F.A.Q
-Q: Does the El Paso County Health Department approve of the body art practices done at Pens & Needles?
-A: Yes! We records have been above standard with the El Paso County Health Department and we actively participate in doing demonstrations (tattoo and piercing) for the department for seminars and body art education. Additionally we are apart of CEHA Colorado Enviromental Health Agency. They are additionally instrumental in providing us with additional resources regarding health related information.
-Q: Does getting a tattoo or piercing hurt?
-A: Tattoos and piercings can be painful in some areas of the body, and spots are more sensitive than others.
Most Painful Areas: (Men) - Abdomen, Spine, Chest (Women) - Ankle, Spine, Ribcage
Least Painful Areas: (Men) - Buttocks, Arm, Back (Women) - Abdomen, Buttocks, Thigh, Shoulder
Note: We do offer numbing prodcuts to help with the pain, if interested please ask the front office staff about our numbing products prior to your appointment!
-Q: Will there be any blood?
-A: Yes, there will be some blood, but the amount varies from person to person. It is advised that you limit the amount of alcohol you drink 24 hours prior to getting any tattoo or piercing work.
-Q: I'm not 18 yet, can I bring my parent with me to get a tattoo or piercing?
-A: Different states have different laws regarding tattoo or piercing work on a minor. Our studio allows you to bring your parent or legal guardian with you at the age of 16 for a tattoo, and 14 for a piercing.
-Q: How do I take care of my tattoo?
-A: From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take proper care of it. It is very important that you leave the bandage alone for at least 2 hours. After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. (If you prefer, you can also use a specialty products, we highly recommend H2Ocean aftercare products. They can be purchased in our studio). After that, continue to keep it clean, but you can use lotion when needed to keep the skin soft. Whatever lotion you use, it should be dye and fragrance free. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed! If you spend time in the sun protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years!
-Q: Does Pens & Needles have autoclave and sterilization equipment?
-A: Yes! Our autoclave is essential and is used for sterilizing our tattoo instruments. Our autoclaves are tested weekly to ensure that they are working properly. Please ask to see the results of our latest spore test! We also have medical sterilizers that are designed specifically for killing bacteria and other pathogens. All equipment is single service. This means that tube used is soaked in Omnicide (cold water sterilization product), cleaned by medical grade lab detergent, place in our ultra sonic at high heat, individually packaged, dated, sealed and autoclaved. Our artist will open a fresh set of single use needles as well as sterilized/ or disposbale tubes in front of you. Any ointments, pigments, needles, gloves, razors, plastic trays or containers used in applying your new tattoo are discarded after use. After the tattoo application, the artist will disinfect the work area with an EPA approved virucidal that will kill any surface bacteria or viruses.
-Q: Should I make an appointment?
-A: Yes! After you have picked out your design, or figured out an idea for one, it's a good idea to visit your tattoo artist and discuss your tattoo. It's good to make an appointment if needed so that you set aside a time when both you and your artist will be prepared to sit and concentrate on your tattoo. If not we highly recommend walk-ins as well!
-Q: What is the tattoo process? How does it work?
-A: After the stencil is applied to your skin (hand drawn on the skin, or prepared), the artist uses a machine to do your tattoo. The tattoo machine uses fine groups of needles to deposit small amounts of ink into the upper layers of the skin. The needle groups are driven up and down very rapidly by small magnets on the tattoo machine. Using the machine, the artist will carefully render your stencil with black ink, until it has been permanently transferred to your skin. This is how your stencil provides the foundation of your tattoo, giving it much of it's detail and clarity. Next, the artist will usually use a different grouping of needles and a different machine to apply the shading and color. Once your tattoo is finished, your artist will clean the area making sure to remove any excess ink. After you have looked at your new tattoo in the mirror, the artist will bandage it up to make sure it stays clean.
-Q: What types of body modification does Pens & Needles offer?
-A: Our master piecer does brandings, suspensions, dermal anchors, surface piercings, scarification, scapelings, and basic body piercings.
-Q: Why are our standard piercing prices more than the competetion?
-A: Our master body piercer/ body modification leads the way for Colorado Springs in creating more efficient and safer ways to practice body piercings and modifications. He works closely in preparing methods with the health department that ensures the safety and most sterile enviroment possible. Additionally Pens & Needles takes the time to ensure that our piercer is using the most up to date forms of jewelry, and practices to ensure 100% customer satisfaction. Our Master Piercer Dustin has a customer return and satisfaction rate that is above other shops standard, and we acknowledge that level of professionalism.
-Q: Does Pens & Needles offer a military discount?
- A: Yes! We offer every branch of service, as well as police, fire and rescue services 30% off, and 15% for spouses or dependants!
-Q: Does Pens & Needles offer a new customer discount?
-A: Yes we offer all of our new customers a 20% new customer discount. Additionally we offer 20% for senior citizens!
-A: Yes! We records have been above standard with the El Paso County Health Department and we actively participate in doing demonstrations (tattoo and piercing) for the department for seminars and body art education. Additionally we are apart of CEHA Colorado Enviromental Health Agency. They are additionally instrumental in providing us with additional resources regarding health related information.
-Q: Does getting a tattoo or piercing hurt?
-A: Tattoos and piercings can be painful in some areas of the body, and spots are more sensitive than others.
Most Painful Areas: (Men) - Abdomen, Spine, Chest (Women) - Ankle, Spine, Ribcage
Least Painful Areas: (Men) - Buttocks, Arm, Back (Women) - Abdomen, Buttocks, Thigh, Shoulder
Note: We do offer numbing prodcuts to help with the pain, if interested please ask the front office staff about our numbing products prior to your appointment!
-Q: Will there be any blood?
-A: Yes, there will be some blood, but the amount varies from person to person. It is advised that you limit the amount of alcohol you drink 24 hours prior to getting any tattoo or piercing work.
-Q: I'm not 18 yet, can I bring my parent with me to get a tattoo or piercing?
-A: Different states have different laws regarding tattoo or piercing work on a minor. Our studio allows you to bring your parent or legal guardian with you at the age of 16 for a tattoo, and 14 for a piercing.
-Q: How do I take care of my tattoo?
-A: From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take proper care of it. It is very important that you leave the bandage alone for at least 2 hours. After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. (If you prefer, you can also use a specialty products, we highly recommend H2Ocean aftercare products. They can be purchased in our studio). After that, continue to keep it clean, but you can use lotion when needed to keep the skin soft. Whatever lotion you use, it should be dye and fragrance free. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed! If you spend time in the sun protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years!
-Q: Does Pens & Needles have autoclave and sterilization equipment?
-A: Yes! Our autoclave is essential and is used for sterilizing our tattoo instruments. Our autoclaves are tested weekly to ensure that they are working properly. Please ask to see the results of our latest spore test! We also have medical sterilizers that are designed specifically for killing bacteria and other pathogens. All equipment is single service. This means that tube used is soaked in Omnicide (cold water sterilization product), cleaned by medical grade lab detergent, place in our ultra sonic at high heat, individually packaged, dated, sealed and autoclaved. Our artist will open a fresh set of single use needles as well as sterilized/ or disposbale tubes in front of you. Any ointments, pigments, needles, gloves, razors, plastic trays or containers used in applying your new tattoo are discarded after use. After the tattoo application, the artist will disinfect the work area with an EPA approved virucidal that will kill any surface bacteria or viruses.
-Q: Should I make an appointment?
-A: Yes! After you have picked out your design, or figured out an idea for one, it's a good idea to visit your tattoo artist and discuss your tattoo. It's good to make an appointment if needed so that you set aside a time when both you and your artist will be prepared to sit and concentrate on your tattoo. If not we highly recommend walk-ins as well!
-Q: What is the tattoo process? How does it work?
-A: After the stencil is applied to your skin (hand drawn on the skin, or prepared), the artist uses a machine to do your tattoo. The tattoo machine uses fine groups of needles to deposit small amounts of ink into the upper layers of the skin. The needle groups are driven up and down very rapidly by small magnets on the tattoo machine. Using the machine, the artist will carefully render your stencil with black ink, until it has been permanently transferred to your skin. This is how your stencil provides the foundation of your tattoo, giving it much of it's detail and clarity. Next, the artist will usually use a different grouping of needles and a different machine to apply the shading and color. Once your tattoo is finished, your artist will clean the area making sure to remove any excess ink. After you have looked at your new tattoo in the mirror, the artist will bandage it up to make sure it stays clean.
-Q: What types of body modification does Pens & Needles offer?
-A: Our master piecer does brandings, suspensions, dermal anchors, surface piercings, scarification, scapelings, and basic body piercings.
-Q: Why are our standard piercing prices more than the competetion?
-A: Our master body piercer/ body modification leads the way for Colorado Springs in creating more efficient and safer ways to practice body piercings and modifications. He works closely in preparing methods with the health department that ensures the safety and most sterile enviroment possible. Additionally Pens & Needles takes the time to ensure that our piercer is using the most up to date forms of jewelry, and practices to ensure 100% customer satisfaction. Our Master Piercer Dustin has a customer return and satisfaction rate that is above other shops standard, and we acknowledge that level of professionalism.
-Q: Does Pens & Needles offer a military discount?
- A: Yes! We offer every branch of service, as well as police, fire and rescue services 30% off, and 15% for spouses or dependants!
-Q: Does Pens & Needles offer a new customer discount?
-A: Yes we offer all of our new customers a 20% new customer discount. Additionally we offer 20% for senior citizens!