Body Art

For thousands of years, man has used his flesh as a canvas to express status, wealth, power, and tribal membership. There are numerous shops in the Big Apple where you can get a tattoo or piercing, so we've decided to list only a few of the best.

Before offering up your flesh, here are a few words of caution:

If you plan on getting a piercing, make sure that the studio you select subscribes to the highest standards of hygiene. Single-use needles, autoclave sterilization, ultrasonic cleaners, and cold sterile solutions for items that can't take the heat are all a must. Cheap jewelry can increase the risk of infection, so stick with high quality ornaments made of surgical stainless steel, 14- or 18-karat solid gold, niobium, or titanium. Before leaving the studio, you should be thoroughly informed about proper aftercare for your piercing, and encouraged to follow up if you have piercing-related questions during the weeks ahead.

If you're in the market for a tattoo, pick a studio that looks clean and boasts new equipment in good working order. Ask to see several photos of your prospective artist's work before getting in the chair. Look carefully at where the lines in any design come to a point; the lines should be straight and the point should be sharp. Unfortunately, it takes about six months before you can tell how your tattoo is going to look over the long haul. If, after six months, the lines of the image begin to appear uneven, then you know that the original needlework was sub par. It's not unusual for such businesses to close, relocate, or change their hours, policies, and/or prices, so be sure to call ahead before venturing out for your body art...