Stephen Knight is a custom tattoo artist located at Perfection Dermagraphics located at 69 N Broadway in Des Plaines, IL. 847-635-0335... Stephen Knight began his art career at the age of 5. Now over 30 he continues to hone his skills as an artist by using skin as a canvas. For him, there can be nothing greater than exceptional artwork. Tattooing for 14 years this international award winning custom tattoo artist will work with you to ensure your tattoos are original and exceptional. Stephen's Neobotanic Style has become distinctly recognized throughout the tattoo community; his work has been showcased in various publications and cable art channels. Chicago ~ Directions to Perfection Dermagraphics Tattoo Studio Starting from near I-90/I-94 (Kennedy Expressway) Enter I-90 W/I-94 W/Kennedy Expressway W. • Keep LEFT to take I-90W via exit 43B toward O'Hare/Rockford • Merge onto I-294 N toward Wisconsin• Take exit US-14 W/ E Dempster St • Turn slight right onto IL-12/Rand Rd. • Turn left onto Seegers Rd. • Turn right onto North Broadway St. • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 N Broadway St . Cook County North ~ Directions to Perfection Dermagraphics Tattoo Studio Deerfield, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Techny, Wilmette, Winnetka Starting from near I-294 (Tri-State) Enter I294 (South) towards Chicago• Take IL-58/Golf Rd Exit • Turn Left (South) onto N East River Rd • Turn Right (West) onto IL-58/E Golf Rd • At roundabout, take the FOURTH exit onto N Broadway St • Make a U-turn at Yale Ct. • Arrive 69 N Broadway St Starting from IL-58 (Golf Road) Head west on IL-58/Golf Rd. • Turn Left onto North 7th Ave. • Turn right onto Yale CT. • Turn right onto North Broadway St. • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 North Broadway St. Cook County Northwest ~ Directions to Perfection Dermagraphics Tattoo Studio Arlington Heights, Barrington Area, Bartlet, Buffalo Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Rosemont, Streamwood, Schaumburg, Wheeling Starting from I-90 Enter onto I-90 E/Northwest Tollway toward Chicago • Exit Arlington Heights Rd • Turn left onto North Arlington Heights Rd. • Turn right onto east Golf Rd/IL-58 • Turn slight right onto North Broadway St. • Make a U-turn at Yale Ct onto North Broadway St • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 North Broadway St Starting from I-90 Enter onto I-90 E/Northwest Tollway toward Chicago• Exit Arlington Heights Rd • Turn left onto North Arlington Heights Rd. • Turn right onto east Golf Rd/IL-58 • Turn slight right onto North Broadway St. • Make a U-turn at Yale Ct onto North Broadway St • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 North Broadway St Cook County West ~ Directions to Perfection Dermagraphics Tattoo Studio Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Brookfield, Countryside, Franklin Park, Hillside, Hodgkins Indian Head Park, La Grange Park, Maywood, McCook, Northlake Stone Park, River Grove, Schiller Park, Westchester, Western Springs Starting from near I-294 (Tri-State) Enter I-294 North toward Wisconsin • Take exit US-14 W/ E Dempster St • Turn slight right onto IL-12/Rand Rd. • Turn left onto Seegers Rd. • Turn right onto North Broadway St. • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 N Broadway St . Cook County Near West ~ Directions to Perfection Dermagraphics Tattoo Studio Berwyn, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Forest View, Harwood Heights, Lyons, Norridge, North Riverside, Oak Park, River Forest, Riverside, Stickney Starting from near I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) Enter I-55 S (Stevenson Expy South) • Merge onto I-294 N via Exit 277A toward Wisconsin • Merge onto US-14 W / East Dempster St • Turn slight right onto Rand Rd • Turn left onto Seegers Rd • Turn right onto North Broadway St Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 N Broadway St Starting from near I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway) Enter I-290 W / Eisenhower Expy West • Merge onto I-294 N via exit 15B toward Milwaukee • Merge onto US-14 W / East Dempster St • Turn slight right onto Rand Rd • Turn left onto Seegers Rd • Turn right onto North Broadway St Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 N Broadway St Starting from near I-90 (Kenedy Expressway) Enter I-90 W toward O’Hare/Rockford • Merge onto I-294 N toward Wisconsin• Merge onto US-14 W / E Dempster St • Turn slight right onto Rand Rd • Turn left onto Seegers Rd • Turn right onto North Broadway St • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 N Broadway St Cook County Southwest ~ Directions to Perfection Dermagraphics Tattoo Studio Bridgeview, Burbank, Hometown, Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Lemont, Oak Lawn, Willow Springs, Worth Starting from near I-55 Enter onto I-55 N toward Chicago • Merge onto I-294 N via exit 277A toward Wisconsin • Merge onto US-14 W / E Dempster St • Turn slight right onto Rand Rd • Turn left onto Seegers Rd • Turn right onto North Broadway St • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 N Broadway St Starting from near I-294 Enter onto I-294 N towards Wisconsin• Merge onto US-14 W / E Dempster St • Turn slight right onto Rand Rd • Turn left onto Seegers Rd • Turn right onto North Broadway St • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 N Broadway St Cook County Near South ~ Directions to Perfection Dermagraphics Tattoo Studio Alsip, Blue Island, Burnham, Calumet City, Calumet, Crestwood, Dixmoor, Dolton, Harvey, Markham, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Phoenix, Posen, Riverdale, Robbins, South Holland Starting from near I-294 Enter onto I-294 N towards Wisconsin • Merge onto US-14 W / E Dempster St • Turn slight right onto Rand Rd • Turn left onto Seegers Rd • Turn right onto North Broadway St • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 N Broadway St Starting from near I-94 Enter onto I-94 W. • Keep left to take I-90 Express W/I-94 Express W/Dan Ryan Express W toward 43RD St • I-90 Express W/I-94 Express W/Dan Ryan Express W becomes I-90 W/I-94 W. • Keep LEFT to take I-90 W via exit 43B toward O'Hare/Rockford • Merge onto I-294 N toward Wisconsin• Merge onto US-14 W / E Dempster St • Turn slight right onto Rand Rd • Turn left onto Seegers Rd • Turn right onto North Broadway St • Arrive Perfection Dermagraphics - 69 N Broadway St. Stephen Knight can also be found at BME.com, RateMyInk.com, and Myspace.com. In an attempt to answer the most common questions asked by potential clients and the first time tattoo seeker, I've found that it might be easier to dedicate a page to my site addressing such. The plan is to address different questions and issues regarding the body modification industry every month. So keep checking the page for updates and new issues. One of the most common questions asked by potential clients is, "I'm looking to get my first tattoo and I'm concerned about cleanliness. What should I be looking for?" This is the point where I've always felt is time for a studio walk-through and a demonstration of proper set-up procedures. Here is a list of general guidelines that I follow, in an order, which I believe, should be prioritized. All of my procedures are in compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens health standard 1910, and all equipment used is disposable. If not, equipment is barriered in plastics, which are disposed of after each client. 1. An updated Bloodborne Pathogens/Infection Control certificate to show the artist had attended and successfully completed the educational course. Note: The state of Illinois has not required by law that any tattoo artist should be a licensed operator or required to attend a Bloodborne Pathogens/Infection Control class, as suggested by OSHA, which is to be renewed by the tattooist at least every two years. If your artist has a certificate of completion it is a great thing, because of the state's negligence regulating our industry, this class is entirely voluntary. This shows an attempt by your artist to educate himself for his safety and yours. I renew mine every year, due to the increasing amount of changing medical issues regarding public health. 2. Sterile needles and tubes. Needles and tubes should be in some type of packaging that indicates the object has been sterilized (this is shown by an indicator strip inside or part of the packaging) and dated. If your artist sterilizes their own equipment, they should also have sterilization records on site at all times with your needle/tubes accompanying lot number to verify the sterilization process occurred. Also on record should be the process results as far as whether the sterilization process itself was successful. There are artist who purchase pre-sterile equipment straight from their supplier. If this is the case the artist will explain what this means. As far as the difference concerning the safety between the uses of pre-sterile equipment vs. self sterilized equipment will be covered in a future article. 3. A proper work area. While a work area or tattoo station doesn't necessarily need to be walled off from the rest of the areas, it should be capable of preventing cross contamination from other areas or artists in the area, and the tabletop or surface which the artist sets up his/her inks etc. absolutely must be made of a non-porous material. Non-porous simply means that liquids and microscopic materials are incapable to penetrate the material. If the surface is porous, it negates the possibility of disinfection. 4. All equipment used that cannot be discarded after each client should be properly barriered with plastics, which prevent the possibility of contamination to the object, i.e., machines, cords, bottles, and anything in the work area that the tattoo artist would need to touch. 5. Nitrile exam gloves. Nitrile is the safest and best latex substitute on the market today. Aside from the dangers of latex related allergies, Nitrile provides a barrier, which prevents the compromise to the integrity of the glove by petroleum-based products such as A and D and Vaseline ointments. It has been found that prolonged exposure to petroleum based products to latex causes decomposition to the glove. This puts the artist at risk of contracting disease causing pathogens and therefore possibly causing the clients health to become compromised. This is a very basic list of simple safety measures your tattoo artist should be taking to ensure the safety of you and the artist. There are other measures which can be taken, however to prevent an overly saturated article I suggest that you observe further safety steps taken by your artist when you consult with them. Any professional artist will be more than willing to take the time to walk you through their safety measures and methods in an informative and friendly manner. If not, maybe you should move on to someone who will.