Published: May 08, 2008 02:09 am            

HEALTH: Lockport tattoo artist praises licensing law

Niagara County is on the brink of regulating tattoo parlors and Johnny Rotten of Lockport feels the law can’t come too soon.

According to the Niagara County Health Department, there have been MRSA infections associated with John Portik of Niagara Falls, who has been ordered to stop tattooing.

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It’s tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus — or staph -- because it’s resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

The health department took Portik’s equipment and urged clients to be tested for HIV and hepatitis.

Rotten, who operates Rotten Ink Tattoos and Body Piercing, served three apprenticeships and has been in business 11 years. Business is growing.

“It isn’t taboo anymore to get a tattoo,” Rotten said. “That’s good and that’s bad. It’s good for business, but it’s bad because of the man in the Falls. Everybody thinks they can do it and they smell the money and get on the bandwagon.”

Rotten charges from $40 to $1,200. The average cost is about $80. He has been licensed in Erie and Niagara counties.

“They’ve never had a licensing for this county and they’re just doing the licensing now, which they should have done years ago,” Rotten said. “Licensing is a good thing. I’ll be the first one to get it.”

The licensing law has been sent to Albany and should be in effect soon. Testing and inspections will be required. Licenses will have to be renewed each year.

“All that’s good,” Rotten said. “They should have done it years ago. I don’t know why it took them so long.”

Rotten employs single-use needles. Once used, he throws them away. Two needles are used for tattoos, one for outlining and one for shading.

Rotten cautioned customers to investigate. “You do have to watch who you go to. It’s all about self-knowledge,” he said.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.