Friends Letting Friends Tattoo

Where do the independent tattoo artists fit in with the FDA’s decision to begin researching tattoo pigments and officials increasingly cracking down on tattoo health permits?

Recently Oliver Freeman, got his first tattoo and it was done by an independent artist, someone not working out of a shop.

Erica Aragon, the tattoo artist, is working on the Shawn Anthony Magic Present Mystified tour with Freeman. Aragon, who acts as Shawn Anthony’s personal assistant, is affiliated with a tattoo shop in Florida. Currently, she is attempting to gain references in Virginia so she may officially file to be licensed here.

Despite her Florida only affiliation, Aragon tattooed Freeman and a second person in the same night.

According to Freeman, she used clean needles and gloves during the tattooing.

“She’s clean and all,” said Freeman. “She had a whole set up.”

Aragon set up shop inside the living room of one of their fellow co-workers and began issuing tattoos.

Freeman said he was overall very pleased with his first tattoo, which is actually the logo for his independent sound and music productions, RauchenWolf.

Following the tattoo process, Aragon neglected to explain how to clean and take care of the healing tattoo. Taking care of a new tattoo is key to it having a long, non-fading life. Freeman feels confident though because he knows he can always contact her with questions.

This situation leaves many questions in the air…

• Is it more comfortable getting tattooed by a friend or a shop artist?
• With a stranger, would you feel more comfortable asking prodding questions about their cleanliness?
• Do you feel safer getting tattooed by a friend or a shop artist?

I’m in the process of scheduling an interview with Aragon so she can explain the steps she takes to sterilize her tools and steps she takes protect her customers and herself.

So until next time, think twice, ink once...