Identifying A Safe Tattoo Parlor

Identifying A Safe Tattoo Parlor

There are a few legal restrictions for children getting tattoos. Some states disallow children from getting tattoos and some states allow them only under parental supervision. The important issue here, is the fact that the law states that every single tattoo parlor should have a license. Not only this, every tattoo artist has to go through a test which certifies their completion of a course from the health department which says that they know of adequate precautions to be taken against infectious diseases which are a possibility in the course of tattooing.

But of course this regulation is often avoided through illegalities.

The important fact about tattoo making which is often forgotten is that along with getting the tattoo, it is important on your part to check that the safety requirements are met in the tattoo parlor you are getting the tattoo from.

Here, we have prepared a checklist that tells you what kind of safety and hygiene requirements need to be conformed to in a tattoo parlor :

Ink cups - Tattoo ink, among other things can get contaminated pretty fast. There are special cups that carry the ink. The ink should be poured into the cup only right before the process of tattooing begins. The refills should come only after the tattoo artist has removed his/her gloves. While pouring ink, the bottle should not touch the ink cup. After usage the plastic cup should be disposed.

Gloves - The gloves should always be worn by the artist. The artist needs to take them off whenever he/she is doing something else in the course of the tattoo being inscribed on the skin. The artist needs to sterilize these as well.

Needles - The needles are usually in the sterilized pouch, which are taken out of the Autoclave. Make sure that the artist takes them out of the pouch in front of you. They too have to be disposed after use.

Autoclave - This is the sterilizer we are constantly talking about. This is a heat, steam and pressure mechanism that is used to sterilize equipment like the needle bar, the tube, and the grips. The equipment goes inside the Autoclave in pouches, with a strip on each of them, indicating the level of progress of the sterilization process. The pouches like we told you before, should be opened before your eyes.

Cross-contamination - You should be careful to avoid this, as the Hepatitis virus stays alive up to two weeks after it comes into contact with air. The chances of cross contamination are increased when the artist makes the mistake of touching an unsterilized object with his/her gloves. Try and see that this does not happen.

Also ensure general hygiene requirements like the shop being cleaned regularly and dusted every time there is any substantial accumulation of dust anywhere. Portfolios lying around tables should be packed up. The floor should be mopped after dusting it.

The disposables should be disposed with care in a separate hazard container. The hands of the artist should be clean and washed right before the process begins. The artist should not be wearing jewelry or accessories that might come in contact with the freshly made tattoo and contaminate it. Their clothes should be clean too. The items, which are not thrown away after the tattoo is done, should be adequately packed.

Ensure these safety procedures are undertaken before commencing with your tattoo.