Regarding latex gloves: "Every piercer MUST wear latex gloves when touching sterilized tools or jewelry." Should this read "Every BODY ARTIST?" (After all, NOT only piercers should be gloved!) Furthermore, what about artists or clients with latex allergies? However, pointing out that gloves should be changed if the [artist] picks up the phone was very important.

Regarding piercing guns: not enough emphasis, in my opinion, placed on the fact that professional piercers never use guns. However, the author DOES mention it, which is information that a lot of people don't know.

There were a few snide comments about people who get body modifications to be cool. While that wouldn't be my motivation, if I were the author I might have said something more to the effect of One's body is sacred, so one might want to take that into consideration before making permanent changes for the sake of fashion (in other words, perhaps less condescending).

I'm also not crazy about the layout of the book. Piercing and tattoo information is separated within chapters, instead of being in separate chapters. Also, I don't know why henna and scarification were in the same chapter!

The author seems to have fleshed out an outline, but doesn't seem to have gone much further. It's a shame, because there is a ton of information on the Internet that would have given a great deal of substance to this book.

There IS some incredibly valuable information in this book -- information that many people wouldn't have without doing some research AND information with which most people are not armed before walking into a studio.

(This book was a Wishlist purchase.)


dont waste your money   October 23, 2002
 19 out of 19 found this review helpful

I can not believe that a publisher would agree to call this book 'complete' it is ANYTHING but complete. In fact, it is downright skimming. This shows some poorly drawn illustrations of completed facial piercings/ear piercings and that is about it - there is no 'guide' about it. It shows a few pages of colour tattoos, but clearly was not well thought out. I am returning mine and suggest that if you pay more than garage sale price, youve been taken. My opinion, thats all.


Good Book For the Novice Tattoo Artist or Piercer   January 8, 2002
 3 out of 6 found this review helpful

This book is definately suited for the novice tattoo artist or piercer. Lots of good basic information on both if you are just getting started in either field. There is also a list of tattoo emporiums/salons/shops all over the world in the back of this book. The book is low on anythong that could be used as flash, and is definately more of a reference book.