Tattoos are still as popular as ever, but before you step foot in a tattoo parlor, it's important to consider the risks.

Tattoo artist Cap Szumski has been in business for 29 years. And, every day, he says he makes sure his work space is clean and safe for his clients.

"It's crucial. You know you gotta keep customers safe, obviously. Or, or they'll stop coming."

Cap worries about cross-contamination, so he uses barrier film on everything he touches. Needles and pigment cups come pre-sterilized and pre-packaged.

Everything is disposable except for the tubes, which are thrown in an ultrasonic cleaner and scrubbed and re-bagged and sterilized.

Dermatologist Dr. Scott Karempelis say the biggest concern is risk of infection. "It really is a surgical procedure. It may be superficial surgical, but infection of any type, whether it be bacterial, viral or fungal."

Staph infection and hepatitis are some of the problems reported by the FDA, which does not regulate tattoo ink or the parlors. The actual practice of tattooing is left up to local authorities.

Before getting a tattoo, customers are advised to ask questions about the artist's experience and the shop's safety procedures.