Tattoo Shop Safety: Checklist for a Safe Ink Experience

Friday

Oct232009

In order to have a positive tattoo experience, it's not only important to find an artist who understands your vision and does great work, but who will also provide a safe and clean environment for the entire procedure. It's good to trust your instincts and you can usually get a good (or bad) feel for a shop as soon as you walk in. A few things to keep in mind when you are visiting potential artists and shops are:

Does the artist always wear gloves during each procedure?

Do they have an autoclave (a sterilization unit that sterilizes equipment)?

Are the floors and other surfaces clean?

Is the overall shop clean?

Are ointment, water, ink, ink cups, and gloves used only once? (these items should not ever be reused)

Are all of the needles new, disposable and made for single-use only?

Does the staff appear attentive to your needs and questions?

Does the artist change gloves after every procedure?

Are needles properly disposed of?

Does the ink used come from a bottle that's poured into a small cup each tattoo project? (Ink should never be reused. If ink remains after a tattoo has been completed, it should always be thrown away)

Does the artist provide a portfolio of past work so you can get an idea of their style and skill?

Does the artist provide aftercare instructions?

Take safety seriously when adding art to your skin that is permanent. It is worth taking the time to find a shop and an artist that you are comfortable with in every way.

Go here for more information on finding a great artist.

Happy inkin'!

*This post can also be found in the Tattoo Corner for easy reference.

Friday, October 23, 2009 at 9:19AM | |

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Reader Comments (8)

This is great! Another thing to keep an eye out for is a monthly spore test for the autoclave. Just because a shop has an autoclave doesn't necessarily mean that it is running properly. Most shops have a certificate that is displayed and changed every month to prove that theirs is properly sterilizing.

October 23, 2009 |

Kailee

That is so true, Kailee.

Thank you for noting this important aspect in regards to the autoclave.

Knowledge and safety are key!

October 23, 2009 |

Jinxi Boo

More great info from J-boo! I wish I could thumb this up on stumbleupon, but we can't have that now, can we?

Good point Kailee!

October 23, 2009 |

Tiger

I work in a Tattoo Shop in West Virginia.. and we do all of the you have written... I even go as far as showing clients our spore-test results (to show our auto-clave runs properly) But, it's so easy for the people outside of the "Tattoo World" to realize how easy it is to spread dieases... They're pretty much oblivious to the crap... I've heard some horror stories of "Tattoist" re-using needles... Not Auto-Claving metal tubes... not properly cleaning ANYTHING etc. I think it's awesome you posted this and I hope many people pay attention to what you have written to prevent... any unessecery cases of HIP or any other nasty nasty!! (:

October 23, 2009 |

Ashley

Great! i was also wondering what kind of machine was the artist using on your neck?

October 23, 2009 |

inkz

I noticed your article on sterilization. This is a very important aspect of patient safety. The readers of this blog are right about nasty stuff. I have seen some horror stories myself.

My company specializes in tabletop autoclaves. We have been an authorized Tuttnauer sales & service dealer since 1992. Wow, has it been 17 years already???

Our mission is more of a specialty dealer. We deal mainly with Tuttnauer autoclaves and we know these machines better than most in the marketplace.

Not only does an autoclave have to be in good working order it needs to be well suited to the facilities needs. Let's face it, some claves just have no justification being in your facility.

That's where we come in. Our experience and training is an excellent source of knowledge for your practice. If you have questions about your sterilization program contact us today. We are here to help.

Don't compromise patient safety by spreading Hep-C. Get your program in order and sterilize correctly. The next life saved may be your own.

We are BaySide Technical Services and we serve the Tattoo community along with major hospitals, clinics, medical device manufacturers, universities and veterinarians.

Kevin B

October 24, 2009 |

MyTuttnauer.com

Thanks for the great comments, everybody! I really appreciate you reading this piece.

Thanks for that information, Kevin. It is much appreciated and it sounds like your company is definitely committed to safe tattooing, which both collectors & artists completely appreciate.

@inkz - that is a Neuma tattoo machine. They were invented by Carson Hill and you can read more about them at https://neumatattoomachines.com/
My artist in that photo (Mike DeVries) learned how to tattoo using a Neuma and still uses them today.

Winx, Jinxi

October 25, 2009 |

Jinxi Boo

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November 23, 2010 |