More than just a passing fad, tattoos and piercings are a rite of passage and no matter the social stigma they may hold, they’re here to stay - literally.

As cool as a tattoo or piercing may be, they come with a certain degree of risk, let alone the reality that it’s there for life (more so with tattoos than with piercings, which one can remove, although it may leave behind a scar).

So first things first when you decide you’re ready to get “inked”: Do your research.

“When you come to my shop, basically you’re first question should be about the sterilisation room,” says Mark Hall, piercer and owner of Serenity Tattoo on the corner of Reid and Court Streets. “See what I’m cleaning my tools with and ask me how I clean them. I get a big kick out of that; at least I know you’re thinking.

“Then you come outside and ask for a portfolio for the artist and look at their work.”

Although Mr. Hall has only been in the business of tattooing and piercing for a relatively short time, he understands the importance that this form of personal expression can hold for someone, which he should because from head to toe, he’s transformed his own body into a living canvas for the many artists he’s come across in his travels. From the USA to Europe, he seeks out the best and most talented artists available and spends time getting to know them in order to learn more about their life’s work.

“Try to get to know the artist,” he suggests. “If someone’s working, ask if you can see how they tattoo. A lot of people will just walk in and say, “I want that”, they don’t want to look at a portfolio or anything. But you should sit down with them and see what they can do.”

Getting a tattoo, more than getting a piercing, is a major decision, something that you should really take the time to think about, so along with the safety aspect, you really need to consider what’s right for you, because it’s a permanent mistake if you aren’t happy with the finished product.

“A tattoo is permanent. Put some thought into it because it’s permanent,” he says. “Two years down the road you don’t want to look at it and be like, ‘Why would I get that?’ But for kids under 18, I tell the parents, this is permanent, it’s not like he or she can wash it off. It’s there for life.”

He also stresses the importance of being unique with your tattoo design and having something custom created for you by yourself, a friend or even the artist.

“A tattoo’s not like a t-shirt - there’s thousands of these,” he says pointing to his own shirt. “A tattoo should be your own personal thing.”

On piercings, Mr. Hall noted that the popular way of piercing with a gun is out: “When they press down it splits the skin and it can get infected more easily. But with a needle, you’re pushing through the skin, you just get one hole.”

Photo by Glenn Tucker

Use your head: Ask if the parlour owns an autoclave, like the one shown above, that is used to sterilise all non-disposable equipment - they may even let you see how it works.