You finally decided to take the plunge and get yourself a tattoo and are wondering if your decision is right. Getting a tattoo is like making a statement to the world, a statement that is going to be a part of you forever.
You first need to decide on a tattoo design and find a good tattoo artist. Do a lot of preliminary research to find out if the design reflects what you want to convey and does not have any other hidden meanings.
It is also very important that the tattoo studio takes all the necessary precautions to prevent infections and cross contamination.
This article covers some basic precautions that should be taken by your artist to keep the studio sterile. Ensure that the studio you select has all the safety measures in place before you let them get started on your tattoo.
The things that are an absolute must in any tattoo studio are:
• Autoclave Machine
• Ultrasonic Cleaner
• Disposable Tubes and Needles, Stencil, Razor, Ink Caps
• Squeeze (and not Spray) Bottles for soap, etc.
• Sterile Packages with Steam Heat Indicator
• Ointments
• Petroleum Jelly
• Non-latex disposable gloves
• Disposable apron
• Sharps Container
• Barriers on customer's chair, armrest, machine head, power knobs, clip cord, soap squeeze bottle.
You have to ensure that the Autoclave Machine has had the spore test and the Spore Test is displayed in the studio, and the Sterile Packages have the Steam Heat Indicator to show that the things have really been sterilized.
The area where the tattoo artist works should also be extremely clean and sterile. It should also be covered with a water-resistant barrier after it has been completely disinfected. The work area should ideally be disinfected after each tattoo session.
The pigments to be used should be poured out and kept ready before starting the procedure. Likewise, the ointments and petroleum jelly should also be kept ready. All the tools and instruments to be used should be sterile and easily accessible to prevent cross contamination.
The gloves should be non-latex as petroleum jelly easily damages latex gloves. All disposable items should be disposed after the procedure. Make sure that the needles and tubes used on you are disposed while you are there.
The artist should wear a vinyl apron or a disposable apron, and soap from a squeeze bottle as over-spraying can cause cross contamination. You will be able to gauge the cleanliness of the studio by watching how the artist is handling the instruments.
You can request the artist to watch a session on another client before you go in for your tattoo. This will give you firsthand knowledge of the sterile procedures used by your artist and if the work area is being disinfected before and after each procedure.
If you do your research well and go to a studio that follows safety procedures strictly, your tattooing session can be a very safe experience.
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