Tattoing: Safety Advice, Safe Care

You have decided to go for your body tattooed and you are asking yourself, “I want it done now, so where do I go?” With the advent of many communicable diseases, some fatal, it has become necessary to institute certain isolation and sterilization procedures in the tattoo process to assure the public of a safe, risk-free tattoo. Below enlisted steps help you in making a better informed decision about choosing your tattooist and tattoo parlour.

These are meant to be guidelines and can aid you in having a safe tattooing experience.

1. Insist on fresh, single-use, disposable needles for each tattoo. NEVER let your tattooist use a needle on you that was soaked in a liquid.

2. Be certain you see your tattooist use new disposable ink caps which are small containers to hold the tattooing ink. Only fresh ink should be used for your tattoo.

3. Before the artist gets started, watch to see that he/she puts on a new pair of disposable gloves before setting up tubes, needles, and ink supplies.

4. Make sure your artist use a new disposable razor if shaving is needed.

If the artist can’t or won’t answer all of your questions, don’t be intimidated. Leave and find a different artist. If you want the work done, get it done right. It’s your body, your money and your health!

Caution: If the tattooed area becomes red, swollen, tender or if pus develops, you may have an infection. See your doctor immediately.

Tattoing Health Advice

If you plan to get a tattoo, you should know that there is a risk of getting hepatitis C/AIDS from old, unsterile tattooing needles that have been used on more than one customer. Used needles can also develop burrs, hooks and rust which can tear skin and result in infections.

Make sure you see the artist place the used needle in a sharps container immediately after use. All sterilized tattoo instruments (i.e. needles, needle bars, barrel/grip, etc.)must be stored in sealed, sterilepackaging and you should see the package(s) opened and the items assembled in front of you.