by L.C.

Created on: February 28, 2010

While there are several tattoo shops in Welland, I have personally always dealt with Artistic Impressions, located at 29 Niagara Street. I was first introduced to the shop when I went with two friends, one of whom was getting a sternum piercing, and the other who was getting hip piercings. I wanted to get something done myself, but before I insisted on going with my friends to see how the piercers set up and cleaned their equipment, dealt with aftercare, and their level of professionalism.

The first thing I noticed upon entering the shop was that it is extremely well-kept. One of the walls is plastered with stock images of tattoos, as well as prices depending on the time or size of the tattoo. On the other side of the shop is the counter, where you can purchase jewelry. Every area is well-lit, and I was pleased to see there are chairs as well as a vending machine for clients who might feel woozy before or after their piercing and need a sugary drink. The shop was reasonably busy, but we were greeted immediately by the piercer, Ralph.

When my friends explained which piercings they wanted Ralph was quick to go through the risks of surface piercings with them. He discussed potential scarring and the risks of rejection associated with these piercings. My friends decided to go through with the piercings anyway, so they signed a form and then were taken to the piercing area. Ralph had no problem with us watching or talking as he got ready. My friend getting the hip piercings was up first. Once Ralph marked the spots on her hips he had her look in the mirror, and several times they redid the dots to make sure they were perfectly symmetrical. Ralph didn’t seem impatient or annoyed, even though it took well over twenty minutes until my friend was completely satisfied.

He then showed us how he cleaned the equipment and explained the procedure in detail as he set my friend up. Once he was ready, he asked her to take a deep breath, and when she released it he pushed the needle through her skin. It was a pretty painful piercing, but Ralph was very quick to thread the jewelry and go on to the other hip. He had my friend lay flat for a few minutes, and then when the pain was bearable she was allowed to stand up and check out her new piercings. It looked great, and she didn’t bleed at all.

Next my other friend had her sternum done. Ralph threw out the needle, spent several minutes cleaning his equipment, and then marked the potential spot on my friend’s sternum

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