5 ways to be sure a tattoo artist is following sanitation guidelines

Choosing the right tattoo artist is an important step in getting your tattoo.

Photo Credit: Ryan Klos

When you have decided that you want a tattoo you have decided to invest in a change to your physical body. This change is not any different from any other procedure that involves needles, blood and holes in the body. If you are going to get your ears, or any other part of your body, pierced you make sure the person doing the piercing is doing it in the safest way possible. You should not consider tattoo artists any different. Both need to use sterile equipment, have a clean environment and not risk their customers' health. But how do you know your tattoo artist is following the health department's sanitation guidelines?

First of all never rely solely on word-of-mouth. Visit any or all of the tattoo studios you are considering and look around the business. You may even consider stopping by several times to observe how they conduct business. Your first indication will be the front area where different drawings, pictures and photographs are. If it is untidy, unclean or if there are people smoking, or smoking is allowed, move on to your next option. A reputable tattoo shop will have a clean front room and absolutely no smoking in the building.

Second, ask to speak with the owner. There will be times that the owner will not be available and you may need to come back. You can speak with one or more of the artists as long as they look, sound and act as if they know both the shop and their own business. Ask them what their policies are for sterilizing the equipment. You can also ask to see their report from the Department of Health. Tattoo shops must be inspected by the Department of Health to be open for business. They must pass their inspection to operate.

Another way to ensure the shop's cleanliness is to watch a tattoo being done. The customer will have to give their consent as well as the artist. The artist should be wearing a fresh pair of rubber, surgical-style gloves. A new pair of gloves is used for each customer to protect against any form of disease or bacteria contamination. There should also be one container for regular trash and a separate container for any items with blood on them (biohazard materials).

Each part of the tattoo gun should be sterile and in its own package, opened only when the artist is ready to begin working. All surfaces should be clean and a fresh napkin placed on the counter, table or tray where the artist will be working from. Never, under any circumstances, should any item be re-used from a previous customer. Ink, paper towels, ointment, etc. should always be new. Ink for the tattoo should be taken directly from the container and the excess never used for the next tattoo.

Last but not least is to look at the artist who will be applying your tattoo. They should appear to have good personal hygiene habits and be clean, dressed in clean clothes and not appear foul. Artists can follow every sanitation guideline in the book but have poor personal hygiene habits that can ruin every ounce of sanitation they use.

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