Frequently Asked Questions

What information is available from the Indiana State Board of Health?

The Indiana State Board of Health provides important documentation everyone who is considering getting a piercing or tattoo should know. To get this information either stop by and pick up a bulletin or visit the ISDH here

How is a tattoo applied to my skin?

A tattoo is applied by dying your skin pigments with fade proof, non-toxic tattoo ink. The ink is applied to the pigments by dipping the tattoo needle in the ink, then rapidly reciprocating that needle into the upper layers of your skin.

Is getting a tattoo safe?

By following strict health codes and sanitation methods, getting a tattoo at MFL is 100% safe. Whether or not you choose to get your tattoo applied at MFL, there are a few things you should look for in tattoo parlor sanitation:
  • Sterilizing equipment: either dry heat (looks like a toaster oven without a window) or autoclave (steam, looks like a pressure cooker).
  • Equipment storage: When the artist readies his equipment, it should come out of some type of sterilized bag or pouch, never out of a drawer or other unsanitary storage unit
  • Gloves: The artist will either be wearing latex or vinyl gloves from the time he breaks your skin with either a piercing needle or tattoo needle until he is no longer in contact with you.
  • Sanitary/Sanitizable surfaces: By law, the floor of a tattoo piercing area must not be carpet or any other pourous surface, it must be concrete or tile. Also, his/her work surface must also be non pourous (steel, glass, porcelain) in order to maintain proper sanitation.
  • Common sense: If you gut says no, then follow it, If you are in a situation in which you are about to get pierced/tattooed in "some guy's" kitchen, living room, or back of his van, don't do it. Getting a body modification is a serious health risk if not done in sanitary conditions, so don't chance it.

How do I care for my tattoo?

Avoid over exposure to the sun, always keep your tattoo moisturized, and wear sunblock. For a more detailed description visit the Tattoo/Piercing Care page or call us at 1-800-333-6178.

How Do I care for my piercing?

Don't over clean your piercing, this will cause irritation. Avoid ointments and harsh anticeptics, this too will irritate your piercing and hinder the healing process. We recommend using warm water and a mild anti-bacterial soap to care for your piercing. For a more detailed description visit the Tattoo/Piercing Care page or call us at 1-800-333-6178

Does getting a tattoo hurt?

Of course it does, if it didn't hurt then everyone would have them, now wouldn't they. But seriously, yes, getting a tattoo can be painful. The level of pain depends on a few things-the person getting the tattoo, the location where the tattoo is being applied, and the size of the tattoo.

Some people naturally have a higher tolerance for pain and aren't phased by getting a tattoo, others are very susceptible to pain and find the process very painful. Most people find the process tolerable and have no problems dealing with the irritation. 99% of the incidents involving people "passing out" our being in excruciating are caused by anxiety and nervousness, not the tattoo.

Some places on your body greatly affect the amount of pain that you will feel while getting a tattoo. "Bony" areas of your body, such as your ankles and wrists, elbows and spine tend to be more painful than "fleshy" areas of your body simply due to the lack of "padding" in these areas. A common myth is that tightening your muscles in the area that your are getting the tattoo can help reduce the pain of getting a tattoo. This isn't true, when the tattoo is finished you muscles will be fatigued and strained, and will often be sore and add to the discomfort of your new tattoo.

So what does it feel like? A common misconception is you are being "stabbed" by the tattoo needles when getting a tattoo-not true. The bar of needles used in a tattoo gun are only entering your skin very very slightly and at an extremely high rate of speed. The feeling is more like a "stinging" than a stabbing or puncturing. A new tattoo feels very much like a fresh sunburn (in fact, it is even more sensitive to sunlight than a sunburn) and will feel warm and irritated to the touch (but don't touch it!)

I have a tattoo and I want to cover it up, is that possible?

It sure is! Most any tattoo can be covered up or re-worked with the exception of heavy black lines (however, in these cases it is usually possible to re-work or add on to the black work and do a partial cover up).

How old do I have to be to get a tattoo or piercing?

In Indiana it is illegal to give a tattoo or piercing to a minor without the written consent of a parent or guardian.