Tattoo shops have proven to operate a clean and safe environment; the fact is that you have a greater chance of contracting COVID-19 while shopping over getting a tattoo on a one-to-one basis.

Long ago people trusted an unregulated group of artists to modify and beautify their bodies. These people and shops operated off the beaten path, away from the main streets in many cases, in basements and back rooms. Over the years body modification came out of the shadows and started to become regulated by local health authorities to provide standards of safety for the public and practitioners alike.  The regulations over the years have evolved to cover a larger scope of concerns as the times have changed.

These changes included practices that became commonplace in spring 2020 as requirements of COVID protocols, such as contact tracing, something the body art practice has been responsibly doing for well over two decades now.

Tattoo studios are among some of the cleanest and most sanitary businesses in existence. Tattooers are heavily trained in proper cleanliness and sanitation procedures, and the transmission of bloodbourne pathogens. We use disposable and one-time use tools wherever possible and anything that can be reused is completely sanitized properly after each use. All tables and seating are sanitized and wiped between appointments and PPE is used with every client. We are in the business of performing minor surgery, really. So it has been this way for MANY YEARS, long before COVID-19 and all its subsequent protocol.

When we were permitted to reopen during the summer through Ontario’s phasing program, it took a mere ten minutes of additional training to adhere to the new COVID-19 protocols required to reopen our businesses safely.

You trusted us to keep you safe before COVID-19, now we are safer than going to get your prescription or groceries. Your health and safety are number one in our books, this includes your mental and emotional health.

Many will get tattooed or pierced to help overcome a recent experience/event in their lives, which has significantly impacted them. While getting tattooed many clients will talk about why they need or want this, the meaning behind and they will experience the lightening of the emotions attached, simply from talking it through. For others, tattoos and piercings help prevent self-harm and submitting to addictions and compulsions. Tattoos and piercings offer a safe outlet for many to deal with personal issues, and provide catharsis. However, the Ford administration claims that your health mental and physical are a top priority, while driving tattooing back underground into unregulated environments putting people at risk.    

Please help us in our appeal to the Ford Administration – let’s get our shops open so we can continue to safely serve you and help you adorn your body with beautiful, meaningful art! Sign now! Here is what we have to say to Mr. Ford:

Please don’t force the tattoo industry to go back underground where it will be completely unregulated, and potentially dangerous. Uphold your promise to Ontarians to protect their mental health and to help small businesses. Tattooers have families to feed and bills to pay too, and they want to continue to create and help others fulfil a need for catharsis in extremely difficult times. Our very regulated practices are infinitely safer than piling into a Walmart with 100 other people and no real social distancing or regulation.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Please Let the Government of Ontario know you support safe clean body art reopening to help body artist keep their businesses and homes, and clients that need our services for their health, safe and healthy.