Twin brothers plan to open Cleveland tattoo school to combat rise in illegal tattoo operations

CLEVELAND - Twin brothers John and Jim Hayden have already found a space for their tattoo school on E. 185th Street in Cleveland. A co-worker said the school will teach students how to create high quality body art in a safe environment.

In November, an exclusive NewsChannel5 investigation uncovered a rise in illegal tattooing in northeast Ohio. We found unlicensed tattoo shops advertising online on craigslist and Facebook.

Cuyahoga County health officials said illegal tattooing put customers at higher risk of skin infections, including the antibiotic resistant staph infection known as MRSA. It also increase customers' risk of contracting bloodborne diseases, like Hepatitis B, C and HIV, according to health officials.

In Ohio, shops have to be licensed by local health officials, but there are no regulations governing tattoo artists.

The Haydens also hope to change Ohio law.

They're working on a proposal that would require Ohio tattoo artists to obtain licenses before they can legally perform work on customers.