Tattoos: A Right Of Passage

 

Lion Tattoo by Jared

TATTOOS HAVE BEEN A RIGHT OF PASSAGE FOR MANY YEARS

Many cultures in the world have used tattoos, body modification, and scarification as a means for a right of passage. Both males and females had their different rituals. There were multiple reasons for these to occur. Often, a right of passage was a coming of age, such as becoming a man or for a woman, being able to have children. Enduring the pain meant you were ready for your new role in your society.

Other former rights of passage, in all forms of body modification, was in regards to battle or a hunt. Being victorious in battle could earn you certain marks. The more you were successful, the more marks you got. It was to show your peers and enemies you were fierce and someone to respect. To bring down a dangerous or large animal also earned you different marks, showing your prowess as a hunter.

Some cultures that exist today still practice these forms of body modification, and can be found on nearly every continent. It's most commonly seen in African tribal cultures, but it's just as prevalent in many other parts of the world. Traditional rights of passage have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.

In today's society, most of the advanced cultures don't generally view tattoos as a right of passage. This is particularly true if someone uses numbing agents or get put under anesthesia (yes, it happens) to get their tattoos. They are missing out on part of the experience, and they're looking for the payoff without the price. The pain involved with getting a tattoo is part of what makes it a right of passage. 

ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?

If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.

Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.

Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.

Tattoo Regulations In The USA 2024

 

THE USA IS UNFORTUNATELY LACKING IN REGULATIONS FOR TATTOOS

Many in the country view regulations as a negative. This may be true for some things, but when it comes to health and safety, they are kind of important. The tattoo industry has virtually no consumer protection in America. Fortunately, Lucky Bamboo Tattoo holds itself to a much higher standard than the industry norm. 

What's even stranger still, there are some elements in the tattooing world that push back against any sort of regulation presented. Why wouldn't they want the health and safety of their client put into consideration? It's almost suspicious. Are they trying to cut corners to increase their profit margins? Low quality materials are certainly cheaper, so that would make sense. Oddly, you'll even hear about so-called well known artists fighting against regulations of any kind. What are they afraid of?

Another thing that has many in the industry confused in the topic of permits vs having a license. A permit is just a permit. You fill out a form, pay the fee, and boom...you are a tattoo artist. No verification, no proof of education or skill, nothing. This is a massive disservice to clients. Any unqualified person can simply open a tattoo shop and start working. A license is different. You need proof of your skill and education as a tattoo artist before you can work. Most states do not require a license to become a tattoo artist. Watch our video by clicking the button to learn more about this.

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Something else that seriously needs some regulations are materials, inks in particular. Literally anybody can make their own brand of ink and immediately put it on the market. There is nothing stopping them. Who knows the sanitary conditions, if any, were used in the creation and manufacturing of these inks? What's in them? Do they contain materials known to be unsafe? There is absolutely no way to know. There are tattoo artists out there that will actually buy these random inks to save money, and that puts their clients at risk.

Every artist at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo uses EU regulated inks, which are among the strictest in the world in regards to consumer safety and regulations. All the materials used in our studio are top of the line, from the machines, inks, needles, etc. The owner, who's also the head tattoo artist of the studio, does not allow the usage of cheap stuff. No exceptions. Any artist that works under the Lucky Bamboo Tattoo name must adhere to these standards.

This is part of the reason why cheap tattoos are cheap. Combine unskilled scratcher artists with low quality materials, and you get cheap poorly done tattoos. As said in the industry, "Cheap tattoos aren't good, and good tattoos aren't cheap."

All clients, and all serious tattoo artists should welcome regulations regarding licensing and the overseeing of the safety of materials. It's in the best interest for both parties, and people should accept these regulations with open arms. The health and safety of the client should be top priority for a tattoo artist.

Rest assured, regardless of how the United States chooses what or what not to regulate, Lucky Bamboo Tattoo always has and always will adhere to top of the line standards. Our artists will not compromise our clients over cost. As artists proud of their work, they want to make sure all of their clients are happy, and will be able to continue to enjoy their art for many years to come.

ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?

If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment or a consult with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.

Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.

Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.

Tattoo Consultations and What You Should Know

 

Engine Tattoo by Jared

IT'S GOOD TO BE PREPARED FOR YOUR TATTOO CONSULT

A consult is sometimes necessary for your tattoo ideas, but not always. Sometimes, very often actually, you can get a quote from an artist without the need to meet with them first. However, if your piece is more complicated, a cover up, or you just feel more comfortable meeting with your artist before they plan out your tattoo, a consultation is there to help you out.

Consultations at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo are free. 

HOW TO PREPARE AND WHAT TO EXPECT

When you come in for your consult, come with your ideas and an open mind, and come with an expectation that you may be booking after your meeting with the artist. With the expectation, that means, be prepared to put down the ADF (Artist Design Fee), which acts as a deposit which is held until your last appointment (if multiple sessions are booked, otherwise your ADF pays for your upcoming appointment). 

Give your artist your ideas and input for the piece you want, and it's even fine to show reference images. Don't expect the artist to do an exact copy of any images you provide. You really don't want that anyway, if you think about it. Why would you want a tattoo that someone else already has? One of the benefits of going to a custom studio, like Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, is the prospect of getting a one-of-a-kind piece designed just for you. Watch our video about the importance of giving artistic freedom by clicking the button below!

Giving Artistic Freedom

It's not the best idea to bring a bunch of people with you for your meeting appointment. We see quite often, when this happens, the people with you may be distracting or possibly even confuse you by throwing their own ideas out there. It's much better for you to meet with your artist by yourself so that the both of you can stay focused and discuss exactly what you are looking to get. The exception to this is if multiple people are getting a consult on a matching piece. Even then, it's good to plan out with your crew what you are all looking to get, and have a main spokesperson to talk with the artist during the session.

After you and the artist have come up with a game plan, they will give you a quote for time, and how much of an ADF that needs to be put down in order to book. For smaller tattoos or single session tattoos, your ADF will likely be for the entire amount of your tattoo. For larger pieces with multiple sessions, your ADF will be a portion of the cost of the tattoo. To full understand how our ADF works, please read our article by clicking the button below.

ADF Explained

If you end up booking, and especially if you have multiple sessions scheduled, a very helpful tool for you to use is the Lucky Bamboo Tattoo app, which is available on both Apple and Android! You can find direct links to both below!

Apple Download

Android Download

The app will keep track of your appointments, any changes to your appointments, alert you when your artist has a sudden opening, offers exclusive promotions, access to new pictures in our gallery and more!

ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?

If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment or a consult with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.

Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.

Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.