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You might find this a bit boring, but if you are interested in a tattoo, or being a professional level tattoo artist, it is essential reading.

To begin, a rudimentary check list: Autoclave sterilized instruments are ESSENTIAL.
Dry-claves, chemical sterilization, boiling, etc is NOT an acceptable measure of sterilization.

BRAND NEW NEEDLES for every tattoo.

All work pieces bagged. Distilled water for soap and shading / cleaning, not tap water.

Clean immediate work area in suitably clean surroundings.

Surgical latex gloves, an exception would be for those with an allergy to latex, in which case good quality MEDICAL vinyl examination gloves will have to suffice.

This is a real quick little 'basics' list. I will then list some International and Cultural considerations. Follows is a comprehensive list that should apply to any 'modern, progressive nation' tattoo and/or piercing studio.

THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION IS THE ARTIST. PEOPLE CAN CLEAN, BAG AND RE-USE OLD NEEDLES AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER NASTY DISHONEST THINGS. ASK SOME QUESTIONS AND FEEL THE RESPONSES WITHIN YOURSELF. LOOK INTO THEIR EYES WHILE THEY ARE EXPLAINING THINGS TO YOU, YOU WILL GET THE FEEL OF WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH. IF YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT SOMETHING, DONT GET THE TATTOO (OR PIERCING). USE YOUR OWN COMMON SENSE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT.


International and Cultural considerations.

There are parts of the world the traveller may explore, that certainly will not be up to modern certain standards outlined on these pages. Likewise, a tattoo enthusiast wanting to recieve a traditionally applied tattoo, for example, with hand held needles, or charred wood, also will not fit within the guidelines for "Professional Studio's". It is a different and varied world with different rules and regulations. The bottom line is, you are responsible for your own decisions. The informations contained on these pages are presented for your reference and education to facts only.

TATTOO AND BODY PIERCING STUDIO
Guidelines and considerations for optimum professionalism and saftey

Definitions

     (A) "Tattoo" means the practice of producing an indelible mark or figure on the human body by scarring or inserting a pigment under the skin using needles, scalpels, or other related equipment.

     (B) "Tattooist" means a person who performs tattooing.

     (C) "Tattoo studio" means an establishment or facility in which tattooing is performed.

     (D) "Body piercing" means the creation of an opening in an individual's body to insert jewelry or another decoration.

     (E) "Body piercing studio" means a facility in which body piercing is performed.

     (F) "Temporary location" means a fixed location at which an individual operator performs tattooing or body piercing outside of an established, inspected and licenced tattoo/piercing studio

Licensing Requirements

     (a) An established studio should be licenced and registered with the local governing bodies to ensure adhereance to all local pertinent legislations.

     (b) Applicable documentation should be displayed in a prominent place in the tattoo or body piercing studio.

     (c) Tattooing and body piercing should only be performed in suitable locations.

Aseptic Techniques

     A person who owns, operates, or maintains a tattoo or body piercing studio and each tattooist or person who performs body piercing who works in the studio or at a temporary location should take every known precaution to prevent the spread of infection, this should include:

     (a) using germicidal soap to clean the hands of the tattooist or person who performs body piercing and the skin area of the client to be tattooed or pierced;

     (b) wearing clean apparel and appropriate gauntlets/gloves ;

     (c) using sterile tools and equipment.

     (d) keeping the tattoo or body piercing studio or temporary location in a clean and sanitary condition.

Building and Location

(1) A permanent established studio should meet all the local applicable building and saftey standards.

(2) Due to the nature of the process and in respect of the client, the pproprietor should provide for some form of both emergency lighting and backup power to ensure adequate response to a potential loss of power in the location

Sanitation Requirements

     (b) A person who owns, operates, or maintains a tattoo or body piercing studio should ensure compliance with all local applicable rules and regulations pertaining to sanitation

Tools and Equipment

     (1) A tattooist or person who performs body piercing should use tools and equipment for tattooing or body piercing that have been properly sterilized and kept in a sterile condition.

     (2) A tattooist or person who performs body piercing shouldl sterilize tools and equipment used on one client before using them on another client.

     (3) Tools and equipment should be sterilized by steam pressure treatment in a regularly inspected and maintained autoclave.

     (4) All needles and instruments shall be kept in a clean, dust-tight containment when not in use.

Tattooing Restrictions

     (1) A professional tattooist/piercer should not tattoo or pierce:

     (a) a person younger than 18 years of age without consent from the individual's parent or guardian. In the case of a tattoo, where the parent or gaurdian determines it to be in the best interest to cover a tattoo which contains:

     (1) obscene or offensive language or symbols;

     (2) gang-related names, symbols, or markings;

     (3) drug-related names, symbols, or pictures; or

     (4) some other type of words, symbols, or markings that would be deemed in the best interest of the minor to cover; or

     (b) a person whom the tattooist suspects is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

     CONSENT should be satisfied by:

     (1) written and notarized consent by the individual's parent or guardian; and

     (2) the individual's parent or guardian being physically present at the tattoo studio at the time the tattooing is performed, who shall:

     (3) present evidence of the their identity to the person who will perform the tattooing; and

     (4) present evidence of the person's status as parent or guardian of the individual who will receive the tattoo. Also:

     (5) The consent should be documented and should indicate the location on the person's body at which the tattoo or piercing will be placed.

Maintenance of Records

     (a) A tattooist shall maintain a permanent record of each person tattooed by the tattooist for a period suitable to comply with local regulations. A person who performs body piercing shall maintain a permanent record of each individual whose body is pierced by the person for the same.

     (b) The records should be readily available for inspection on the request of an appropriate governing department or body.

Inspections

     (a) A tattoo or body piercing studio should be regularly inspected in accordance with local health board regulations to determine if the studio complies with local legislation and guidelines.

     (b) A person who owns, operates, or maintains a tattoo or body piercing studio shall allow inspection of the studio by the appropriate departmental representative at any time the studio is in operation.

     (c) The department should inform the person who owns, operates, or maintains a tattoo or body piercing studio of any violation discovered by the department, and should allow the person a reasonable period in which to take necessary corrective action.

Reporting of Infections or Allergic Reactions
(a) The studio should ensure the client does not have any applicable allergies or medical conditions before commencing with any process. To ensure a good working relationship with the appropriate local departments and encourage prevention of recurrances, the studio should provide a written report of any infection or allergic reaction resulting from a body piercing or the application of a tattoo to the appropriate department representative. The report should include:

(a) the name of the affected client;

(b) the name and address of the studio or temporary location where the tattoo or body piercing was performed;

(c) the name of the artist;

(d) the date the tattoo or piercing was performed;

(e) the specific color or colors of the tattoo or type of jewelry used for the piercing and, when available, the manufacturer's catalogue or identification number of each color or type of jewelry used;

(f) the location of the infection and the location on the body where the tattoo or piercing was applied;

(g) the name and address of the health care practitioner, if any; and

(h) any other information or agrivating factors considered relevant to the situation.

This will enable the department to use the information in their efforts to identify the source of the adverse reaction(s) and to take action to prevent its recurrence and build a relationship of trust betwen the studio and the local department.

Disposal of Infectious Waste
(a) Sharps shall be subjected to the methods of treatment and disposal as described by current local regulation and practice.

(b) Other studio waste generated during the tattooing and body piercing process, i.e., cotton balls, cotton tip applicators, corks, toothpicks, tissues, paper towels, gloves, and pigment containers (not to be construed as all-inclusive) shall be disposed of in accordance with current local regulation and practice.

Physical Facilities
(a) A studio must be in a location which is permissible under local zoning codes, if any.

(b) The studio or temporary location shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.

(1) Work surfaces shall be cleaned and sanitized with a germicide solution.

(2) Other environmental surfaces shall be cleaned with an all-purpose detergent disinfectant.

(c) The walls, ceilings, and floors shall be kept in good repair. The tattoo and body piercing area shall be constructed of smooth, hard, surfaces that are non-porous, free of open holes or cracks, light colored, and easily cleaned. New studios shall not include dark-colored surfaces in the tattoo and body piercing area. Existing studios with dark-colored surfaces in the tattoo and body piercing area shall replace the dark-colored surfaces with light-colored surfaces whenever the facilities are extensively remodeled.

(d) Studios or temporary locations shall have adequate lighting of at least 50 foot candles of illumination in the tattooing, body piercing, and sterilization area.

(e) Adequate mechanical ventilation shall be provided in the studio.

(f) Each studio or temporary location shall be equipped with hand-washing facilities for its personnel with unobstructed access to the tattoo and body piercing area such that artists can return to the area without having to touch anything with their hands. Hand-washing facilities shall be equipped with hot and cold or tempered running water under pressure; liquid germicidal soap; single-use towels or other approved hand-drying devices; and a covered refuse container. Such facilities shall be kept clean and in good repair.

(g) Animals should not permitted in the studios or temporary locations, except for guide or service animals accompanying persons with disabilities, or nonmammalian animals in enclosed glass containers such as fish aquariums, which shall be outside the tattooing, body piercing, and sterilization area.

(h) Use of tobacco products shall be prohibited in the tattoo, body piercing, and sterilization area. Consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited in the studio or temporary location.

(i) The studio or temporary location shall be kept free of rodents and vermin and protected from infestation by insects.

(j) If tattooing or body piercing is performed where cosmetology services are provided, it shall be performed in an area that is separate and enclosed.

Personnel Responsibilities
(a) All artists while tattooing or body piercing shall wear clean outer garments, maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness, and conform to hygienic practices while on duty.

(b) All artists shall wash their hands thoroughly using hot or tempered water with a liquid germicidal soap before and after tattooing or body piercing and as often as necessary to remove contaminants.

(c) All artists must wear single-use examination gloves while assembling tattooing and body piercing instruments and while tattooing and body piercing.

(d) When a session is interrupted or immediately after gloves are torn or perforated:

(1) gloves shall be removed and discarded; and

(2) hands shall be washed and a fresh pair of gloves used.

(e) Artists shall use universal precautions while tattooing or body piercing. An artist diagnosed with a communicable disease shall provide to the department a written statement from a health care practitioner that the artist's condition no longer poses a threat to public health.

(f) The area of the client's skin to be tattooed shall be cleaned with an approved germicidal soap according to label directions.

(g) The external skin of the client to be pierced shall be cleaned with an approved germicidal soap according to label directions. In the case of oral piercings, the operator shall provide the individual with antiseptic mouthwash in a single-use cup and shall ensure that the individual utilizes the mouthwash provided. In the case of a lip, labret, or cheek piercing, procedures described in this paragraph for both skin and oral piercings shall be followed.

(h) If shaving is required, razors shall be single-use.

(i) Each artist performing any tattoo or body piercing procedure in the studio or temporary location, shall have the education, training and experience, or any combination thereof, to practice aseptic technique and prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. All procedures shall be performed using aseptic technique.

Client Qualifications & Disclosure
(1) A client should be a minimum of 18 years of age and shall present at the time of tattooing or body piercing a valid, government issued, positive identification card if requested. The identification must contain a photograph of the individual and a printed date of birth.

(2) The artist shall verify and document in the permanent client record the client's age, date of birth, and the type of identification provided.

(3) An artist may not tattoo a person younger than 18 years of age without consent from the individual's parent or guardian, who determines it to be in the best interest of the minor child to cover an existing tattoo (as detailed earlier).

(4) Tattooing and body piercing shall not be performed on any skin surface which manifests any evidence of unhealthy conditions such as rashes, boils, infections, or abrasions.

(5) Before receiving a tattoo, each client shall be informed verbally and in writing about the possible risk and dangers associated with the application of each tattoo. These shall include, but are not limited to, at least the following: the possibility of discomfort or pain; the permanence of the markings; the risk of infection; and the possibility of allergic reaction to the pigments or other materials used.

(6) Before receiving a body piercing, each client (and if applicable, the parent, managing conservator, or guardian) shall be informed verbally and in writing about the possible risks and dangers associated with receiving a body piercing. These shall include, but are not limited to, at least the following: the possibility of discomfort or pain; the possibility of scarring; the possibility of bleeding; the possibility of swelling; the risk of infection; the possibility of nerve damage; and the increased risk for adolescents during certain stages of development.


PART 2 CONTINUED, CLICK HERE


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