| Basic Shop Hygiene A tattoo shop should be | | | | through strict sterilization processes |
| completely cleaned and disinfected every day, | | | | including the autoclave. The tubes are first |
| with special attention being given to the | | | | cleaned and disinfected with the ultrasound |
| sterilization room and tattoo area. All | | | | machine, then packed into autoclave bags, |
| sterilization equipment should be cleaned | | | | sealed and sterilized using the autoclave. |
| down with alcohol and once a week stripped | | | | Look for the little colored indicator marks |
| and cleaned from top to bottom. Sterilization | | | | on the autoclave bags that confirms that the |
| Equipment Autoclave The autoclave is one of | | | | equipment is actually sterilized. Needles and |
| the most important pieces of hardware in a | | | | bars New needles are soldered to bars and |
| tattoo shop, and it is vital to possess this | | | | then put through the sterilization process |
| machine before tattooing professionally. All | | | | before being used. Used needles are burnt off |
| tattoo and piercing equipment that is not | | | | the bars and disposed of in a toxic waste bin |
| disposable must go through the autoclave | | | | immediately after the realization of a |
| after having gone through a series of pre | | | | tattoo. The bars should then be sterilized to |
| autoclave processes. You can find autoclaves | | | | be made ready for the soldering of new |
| in places like dental clinics and hospitals. | | | | needles. After soldering the needles to the |
| What is an autoclave? Basically an autoclave | | | | bars, the needle set should again be packed |
| sterilizes materials with pressurized steam | | | | into autoclave bags and processed in the |
| at very high temperatures. Depending on the | | | | autoclave again. The needles, once opened |
| type of autoclave, the sterilizing cycles can | | | | from their autoclave bags, must not be placed |
| vary in the duration, but on average can take | | | | on non sanitized surfaces. The artist should |
| between 15 - 30 minutes or so. All autoclaves | | | | NOT set the needle down on the table, or, |
| must be inspected regularly and periodically | | | | heaven forbid, DROP THE NEEDLE ON THE |
| spore tested. According to the Alliance of | | | | FLOOR!!! If this happens, insist they open a |
| Professional Tattooists, USA, the autoclave | | | | new needle. Work tables After each tattoo, |
| is the only acceptable means of equipment | | | | the artist's work tables should be |
| sterilization in the tattoo shop. If the shop | | | | disinfected with an antibacterial and virus |
| does not use an autoclave, do not get | | | | product before a new tattoo. Ink & Ink |
| tattooed there. Shops should keep regular | | | | Caps Every client gets their own pot(s) of |
| records of their autoclave use and testing. | | | | ink and all used pots and unused ink are |
| Ask to see them if you feel uncertain | | | | disposed of after the tattoo. Gloves Gloves |
| Ultrasound The ultrasound machine is a pre | | | | are very important in a tattoo studio. |
| autoclave process and is used to finely clean | | | | Normally 2 types are gloves are used, i.e. |
| down the specific equipment like tubes and | | | | natural latex gloves and nitrile gloves. The |
| newly soldered needles and bars. Immediately | | | | color of the gloves is immaterial. However |
| after a tattoo, the disposables like needles, | | | | they must be the right size so that the |
| ink caps, unused inks etc are carefully | | | | artist does not risk puncturing the gloves. |
| packed and disposed. Other equipment like | | | | The artist must wash their hands prior to |
| needle tubes and tips are put into the | | | | putting on their gloves, preferably with an |
| ultrasound machine and cleaned and | | | | anti-bacterial / antiseptic hand wash. Once |
| disinfected with an antibacterial / cleaning | | | | they put their gloves on, they should not |
| agent. Then they are thoroughly rinsed and | | | | touch anything other than your skin, the |
| dried, and packed into autoclave bags and put | | | | needles, and the tattoo equipment. They |
| into the autoclave for its sterilization | | | | should not be filling out receipts |
| cycle. Tattoo Equipment Tattoo Machines All | | | | beforehand, or answering the phone--unless |
| tattoo artists and tattooists normally have 3 | | | | these have been wiped clean beforehand. |
| or more machines. After used they are cleaned | | | | Razors If the artist needs to shave your skin |
| down with alcohol or with some kind of | | | | before applying the stencil, check and make |
| anti-bacteria or virus product. Needle Tubes | | | | sure that he is using disposable razors. A |
| & Grips Tubes & grips are what the | | | | risk of serious disease infection can occur |
| needle and bar run through and come into | | | | whenever a razor is used because of the skin |
| direct contact with blood, plasma and | | | | abrasion that occurs during shaving. Spray |
| penetrated skin. This piece of equipment is | | | | bottles The spray bottle the artist uses on |
| either made of surgical or stainless steel | | | | your skin should be disinfected between |
| and is always reused due to the cost. However | | | | customers, or some kind of protective film |
| since blood and pathogens can get lodged in | | | | such as Saran Wrap should be used. |
| the hollow of the needle tips, it must be put | | | | |