Find A Tattoo Parlor
Although the décor will be different,
a safe studio will look
remarkably similar to a medical
office. A well-run body art studio
has a receiving area where clients
check-in, wait for their appointment
and get their procedure information
and after-care instructions.
Work areas are organized and
clean. Nonabsorbent materials such
as stainless steel and plastic cover
procedure tables, chairs and
counter tops. Each studio room has
medical waste containers for used
needles, gloves and other disposable
supplies.
In safe body art studios, artists
have easy access to a sink, soap and
water or to waterless handwashing
solutions. In addition to washing
their hands, body artists always
wear gloves while working on
clients.
New Mexico now requires that
body artists receive hepatitis B vaccinations
to prevent getting and
spreading this type of hepatitis
infection. You can ask to see documentation
of the artist’s completion
of this vaccination series.
Safe body art studios have an
autoclave to sterilize reusable
equipment, tools and other supplies.
More than likely the autoclave
will be in a separate room.
Ask to see the autoclave and ask
how they monitor sterilization
effectiveness.
You may ask the tattooist
shows the license to practice
and that studios undergo an annual
inspection. When you visit a tattoo studio you should see these
licenses posted in a conspicuous
place. You can call your local Better
Business Bureau and city or county
health departments to get information
concerning consumer complaints
and health inspection
violations
Tattoo parlor's checklists:
- Is it clean and well lit?
- Does it provide client privacy?
- Are there receptacles for medical waste?
- Do they have and use an autoclave to sterilize reusable tools, equipment and
body jewelry?
- Do artists have access to a sink or waterless handwashing supplies?
- Do artists use gloves while working on clients?
- Do artists have infection control training?
- Do artist have CPR training and certification?
- Can artists provide documentation of having hepatitis B vaccinations?
- Do tattoo artists dispense inks in small disposable cups?
- Do body artists use needles rather than piercing guns?
- Do body artists use disposable needles?
- Does the studio provide after-care information?
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