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Safe Tattoos

Nowadays it is very important to arm yourself with the proper information to help you get a safe tattoo. There are certain procedures that all tattoo studios and tattoo artists must follow in order to prevent any cross contamination throughout the entire tattoo process. Most local, state and national health authorities now have strict laws, rules and regulations to ensure the public’s safety when getting a tattoos.

1. First and foremost is your impression as you walk through the door. Look around the studio and make sure that it is clean and orderly: a studio that is properly set up should have the appearance of a medical facility. If the studio has been inspected by a regional Health Department, a certificate of satisfaction should be visibly displayed.

(Do not get tattoo in someone’s kitchen, garage or basement. Local Health Departments are generally prohibited from inspecting private residences, and this decision could have costly consequences.)

2. Once you have decided on a tattoo design, your artist will begin to prepare himself and his work area— a process that you should watch very carefully. Look for the following:

Is the tattoo artist putting on a new set of gloves?

Every tattoo artist should begin each tattoo with a new set of disposable gloves before they start to set up their station for your tattoo. If for some reason they begin your procedure with a pair of gloves from the previous customer DEMAND!!! (take out exclamations and maybe put in RED, bolded  type or something) that they begin a new setup up with clean disposable gloves.

B. Is the tattoo artist preparing a new needle?
As the tattoo is about to begin, the artist will set up their equipment. You should see him open a sealed envelope containing a new needle and tube—this is a must! Reusing needle and tubes is the most direct route for cross contamination.
REMEMBER: NO NEW NEEDLE AND TUBE—NO NEW TATTOO!!!!

C. Is the tattoo artist pouring the inks for your tattoo into new containers?
As with the needle and tube, all the inks, ointments and liquids should be newly set up just for you. The inks should be poured into disposable containers. If the station is not being set up with new ink containers, then the tattoo artist will most likely be using products from a prior customer—another source of cross contamination. Again, you need to demand all new products or you can choose to just leave. There are many studios that practice safe tattooing. Finding one will be easy and you will be much better off.

D. Does the tattoo studio have a working sterilizer?
Every tattoo studio should have working sterilizer. They should be tested regularly and records of those tests should be available. If you have any doubts about the procedures of the tattoo studio you are in, you should ask to view the test results. If you are refused your request then you are better off leaving and going to a tattoo studio that is willing and able to show their records (the records are called “spore tests”).

3. Get to know the artists and their qualifications. Most reputable tattoo artists will display proof of their abilities with photos of tattoos they have done. If you are not comfortable with your surroundings or the artist’s capabilities, then take your time and shop around. When it comes to a tattoo the best is none to good (I don’t understand what “none to good” means).

Getting a new tattoo should be a pleasant experience. Do not let it turn into anything less. Take your time and shop around. Make sure you get what you want in a safe and healthy environment.

Getting a Safe Tattoo