BEWARE OF HACKS!

 

ALERT! UPDATED OCTOBER 23, 2006

There is a new tattoo shop whose owner has been caught displaying the work of nationally-recognized artists such as Kore Flatmo on his own MySpace site, therefore representing it as his own work. This isn't the first time this tattoo artist has done this in Hawaii. Two years ago, upon moving to Hawaii from California, he downloaded pictures of tattoos done by other nationally-renowned artists, put these in his own portfolio, then showed this plagiarized portfolio to the owner and artists of Sudden Rush Tattoo in order to get a job at this shop. Yes, we were fooled by this person -- for a little while, at least -- until we started to get a high volume of complaints regarding this artist's work. Then we found out that he lied about passing the tattoo artist's licensing examination, which he didn't even bother to take in January 2005, and then failed in July 2005 when he finally did take it. This artist is extremely talented at misrepresenting the truth.

Though no names will be mentioned, he can be recognized by having Two Thumbs on his Tattooing hand. 

 

 

So you're thinking about putting a hole in your body with a new piercing, or marking your skin for life with a new tattoo. Be advised that there are hacks all over the place that see tattooing and body piercing simply as a means to make a quick buck, or to see females naked or in compromising positions. Oftentimes, these hacks work under unclean conditions -- such as out of their home, or they make housecalls to your home -- and they certainly don't subscribe to professional standards of cleanliness, quality, and ethics.

 

When shopping for a piercer or tattoo artist, you should know that you get what you pay for. If your buddy down the road is really such a great tattoo "artist," then why is he working as a laborer full time and slinging ink only on weekends -- and for cheap (or free), at that? Likewise, if the housecall body piercer is such a great piercer, then why is he charging only $20, when quality jewelry alone costs more than that?

 

The answer is, they're taking shortcuts -- at the expense of your safety. And they won't own up in accountability should you have any problems with your piercing or tattoo. Below  are some things to consider if you're thinking about getting hacked by a less than reputable piercer or tattoo hobbyist:

 

CONSIDER THESE POINTS:
- There is no such thing as a "Piercing License" in the state of Hawaii. If a housecall piercer claims to be "licensed" or "certified," then he is LYING to you! So if he's lying to you about his credentials, don't you think it's possible he's also lying to you about other things such as his experience and the sterility of his equipment?
- Though homebased tattoo artists may possess a tattooing license, it is still illegal in Hawaii to tattoo in any location except for a State-approved tattoo shop. Before getting a tattoo from anybody, you should demand to see their tattoo license as well as their shop permit.

 

- Some housecall piercers will happily pierce the nipples and genitals of minors. This could be illegal and is definitely unethical. Even if all you want is a navel or tongue piercing, do you really want such a pervert touching and putting holes in your body?
- Some piercers work out of a barber shop, or retail clothes store, etc. They do not pierce full-time, therefore they are not up to date on their technique and skills. Click here for pictures of a tongue that was pierced at a barber shop in Waipahu, Hawaii. Also, take a look at a  navel that was pierced by a housecall piercer in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. You judge for yourself.
- Tattooing a minor without parental consent is illegal in the state of Hawaii. Yet, most (if not all) homebased tattoo hobbyists would happily tattoo a minor without parental consent. All they care about is making some side cash. Click here for a picture of a tattoo done on a 14-year old girl by a 25-year old hack (supposedly in exchange for sex, according to her friends). The tattoo is crooked, lines are choppy, and the shading transition is lousy. Is it really worth saving some money in order to get tattooed by someone who doesn't care about your health and safety?
- Ask yourself this: How good of an artist can a homebased tattoo hobbyist be? This person may, at best, do a couple tattoos every weekend. Big deal! Do you really think he's better than a tattoo artist who works out of a shop FULL TIME, and who lays anywhere from three to eight tattoos PER DAY? The full-time shop tattoo artist definitely has much more experience than ANY homebased tattoo hobbyist.

 

So you'll save $30 by getting pierced or tattooed by a housecall hack. Thirty bucks....big deal!  Remember that Hepatitis B and C can take many years before developing symptoms, and HIV is currently incurable. Isn't the health and safety of your body worth more than saving a few dollars?

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