Tattoo Safety: What You NEED To Do

Not too long ago, I was working in a health care facility. I was responsible for monitoring newly diagnosed patients with blood-borne illnesses, like AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, among many others. Whenever a patient was first diagnosed, I had to call them and do a risk assessment survey, either over the phone or convince them to come into my office and interview them in-person.

The questionnaire that I used had many questions on it concerning ways that you might get someone else's blood on you. I routinely asked people about drug use with needles, sexual habits and patterns, if they had ever worked in a healthcare- or sanitation-related field before...all the common stuff. The one that really surprised me, and the second most-popular answer was concerning tattoo safety. I could not believe the things people, both men and women, would do in order to get a tattoo. That is why I am writing this article: I would like to make sure that everyone who desires tattoos gets only ink and no diseases when they get their tattoos.

Tip #1 - Only Get A Tattoo From A Licensed Shop

I could not tell you how many people I talked to in my line of work that told me they had gotten a tattoo in jail or they had gotten drunk at a party and decided to get a tattoo. Just because someone shows up with a tattoo gun and tattoo ink doesn't mean they will be safe. Never get a tattoo at someone's home, no matter how many tattoos he or she is sporting on his or her own body. A licensed tattoo artist will be routinely inspected by the health department, just like a restaurant, to be sure they are doing things correctly.

Tip #2 - Make Sure New Needles & New Ink Pots Are Used

It only takes one viral cell to catch an illness, just like it only takes one sperm cell to get pregnant. If someone is using used tattoo needles, RUN AWAY QUICKLY! As funny as that sounds, I'm not joking at all. Even if they take a lighter to the needle and then dip it in bleach, do not let them use it on your body. The same goes with the ink. If the container is not sealed, and if you do not see the tattooist break the seal, do not let them touch your skin with it.

Tip #3 - Make Sure The Tattoo Artist Is Wearing Gloves

This shows that they care about their own safety as well as yours. Remember, he or she is about to punch a few thousand holes in your skin and then fill them with ink. If he or she has a hang nail that's bleeding, and the blood get in your tattoo, you have just been exposed to whatever is floating in the tattoo artist's blood.

Tip #4 - Make The Tattoo Artist Throw Away Your Needles In A Sharps Container

A sharps container is just medical jargon for a container designed to safely hold used needles to be destroyed later. I'm sure you have seen the bright red containers in the doctor's office where they put the used needles when they're done with them. Your tattoo artist should have something very similar. If you see them put your needles into something like that, it's a safe bet they do it with everyone.

Conclusion

Getting a tattoo should be an enjoyable experience and give you a memory that will last for the rest of your life. If you just follow these 4 simple steps and use a little common sense, you won't pick up anything else that will last for a lifetime!