| Reply 1 : Tattoo parlour – How to select the right one?
The best way to avoid the health risks on account of tattooing is to choose the right parlour. Here is a check list to help you pick up a tattoo parlour:
Is the tattoo parlour clean and brightly lit?
Is the tattoo artist using fresh gloves for each next job?
Is only fresh ink used? Fresh ink comes in small and clean disposable containers. When using ink from a large container, the ink may be left over which can be used over again and again. Sharing ink among customers is equivalent to sharing dirty needles. This can spread dangerous infections such as MSRA, hepatitis, syphilis, HIV and other blood borne infections.
Check your local laws on tattooing. In some places, a tattoo artist is required to pass health and safety exam before being allowed to practice tattooing in public.
Check for license. A tattoo artist should be a licensed practitioner and must be able to provide you with references.
Be sure tattoo parlour follows the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Universal Precautions (OSHA) (2). These are the guidelines giving the precaution while dealing with body fluids.
Check for the hygiene in the tattoo parlour. The artist should also be practicing hygienic habits such as washing hands before and after a job and taking appropriate care after handling contaminated objects.
Make sure that the parlour has an autoclave. An autoclave sterilizes the tattoo equipment by subjecting it to high-pressure saturated steam to sterilize needles. Needles should be fresh as well as sterilized for each customer. Needles should never be reused
Check if all that is used during a tattoo job is discarded immediately. This includes needles, inks, ink caps, tubes and gloves.
Tattoo parlour should have instrument which can be easily cleaned and wiped with 70% alcohol after each use.
Preventing Hepatitis Infections
Before going for tattooing make sure that you are updated with your immunization record, especially for tetanus and hepatitis B. While both these diseases can be prevented through vaccinations, hepatitis C does not have any vaccination to prevent.
When should you avoid Tattooing?
When you are pregnant
If you are already suffering from any allergy or infection. In fact, if you are being treated for any disorder, it is better to consult the treating doctor before going for tattoo.
Are you prone to develop keloids? If so, it is best to avoid tattooing altogether.
Tattoo should never be made on pimples, wounds, cuts or rashes. You may wait for them to heal completely if you want a tattoo over such an area.
Things you should do while Tattooing
Your skin should be cleaned with disinfectant before and after the procedure. Usually, any safe parlour will practice this ritual.
You should not take alcohol and drugs before a tattooing job. Alcohol and some pain killers thin your blood. This means that when your skin is cut, the blood does not clot as it usually does. This will cause you to bleed more. Furthermore, it is important that you should know your tolerance to pain. This may be required to know if you ever want to remove an existing tattoo or to have a new one.
If you ever want to remove your tattoo, surgery is the only way. Therefore, please make an informed decision.
Self-care and Healing After Tattooing
A tattoo is a wound on your skin and needs some time to heal. You have to take appropriate care of the wound till it completely heals. Else, it may turn into a painful memory after all. The artist will provide you with specific after care instructions. You may do well to take them on paper. More importantly, you have to follow these instructions. Some safe practices that will help the tattoo wound heal fast are:
When you leave the parlour, your tattoos should be bandaged. Bandage protects the fresh wound from any dust or infecting organisms which may enter into your body through the open wound.
Keep the tattoo bandage for up to 24 hours.
For cleaning tattoo, use an antibacterial lotion. Pat the area dry with a soft towel after cleaning and apply any ointment with vitamin A and D. Repeat this procedure for three times a day till the tattoo heals completely.
Avoid exposure to sun, which may cause the ink to fade or even aggravate any skin reactions. Refer “Tattooing – Health Risks1” for complete understanding of risks of sun exposure.
Do not submerge your tattoo into hot water.
Skin wounds itch a little bit while healing. If it itches on the tattoo, avoid scratching or picking. Slap on the area instead.
If the skin peels, please use any appropriate lotion on it.
If you experience any signs of infection or allergy, please see a doctor immediately. Some signs or symptoms of an infection or an allergic reaction are redness, swelling, pus collection, rashes, hives, extreme itching, excessive pain or fever. Refer “Tattooing – Health Risks(1)” for complete understanding of problematic signs and symptoms. |
