| Every day thousands of people get new tattoos | | | | |
| without any problems. But getting a tattoo | | | | And don't feel bad or awkward about asking |
| carries certain health risks unless your | | | | these questions. It's your health that's at |
| tattoo artist maintains strict hygiene | | | | stake. Always remember that the health |
| standards. | | | | regulations that apply to tattoo studios vary |
| | | | greatly around the world from stingent to |
| Apart from the risk of AIDS or hepatitis, | | | | non-existent, so it's your responsibility to |
| there are many other nasty diseases and | | | | make sure. |
| illnesses such as tuberculosis that you could | | | | |
| catch due to poor tattoo hygiene. And then | | | | 2) Watch Your Chosen Tattoo Artist At Work |
| there's a wide range of bacterial and fungal | | | | |
| infections that could attack your new tattoo | | | | The next stage is to watch the tattoo artist |
| causing pain and leaving scaring. | | | | while they work. In most cases they will be |
| | | | happy to allow you to observe them at work. |
| So with that in mind, here's how to make sure | | | | |
| that your chosen tattoo studio does | | | | Start by thinking about the work area in |
| everything to safeguard your health. | | | | general. Is it tidy, well lit and well |
| | | | organized? You can tell a lot about a tattoo |
| Tattoo Hygiene | | | | artist just by looking at their work area. |
| | | | Keep a close look out for anything that just |
| Once you have a tattoo artist in mind, the | | | | doesn't seem right. And if you have any |
| first step is to visit their studio and take | | | | doubts, make your excuses and leave. Someone |
| a good look at his/her working practices. | | | | who works in a mess is more likely to be a |
| | | | messy worker. |
| The health regulations for tattoo studios | | | | |
| vary all around the world. Some areas have | | | | Next, move on to consider the process of |
| stringent hygiene regulations, while other | | | | their work. Does he/she change their gloves |
| areas have virtually no hygiene requirements, | | | | and wash their hands between clients? Does he |
| so please check. | | | | she touch any unnecessary surfaces such as |
| | | | light switches, the telephone, computer, |
| In the US, many states and local authorities | | | | radio etc while wearing dirty gloves? This |
| issue their own tattoo studio hygiene | | | | raises the potential for cross contamination |
| requirements based on EPA guidelines. It's | | | | from surfaces that may not be cleaned after |
| also a good idea to check whether your state | | | | every client. |
| operates a system of professional licensing | | | | |
| for tattoo artists. | | | | Is the studio equipped with items such as |
| | | | plastic barriers on the various machines and |
| 1) Ask Questions | | | | power supply switches? This shows a general |
| | | | commitment to hygiene, reduces the risk of |
| Ask them about the universal hygiene | | | | cross contamination and makes it much easier |
| procedure that they use for every client to | | | | to clean up between treatments. An artist who |
| prevent the transmission of diseases and | | | | employs stringent hygiene procedures is more |
| infections. | | | | likely to take care of your tattoo and your |
| | | | health. |
| Do they wear disposable exam gloves when | | | | |
| they're working? | | | | 3) The Big Day |
| | | | |
| Are they changed between every client? | | | | When it comes to the day of your tattoo, make |
| | | | sure that you tell your artist if you have |
| Do they use new needles for every client? | | | | any allergies, because in rare cases it is |
| | | | possible to suffer an allergic reaction to |
| Do they use disinfectant on all surfaces and | | | | the pigment in the ink. |
| tools after clearing away all the disposable | | | | |
| items from the previous client? | | | | And before your tattoo artists begins, make |
| | | | sure that you ask them to break open the new |
| What items do they throw away after every | | | | needles in front of you, so that you can see |
| client? | | | | that they're using new needles. |
| | | | |
| How do they sterilize non-disposable | | | | If you keep these basic precautions in mind |
| equipment? | | | | you'll eventually find an artist who can |
| | | | provide you with a beautiful new tattoo and |
| It's also important to ask any other | | | | keep you safe from the risks of a tattoo |
| questions that occur to you. | | | | related infection at the same time. |