Most Recent Articles...
12/22/02 - DIY Body Piercing - Brilliant or Brainless?
People seem to have no problem going to a professional for stitches or a root canal, but when it comes to sticking a needle through their body, the urge to do it themselves is irresistible. Here is why body modifications should be left to the professionals.
12/04/02 - You Better NOT Shop Around!
Blowing money unnecessarily is just a waste, and frugal living is the way of the wise these days. Grabbing up freebies and clipping coupons are at the core of our very survival. So, why the big deal about shopping around when looking for a tattoo or piercing?
11/12/02 - Smoking in the Studio
Should smoking be allowed inside tattoo and piercing studios? Is a designated smoking area enough to keep the smoke away from an artist's workspace?
10/30/02 - Weight Fluctuation & Stretch Marks
More answers to your embarrassing questions, this week's focus is on weight fluctuation and stretch marks. How can they affect an existing tattoo, and can stretch marks be tattooed over?
10/03/02 - All About Nipple Piercings
In response to last week's article about embarrassing questions, I have received an overwhelming response and a lot more questions! This week, I answer several questions about nipple piercings, starting with the all-important pain factor.
09/26/02 - Those Embarrassing Questions!
There are some questions about getting a tattoo or piercing that are difficult, even embarrassing, to ask. But that doesn't mean they're not valid and important. Here you will find those questions asked, and answered, for you.
09/12/02 - Convincing Your Parents
You want a tattoo or piercing really bad, but Mom and Dad say no. How can you convince them to let you get it done? Here are some helpful hints for reasoning with the folks.
08/29/02 - Ta Moko - Maori Tattoo
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In some cases, this is true. But there are also instances when imitation is actually an insult, not flattery. Maori Ta Moko is one of those instances.
08/22/02 - Breaking the Stereotype
Prejudice abounds, and the body art community is no exception to the rule. But how we react to the stereotypes can make all the difference in the world.
08/15/02 - School Censorship - Part 4: Taking a Stand
If you're ready to stand up and fight for your right to express yourself, here are some suggestions on what you can (and can't) do.
08/08/02 - School Censorship - Part 3: Know Your Student Rights
If you're going to stand up and fight for your student rights, you had better know exactly what they are.
08/01/02 - School Censorship - Part 2: Student Activist Requirements
Do you have what it takes to be a student activist? Find out what you need to know about representing the student body.
07/25/02 - School Censorship - Part 1: Body Art and Dress Codes
Is body art freedom of expression, or do schools have the right to dictate a dress code? Are tattoos and piercings just a sign of teenage rebellion?
07/16/02 - How to Insert & Close a CBR
Now that you know how to open and remove your old jewelry, now see how to safely insert and close your new CBR jewelry.
07/05/02 - How to Open & Remove a CBR
Although going to a professional is always the best choice, there comes a time that almost all of us will need to change our own body jewelry. The key is knowing how to do it right so you don't hurt yourself or ruin your jewelry.
06/14/02 - Labret Piercing - My Experience
I finally got my labret piercing - here are the pictures and all the glorious (and gory) details.
05/20/02 - Ear Piercing Guide
Do you know your conch from your daith? Do you know how to care for a helix? If not, this guide to piercings of the ear (with text and picture references) is for you.
05/13/02 - Conventional Piercing Guide for Beginners
What you need to know about piercings and your personal safety. Get answers to many of the most commonly asked questions, and learn how to select the right piercer. These are just the basics that anyone getting a piercing should know.
04/11/02 - You Say Luh-bray, I say La-bret?
It's been debated and incorrectly said for years. It is time for the final word on this pronunciation dispute.
03/21/02 - Pamela Anderson - Barb Liar?
Did Pamela Anderson contract Hepatitis C from a contaminated tattoo needle, or is she using it as an excuse to avoid the real reason? Thoughts on why body art always gets a bad rap from the media.
03/10/02 - Irish & Celtic Tattoos
St. Patrick's Day gets us thinking about Ireland and the symbols that represent it, but any day is great for enjoying these lovely Celtic and Irish tattoos.
03/04/02 - When Body Art Becomes a Health Risk
Using common sense when getting a tattoo or piercing could threaten your health or even your life.
02/19/02 - Why Can't I Donate Blood?
Unfortunately, new tattoos or piercings and blood donation just don't mix. If you're considering either one in the near future, here is some food for thought.
02/03/02 - Vacation Ink (Updated)
Mardi Gras, Spring Break, Summer Get-Aways. If you're thinking of getting a tattoo away from home, here are some things you need to know.
More Features...
2001 Features
Best Time of Year to Get Tattooed; 9-11 Memorial Tattoos; Belly Button Fashion; Studio Profile: Chrome Gardens; Amy Brown, Fantasy Artist (Interview); Studio Profile, Altered Images; Getting Ink Abroad; Aerosmith Concert Pics; Fairy Art; Shaving over a New Tattoo; Tattoos & Tanning; Tongue & Tragus Piercing Pics; Butterfly Art; Chinese & Kanji Warning; Dragon Art; MA Tattoo Ban Lifted
2000 Features
Piercings & Frostbite Risk; Body Art & Employment Issues; Piercing - The Gun vs. The Needle; No Pain, No Gain; To Tip or Not to Tip; The Art of Mehndi - Introduction, Henna Paste Recipe, Making Cones, Creating Patterns; Aftercare Contradictions; How to Get an Apprenticeship; The Tattoo Process; Gill Montie Interview
1999 Features
Giving a Tattoo as a Gift; How Much Do Tattoos Hurt?; My First Tattoo; Nipple Piercing Experience; Battle of the Scratchers; Gerry Beckerman Interview; How to Get a Safe Tattoo