FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why can’t I get my hands, neck or face tattooed here?
We will not tattoo the face, hands or neck of any individual who is not affiliated with the body modification industry or is under the age of 30. There are still a number of misconceptions and unfavorable opinions out there surrounding extremely visible tattoo work. While we are certainly not imposing judgments on those who choose to adorn these areas of the body with artwork (since some of our staff have done just that), we have simply made the decision to not participate. The reason that we allow persons over 30 to receive this type of work is simply that most people are established at this age and are therefore beyond the scrutiny of potential employers, administrators and those in positions of authority. We apologize if our decision does not coincide with your point of view, but we ask that you respect it nevertheless.

2. Does it hurt?
To be honest, yes. But not nearly as much as you have been lead to believe or are expecting. For piercings, the pain will last less then a second and are relatively painless otherwise, save for a warm sensation afterward - comparable to being scratched too hard. Tattoos have been compared to a prolonged cat scratch. It is irritating; the aftermath feels much like a mild sun burn. Overall, the work we do does not produce enough pain to prevent you from having it done. The anticipation is always worse then the actual experience. As long as you stay calm, breathe normally and regularly, and listen to the artist that is doing your work, you will be just fine.

3. Are you clean?
All of our instruments are subjected to autoclave sterilization – the same process that responsible hospitals and dental offices use. The autoclave is spore tested monthly to ensure it is in proper working order and these results are on display on the wall beside the front counter. Items or areas that are impossible to sterilize in this manner are covered by plastic barriers which are disposed of at the end of the procedure. The items/areas are then cleaned with a solution which eliminates all bacteria and diseases. All needles that we use are single use and disposed of after the procedure. But the most important thing to know is that we are Health Board certified and, in fact, act as a training site when officials require an example of proper health and safety conditions for instruction of inspectors. We here at Way Cool Tattoos Uptown pride ourselves on our sterilization and cleanliness, and strive to ensure that we are always at least one step ahead of the standard.

4. Why can't my friend come behind the counter or into the piercing room?
The Ontario Health Board has strongly suggested it unsafe to allow any person to accompany an individual who is receiving work in a medical environment - much like when a person is going in for surgery. What we do constitutes minor surgery according to health and safety standards and we take this very seriously. All too often, untrained individuals who are allowed into the work environment become a hazard, as they are unaware of how to behave (i.e. what to/not to touch, where to stand/sit, etc.). Besides, friends tend to become a huge distraction to the client and the artist, and do not allow the artist to properly focus their attention on the client and the work at hand.

5. Why don’t you use piercing guns?
Under the Health Board regulation concerning infection control (Vol. 25S3 dated July 1999), “The ear piercing gun should only be used for piercing the fleshy part of the ear lobes. The gun is not suitable for piercing other parts of the body such as navel, the nasal cartilage (nostril) or the cartilage areas of the ear. The action of the ear piercing gun can damage tissue and create a risk of later infection.” These guns can not be properly sterilized and thus have the potential of passing bacteria and disease if used for other then standard lobe piercing. Any establishment that uses these guns has little to no concern for you or your health, and is only doing it because they see an opportunity to increase their cash flow.

6. Why does it cost so much?
There is an old saying: “Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good”. Although the immediate cost may seem high, if you factor in the knowledge that the tattoo will be with you for life, the comfort in knowing that the environment and instruments are sterile, and the experience of one our gifted artists, the cost is relatively minimal. Think of how much you are willing to pay for a good pair of shoes and how long they last. This works out to be a much better deal in the long run. As far as piercings are concerned, you are paying for quality hand crafted jewelry, with the process being performed by an experienced piercer who is well versed in all the proper techniques. We also provide the service in a sterile environment with the top-of-the-line equipment. As well, we provide aftercare guidance and an exchange policy that ensures that satisfaction is guaranteed - the cost is more than fair.

7. Why are our age limits set at 16 for piercing and 18 for tattoos?
Under Ontario law, what we do is considered a penetrative act and, unfortunately, falls under the Age of Consent laws. These laws state that a person must be 16 or over to consent to said act provided that the person performing the work is over the age of 18. As well, the legal age to sign medical consent for unnecessary procedures without parental permission is 16. As far as the age for tattoos, that is set at 18 for the simple fact that tattoos are permanent and thus a person needs to be the legal, “adult” age to properly consent. And although there are places that will overlook these laws, and perform the work on you at whatever age you are and for whatever price you are willing to pay, these places are most likely overlooking other regulations (i.e. sterilization and health standards) and should not be patronized. You have the rest of your life to live, and if you really want a procedure done you should be sure that it is done properly, by people who are concerned for your well being and safety.