to do a piece on my shoulder and it goes into my chest of a sun, moon, and stars. I travelled 2 hours from where I was to meet them at their studio… and red flag number one… not a real studio. It seemed clean and professional- but it was a detached second home and I was a little irked- but this was a nice place for where I was at. I approved the design after some minor changes, and they said they needed to step out but would be right back. They left for an uncomfortable amount of time pre-tattoo, came back. And at this point I had sat through a 10 hour long dot work 1/2 sleeve that curved onto my back, under my arm, and only my inside, multiple 2-4 hour long sessions for other tattoos….After 10 minutes I was HORRIFICALLY in pain. The artist was incredibly heavy handed and I really struggled with that pain.
The hospital I work at requires all nurses (unsure about other providers) to get drug tested, and they recently stopped testing for marijuana because the state I live in legalized it. The hospital started having prolems with turning away a lot of potential employees since many people would test positive for it. Obviously being a nurse and a tattoo artist are very different fields, but in a basic sense we’re performing invasive procedures on people. At the end of the day, the safety of clinets always comes first. This also isn’t to say that it’s right for anyone to be impaired while doing these sort of jobs, or that someone who tested positive on a drug test has a substance issue, or shouldn’t be allowed to work. And obviously marijuana is different from meth. I believe there needs to be some kind of standard, and maybe one already exists, I’m not well versed in the tattooing industry. This whole conversation is so nuanced and I appreciate your insight on the topic; thank you for your article on it!
I am currently a daily opiate user and have been using for 8.5 years which essentially guarantees that I end up committing crimes nearly every day in order to keep up the appearance of normalcy in society. I can’t go to work without getting “high” (kind of a misnomer now) beforehand. Luckily, if I fuck up at work (and I have) it doesnt have permanent life-altering consequences for others. For a lot of people, being high is their normal. But normal doesnt mean not impaired.
I really think tattooing out of the house is just not sanitary. A tattoo studio is a single-use venue, every cleaning protocol and every chore is done to the standards of a tattoo studio (every studio i go to smells like a hospital and thats how i prefer it). A home can be cleaned “good enough” for home purposes without being sanitary for tattooing, especially when you start introducing other variable like kids, pets, roommates, whatever.
My ex and i both got portraits of our son (different photographs) by the same artist at a biker run in Laughlin. My ex went first and his tattoo turned out great, so i was excited for mine. Before he did mine, he pounded at least one beer, and i should have back out from the tattoo at that point, but i didn’t want to be lame or cause a scene (i was young and dumber). It turned out not very good, he was SUPER heavy handed and i felt like i had a permanent Charlie horse for a week straight. The tattoo was on the back of my calf. He did the line work so dark, my son, who was 2 years old in the photo, looked like an old man. The light reflecting in the pupils weren’t symmetrical, and honestly, it almost looks like Golem from lord of the rings. It doesn’t do the picture or my son justice at all. Moral of the story, trust your gut and if you don’t feel comfortable with an artist for any reason, and if they consume any type of substance, like drugs or alcohol, choose a different artist. Be wise out there, friends. 🙏❤
When i was around 20 i got a tattoo at a tattoo convention, it was my second ever tattoo so i reached out to the artist beforehand and made an appointment. He asked me to come early on the last day of the convention, like in the morning before the convention even opened and when i got there he was already drinking a beer. Right away this made me very uncomfortable but i didn’t feel like i could say anything because of my inexperience i wasn’t sure if this was normal or not. He proceeded to drink multiple beers while tattooing me and didn’t talk to me at all, like no small talk or anything so it was a very uncomfortable experience from start to finish. The tattoo didn’t turn out bad or anything it’s actually quite nice but i didn’t really like it that much for many years because the experience getting it was so bad. It’s now 10 years later and i’ve learned to love it but i would never let someone tattoo me while drinking ever again.
I would say, being tattoo artist is a job just like any other with more leniency. You shouldn’t be drunk or high at any other job, I think the same applies to being a tattoo artist. The exception being weed, but only if you know that you can function with it and don’t need to stop constantly to get higher. Also, if the drug is very illegal to have, you probably should avoid it when tattooing someone, do that on your own time, but that’s just my personal opinion.
I used the same artist for years, he’s done over 150 hours of work on me. He’s always had really high quality work. I had a years break from being tattooed and naturally booked in with him. He was acting odd and a bit off, but I put it down to his partner having a new baby and he was a little tired. I discovered afterwards that he was high on drugs and had possibly been drinking too. I genuinely couldn’t smell anything on him, but he kept disappearing for 30-40 minutes at a time, every hour or so. The tattoo he did was horrendous, colour out of the lines, the lines were really wonky, line weight was all over the place, colour in random smudges outside of the tattoo, none of the colours I wanted were used. I have never had a tattoo bleed like this one did. The tattoo didn’t look like what it was meant to be. Half way through I asked him if he was going to fix some of the lines. He said yes. He ended making it so much worse. He decided to end it, saying I was bleeding too much for him to see what he was doing. It was the hardest tattoo I’ve ever had to heal. It was still actively bleeding 4 days after the day of the tattoo. The swelling was out of this world. Once it had finally peeled nearly two weeks later. I could really see just how awful it was. I was then informed by his partner why my tattoo was so bad. I contacted him, asking for my money back. He sent me voice notes threatening me. I ended up going to another artist to fix it, so I paid in total £600 for a hand sized tattoo.
I will be 3 years sober in spring of 2025, I hurt people while I was on substances. I was not in my right mind but I knew I was sick and I chose not to get help. The people I hurt were hurt by me and I have to take responsibility for that regardless of what was going on in my own life. I was not, however, putting permanent art in people’s skin.
I don’t think tattoo studios should test artists. But I 100% think they should be held accountable if artists are openly using substances on the job and actively endangering clients. All body modification comes with risks. Not only is getting a bad tattoo awful, but you run the risk of infection which can be deadly in certain cases. Like if you’re smoking m*th out back in between sessions, sterilizing your workspace might be low on your list of priorities
As a recovering addict who is also an artist, you are 100% right. NO ONE under the influence should be tattooing people. And while I’m all for making rehabilitation more accessible and decriminalized drugs in favor of funding recovery programs, I do kind of think shops should drug test artists. I mean, if someone is smoking weed here and there, whatever. But you don’t need to be coming into work tweeked off your ass and acting like you’re in any condition to be putting something permanent on anyone’s body Not to mention the health concerns. I’m speaking from experience when I say, most junkies are fuggin GROSS. Like, toxic hazard condemned building levels of gross. When you’re constantly out of your mind on drugs, sanitation and organization often wind up taking a back seat entirely. And that poses a MASSIVE safety risk for clients. This isn’t just a matter of risking someone being ripped off for a toddler quality design that’s now permanently etched into their skin, it’s also a matter of making sure people don’t get diseases, or infections, etc. And that cannot be understated. On top of all of that is the reality that one artist f’ing up like this will wind up tanking the reputation of the shop and will, as a result, screw over the other employees there. If someone who is a newb goes looking for a shoo, they’re not going to think “Oh, it was just this one artist rolling in bad reviews.” They’re going to see that the shop has 2 stars, and even if every single negative review is only regarding one artist, those people still aren’t going to go there.
I don’t think the studio should refund anbad tattoo from 5 years ago, but to be defensive about it is ridiculous when they KNEW the artist was having a drug problem at the time. They at the bare minimum should have apologized for her experience. I think the smart move would be to have offered to fix it now as an apology for having to deal with this for 5 years. That way they are way less out of pocket for the fuck up of someone who no longer works there, but also lets them make it right.
I literally took a 10 year hiatus from being tattooed because of a bad tattoo artist. After showing him an existing tattoo of a constellation and bringing in the constellation that I wanted tattooed, asking him if he could make them look similar and him agreeing sitting down and getting the tattoo and bringing up that it did not in fact look similar to my other tattoo he said well if you don’t like the way, I’m doing it then you can leave.
I am 100% for testing artists when they work at a studio. There are many more industries where it is either standard practice or even mandatory to submit yourself to random, unscheduled drug tests throughout your employment. It is completely unsafe to tattoo someone while under the influence. Hygiene practices may not be followed, contamination might happen, sterilisation might be messed with, you don’t know the line quality or shading you’ll be getting from an artist UTI. Just the idea of putting my health and my body in the hands on someone who might be counting rainbows or be so delirious they can’t follow regulation to keep me safe is an absolute nightmare. There are no other industries where a person health and body are put on the line where it would be acceptable to welcome a worker who’s using substances. Tattoo artists have the same potential for causing harm as a surgeon (open wounds, blood, hygiene, sterile environment, etc.) so they should be held to a similar standard of workplace conduct. It is not helping someone to allow them to cause harm at work. This is not how you keep someone from substances or help them get through that painful time in their life. Letting them work without testing being a standard pratice at the shop is asking for lawsuits that will further ruin that artist’s life. Test your artists, ffs
I was tattooed at the home of my long time artist, who was VERY pregnant. Everything went beautifully, she’s a gem, and a family friend, she’d always tattooed me in a shop and only did this piece in her home due to some unexpected circumstances. HOWEVER, i have experienced the “takes too many breaks” at a shop where i knew and was friends with everyone who worked there. I had been tattooed by this guy several times, as had my friend and my sister. He’s very talented and a good guy. But his whole vibe was different on this day, he was more agitated and couldn’t sit still. I just knew something was off. I havent been back to him since, he hoped shops after that, and recently i was informed that my suspicions were correct and my visit with him was the beginning of a very bad time for him. But he’s doing much better now so im happy to hear that for him
Every time I’ve seen a “pay this right now and get double the tattoo later” promotion it was from an artist that I know was actively addicted. As a way to get the money they need right now. I am sure that’s not the case every time but that is definitely a red flag. I am a recovering addict myself. 9 years clean, but I see right through that “promotion”
I’ve unsubscribed due to your response to the BetterHelp controversy, it makes me sad they continually provide people bad service and harmful mental health ‘advice’ to an extremely vulnerable sector of the population while you link these quack’s FAQ, as if that means anything to address it. Their mispractice of medicine has affected many people and while I understand having to make money, you can also be moral and use your better judgment. I wish you nothing but the best, this was just too far for me.
I had this exact thing happen to me my first tattoo over two decades ago. It was a basic small outline of a star and the artist was lit off his ass. The pot smelled the entire shop up. I shouldn’t have let him even tat me, but it was such a small simple tattoo I honestly thought it was fine plus I was a teenager. I had just turned 18 I didn’t know better. But when I called back to schedule it to be fixed and expressed my concerns I was told I was lying the artist was the shop manager there’s no way he was high. I ended up paying to have it covered a year later and never stepped back into that shop. This happens way more than people want to talk about.
I have a really ugly blown-out tattoo of illegible text on my arm that I got when I was about 24. A friend of mine recommended the artist who was currently doing her thigh piece to me, and she came with me to my appointment. Before he started tattooing me, he and my friend went out for a smoke break, which I thought would mean cigarettes. They both came back in heavily smelling of ouid, which concerned me but I was naive and also very socially anxious so I let him do the tattoo. It turned out too dark, blown out, even scarring in some places. In other patches the ink fell out and the skin shows through. Later, the friend who was with me at my appointment told me that the artist has also smoked…”melon” while they were outside together. I was completely appalled, both at the fact that he tattooed me in that state but also that my friend saw him do it and didn’t say anything to either him or me. In a separate conversation later she also let slip to me that she hates the tattoo he gave her. Needless to say, she and I are no longer friends.
Regarding what substances it’s okay to tattoo on, I don’t think it’s as difficult to figure out as you say. If you can’t legally drive while on it, you can’t tattoo while on it. Caffeine Not going to impair your abilities. Fine to tattoo and drive while drinking a coffee. Alcohol? Weed? “Melon?” Absolutely NOT.
I worked as a cashier in a tattoo/piercing shop and the artists who smoked weed were able to get into a flow state so they never had bad tattoos. But this one guy drank in the shop, and I smelled crack in the bathroom once. If your artist smells bad, looks like they’ve been sleeping in the same clothes they’ve worn for a week, or just generally don’t look “there” fully, PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF and go to another artist even if it’s more expensive.
listen, I work in banking and we have to get tested for substances because we’re dealing with ppl’s finances and you can’t be compromised when doing that. I feel like if someone is gonna be using a sharp instrument to subdermally insert ink into the skin… i think that’s pretty dang important for them to be substance free. and I think it’d be fair for a studio to test for that. and I think they have a responsibility to protect their customers.
woaahhh…. I’m removing one tattoo that didn’t turn out as advertised… it really seemed like the artist was intoxicated, but I didn’t trust my gut and leave. It was an expensive lesson. It’s hard to walk away when something feels off, but we owe it to ourselves to trust that gut feeling. Being confrontational is hard, but worth it.
I was 18, when I got first tattoo, and I didn’t do enough research and my artist was as well on something. And it was a really special tattoo for my best friend who died😭. They ended up letting the guy go, and he ended up passing. But I wish I did something back then. Now I’m 23 and I found an artist, I love!
Omg I was thinking of Atomic or Platinum Ink 💀 an old friend went to one of the Atomic locations (a ton of the artists are actually very talented) but there was this one small lady who did his tattoo and it got HORRIBLY infected. He’s had tattoos before but this one was just horrible. Blown out for one & infected bad. It was a mess and healed really poorly but she took zero accountability & blamed him even though she literally scarred him she was digging so much. If you’re ever in Austin go to Meticulous Tattoo!!!
Imagine saying the client is at fault for approving the design. Yes mf, I approved the design, BEFORE THE TATTOOED SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON ME BC THEY WERE ON METH. tf? The mock up design is not the same as the actual design. Dude was doing meth while tattooing and fucked it up, that’s on him not her not both, ON HIM.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to drug test tattoo artists. Personally not only do I not want to be tattooed by someone under the influence, but I also don’t want to be around drugs in any capacity. I’ve literally cut people out of my life for even recreational narcotic use, let alone get a tattoo done
My tattoo artist is amazing. And the shop drug test if they are suspicious. He did my sleeve except one spot (because i needed to wait money wise) but you and your artist have to really be in sync. I got lucky with this kid. I’m 35 and he’s 22. Amazing artist and can’t wait for him to finish my arm when I can afford it. But he doesn’t even accept deposits from me. They don’t do that at all in this shop unless they do a consult and the sketch etc. But seriously, you have to pay attention to their work. I didn’t just let him jump on my sleeve (and the half sleeve on my right arm) trust was built over time. But it’s been a great experience with him.
as soon as they said it was in Austin, I knew it had to be Atomic Tattoo 😭 I got my nose pierced there when I was 22 or 23. I went back because I had a keloid (I didn’t know that’s what it was at the time, it was my first piercing other than my earlobes at age 9), and the piercer touched my piercing without washing his hands and he had definitely just smoked a cigarette. it was gross and unprofessional.
I will have to slightly disagree with your getting tattooed in a house take. I think if someone has a room in their home that is dedicated to tattooing and tattooing only. Like they have a chair, tile or laminate plank flooring, a semipermanent tattoo gun setup. In that case I see nothing wrong with someone doing the tattoos out of their home a solo artist. There are quite a few tattoo artists in the area I live in that do have dedicated rooms for tattooing. Now this is not the same as walking and someone wants you to sit on a couch or at a kitchen table to get a tattoo.
I’ve been clean (painkillers) for over ten years, and let me tell you: the terrible things I did for money haunts me some nights. I’ve tried to make what things I can right, but for everything else I try to atone by trying to live right. Try to love when it’s difficult, give when I have nothing, pray for those who think they’re undeserving. Being a drug addict sucks. But confronting the things inside yourself that pushes you to be an addict sucks even more. However, the latter, is definitely far more rewarding.
Honestly I think it’s about fostering a shop culture where everyone holds each other accountable and being comfortable to say ‘You shouldn’t do this tattoo in your state’. I’ve gone in a shop before where one of the artists was clearly hungover and they were sorting out their schedules together and calling his first appointment of the day to ask if they would prefer a different artist or to reschedule with him. No one was fighting, no one was chewing him out, they jokingly said he would be cleaning the staffroom as punishment but it wasn’t an intervention or a fight. I realise that it’s not completely comparable, but it’s more that they had a culture where they could say to him ‘you aren’t in a position to tattoo this morning’ without any fear.
🍈 There’s a lot of jobs that require testing, so I don’t know why tattoing should be excluded from doing it, especially since it seems to be a common risk, you’re dealing with a permanent change and to a certain point with people’s health. Yeah, people struggling with substance abuse need to be supported and get help but they must not being tattoing
I think there needs to be a clear distinction between a random house and a health department licensed area/room in a house that is specifically for tattooing. The most comfortable I’ve ever been was in someone’s house. I’ll actually never go to a shop again. It’s a nightmare of sensory overload and a hotbed of men and their “locker room” talk. On the other hand, getting tattooed in a friend’s private studio is amazing. The music you want, none of the discomfort of other people looking at you, a pleasant one on one conversation with the person you’ve hand picked to do your lifelong tattoo. It’s truly the best experience. And every time I’ve experienced this the pricing has been even less than a shop since they aren’t paying booth rental and they’ve already paid for everything to be done at their home studio. I can’t say enough good things about private studios in people’s houses.
I’ve had some weird experiences with an artist that according to a friend of mine who worked with her, she was an alcoholic. I will say that she always gave me good tattoos and piercings, I’ve never had bad work from her. She did take smoke breaks before starting on me but I always went out and smoked with her so I could confirm she was just smoking cigarettes. If she was drunk at all while working with me, it wasn’t noticeable because I had no idea she was an alcoholic until my friend told me. But it did start to make sense when I had a tattoo appointment scheduled with her and even though she lived just a few blocks away from the shop, she showed up an hour late. Again though, she still gave me a good tattoo. The next appointment I had with her was a lip piercing, and I think she did a good job but it started embedding a few days later (which may not be her fault at all). But when I asked her for help, she asked me to meet her at her shop at a certain time and of course she wasn’t there when I showed up. I texted her, she said she was running late but would be there as soon as she could, and 2 hours later I stopped hearing from her so I left and went to another shop to fix it.
I’m no boomer but I’m no spring chicken either but using the word ‘boomer’ in place of ‘ethical and responsible adult’ is pretty silly. You don’t need to apologise for being either. EVER. Please promote appropriate and professional behaviour at all costs. Especially when it comes to tattooing. This is coming from someone with a scarred tattoo due to infection because of inappropriate workplace health and safety whilst being tattooed.
I have a lot of great work from home studios. The artists always have a separate room or area that is very clean with all the equipment you would normally find in a tattoo studio. The majority of traditional tattoo studios are not safe spaces for many people and it’s very costly and daunting to get your own commercial space. Not to mention that home studios help keep the costs down for artists and clients.
at one point i literally got charged an extra couple hundred bucks for the added 2 hours of “work time” from my artist taking smoke breaks, and he literally blew his vape on me while tatting. I’m incredibly lucky the art came out well, but I didnt even go back for the second half of the original piece
I don’t even like to have tattoo artists that smoke cigs anymore. I went to revisit my first artist to complete a piece a year later, and she was quitting smoking. I was SO happy for her. Until she had to keep taking breaks, until she had to cave and smoke because her hands were too shakey. I look at the second half of that tattoo and just see the inconsistencies in line weight and how chunks have faded. I’m so glad that she was quitting because her health IS more important than a tattoo….but maybe don’t tattoo people when you’re going through tremor withdrawals? (I know she was quitting cigs, I know she was only smoking cigarettes at the shop. But yeah, it crosses my mind she could have been quitting other substances too. So to cover my butt from this situation, I just try to find straight edge artists.)
my friend did my first tattoos at her house a few months back BUT I trust her bc she’s been tattooing on herself for AGES and just hasn’t been able to apprentice in our area bc they’re all full and she’s a working mom. She was REALLY good and really clean so when I hear about people going to random strangers houses for tattoos THAT IS HORRIFYING
Thankfully all the tattoo artists that have tattooed me were/still are incredibly professional. Many industries require drug testing, and, to me, it isn’t something negative. On the contrary, I think any industry that considers that they benefit from having sober and competent employees should definitely do drug testing. I’ve worked at schools, corporate, and now am a lawyer, and I’ve had to go through drug testing in all. I consider, if a shop requires their artists to undergo drug testing, they value their clients safety, wellbeing, and trust in them.
definitely shouldn’t be testing, i hate policies at work that test. harm reduction should always come first and there are plenty of people that choose the tattoo industry bc it’s nontraditional and i am someone that believes in decriminalizing all drugs. that being said, any coworker or shop manager who knows their artists, is going to be able to tell when an artist is using. if something is wrong, they shouldn’t be allowed to tattoo clients in that space and absolutely should be fired or have to figure out rehabilitation before working again.
I have a tattoo that was done by an opiate addict. I didn’t really know until we were about 3/4 of the way finished. 7-hour piece, two sessions. I’m lucky because the design and line work is great, despite a little bit of blowout 8 years later. The composition is okay, same with the colors. To a regular person, it’s a stellar tattoo. To a tattoo enthusiast or tattoo artist…. Comp is whack, linework is too heavy and inconsistent throughout the piece, and the color theory just isn’t doing it. I plan on getting it fixed in a couple years!! The craziest part is that this wasn’t my first tattoo, but after this was completed, I went back to my regular tattoo artist for another piece that I had paid for months in advance. He got offended because he thought he was my tattooer now? Apparently he thought he would be the only person tattooing me for the rest of my life. Is this an actual thing????
As an Austinite, I will say that I’m not surprised people thought it was atomic and I dont think its a reflection of the company that they correctly guessed it. It was my first thought and I have no bad experiences with them. I know some people with good experiences from them, even. Its just a relatively big name in the tattoo scene here as, like they said, they have a variety of locations all around Austin and have a widespread reputation
My first and second tattoos (I was 14 but at 6’1 nobody ever ID’d me) were done by two different artists that were definitely on ❄️ Breaks every 15 minutes, more interested in chatting and telling me stories than tattooing… it wasn’t until I was grown and getting tattooed regularly that I was able to look back and see that it wasn’t normal.
My husband has several stick and poke and home shop tattoos. I have 3 tattoos that are still on my body I have had 14 tattoos throughout my life. He still has two home tattoos that were originally stick and pokes that you can see put these tattoos are proved to me that trying to fix or cover up a bad tattoo just makes it worse and you shouldn’t trust somebody that has drink a half a bottle of whiskey to tattoo your upper back
the artist that did the majority of my tattoo work (a large back/chest/abdominal piece) started tattooing me before i was 18yo out of his and eventually my house (i already had 2 tattoos from artisis in shops at that point). he was working in a shop when i met him and he said he quit, but in hindsight maybe he was fired. the work is petty good for what it is but he for sure battled substances throughout our artist/client relationship until the final straw even he was shooting up in my barhroom & threatened to kill my dog. i told him he had to leave by he already had my $200 for the session (in 2004/5 $). later he called me and left a voicemail where he was clearly drunk being sexually explicit making me feel very uncomfortable). throughout the years he would occasionally pop up and offer to tattoo me with the $200 going towards the royal amount or if i wanted my money back. every time i told him i wanted my money back & we very fine there was an excuse for why he couldn’t. to this day the work isn’t technically bad (although it wasn’t entirely what i wanted) but that experience & harassment & feeling completely violated lives within my body every time i look at myself in the mirror. substances don’t just effect the atristic outcome. they effect the energy that lives under your skin for the rest of your life.
Just started the article, but it’s not even a hidden part of the tattoo industry. Was an apprentice for over a year before I decided that life style was not conducive to what I want… found one shop around me that has nothing to do with it, get all my art there, and stay away from the rest. Also lots of places won’t drug test, as they’re selling drugs on the side.
I’ve only had a couple pieces done but my first one was basically carved into my chest. By the end of the session there were 6 bloody rags in a pile on the ground. The entire outline of the image is just one continuous scar, you can’t really see it but you can definitely feel it it’s like an unbroken braille outline. Second one didn’t hurt at all and produced almost no blood. I don’t really care to be honest I just thought it was pretty funny how bad my first artist was compared to that second one. I went in to that one expecting the same intense cutting pain and there was basically no discomfort.
Have this guy near me who always is trying to get people to purchase a tattoo with him. He’s a very well known drug user here and no one trusts him. He walked into our local gas station one year and was very emotional, his son had died of a drug overdose the night before. He was clearly on something as well and was all over the place. He had to be escorted out of the building by police. His son was 22 just a few years younger than me at the time. I used to wave to them on their porch when I walked past. The whole thing was very saddening but also enraging at the same time. Him being a drug addict effected his family’s entire life to the point his sons were drug addicts. It is something I feel both empathy and disgust about to this day. Drugs are not worth it.