Tattoo artists must be fully aware of the potential dangers of their procedures and
how to prevent infection. Tattoo artists and body piercers must follow health and safety
practices and clean technique to protect themselves as well as their clients from bloodborne pathogens
and communicable diseases that include viruses, bacteria, and fungi. A tattoo is done by injecting
ink into the dermis, the inner layer of the skin, with a needle attached to a hand held
tool where the needle is vibrated up and down at a rate of several hundred times per minute.
Infection can be spread through unsterilized equipment, contaminated ink, not handling
needles correctly, and improper cleaning of surfaces and the client's skin prior to the
procedure. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can be present on the skin of the person receiving
the tattoo or the piercing. The tattoo or piercing needle that comes in contact with
that skin where germs on the skin can contaminate the needle or ink and then become a source
of infection. It’s so important for a body art professional to use aseptic technique
for tattoos and body art. Aseptic technique is used to prevent cross contamination; in
other words, it prevents the transmission of germs from one person to another or from
one place to another. Visible blood on surfaces, instruments or needles is not necessary for
infection to be transmitted. When working with a client, all surfaces and used equipment
needs to be considered contaminated. The goal of using aseptic technique is to protect the
body art professional and the client. Aseptic technique includes the following principles.
The body art professional needs to cover his or her own skin that may have wounds, infections, or
dermatitis. Also, clothing needs to be clean. Don't let used equipment come in contact with
clean or sterile equipment. Maintain the cleanliness of all supplies by storing them in a sanitary manner
that protects all items from contamination. Make sure that the disinfectants are properly
stored and that chemicals are properly labeled. Use barriers like single-use gloves and gowns.
Use proper hand hygiene. And when wearing gloves that potentially have body fluids on
them, don’t touch other items. Remove the contaminated gloves properly before answering
your phones, adjusting light fixtures, or picking up clean ink bottles, or getting supplies
out of the storage. Now before you’re giving tattoos or piercings, properly clean and prepare
the client's skin with a skin antiseptic. Ink shall be from a single use container and
only used on one client. Ink that’s stored in bulk containers can be transferred to a
single use container though. Now dispose of single use containers after each person. Never mix
inks with tap water. Only use distilled or sterile water. Use disposable single use needles
and follow safe injection practices. Immediately dispose of those contaminated needles, dressings,
and disposable gloves, etc. Maintain a clean and sanitary environment by using a proper
disinfectant. Disinfect your chairs and work surfaces between each client. Reusable tools
and equipment must be cleaned and sterilized. Sterilization machines, such as autoclaves,
must be regularly tested and serviced. Needles or other sharps that have contacted skin or
body fluids shall be placed in a puncture resistant, closed container, otherwise known
as a sharps container. And you need to empty that when it gets too full. There’s normally
a line at the top of the sharps container that’ll let you know it needs to be disposed
of properly. Now remember these are general guidelines to help protect you and your client.
Each workplace must have a written exposure control plan that outlines the proper procedures
that are specific to your facility in regards to the proper disposal of regulated waste. Use
of engineering and work practice controls, and proper use of personal protective equipment
all must be customized to your workplace.