I will admit, by definition I am a scratcher, but a half decent one.

I’ve been to one so called professional shop, got this Metallica star on my wrist, and I swear I could’ve done that myself left handed (as it’s on my right wrist). Half of it’s lopsided, he missed a couple lines and filled them in two weeks later twice the thickness of all the other ones, screwed up the fill (didn’t even fill it all the way), and messed up on every frickin corner on the inside of it.

Not only that, but he didn’t get everything set up at the start and when it was done, he wouldn’t put a cover over it to keep bacteria and infection out, saying it’s better not to and to just dab it. Utter BS if you ask me.

I’ve taken that ATI certification test thing, got a 95% on it (though I don’t have the funds to pay the $70 to get the certificate, I can copy the results though as proof for now if need be). Unfortunately I do do it in my dorm, but I make damn sure everything is wiped down nice and clean with 90% rubbing alcohol. Everything I use is pre-packaged and sterilized with EOS gas. I stick with disposable tips, grips, and needles until I can afford an autoclave. I do my best with what I’ve got on sterilization and compared to the tat that I got on my wrist from a “professional,” I’m not that bad.