Make sure your tattoo is being done by someone who takes every precaution possible in preventing the transmission of a disease. You can do this by asking questions and watching everything the artist is doing during the set up & procedure.

SHOWING MACHINES COVERED AND PROPER SET UP

A GOOD SET UP SHOULD HAVE:

1 ) A disposable barrier film covering any and all surfaces that may come in contact with blood or body fluids. This includes and surfaces touched by the artist during the procedure.

EXAMPLES:

*THE MACHINE / MACHINES

*LIGHTS / LIGHT STANDS AND FIXTURES

*KNOBS / BUTTONS ON POWER SUPPLIES AND ULTRASONICS

*TABLES / COUNTERS / ARMRESTS / CHAIRS

*BOTTLES / USUALLY SOAP OR ALCOHOL

*CLIP CORD / ATTACHES TO THE MACHINE

ALL SURFACES COVERED

2 ) Disposable products.

SINGLE USE PRODUCTS:

NEEDLES

TUBES

PAPER TOWELS

TONGUE DEPRESSOR

CUPS

RAZORS

RUBBERBANDS

BAGS

BARRIER FILM

LAP CLOTHES

TABLECLOTHES

PILLOWS

GOWNS

3 ) Make sure to look for a current health board license. This should be displayed in plain view.

4 ) Look for a certificate showing a routine autoclave test is being done. (Monthly or Weekly)

5 ) Ask to see any other certifications your artist may have, like Red Cross.

BUSINESS, HEALTH BOARD, RED CROSS, AUTOCLAVE TESTING SERVICE LICENSE AND CERTIFICATES

6 ) The artist should properly prep the skin before the procedure. This is done by a 3 scrub process:

*SHAVE SKIN

*ONE SCRUB SURGICAL SOAP

*SECOND SCRUB ALCOHOL

*THIRD SCRUB SURGICAL SOAP

(THIS PROCESS MUST BE REPEATED IF GAUZE SHOWS VISIBLE DISCOLORATION FROM DIRT)

*LAST APPLY THE STENCIL

7 ) The needles and tubes should be in a sealed and dated autoclaved sterile pouch.

8 ) The artist should wash their hands prior to the procedure.

9 ) Once you have started the artist should not touch anything aside from covered or disposable items, unless REMOVING THEIR GLOVES FIRST!

10 ) When the procedure is finished, you should be cleaned and have a clean dry bandage applied to the tattoo.

11 ) Each artists aftercare instructions vary - to see TATTOO MAFIA’S aftercare click here.

12 ) If you happen to be there while the artist is cleaning up….. They should dispose of all disposable products. Anything able to be autoclaved (Tubes, pens, etc.) should be placed in a cold sterile, enclosed container.

13 ) Machines, Tables, Chairs, Armrests, Lights, Knobs & Buttons, should all be wiped down with a medical grade wipe killing any blood borne disease that may be present.

HANDS CARRY MORE GERMS THAN YOU REALIZE!

14 ) Remember after you leave the studio, the aftercare is all up to you. This area is open and healing so do not touch the tattoo unless your hands have been washed. Washing your hands after applying ointment or lotion to your tattoo can also prevent the spread of disease. Follow your artists instructions.

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