When selecting an establishment in which to get a tattoo or piercing, there are a few things you should look for:
A new ink supply should be poured into a disposable container
All equipment should be single service. Each needle and tube set should be individually packaged, dated, sealed, sterilized, and opened immediately prior to your tattoo
Any razors, needles, ink, plastic trays or containers, gloves, or ointments used in your tattoo application should be discarded after use
Appropriate disinfectants should be used to clean the work area after tattoo application
Patron (client) rights must be displayed
Tattooists and piercers must wear gloves when tattooing
Tattooists and piercers should not work when sick
The staff should be willing and able to answer your questions
The tattooist / piercer and parlor should be neat and clean in appearance
There should be hand-washing facilities with running water available for the tattooist / piercer to use
Porter County Health Department inspects Tattoo and Piercing Parlors annually and on a complaint basis. Please contact our office at 219-465-3525, option 5, for information or issues concerning specific parlors.
