Elmhurst Pressed On Tattoo Businesses

ELMHURST, IL – Emma Fisher, who grew up in Elmhurst, pushed officials Monday to allow businesses that offer tattoo services like what she received.

She backed resident Emily Quinn's request to allow cosmetic tattoo businesses.

At a City Council meeting, Fisher told aldermen that she got what are known as "nano brows," a form of tattoo that she said lasts five years.

She said she had a habit of picking at her left eyebrow because of anxiety, leaving it nearly bare. That left her self-conscious.

But she said she went to Quinn and solved the problem with the procedure.

"I have an example of Emily's work on my face. You would never guess because it's so well done," Fisher said. "I don't have to worry about what my face looks like. Most people are shocked when I tell them I have something like this."

Fisher was one of several speakers at the meeting in favor of changing the local code on tattoo businesses.

Quinn specializes in nano brows in a local commercial district. Now, she wants to expand her services to include areola restoration for breast cancer victims and scar camouflage tattooing. For that, the city would need to change its code.

Elmhurst resident Emily Quinn encouraged the City Council on Monday to change its code to allow cosmetic tattooing in commercial districts outside downtown. (David Giuliani/Patch)

The city has been updating its code and is considering provisions for tattoo businesses.

In a City Council committee meeting late last year, residents attending suggested limiting the square footage or number of chairs in such businesses. They also proposed that such shops be by appointment only.

In a later email to the city, Quinn suggested restrictions such as limiting a shop's square footage (possibly 400), mandating appointments only and requiring they offer medical tattooing. That, she said, would "allay your fears of bringing in a typically known tattoo parlor."

On Monday, she told the council that the city allows scalp micro pigmentation and cosmetic tattooing in downtown, but not in other commercial districts.

"These procedures use the exact same tools used for areola and scar tattooing," Quinn said. "Right now, you can help a man with his hairline in the heart of town, but north of North Avenue, I can't help a woman recovering from cancer."

City officials did not respond, as is their practice during public comments.