Oscar Marquez, owner of Heart and Soul Tattoos and Body Piercing on Central, says his patrons call him “St. Oscar” as he flips through before-and-after pictures of tattoos he has repaired or covered up.
One “before” photo shows a tattoo of a distorted, discolored and stretched student wearing a cap and gown, but the graduation tattoo after Marquez’s repair looks like a photograph.
“I try to make them as true to life as I can,” he said.
Tattoos and piercings have become a cultural norm, but Albuquerque tattoo artists and owners had stern words for prospective customers: Before deciding to get inked or pierced, consider the lasting effects.
Once considered taboo, body art and adornments have become mainstream and are popular across demographics, Marquez said.
“We get people from all walks of life here,” he said. “Tattoos aren’t just for the younger crowd anymore. We have even tattooed a pastor before.”
Doing research before making a permanent decision is wise, Route 66 Fine Line Tattoo artist Shawn Howard said.
“You don’t want to regret it,” he said. “Get something that means something. Don’t just come in and pick something off the wall.”
Student Robyn Fenstermacher said she considered getting a tattoo, but wants to ensure it is something she wants forever.
“I think a tattoo is something that should mean something to you,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be meaningful to everyone, just to the person who has it.”
Not all students, however, are ready to make a lifelong commitment to body art, Fenstermacher said. She the pain of getting a tattoo discourages her from getting inked, and she would only want a tattoo where it’s easily covered up.
“It’s a needle going into your skin,” she said. “… It would have to be somewhere I could cover up for work and weddings and dances if I wore a backless dress.”
Then there’s the stigmatization behind tattoos, something student Jake Morgan has to deal with. He has two tattoos, one on his left forearm is decorated with the word “Volkswagen” in turquoise blue, and a “graffiti waterfall” on his ribcage, but his mother would disapprove if she knew about them.
“My mom won’t let me have a tattoo until I’m 26 because she wants me to get a good job and a family before I get a tattoo,” he said. “She doesn’t know, so I have to make sure to hide them.”
Safety is also a big factor, Howard said, since he knows of “plenty” unlicensed and unsanitary body modification shops in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department regulates body art facilities through the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. State tattooing and body piercing rules were updated in May 2008 and went into effect November 2008, said Kelly O’Donnell, Regulation and Licensing superintendent.
“The new rules are intended to safeguard public health by ensuring that practitioners maintain proper hygienic standards,” she said.
Regulations require tattoo artists, body piercers, permanent makeup cosmetic technicians and establishments to be licensed, according to a state mandate.
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Noah Babcock, of Evolution Piercing, recommended asking piercers questions about licensing issues and artists’ experience. He said it’s important to not cut corners when buying body art.
“Are they friendly? Knowledgeable? Is it a clean environment?” he said. “Cheap jewelry isn’t good, and good jewelry isn’t cheap.”
Artists must pass a test and pay a fee to be licensed, and the law punishes establishments that fail to maintain hygienic standards.
Both Babock and Marquez said requirements for piercers and body artists are extensive.
“We have to … go through CPR and blood-borne pathogens training, and a health inspector visits the shop,” Marquez said.
No matter how well done body art is, it is harder coming off than going on.
Marquez said the average tattoo costs $125 per hour and takes three to four hours, but getting that tattoo removed is more time consuming, painful and expensive.
“The things they show on TV don’t work,” he said. “Laser works the best, but from what I hear, it hurts worse than actually getting the tattoo.”
According to the Clear Waves medical laser group’s website, the average laser removal takes five to 10 treatments, each six to eight weeks apart, and these treatments cost anywhere from $190-$590 depending on the size of the tattoo. Other removal options include dermabrasion, or “sanding” the skin, and surgical excision, which often leaves a scar where the tattoo was removed.
“The impact of the energy from the powerful pulse of light is similar to the snap of a small rubberband on the skin,” Clear Waves’ website says. “The majority of patients do not require a local anesthetic, depending on the size and location of the tattoo, but topical or injectable anesthetic are available if desired.”
Despite all the risks and factors, Morgan said he wants his body to be a walking canvas.
“Eventually, I want to be completely covered in tattoos,” he said. “I just love the look of it. I mean if you can put art on your body, why not?”
