According to the Atlanta center for Disease Control, there has never been a case of HIV transmission from tattooing in the United States. HIV does not survive long outside the body and is not spread through general contact. The structure of tattoo needles does not lend itself to HIV transmission.

An Autoclave is the only acceptable means of equipment sterilization in a tattoo shop. An Autoclave uses a combination of heat, steam, and pressure to kill all pathogenic microorganisms known to man. Blue Flame follows regulation by keeping a log of autoclave use and performing an autoclave spore test monthly.

Artists wear gloves to protect themselves and you from blood born pathogens. Artists wear gloves when touching broken skin and change their gloves anytime the tattoo process is interrupted.

Some people describe the feeling as annoying, while others compare it to a cat scratch or even a stress reliever. The majority of individuals tattooed for the first time will say that the feeling was not nearly as bad as they had feared. Keep in mind that everyone has a different threshold for pain. What one individual finds excruciating another may find not painful at all.

In the State of North Carolina you must be 18 years old to get tattooed. If someone disregards State law, you may want to ask yourself what else they may be disregarding, such as sterility.

Tattooing is a trade in which you should see examples of the artist work, cleanliness of the shop, and question their knowledge and expertise. Absolutely do not ever shop around for “the best price.” The rule of thumb is Cheap tattoos are not good and good tattoos are not cheap.

Getting a tattoo is a very exciting experience and being prepared for what to expect can keep the experience fun. First, you should be well rested and well fed. If you are tired or your blood sugar level is low, you may experience a higher level of discomfort than you would normally. The amount of blood varies dependent on the person, but it is normally similar to a scrapped knee or rug burn. If you begin to feel light headed, tell your artist immediately instead of trying to tough it out. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a break. Your artist will understand, is prepared for this sort of event, and knows how to handle it (we would rather you take a break, then to have to pick you up off the floor.) If you need to change positions, stretch, sneeze, wiggle, or go to the restroom let your artist know before you do it. After all, how your tattoo turns out depends on how still you are.

No! Not only is it against the law to tattoo someone that is drunk, but it will cause you to become dehydrated as well as bleed more negatively effecting your tattoo.

No. This would be like calling an automotive garage, telling them your car is broken and asking how much it would be to fix it. An artist needs to look at the design for detail, size and location before quoting you a price. If you do not have time to go into the shop and get a price on your tattoo you should not be getting a tattoo. IF you want a quote over the phone because you are price shopping, we suggest you ask yourself, Can I tell if the shop is clean over the phone? Can I see the artist work? Do I want to take a shot in the dark with something as permanent as a tattoo?

Yes, with the exception of tattoos on the hands or feet. Hands and feet take more abuse from normal everyday life, which makes maintaining the quality of tattoo very difficult. All other tattoos are guaranteed with a free touch up as long as you have followed the aftercare instructions. We will give a free touch up within the first year after being tattooed. Remember that the way your tattoo heals depends on how well you take care of it.

• Leave the bandage on for two hours
• When you take the bandage off, wash your tattoo with soap and warm water then pat dry with a dry towel
• Wash and dry your tattoo twice a day for two weeks
• After washing, apply a think layer of skin lotion such as Lubriderm, Curel, etc
• Blot or wipe off excess lotion so you only have a thin layer on your tattoo, more is not better
• Apply lotion as described two or three times a day until it is healed. Healing takes about two weeks

Do not go swimming for at least 2 weeks. Do not scratch or pick your tattoo. Do not shave your tattoo, go to the tanning bed, or sunbathe until your tattoo is healed.

Do not shave the area where your tattoo is until it is completely healed (if you do, you might as well take a weed whacker to it.) The best way to know if it is okay to shave is to come into the shop and let the artist take a look at it. You can also close your eyes and run your finger over the area where your tattoo is. If you can tell you have a tattoo there, do not shave it. To be safe, plan on not shaving the area for about 4 weeks.

In order to maintain our high standards, as well as ensure your protection, we use only internally threaded implant grade quality materials.

You may be pierced with:

• Stainless Steal ASTM F-138 (316/LVM)
• Titanium ASTM F-136 (6AL4V)
• Borosilicate, soda lime, and quartz glass.
• PTFE (Teflone C)
• PPMA
• Silicone

Implantable plastics may be used in a piercing instead of acrylic. Polymers of polycarbonate, PFTE (Teflone C), PMMA, and elastomers such as silicone, are among many plastics used in human implants covered by ASTM.

We have a huge in house selection of body jewelry including Organics, Steel, Glass, ,and Titanium. We also offer custom ordering at no additional charge.

We do not accept any trades or returns. If the jewlery is defective we will replace the defective piece.

We recommend saline to cleanse your piercing. But, please avoid products like h2ocean wich is a hypertonic solution that will dry out your piercing causing itchiness and dryness. Your piercing needs plenty of circulation to heal properly. Using any of the following products will prevent a piercing from healing correctly.

We DO NOT recommend using any of the following products:

• Alcohol, Peroxide, Bedadine or Hibicles which will severely dry out the healing piercing
• Antiseptics or Antibiotics, such as neosporin or bacitracin. These products warning lables clearly state “not for puncture wounds.” These products also prevent oxygen from reaching the wound, forming a sticky residue which may cause complications.
• Antibacterial soaps which are meant for external use only, and cause piercings to dry out

You must be 18 years old for all piercings except ear piercings. You must have a state issued id such as a drivers liscense, ID card or passport. For individuals under 18 a school id or school yearbook is acceptable. If the last names are different you must have a birth or marriage certificate showing the name change.

We use new needles on everyone. Everything used in the piercing process is opened in front of you in sterilization pouches. The needle is used one time and then disposed of in a sharps biohazzard container.