In today's day and age the most ask question in a tattoo parlor is "Is it Safe?" The Answer - "YES". Professional Tattoo Artists take pride in not only their work, but also the safety of their customers and their own personal safety. All tattoo parlors have to be Board of Health Licensed. The department of Health takes a great part in the safety of tattooing, but the rules may vary a bit depending on the state and county. Tattoo Lou's is located in Suffolk County Long Island; where you must take a class, given by the Health Department and follow up with a written test. The test includes sterilization procedures, Blood Borne Pathogens, Universal Precautions and how to keep tattooing completely safe. If you pass the test, you are then licensed by the Board of Health and are allowed to work in Suffolk County. If you fail you are NOT allowed to work. The Health Department also does spot checks at any given time to all studios. If something is not right you can loose your license, and be put out of work, therefore there is much pressure to be sure your tattoo artist is following proper procedures. The most important thing is to go to a very reputable shop, and do NOT get tattooed by a person who is NOT a licensed Professional, such as someone working out of his or her house or at a party. The Board of Health also states it is Illegal for someone to do work in such conditions, and they are not licensed to do so.

Tattoo Age Requirement. NYS Law - You MUST be at Least 18 Years Old to be Tattooed. That's the Law! No, there is no Bending It. And NO, YOUR PARENT MAY NOT SIGN FOR YOU.........SORRY. You MUST have Picture ID. See ya when you're 18. Tattoo Age Requirement. NYS Law - You MUST be 18 Years Old to be Pierced - Or - You may bring in a NOTARIZED letter from your Parent or Legal Guardian ONLY--NOT your older sister or brother! Only your PARENT. Your Parent must also be with you. YES: You MUST have a NOTARIZED letter even though your parent is with you. And you MUST have Picture ID. THESE ARE THE LAWS. We Don't Make Them - We Just Follow Them. Please Don't Ask Us To Do Any Different.

Tattoo Lou's BABY! We have one of the world biggest and best collection of "Tattoo Flash." All flash is displayed in all of our shops which we invite you to come down and browse through. You will not be hassled into getting a tattoo nor will we push you into getting something you may not want. All of our opinions are based on our extensive knowledge and experience. You may also ask the artists to see some pictures of tattoos or piercings he or she has done.

The Price of a Tattoo depends on the size of the tattoo, the detail involved, and the location of the tattoo on the body. It is very hard to price over the web so please do NOT send e-mails asking for a price - You may stop down any of the studios for a FREE CONSULTATION and pricing on any tattoo, any picture you may have or even an idea that we will draw for you. Just remember that you are buying a piece of artwork that will be a part of you forever. Great Quality in a Tattoo is Priceless.

It's usually not as bad as you might think. We are not saying it feels good, but if it did then the experience of getting a tattoo wouldn't be so GREAT! Ever hear the expression, "No Pain, No Gain." Quit being a baby and get some INK!

You don't need an appointment to stop into one of our four locations to talk to our artists, look at flash, watch other people getting work done, or even just to bring us lunch...However it is recommended that you do make an appointment, especially if you want a specific artist.

Every tattoo is different and every artist is differ net. One important thing to remember is this. Have you ever tried drawing on a piece of paper that moves and shakes around the table. It's not easy. Stiller you sit, quicker it will be.

Do you tip your haircutter? How about a waiter or waitress? Tattooing is a service just like any other. All the artists at Tattoo Lou's take pride in their work and love what they do. Tipping is a nice gesture and is certainly appreciated although not required. If you feel like your artist deserves something extra, then hook 'em up.

After your Tattoo is complete we will affix a bandage. In approximately 2 hours you are to remove the bandage and wash gently. It is best to use an Anti-microbial soap. While washing be sure to clean surface of tattoo with hand only, do not use a washcloth. Use luke warm water, in order to melt off any blood that is starting to dry on the tattoo. Pat the Tattoo dry, and apply Bacatracin Ointment, in a thin layer massaging it into the tattoo. Do Not glob ointment on. At this point it is OK to leave the bandage off, unless you have tight clothing on the area of the tattoo, or you are doing something that will dirty the tattoo, then it is required to cover your tattoo with a Non-Stick Bandage, please be sure that it is Non-Stick, Non-Stick Bandages have a clear plastic coating over it to avoid the bandage from getting stuck on the tattoo. You may also use Saran Wrap, this will keep the moisture in and keep your clothes from rubbing against the tattoo. When you go to bed at night, we recommend bandaging it for the first 5 nights, this way the tattoo will Not dry up overnight. Apply the Bacatracin at least 6 times daily. You will need to apply it as many times as it takes to keep it moist, once again in a thin layer Not heavy, you don't want to suffocate the tattoo. If you can, it is best kept uncovered and getting air for at least half the day. Continue with the Bacatracin for 5 Days, and then switch over to a moisturizer for the following week, basically a white Skin Cream such as Keri Lotion, Lubriderm, or Vaseline Intensive Care. Any brand name will do just do Not use any moisturizing lotions that have perfumes or fragrances in them. Do Not use Bacatracin for longer then 5 days, any longer will affect the healing process. After the first 5 days you are Not to bandage any more. When Showing wash over the tattoo gently, a little soap and warm water. Yes the Tattoo will Peel and get itchy this is just part of the healing process. If you do as we have said here, your Tattoo will heal fast and look Great. If you let it Dry-up then you will get scabs on the Tattoo, if this does happen, just let the scabs fall off naturally. Do Not pick any scabs; with the scab you will pick a piece of the Tattoo off. Keep Tattoo Out of Sun for 2 Weeks. Be sure to cover tattoo in when in direct sunlight for the first two weeks, after this it is best to use Sun block whenever in extensive sun, this will prolong the life of your tattoo. No, Sun block is NOT good to use during healing process, Only after it is Healed. Do NOT Submerge in Water - No baths or swimming for at least 10 days. Showering is fine, just wash over tattoo gently - But DO NOT Soak tattoo while healing, especially Do Not get Salt or Chlorinated water on it, this will effect the colors and healing. Your Tattoo May appear Red around it - this is OK the skin is just a little bruised. If it goes on past the 2 week healing period, stop down and let us take a look so we can direct you as to what you are doing wrong. Your Tattoo may be sore, like a sunburn during the healing period - this is OK. Especially in areas such as the ankle, This area tends to take a bit longer to heal and may swell a bit due to the constant pressure on the ankle from just walking around. It is recommended that you raise your leg when relaxing. If Small Pimples or a rash forms around tattoo - This means that either you are allergic to the ointment that you are using on the tattoo, or you are using too much ointment - 90 % of the time it is that you are using too much ointment and suffocating the skin. This rash is called Prickly Heat, Its no big deal - Just stop using the ointment and spray tattoo area with rubbing alcohol 3 times daily - this will dry it up in a few days. If it does continue, come down and let us take a look, we know best. Remember - at this point the Tattoo Artists job is complete - The rest is up to You - So Please take Great care in the healing of your tattoo. The better you follow these directions the Better it will look. Some Friends may tell you, No don't use that, this is what I did! Stop that conversation right there - This is what we do for a living, and we know what works - So unless your friend is a Professional Tattoo Artist, Don't listen, Follow our Directions……

WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason. SALINE soak for five to ten minutes once or more per day. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or paper towels saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue. SOAP no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds, then rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing. DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals. Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as a part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate. A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because they heal from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period. Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in—do not leave it empty.WHAT TO AVOID: Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiclens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other harsh soaps, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK) and Benzethonium Chloride (BZT). These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care. Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing. Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications. Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others' bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygenic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage (such as Tegaderm™). These are available at most drugstores. Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc. Don't hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed

Two weeks is a good general rule. However uv rays not only harm your skin and cause cancer, they fade tattoos. Always use proper sun protection when exposed to the sun. Tattoos or not. We also sell specific tattoo sun block. Stop down to one of our four locations and grab yourself some for the summer.

Yes. However covering up a tattoo and not making it look like a huge mess is not always easy. Consult your tattoo artist for his or her professional opinion before shopping for tattoos.

If you take care of your tattoos, then you shouldn't have to ever get them touched up. We use only the highest quality ink to ensure your tattoo lasts longer than you will. If you feel like you would like your tattoo touched up or added too you know who to call.

First of all, you can shave over a tattoo once it's healed - you just shave like you normally would as if the tattoo wasn't even there. But the key is knowing when the tattoo is healed enough to be shaved over.

http://www.newyorktattoo.com/. Here you will find great tattoo starter kits along with tons of information and tutorials.

In most cases no. However, it doesn't hurt to ask one of our professionals.

Itching is part of healing and is normal. It is important to keep a new tattoo covered so you don't accidentally scratch dirt or bacteria into the tender skin.

If you think your tattoo (or piercing) might be infected, don't sit around waiting for it to get worse! Signs of infection are severe pain, hot redness, swelling and/or a puss discharge (with or without the presence of blood), or a foul odor emanating from the area. Infection that is not properly tended to can result in serious health consequences. It is not something to be taken lightly. See your doctor and artist immediately. We are all susceptible to Staph infections - the bacteria that causes it resides on our bodies and just waits for an opportunity to take hold, like in a fresh new tattoo or piercing wound. Most tattoo/piercing infections are caused by not taking care of it during the healing process. All are artists will be happy to go over the tattoo care process with you. You may also purchase any tattoo care products at any of our four locations.

You may not donate blood for one full year after getting a tattoo/piercing. After that, donate away ya downer!!!

Peeling and flaking of a new tattoo is perfectly normal. Before it actually begins to peel, the tattoo will look like it's covered with a whitish, cracking film. Then you'll see white or translucent flakes of old, dead skin start to peel off and some of the flakes may even contain some ink. Sometimes you can actually see a duplicate image of part of your tattoo peeling off - it's rather disconcerting, but it is also perfectly normal and there is no need to panic. It's a lot like a snake shedding its skin. Just add a little lotion (a LITTLE) to the tattoo to help keep it moist and encourage those flakes to come off. Do NOT scratch, pick or peel them. It will all be done in a few days and the color of your tattoo will start to return to normal.

Anytime. All seasons have issues which can potentially harm your tattoo. If you follow the proper steps in our aftercare guides, your tattoo will look great and last a lifetime.

Tattoo Lou's is open 7 days a week all year long with the exception of all major holidays. They are: New Years Eve, New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.