| Tattooing process involves needles that | | | | instruments, they only clean them before |
| penetrate the outermost layers of skin, | | | | autoclaving.Your tattooist should wear |
| safety and common sense are the most | | | | disposable rubber gloves during tattooing |
| important consideration.A legitimate, | | | | procedure. All items such as ointment |
| well-trained tattooist follows strict health | | | | spreaders and wiping rags should be |
| guidelines and is willing to answer any of | | | | disposable as well. The tattoo studio and |
| your questions about tattooing procedures and | | | | tattooist's equipment and working area should |
| concerns.The primary fear most people express | | | | be absolutely clean and sanitary.Also make |
| about getting tattooed is that they may | | | | sure each customer get a fresh set of |
| contract the HIV virus, which can cause AIDS. | | | | needles, and the tattooist dips the needle |
| In fact, HIV is only one of many viruses that | | | | into a small cap filled with pigment from a |
| can be transmitted. Syphilis, tuberculosis, | | | | large squeeze bottle. If the needle is dipped |
| strep, staph, and hepatitis are just a few of | | | | into a large jar or bottle of pigment, you |
| the other diseases to take into | | | | are sharing body fluids with other people who |
| consideration. YES, you could get these | | | | have been tattooed with that batch of |
| diseases from a tattoo needle.Like many | | | | pigment.When it comes to tattoo safety, use |
| activity, tattooing is potentially dangerous, | | | | your common sense as well:Is the tattoo |
| but minimizing or eliminating the potential | | | | studio clean?Are tattoo supplies kept in a |
| danger is not unreasonably difficult. In | | | | sterile receptacles with lids?Does the |
| fact, the strict code of practices takes | | | | tattooist wash hands a lot?Does the tattooist |
| every safety measure so the risk of | | | | use latex gloves when working on other |
| transmitting HIV or other diseases is | | | | clients? and do tattooist change gloves when |
| virtually nonexistent.A qualified tattooist | | | | they touch something else during the |
| will have and use a real steam pressure | | | | procedure?Take responsibility for your own |
| autoclave - an autoclave is the only reliable | | | | health and welfare! - the starting place for |
| means of sterilization recognized by the | | | | exploring and learning all about tattoos, |
| Center for Disease Control. Alcohol, bleach, | | | | tattoo ideas, tattoo design concept, tattoo |
| and ultrasonic cleaning do not sterilize | | | | supplies and equipments. |