Professional Tattooing and Piercing without 'Attitude' - 2 Liverpool Tattoo and Piercing Studios - Male and Female Artists - Liverpool City Centre 0151 709 0479 - Old Swan 0151 254 1352

About Us

Design 4 Life is a well established nationally known Tattoo and Piercing studio, our key aim being to provide you with a piece of art you'll be proud to wear. We place great emphasis on customer care from the original idea or concept right through to the completed piece and ongoing aftercare. Our staff are always happy to provide help or guidance on all aspects of the procedure's we offer.

Because your health is paramount to us, both of our studio's have been vetted, approved and registered with the local authority and we follow a strict hygiene protocol as approved by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

 

We have experienced Male and Female Tattoo Artists and dedicated Male and Female Piercers, with portfollio's of past work available to inspect online and in our studios. Tattoo's and Piercing's are carried out in separate, dedicated rooms where your privacy should it be required is assured.

We offer Quality Tattoo's and Piercings at reasonable prices using the latest equipment including Neuma (air powered) machines which have the benefit of lower trauma to the skin resulting in a more comfortable tattoo experience, but also have the key benefit of being fully autoclavable.

We specialise in Custom Tattoo's and covering old or unwanted tattoo's, in addition we have over 70,000 flash design's available for you to choose from and plenty of art and reference materials available for inspiration. We are versitle in all styles of tattoo and will work with you to explore your ideas.

Combine all this with years of experience and thousands of satisfied customers you could'nt be in safer hands.

 

Design 4 Life Tattoo - the safest possible experience and a piece of art you will be proud of.

Please explore our site where you will find answers to frequently asked questions, gallerys of our work and get to meet the staff who will be dealing with you.

Our Studio's

We have 2 Liverpool Studios, one in Old Swan and one in the City Centre:

• Convienient Locations
• Local Authority Registered
• Experienced Male and Female Tattoo Artists
• Experienced Male and Female Dedicated Piercers
• Comprehensive Hygiene Protocol
• Vaccum Autoclave Technology
• Single Use Pre-sterilised Needles
• Quality Inks
• Canula Piercing Needles - not blade
• Expert Micro-Dermal Technique
• Modern Equipment
• Easily Accessible
• Friendly, Helpful Staff
• Thousands of designs and reference materials
• Internet Access
• Comprehensive Portfollios of past work

Old Swan Tattoo and Piercing Studio
542 Prescot Rd
Old Swan
Liverpool
L13 3DB

Tel: 0151 254 1352
Open - Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10 - 5.30 and Thurs 1pm to 7.30pm.



Map and Directions

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City Centre Tattoo and Piercing Studio

Please note we have moved from Grand Central Hall because we where prevented from Piercing in the building by the owners as there is another piercer in the building. Piercing is a core part of our business since inception of the company. We therefore elected to move to alternative premises as we weren't prepared to operate under this compromise. People vote with their feet. We have no associations or affiliations with the 'other' piercer.

We are now based at:

70 Lime Street
Liverpool
L1 1JN

Tel: 0151 709 0479
Open - Tue to Sat 10am - 5.30

Opposite the Adelphi Hotel.



Map and Directions

View Larger Map

Booking In - Time and Pricing

The cost and the amount of time it takes to complete a tattoo is dependant on the size and complexity of the tattoo, basic design's range from £30 upwards. Custom tattoos and larger designs are more expensive, and elaborate pieces can require multiple sessions.

Custom tattoo's take time to design and draw up, we do not charge for this time or the design(as many studios do) however we do require a deposit to be left on all appointments. For the reasons above appointments cannot be made via phone or email and must be made in person.

Appointments for Tattoo's are not always necessary and sometimes we can accomodate tattoo's on a walkin basis, we do advise however that you call ahead to check availability.

All design work is done with no obiligation, if you want it changing then we will work with you to get exactly what you want.

For piercing's or a consultation about a design no booking is required, please feel free to drop in. The opening hours for each studio can be found under the address.

Minimum Age / Drink / Drugs


Tattoo's
You must be 18 in order to get a tattoo, this is the law under the Tattooing of Minors Act 1968.
This is regardless of parental consent and we will not tattoo anyone under the age of 18.

If your are 18 or older but don't look it we strongly recommended you bring photo I.D (Recent Passport or Driving License) to prove your age. ID will be inspected closely.

Piercings

Whilst there are no legal guidelines for piercings other than ear piercing. We adopt the policy that you must be 16+ to consent to a piercing. Piercing of anyone under 16(in non intimate areas) can be performed with parental consent, but we still reserve the right to refuse if we think you are physically underdeveloped for a piercing, or that you aren’t mature or responsible enough for it, we will decline to pierce you even with parental consent.

We will not tattoo or pierce anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs, we also reserve the right to refuse a tattoo or piercing without explanation.

Before each tattoo or piercing a consent form must be completed, the consent form contains a list of medical conditions, if you have one or more of these conditions then it is not advisable to have a tattoo or piercing without the written advice of your doctor.

Liverpool Tattoo Convention

Design 4 Life Tattoo organise the Liverpool Tattoo Convention, an annual event that sees over 100 of the best UK and International Artists decend on Liverpool for a sunny weekend in June.

Now in its 2nd year the convention in 2008 received glowing reviews from the UK's tattoo press: Skindeep and Total Tattoo magazines and the 2009 event promises to be even bigger and better, click the banner above for more information, enquire as a tattooist, trader or supplier and to buy tickets.

www.tattooconvention.co.uk

Tattoo's

Choosing a Tattoo Studio

Other than the use of universal precautions and laws regarding minors, few regulations cover tattooing.
No governing body currently inspects tattoo businesses other than for hygiene. Anyone can buy a machine, get a registration and start tattooing whether or not they have any artistic ability -- a situation that professional tattoo artists object to -- so it's a good idea to do your homework before rolling up your sleeve, it really is a case of buyer beware and the chance is if its a cheap tattoo then its cheap because there is no infection control, there is no artistic ability or the establishment simply doesn't care about the well being of its clients.
So when choosing a studio:
Look around to see if the studio is clean and professional.
Ask questions: Is there an autoclave? Are the needles and other materials single-use? Do the tattoo artists wear gloves? Professional artists won't mind the questions.
Watch the artist and pay attention to health and safety precautions.
Watch the artist open all needles before beginning work.
Ask about the staff's professional experience.
Ask to see examples of past work.

The Procedure

Tattoo's are produced by inserting ink about a millimeter deep into skin with a Tattoo Machine . .


When you look at a person's tattoo, you're seeing the ink through the epidermis, or the top layer of skin. The ink is inserted into the dermis, which is the second layer of the skin.

A tattoo machine creates a puncture wound every time it inserts a drop of ink into the skin. Since any puncture wound has the potential for infection and disease transmission, hygiene and correct protocols are imperative. Tattoo artists must use sterilization, disposable materials and hand sanitation to protect themselves and their clients.
To eliminate the possibility of contamination, most tattoo materials, including inks, ink cups, gloves and needles, are single use. Many single-use items arrive in sterile packaging, which the artist opens in front of the customer just before beginning work.
Reusable materials, such as the tubes, are sterilized before every use in a vacuum autoclave.
Prior to sterilizing the equipment, each item must be cleaned and placed in a sealed pouch. An indicator strip on the pouch changes color when the items inside are sterile.
As a bare minimum before carrying out a tattoo procedure the artist should wash and inspect their hands for cuts and abrasions, Disinfect the work area, Place plastic bags on spray bottles to prevent cross-contamination, explain the sterilization process to the client, Remove all equipment from sterile packaging in front of the client, open new pre-sterlized single use needle in front of the clients, Clean and disinfect (with a mixture of water and antiseptic soap) the area to be tattooed.

Clients work with artists to create custom tattoo designs, or they chose images from flash, which are tattoo designs displayed in the shop. The artist draws or stencils the design onto the person's skin, since the skin can stretch while the artist uses the tattoo machine. The artist must also know how deeply the needles need to pierce the skin throughout the process. Punctures that are too deep cause excessive pain and bleeding, blowouts and poor healing and ones that are too shallow cause uneven lines and patchy tattoo's

During the tattoo procedure itself, the artist creates a permanent line over the stencil, this is called the outline, the outline is possibilly the most painful part of the tattoo procedure. Try not to worry to much though as the body will release it's natural pain killers. Once the outline is complete they will move on to the shading, improper technique during this step can cause shadowed lines, excessive pain and delayed healing. And finally if its a color tatoo the artist will apply coloured ink. Again the technique and experience of the artist are paramount in order to acheive solid colour and/or smooth colour blends. The final step is to clean and bandage the tattooed area, the artist uses a disposable towel to remove any excess blood and plasma and then covers the tattoo with a sterile dressing. Some bleeding always occurs during tattooing, but most stops within a few minutes. The artist will then provide verbal aftercare advice and talk you through looking after and the healing of your tattoo, this will then be underpinned by the provision of a printed aftercare sheet that you can take away for reference.

Health Risks
Since tattoos involve needles and blood, they carry risks. These include transmission of diseases like hepatitis, tuberculosis and possibly HIV. When tattoo artists follow all the correct sterilization and sanitation procedures, risks for disease transmission are relatively low. There has not been a documented case of HIV transmission from a tattoo. However, doctors warn that non-sterile tattooing practices can lead to the transmission of syphilis, hepatitis B and other infectious organisms.
Infections can occur in new tattoos like all wounds, especially without appropriate aftercare. Some people also experience allergic reactions to tattoo inks. If you have any concerns please consult the tattoo artist.
Tattoo professionals use rules known as universal precautions to prevent the spread of illnesses during tattooing. The same rules apply to hospitals and doctors' offices.

The Law states that no-one under the age of 18 can receive at tattoo,. So, some adolescents get tattoos from friends, amateurs or unscrupulous studios, who use makeshift tools like pens and paper clips with little if any sanitary precautions. This is extremely dangerous, since proper equipment and sanitary measures protect people from disease and infection.

How should I prepare for my tattoo?
An important question that is not frequently asked, but is very important to the outcome of your tattoo.
The better your health, the more rested you are, the better the outcome in receiving and healing your
tattoo. No professional studio should ever touch anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol, no
matter how small the amount. This will cause difficulty in applying the tattoo. It is recommended that you do not drink any alcohol, take any aspirin (Tylenol is OK) or antihistamines for 24 hours prior to
your tattoo appointment. A vitamin supplement with zinc is recommended. Arrive at your appointment well rested. Further, it would help to have a small to medium meal approximately 2 hours before your tattoo.

How long does it take to heal?
This answer varies as to the person, the health of the person, type of tattoo and location of tattoo.
Generally, you will care for your new tattoo for the first two weeks, with healing time averaging 7 - 10 days. Your artist will go over the best method for you and your type of tattoo.

Aftercare

The first few days and weeks for a new tattoo are probably the most important for your new tattoo. Make sure you care for it properly! Below is the healing procedure and do's and do'nts we recommend. Because each individual is different, this may not always be best recommendation for each person. We recommend you follow the advice of your tattoo artist.
Leave the bandage that you received after the tattoo on for an hour, or however long your tattooist advises. Tattoos will ooze, this is a normal part of the healing process. The bandage is there to keep air-born bacteria and any other contaminants in the environment from invading your wound.
Make sure you hands have been washed thoroughly before you remove the bandage.
After removing the bandage cleanse the tattoo area with soap and water. Do not scrub the tattoo with a brush or towel (this should not be done until the tattoo has healed). The idea behind the washing is to eliminate any dead cells that have been allowed to accumulate on the surface.
• Dry the tattoo area by gently patting the area with a clean, sterile towel.
• Let the tattoo dry completely (approx 10 minutes).
• Wash in water water every 2hrs for the rest of the day
• You do not need to re-bandage.
• 24Hrs after your tattoo lightly rub on a thin layer of aftercare ointment.
Repeat steps above for three - four days, approximately 4 times a day. The cream should not be used for more than 3-4 days (read the directions on the ointment); The idea behind this part of the process is to NOT let the tattoo dry out. The ointment should be applied heavily enough to look shiny. Too thin and the surface can dry and prolong healing. You may need too apply more or less often, depending on you and your environment (again consult the directions for the ointment for proper application). After 4 days moisturise with a fragrance free lotion.
After a few days you may notice some peeling and scabbing. This depends on the individual. It is at this point in the healing process that your tattoo will begin to itch. RESIST THE URGE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRE TO SCRATCH, RUB, OR PICK at the tattoo!!! Remember the treatment your tattoo receives in the first few weeks is the most important days of its life!
Some final DO's and DONT's:
DO NOT:
• Go swimming, or soak in a hot tub or bath.
• Use hydrogen peroxide or rub alcohol on your tattoo.
• Itch, pick, or scratch the tattoo.
DO:
• Stay out of the sun and away from sunbeds until your tattoo has healed completely.
• Apply sun block to tattoo after it has healed whenever it is exposed to the sun/sunbeds to protect it from damaging ultraviolet rays.
• Avoid activities that will make you sweat.

Does it hurt - Men?

Tattooing is not painless, you will experience some discomfort particularly at the beginning of a tattoo.
The amount of discomfort felt depends on the individual, your well being and also the part of the body being tattooed. The diagram below give an indication of which parts of the body are more sensitive than others, this may however differ from person to person.

Does it hurt - Women?

Tattooing is not painless, you will experience some discomfort particularly at the beginning of a tattoo.
The amount of discomfort felt depends on the individual, your well being and also the part of the body being tattooed. The diagram below give an indication of which parts of the body are more sensitive than others, this may however differ from person to person.

Tattooing and Skin Tones

When you look at a tattoo, you are looking at the tattoo through the skin. Therefore, the darker the skin tone, the more muted the colors of a tattoo will appear. On coffee-colored complexions or lighter, colors can still be used although there are some limitations in the palette. On darker skin, consideration has to be given to the choice of colors depending on skin tone. As a general rule the darker the skin the more limited the choice of colour becomes and for very dark skin gray shading and solid black are appropriate.

If you require any further info regarding tattooing and skin tone please pop in or give us a bell!!

Piercing

Piercing FAQ'S

Does is hurt?
The most common question is and always will be’ does it hurt?’. The answer is that is that it varies from piercing to piercing as much as it does from person to person. With all piercing there is a moment of discomfort, but normally the pressure of the clamps used to lightly pinch the skin is the worst part of it.

Do you use anaesthetic?
We prefer not to use anaesthetics, as it actually impairs the healing of the piercing.
In fact a piercing will hurt far more post piercing if it has been anaesthetised beforehand, and will also take longer to heal. As the pain level is so minimal, we prefer not to use it, but do have it on hand for anyone who is insistent.

How should I prepare for my piercing?
We recommend before you are pierced you are well rested and eat 2hrs prior to your piercing.

What jewellery is used and how is a piercing done?
The procedure for each type piercing differs greatly from the next, so it is hard to outline here how each piercing is performed, in all cases though, the piercer will talk you through the procedure of your individual piercing before it is performed.
All piercings are performed with sterilised tools, disposable single-use sterile cannula needles and the jewellery we use is always of nickel-free content (usually Titanium) and complies fully with legal and medical guidelines. You should stay away from piercers using the Blade method of piercing as this is a compromise on hygeine and also prolongs the piercing both in terms of the time taken to make the piercing and also the time taken to heal.

How soon can I change my piercing?
This varies depending on the individual piercing, and you will be given a guideline when pierced, in most cases the commonly heard ‘4 - 6weeks’ guideline isn’t true, also changing a piercing too soon is never advised.

How do I look after it?
The aftercare advice we give is based on years of experience with piercing, and after you are pierced we will go through what you need to do to look after your piercing and we also provide you with a detailed aftercare sheet. Follow our instructions closely and you will have no problems.

How old do I have to be to be pierced?
Whilst there are no legal guidelines for piercings other than ear piercing. We adopt the policy that you must be 16+ to consent to a piercing. Piercing of anyone under 16(in non intimate areas) can be performed with parental consent, but we still reserve the right to refuse if we think you are physically underdeveloped for a piercing, or that you aren’t mature or responsible enough for it, we will decline to pierce you even with parental consent.

Can I bring a friend with me?
We recommend you bring a friend with you when you have a piercing and we will allow them in the room with you for support. We cannot allow multiple people to come in with you, as this causes contamination risks, but additional friends are welcome to wait at reception.

What do I do if I have a problem with my piercing?
Come back and see us, we’re never to busy to check on the progress or healing of your piercing, and provide you with advice and guidance. Never take out a piercing if you feel there is a problem with it. Always come back and have it checked first.

Piercing Aftercare

Healing of a piercing requires a lot of care and attention. Neglect them or abuse them and they can become infected and/or take a lot longer to heal.
Initially some piercings may bleed, in which case a simple dressing is recommended. Once the bleeding has stopped the piercing should be exposed to air as much as possible or covered only by loose fitting clothes. Use clean gauze dressings held in place by surgical tape for the first few days if bleeding is a problem.
Your piercing should be cleaned and inspected 2-3 times daily for at least the first month even if it seems healed. It is recommended to use a saline solution made with boiled water and around 5ml (1 teaspoon) of salt per 50ml of water. The solution should be left to cool until luke warm before you use it. Antiseptics are generally not recommended as they can irritate the wound and/or cause it to dry out and obviously neither is desirable. Irritating a wound can prolong the healing time hugely. Mouth piercings can be treated with saline solution and should be done after after eating and smoking.
Any irritation to the piercing can prolong the healing process hugely. Try not to tug on the piercing or to wear clothing that catches the piercing as you move about. With oral piercings try to keep away from kissing deeply for the first 6 weeks. Avoid soaking the piercing for at least the first 3-4 weeks. This means avoid swimming and where possible take a shower rather than a bath.
After a short while you will notice a little clear coloured fluid leaking from the piercing and drying around it. As above this should be carefully cleaned with a saline solution 2-3 times a day.
If the piercing becomes overly sore, continues to bleed, becomes overly swollen or discolours badly consult your piercer or a doctor. DO NOT remove the jewellery. Not only will this mean you may lose the piercing but it will also mean that you in effect leave an open would which may become even more infected. If your piercing looks mildly infected then it may be worth actually trying a little antiseptic ointment. Again get advice from your piercer or doctor on which is the best to use. If the infection persists your doctor may give you a course of antibiotics which should clear it up. Again we stress DO NOT remove the piercing if you get an infection unless advised by your piercer or doctor to do so.
Surgical steel jewellery can also cause a reaction in some people due to the nickel content. This can also be true of gold jewellery due to impurities present in all gold no matter the carat. Because of this we strongly recommend and infact only use Titanium jewellery for the initial piercing. Once the piercing has healed this can be replaced with steel, gold, silver or any other inert material(e.g another piece of titanium jewellery).

Microdermals — or “surface anchors”

Are a type of body jewellery that allow for “single point” piercing... a piercing that has only one visible end or bead. For example in a place not suitable for a traditional piercing. They have a much higher success rate than surface piercings. The single point piercing is made by piercing one hole and inserting a Surface Anchor. Once the Anchor is in place jewellery is then threaded onto the end of the Anchor. Our Dermal anchors are imported from Europe and are made of 6AL4V ELI F-136 Implant Grade Titanium. A Microdermal is considered a permanent piercing, and therefore its important to use the best material available. Healing time is 3-5 months and the aftercare is very similar to any other piercing.

 

 

Laser Tattoo Removal

Coming soon - we are currently going through a rigourous registration procedure with the Healthcare commission(HCC) and hope to be up and running for Laser Tattoo Removal in Liverpool before Xmas.

When choosing a clinic or studio to carry out your laser tattoo removal please ensure that they are HCC registered, firstly because it's illegal for them not to be and secondly if they aren't then its likely that they can't demonstrate competence with the equipment. Laser removal if not carried out correctly can result in burning and scarring.

The advantadges of using a HCC registered Tattoo studio over a clinic are particularly demonstrated if you are having part removal of a tattoo or removal for a cover-up. The tattoo artist has a better understanding of how the tattoo has been composed in the first place and with this knowledge will take a strategic approach to its removal, this results in less skin trauma and less cost.

Artists and Staff

Hazel - Tattoo Artist


Andy - Piercer


Fran - Tattoo Artist


Kyrie - Tattoo Artist


Clare - Piercer

Mark - Tattoo Apprentice



Tony -

Online Shop

D4L T-shirts

Gift Vouchers

Pay Deposits Online*

Buy Convention Tickets*

Conventions

Design 4 Life will be Tattooing at the following conventions in 2009:

Man Chester Tattoo Show 7th/8th March
North Lakes Tattoo Show 25th/26th April
Liverpool Tattoo Convention 6th/7th June
Tattoo Jam - 7th - 8th August
Coventry Ink - TBC
Halloween Tattoo Bash - 31st / 1st November

Guest Artists

Mac McCarthy from Punctured Piercing Devon: Mac will be at the studio in February 2009 performing Branding, Scarification, Tongue Splitting, Ear Pointing Implants and other Body Mod's. These procedures are not available anywhere else in Liverpool.

Paul 'Myth' Naylor from Indigo Tattoo: Date TBC

Sam Weiming from SkinLabel Studio in Singapore - 1st - 5th June 2009

Contact Us

Email: info@design4lifetattoo.co.uk




Copyright Design 4 Life Tattoo 2004. Tattoo Artists : Tattoo Coverups : Tattoo Dark Skin : Tattoo Designs : Tattoo Email : Tattoo Facelift : Tattoo FAQ : Tattoo Gallery : Piercing : Tattoo Removal : Tattoo Shop : Tattoo Studio : UV Tattoo : Tattoo Voucher : Micro Dermal : Conventions

Our Work

• Hazel's Tattoo Gallery
• Fran's Tattoo Gallery
• Kyrie's Tattoo Gallery
• Andy's (Piercing) Gallery
• Clare's (Piercing) Gallery

Our Studio's

• About our Liverpool Tattoo Studios
• Old Swan Studio
• Old Swan Photos
• City Centre Studio
• City Centre Photos
• How to book in

Tattoo's

• Age / Drink / Drugs
• Choosing a Tattoo Studio
• The Procedure
• How Tattoo's are priced
• Preparing for your Tattoo
• Tattoo Healing
• Aftercare
• Tattoo's and Skin Tones
• Does it Hurt Men?
• Does it Hurt Women?
• Hazel's Tattoo Gallery
• Fran's Tattoo Gallery
• Kyrie's Tattoo Gallery

Piercing's

• Age
• Piercing's we offer
• Piercing Prices
• Bookings
• Microdermal's
• Andy's (Piercing) Gallery
• Jewellery
• Needles
• Numbing
• Piercing FAQ's
• Piercing Aftercare

Cosmetic Tattooing

• Semi-Permanent
• Permanent
• Micropigmentation

Artists and Staff

• Hazel - Tattoo Artist
• Fran - Tattoo Artist
• Andy - Piercer
• Kyrie - Tattoo Artist
• Clare - Piercer

Tattoo Removal

• Laser Removal
• Pricing

Online Shop

• D4L T-shirts
• Gift Vouchers
• Pay Deposits Online
• Buy Convention Tickets

Conventions / Guests

• Liverpool Convention
• Conventions we are working
• Guests Artists

Contact Us

• Email
• Our Myspace
• Our Inkednation
• Guest Book