I don't know about you, but when I was looking for information on safety before getting my first tattoo, I always ran in to the same problem: a lot of good advice, with absolutely no explanations. Sometimes the professionals forget what it was like to know nothing about tattoos! So this section is designed to answer questions about all that great advice you've been given in layman's terms!
THE ADVICE: Ask to see the autoclave and sterilization certification
Granted, this is excellent advice, but to the novice of the whole tattoo business, it doesn't mean a thing. An autoclave is essentially a pressure cooker primarily used in the medical field for sterilizing medical instruments. An autoclave must maintain a temperature of at least 246 degrees for 30 minutes in order to fully sterilize the equipment.
There are several different kinds of autoclaves, all acceptable to use in the sterilization of the equipment. It is a good idea to ask to see the autoclave. Is it clean? More importantly, was the shop personnel more than happy to show it to you, or did they act like they had something to hide?
Also, keep in mind that the presence of an autoclave does not mean effective sterilization. Autoclaves need to be regularly tested to ensure that they are working properly.
THE ADVICE: Make sure the artist is wearing gloves.
Yes! An absolute necessity! Standard medical latex gloves should always be used. Another point worth mentioning, though: Do the gloves fit properly? If the gloves are too big or too small, the artist runs the risk of either poking a hole in the gloves or tearing them. All it takes is a pinhole to run the risk of cross contamination.
Granted, this is more for the safety of the tattoo artist, but no one wants an infected tattoo artist working on them. If the tattooist doesn't care about their own safety, why would they care about yours?
THE ADVICE: Is the artist vaccinated for Hepatitis B?
This is becoming more important as disease and infection are spreading more rapidly every day, and unsafe tattooing is quickly becoming the culprit guilty of creating the necessity for tattooist's to be vaccinated against Hepatitis for their own protection and for the protection of their future clients.
Unfortunately, it is not a common practice across the globe yet. Many studios still do not practice this safety measure. It does not necessarily mean they are unsafe, although practicing this does put a client's mind at ease. If they are not vaccinated, just be sure they are following the other safety guidelines to prevent cross-contamination.
THE ADVICE: Ointment, ink, water and other items should not be returned to a universal container after it has been removed for use on a client.
In layman's terms, that means that anything the tattoo artist uses on you should be thrown away afterward. Unused inks should NOT be returned to the original container! It is contaminated with blood, and should be tossed out.
The artist should be using these tiny little cups called "ink caps" to put just enough ink in for your tattoo, and whatever is left should be thrown away. The same goes for the water and ointments.
This brings to mind another point: Many artists will use deodorant to create a darker impression of the transfer copy on your skin before they begin tattooing. This is a very effective method, but the artist should never use the deodorant stick directly on your skin. It has been used by other clients. Instead, the deodorant should be wiped onto a tissue, and the tissue placed on your skin.
THE ADVICE: A professional will destroy and dispose of needles in a sharps container.
Absolutely correct. And a sharps container is? A sharps container is a plastic container, usually yellow, with a biohazard symbol on the outside. Just like the one in the doctor's office labeled "hazardous waste".
Used needles, and anything else contaminated and not scheduled for autoclave sterilization should be placed in these containers and removed in a timely manner.
THE ADVICE:Always ask to see examples of the artist's finished work. Photos should be openly available.
I always wonder why, when people walk into a tattoo shop, the first thing they go to is all the flash on the walls or in the books, instead of the artist's personal portfolio. You may not find what you're looking for in a tattoo in the portfolio, but it will definitely help you decide if you might want to be trying to find the exit door! And don't be swayed by pretty pictures. Really look at the designs up close. Scrutinize the line work. Are the lines straight and smooth? Do the circles look like circles? What about the coloring? Are the colors blended well to create even forms of shading, dimension, and depth? All these are things to consider.
A side point to keep in mind, though: remember that photos can be stolen from other artists. If you have the time to spend, stay and watch the artist you are considering. Don't be shy to ask questions! Trust your instincts, and always remember......If in doubt, don't!
