Standards for Tattoos, Piercing to be Modified
Wade Estepp, piercing artist, on a quest for a summer job seven years ago, received a rude answer saying that is not his typical type of job. But became manager of piercing at Inkfluence, a tattoo and piercing parlor in Lubbock. He said that it turned out to be a better job than expected. People are here to have fun to have a positive experience.
Brittany Chriswell, a freshman pre-nursing major from Aspermont, came on a whim with some friends to get her tongue pierced. She said it sounded like fun. It was a spontaneous thing. I felt like inflicting some more pain upon myself. After her procedure, Chriswell said she felt calm and was surprised by how well she handled the situation. There was a little pain, but not as bad as I thought,” she said. “It’s a good experience.
Chriswell is not alone in her impulsive decision to express herself through piercing. Because of the rise in interest in body piercing, the City of Lubbock Health Department will make a move toward modifying existing tattoo and other body modification standards.
Bridget Faulkenberry, the environmental health manager for the Lubbock Health Department, added that Lubbock Health Department has a very outdated ordinance and it doesn’t even address piercing because in 1982, body piercing was not as popular as it is today. It’s high time we update this ordinance, and it will benefit all tattoo and body piercing patrons to ensure safety.
Necessary steps are being taken to bring together for a meeting with the state inspections board, people from Texas Tech and owners of tattoo and piercing parlors. Various suggestions and modifications from these people will be taken into consideration to enhance the ordinance. Amendments are given back to the health department for further scrutiny before it is presented to the Lubbock City Council. Any change in an ordinance requires two readings by the Council.
There are some changes that relate to sanitation and the prevention of transmission of blood-borne pathogens, such as hepatitis, HIV etc. We’re going to require that spore tests to be performed on autoclaves once a month.
An autoclave is a machine that sanitizes needles and other equipment. Spore tests determine whether the autoclave is working properly. Requiring spore testing every month is a good idea, Estepp said, because requiring inspections often will ensure that autoclaves not only heat up to the correct temperatures but also that they work on the proper chemical level.
The city, for what it’s worth, can help bring local concerns to the state’s attention. The city ordinance pertaining to tattoos says the consenting age limit is 21, while the state ordinance differs and limits the consenting age to 18 years. Faulkenberry said the health department is aiming to smooth out the discrepancy.
She wants it to be 18 years, keeping in mind that minors are more prone to have gang related tattoos. A judge can order a minor to remove or cover up an existing tattoo. Some of the changes like parental guidance as well as written consent is must when minors are tattooed.
Estepp said that is parlor Inkfluence already abides by the state age limit. When in case of minors, he tries to make doubly sure parent consent is given. For a minor to get a tattoo or piercing, he or she must have written parental permission and proper identification, and requires and insists parents be present as well.
His parlor is well aware of the safety precautions for the well being of his customers and proudly say that we currently exceed many of the standards set by the state. “I’d be surprised if the city surpassed the state standards”, he added.