Cheap tattoos and piercings are not good. Good tattoos and piercings are not cheap, according to Mr Paddy Donohoe, owner of Body Shock piercing studio in Temple Bar, Dublin.
Mr Donohoe said he would welcome any legislation introduced by the EU to monitor body piercings and tattooing. "I've called the Health Department myself," he said. In eight years his shop has never been inspected.
Similarly, Metal Morphosis, tattooing and body piercing studio, also in Temple Bar, has never had an inspection in the two years Mr Seán Boon has worked there.
He explained, however, that the shop "keeps up with EU regulation" since there are other Metal Morphosis shops in the UK.
Mr Boon said the best way people can prevent problems with a piercing is to get some knowledge first about the procedure. He admitted that a lot of piercings can go wrong but this is largely due to the individual not knowing how to take care of the piercing.
Every day, Mr Donohoe said, he gets calls from people who are worried about their piercings, having gone for the cheaper option.
Linda (18) had her tongue pierced 1½ years ago. She has not had any problems with the piercing and said she went to a shop recommended to her by a friend.
Pat (30) is having his entire back tattooed by Mr John Highland. It is Celtic "knot work" combined with the story of "the red dragon ousting the white one out to become the protector of Wales".
Pat's fiancé is from Wales and that is why he is having the tattoo done.
Another customer in Mr Highland's shop warns however that "tattoos last longer than the romances".
The consensus among tattoo artists and body piercers is that they would welcome regulations for tattoo and piercing shops.
"You need a licence for a dog, you need a licence for a television," said Mr Donohoe. "We want legislation."
Mr Highland also feels it is a good idea to draw up minimum guidelines.