Tattoos And Your Health
What are the risks associated with getting a tattoo?
When getting a tattoo, it is important to go to reputable tattoo shops that use hospital sterilization to clean all of their instruments to reduce and eliminate blood-borne pathogens that could be associated with a tattoo procedure. If a tattoo artist fails to use universal precautions to sterilize and eliminate cross-contamination, there is a possible chance that people could contract Hepatitis, get a staff infection, or any other blood-borne pathogen that might be present in the work area.
What should I look for in a tattoo shop?
The things that you should look for in a good Tattoo shop are: Is the place clean? Do they have an Autoclave, which is a steam and heat Sterilizer that will be sterilizing all their multiple use tools? Ensure that the Tattoo Artists are wearing gloves and putting moisture barriers down on all the surfaces that are going to be used during your Tattoo procedure. It is good to make sure that the shop is certified with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and check the Better Business Bureau for any kind complaints or anything negative towards the shop. Check with your local and state health departments to make sure that the shops are following their local guidelines. Also, it is always a good idea to check around see what shops have a good reputation.
Why do tattoo artists wear gloves?
Tattoo artists wear gloves to prevent cross contamination, and to keep their clients safe from whatever might be on their hands. It is a good idea to use hand washing and proper gloving techniques. Cross contamination is basically touching one surface to the next surface without the proper moisture barriers - it could be picking up germs or blood-borne pathogens and spreading them from one surface to the next, and then spreading it from that surface to a client. It is very important to avoid any sort of cross contamination.
How is tattoo equipment sterilized?
Tattooing equipment is sterilized using an autoclave. Autoclaves use heat and steam to kill all blood-borne pathogens that would be on them, and also in conjunction with other universal precautions that eliminate cross contamination. New barrier setups for each and every client, or by using completely disposable equipment that is thrown out after each client. The term single-use-equipment literally means single use - we use it one time and then we throw it away; there is no sterilization. It is to use one time and put directly into a trash can and thrown away responsibly.
What is an 'autoclave'?
An autoclave is a sterilization device. It kills all bacteria and viruses that might be on tattooing equipment. Autoclaves are very important in tattoo shops because they are used to clean multiple use items that go from client to client.
Can I get HIV from a tattoo needle?
HIV is very hard to spread from client to client. It is a very fragile virus, and contracting HIV from tattooing is next to impossible. It is not a concern of the tattoo industry, however, maintaining proper sterilization is still a must.
Can I get hepatitis or a staff infection from a tattoo needle?
Hepatitis and staff are a concern inside tattoo shops. Maintaining proper sterilization by using an autoclave will kill hepatitis. Staff will make sure it is a safe thing do, but make sure that the tattoo artists are using the proper gloving techniques and preventing cross contamination.
What health conditions might prevent me from getting a tattoo?
If you have any health conditions that might prevent you from getting a tattoo, it is a good idea to speak with your physician. However, if you have a heart condition or are pregnant, it is usually not a good idea to get started on a big tattoo project. Tattoos normally won't interfere with any kind of medical procedures. MRIs have a little bit of difficulty reading through tattoos from time to time, and diagnosing some melanomas or skin cancers can become more difficult because of the color of the pigment.
Is it safe for pregnant or nursing women to get tattoos?
Pregnant or nursing women should not get tattooed for a number of reasons. Tattoo procedure while you are pregnant might be very traumatic for you, causing you to faint or possibly miscarry your baby. Also, whatever is injected into your skin enters your bloodstream and then goes directly to your baby, and can enter your breast milk. It is not a good thing to do while you are nursing or are pregnant.
