Autoclave
The choice sterilizer for tattooist. An autoclave not only produces heat it also produces pressure. (270 degrees F at 35 psi.) This is the only way to ensure that all bacteria and fungi are killed.
Equally important is the Spore Test
A spore test is a biological test that checks the efficiency of the autoclave. The spore test should be displayed in the studio.
Sterile Packages
All needles, tubes, and tools must be sterilized in a sealed paper or plastic bag. This package must have a Steam Heat Indicator. This ensures that the tools have in fact been sterilized. You must see your artist open the packages in front of you; however, just because the needles are in a package does not mean they are sterile. If you have any questions, ask our artist to show you the heat indicator.
Ultrasonic Cleaner
Tubes and reusable equipment should be cleaned by an ultrasonic cleaner. This method is more efficient than hand scrubbing and much safer. This method eliminates over-spray and splatter.
Work Area
The work area must be clean and well lit; all tools must be readily accessible to avoid touching anything during the tattoo process thus causing contamination! The work area must also be covered with a moisture resistant Barrier. This barrier is used for setting out ink caps, ointments, and the machine while tattooing. This barrier prevents contamination of the work areas, however, the entire work area must be thoroughly disinfected after each tattoo.
Barriers
Barriers are necessary on all equipment that will be used again. The only exception is the machine tube, which is run through the autoclave after each use.
This equipment includes: the work area, clip cord to avoid cross contamination by dragging it across open skin, the machine heads which are frequently touched throughout the tattoo process, the power knob, the sqeeze bottle used for the soap, and the arm rest and chair if necessary. The artists must also have a barrier on themselves. This means the artist should either use a disposable or vinyl apron. An artist must always wear an apron because cross contamination occurs when the artist lays the machine head on their clothed lap.
Artists should use a Squeeze Bottle and not a spray bottle for the soap used in the tattoo process. A spray bottle causes over spray which will cross contaminate the work area and this is not acceptable.
Disposables
Everything that can be disposed of must be disposed of. These items include; ink caps which hold pigments used for tattooing, the stencil, wash cups used for cleaning machine tubes between colors, razors used to prep an area for tattooing, gloves which also must be Non-Latex, and needles must be disposed of in a Sharps Container directly after tattooing.
Also, all ointments, petroleum jelly, and pigments should be dispersed before tattooing and the artist must never reach back into the jar or for the bottle. If they do find that they need more ointments or pigments, the artist should put on fresh gloves, use a new ointment stick and/or new ink caps. All left over ointments and ink must be disposed of. Gloves must be non-latex and disposable. Latex gloves are not acceptable because latex is damaged by petroleum jelly, which is used during the tattoo process.
Sharps Container
A sharps container safely stores contaminated sharps before they are picked up by a bio-medical team for disposal. The only way that you can be sure that needles are one-use only is if you see the needles disposed of in front of you into a sharps container. Needles can also be removed from the bar with the heat method, but never by hand.
Checklist of things to look for when getting a tattoo!
Here are some more links for additional information
USDA/CFSAN information on tattoo and permanent makeup
