Think before you ink
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Have you ever thought of getting a tattoo or body piercing? In the last decade tattooing, or “getting inked,” has gained popularity. The Pew Research Center reports that 40 percent of people belonging to the 26-40 age group flaunt at least one tattoo. Body piercing has also gained in popularity since the 1990s; 46 percent of girls in the age range 16-24 have a piercing other than at the ear lobe, with the navel ranking as the top alternate piercing site. Also gaining in popularity is permanent cosmetic makeup tattooing.
In Montana, tattooists and piercers are regulated by state law and are required to be licensed. Regulations are set forth to ensure proper sanitation and safety in establishments and to protect public health.
Lake County has recently experienced reported incidences of an unlicensed person performing tattooing. This is of public health concern because if proper infection control precautions are not observed, the risk for infections such as Hepatitis, HIV and skin infections greatly increase.
Methycillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is of particular concern regarding skin infections. Staph aureus is normally found on the skin or body in about one third of the general population. The bacteria are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or wound. Some of these bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics and become difficult to treat with common antibiotics. This can allow the infection to spread and sometimes become life-threatening.
If you are considering getting a tattoo or piercing, there are a number of items to look for to ensure you will not be at risk for any type of infection. When selecting a tattooist, ask to see the artist’s state license. The license is required to be posted in a conspicuous place in the establishment. Take a look around at the shop and furnishings; they should appear neat and orderly, much like a medical facility, and have a segregated room where the tattooing or piercing occurs.
Inquire about how the tattoo will be given and what sanitation practices the artist observes. The artist is required to have formal training in general sanitation, first aid and universal precautions in order to become licensed. Proper hand washing technique and donning gloves prior to tattooing and piercing is required. The tattoo or piercing site must be cleaned with an antiseptic. If the hands of the artist become contaminated at any time during the tattoo process (i.e., touching outside objects such a phone, door, picking up an item off the floor or touching the face), the artist must re-wash their hands and don new gloves.
It is important that the tattooist or piercer use sterile needles and equipment. Single-use items such as disposable needles must only be used once and then properly disposed of. Non-disposable instruments must be individually wrapped and sterilized by proper means such as autoclaving. Autoclaving is a method of sterilization that uses heat and pressure to achieve sterility. It is required that the artist open any sterile items in front of the client prior to tattooing or piercing.
Colors, inks and dyes must be obtained from reputable suppliers and only used for one client. After use for one client, the ink must be disposed of according to infectious waste guidelines.
Tattooing and piercing can be a safe process. If you are considering a tattoo or piercing, it is suggested to visit the establishment beforehand. Ask about licensing and sterile techniques. Any reputable artist will not have a problem showing that they are licensed and explaining their sterile procedures. If the artist does not appear to utilize the standards mentioned above or becomes evasive when questioned, seek another professional tattooist or piercer. For more information, please contact the Lake County Environmental Health Department at 883-7236.
(Editor’s note: Christine Hughes is a Registered Sanitarian with the Lake County Environmental Health Department.)
