At  we use single use needles, autoclave sterilization and barrier protection for you safety and ours.

The risk of infection from a tattoo is low provided the proper precautions are taken.

• Equipment sterilization
• Practicing Universal Precautions
• Following an After Tattoo Care Sheet
• These can help reduce the chance of infection.

CROSS CONTAMINATION AWARENESS

Cross contamination is a form of indirect exposure that poses a particular risk of disease transmission.

Once a contamination source is touched, everything touched after the source becomes contaminated creating a chain reaction of  transmission.

Many common activities can become cross contamination hazards :

• Picking up a dropped item
• Touching face, hair and clothing
• Opening a door
• Answering the phone

INFECTION PREVENTION

• Auto-clave, heat sterilization, chem.-clave - methods of sterilization for equipment.
• Needles should not be reused or recapped and should be placed in a "sharps" container for proper disposal.
• Surfaces and equipment may be covered with plastic to prevent cross contamination.
• Surfaces and equipment should also be sanitized after use.
• An after care sheet is provided.

CUSTOMER QUESTIONS

• Have you had any specific training in preventing disease transmission?
• How is the equipment on the premises sterilized?
• Does the tattoo artist use disposable, one-use-only needles?
• Are unused pigment portions disposed of following their use?
• Does the artist provide written after care instructions?
• Is the shop clean?
• Is the workstation thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each tattoo/piercing?
• Are supplies kept in sterile receptacles with lids?
• Is there a covered "sharps" container for disposing used needles?
• Does the tattoo artist use latex gloves when working with a client? Are the gloves changed frequently and if the artist touches something else (including him/herself) during the procedure?
• Is the tattoo artist clean and sober?

GLOSSARY

Blood borne Pathogens:
Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Contamination:
The presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Sterilize:
The use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microbial life including highly resistant bacterial endospores.

Universal Precautions:
Infection control procedures that involve the use of protective barriers such as gloves, gowns, aprons, masks, or protective eyewear, which can reduce the risk of exposure. These measures also include personal hygiene practices like hand washing and disposal of contaminated materials. The type of barrier protection used should be appropriate for the type of procedures being performed and the type of exposure anticipated. Universal Precautions is an approach to infection control. According to the concept of Universal Precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other blood borne pathogens.