Tattoos and Piercings

Choosing the Artist and the Studio

Why is body art a risky thing to do?

How do I protect myself?

How to choose a studio

How to choose an artist

Choose carefully and take care

What are the risks in getting body art done? 

Tattooing and piercing equipment can pass on diseases from person to person if it is not cleaned and sterilized each time it is used.  Dirty equipment can also cause infections. 

Possible diseases and infections:

• Hepatitis B  (vaccine is available to prevent this disease)
• Hepatitis C
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS)
• Herpes
• Bacterial Skin Infections

Tattoo and piercing needles puncture your skin or mucous membrane (in your mouth) and this lets bacteria and diseases into your body.  If the needle used for your body art is not new and sterilized or not handled in the right way, the infected blood or bodily fluids of another customer could enter your body.  You may also have bacteria or a virus already present on top of your skin or mucous membrane that could get into your body when you get pierced or tattooed.

Tattoo Ink

In Canada, manufacturers of tattoo ink are not required to list the ingredients of of what is in the ink.  Allergic reactions to inks have been known to occur.  Sunlight can cause the ink to fade over time.    There is currently ongoing research into the safety of tattoo inks and how they affect the body. 

How Do I Protect Myself?

1) Read up!   Learn more about body art and the risks involved.   

    Visit www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

2) Think about it first!  

Before you get your new tattoo/piercing, consider that it can last a lifetime.

Tattoos are meant to be permanent, although there are laser treatments available. However, these can be expensive and may take many treatments.  Laser treatments often change skin colour permanently.

Even though you can remove a piercing, they usually leave scars which can stay with you for the rest of your life.  Heavy jewelry or ear plugs in your ear lobes can cause skin to stretch.  Surgery is one possible way to fix this, but scarring can occur and the skin will never go back to the way it was before the piercing.

     Before making your decision, ask yourself these questions:

• Is this my choice or am I being pressured?
• Have I asked someone who has had body art for over 5 years how they feel about their body art now?
• Have I thought about the design? (Remember, what’s popular today may not be tomorrow)
• Do I have health issues such as metal allergies, severe acne?
• Am I vaccinated against Hepatitis B?
• Will it affect my chances of getting a job?
• Can I make a personal statement in some other way?
• Can I commit to the time it takes to care of my body art?
• Should I try henna or a temporary tattoo first?
• How long will it take for it to heal properly?

3)   Check out studios:

       · Visit several studios before making your decision.

       · Ask to see the artist’s work so you can see their style and the quality of

         art they create.

       · Ask the artist if you can watch a piercing or tattoo before you go ahead. 

         This way you can see what steps the artist takes to protect clients from

         diseases and infections.   You can also call Public Health and speak with a

         health inspector about the studio you will be using. 

In the studio check for the following:          · The work area is clean, tidy and has bright lighting.                 · A hand washing sink          · Cleaners & disinfectants (for use on counters and other          surfaces such as equipment trays.)          · Skin antiseptics (for example rubbing alcohol to disinfect skin).          · Plastic coverings on equipment that cannot be sterilized, such          as ink bottles, spray bottles and handles on tattoo guns. (pic 1)          · A container for used needles (should be yellow and red and             say, “Hazardous Waste” on it.)  (pic 2)           · Equipment for procedure is stored in sterile packaging           (special plastic pouches).  (pic3)                 · A machine to wash the equipment called an ultrasonic          cleaner.  (pic 4)          · A machine to sterilize equipment (called an Autoclave).  It          uses steam to sterilize equipment after it has been washed.             (pic5)

Before and during the body art procedure, look for the following:           · The artist washes their hands and puts on disposable (throw            away) gloves.  (pic 6)                  · The artist cleans your skin and uses a skin antiseptic before           starting.           · A new, disposable razor is used before tattooing and is then           thrown away.                  · The instruments to be used have been put in packages and then           sterilized (jewelry, clamps, etc).  (pic 7)             The packages are opened in front of you. There should be           black lines on the ends of the packaging or other type of mark            that has turned black.  This is so that you can tell the jewelry or              equipment was put in the autoclave machine and reached a high           enough temperature to be sterilized. (pic 8)           · Only fresh ink is used for tattooing.  It should be poured into            clean, disposable caps in front of you. (pic 9)

Choosing an artist

Choosing the right artist is as important as choosing a safe studio. Tattooing and piercing is not a regulated profession in Ontario.   In Ontario, there is no recognized school or apprenticeship program for artists to learn this trade.   Public Health departments inspect studios at least once a year.  They follow standards published by the Ministry of Health.  

Here are a few ways to look for the right artist for you:

• The artist is willing and able to show you all areas of the studio.
• The artist confidently and willingly answers all questions you ask, including ones about sterilization methods and past experience.
• The artist shows you samples of their work. 
• The artist is not under the influence of alcohol and other drugs and refuses to work on anyone that is.
• The artist talks to you about taking care of your body art and gives you instructions to take home.

Signed Consent:

All artists must collect signed information from you for their records.  This is necessary in case it is found that the equipment used for your body art was not sterilized properly.

This includes:

· Name

· Date of Birth

· Address

· Telephone number

· Type and location of your body art

· Signed parental consent will be required if you are under the age of 18.

Choose Carefully and Take Care!

If you decide to go ahead, you should consider where on your body you will get tattooed or pierced and how long it may take to heal.  Follow the care instructions given to you by the artist.   Always wash your hands before touching your body art.

*** Most piercings need a full year to completely heal before jewelry can be left out for any period of time ***

Keep in mind that there is always a chance of a piercing migrating out of your body, whether it is healed or not.

If you have an allergy to a metal or latex, talk to the artist before going ahead with your body art.    

Think you have an infection?

Here is what to look for:

• Your tattoo or piercing becomes red or swollen
• It feels hot to the touch
• It oozes pus that is green in colour

If you have any of these symptoms, DO NOT REMOVE YOUR JEWELRY - Contact your doctor as soon as possible!