How To Sterilize Tattoo Equipment?

Autoclaving Your Equipment – The safest way to avoid cross-contamination and eliminating all germs, virus and bacteria is an autoclave. An autoclave does not eliminate the before mentioned but it does vastly reduce the risk of contamination to a very, very low degree (0.

0001%);
The autoclave sterilises any parts inside with a combination of high pressure, heat, and steam;
Unfortunately, tattoo machines cannot be put into an autoclave because the motor cannot take this combination (the only exception is LACEnano machines , which are specifically designed to be autoclaved);

If you can remove the motor of your machine you can autoclave the body parts. If you cannot remove the motor of your machine, you should use cold sterilisation. If you are not using disposable grips and/or disposable tubes, you should autoclave your grips/tube.

Contents

0.1 How do you sterilize a tattoo needle at home?
- 0.1.1 How do you sterilize a tattoo area?
0.2 Can you sterilize and reuse tattoo needles?
0.3 Do I need an autoclave to tattoo?
0.4 What do tattoo artists use to wipe away ink while tattooing?
0.5 Can you boil tattoo equipment?
- 0.5.1 Can you get STDS from tattoo needles?
0.6 How do you know if your tattoo needle is sterile?
0.7 How to disinfect your tattoo equipment – Tattoo Safety with Jens Bergström #4
0.8 Does burning a needle sterilize it?

1 Do tattoo artists use a new needle every time?
2 What happens if you share tattoo needle?
3 How do you know if your tattoo needle is sterile?
- - 3.0.1 Can you sterilize a needle with a lighter?
- 3.1 How can you sterilize without an autoclave?

How do you sterilize a tattoo needle at home?

Download Article Download Article Sterilizing and disinfecting needles are two different things. While they both decontaminate, disinfecting only reduces the number of bacteria and contaminants and doesn’t guarantee safety from infection. Sterilization, on the other hand, completely removes all bacteria and microorganisms. If you need to sterilize a needle, make sure to take extra care to keep the needle uncontaminated until you use it.

1 Wear gloves. Before you handle any needles, you need to wear gloves. If you don’t have gloves, make sure you wash your hands (and wrists) thoroughly. [1]
2 Gather sterilized equipment. When you are sterilizing needles, you need to make sure that you don’t contaminate the needle after you sterilize it.
- Use sterilized tongs or spoons to pick the needle out of whatever device you place it in. Don’t touch the newly sterilized needle with your hands or gloves. You could have contaminants on them.
- Place the needle in a sterilized container if you are storing it. [2]
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3 Wash the needle. Before you sterilize the needle, make sure to wash it. This removes any dirt, grime, or blood left on the needle. This is extremely important if you have used the needle before.
- Make sure to clean inside the needle if it is hollow. Use a clean or sterilized syringe to run water and soap through the inside.
4 Rinse the needles. After washing the needles with soap or disinfectant, you need to rinse them with sterile water. Make sure to use sterile water instead of distilled water. Distilled water can still contain bacteria. You need to rinse the needles to make sure there are no deposits from the washing left behind. [3]

1 Use steam. Steam is one of the most widely used and effective methods for sterilizing needles. No living thing can survive direct exposure to saturated steam at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius) for longer than 15 minutes.
- Use a steaming pot to do this. Put water in the bottom pot. When it starts to boil, place the needle in the pot with the holes over the boiling pot, then cover it with a lid. Let it steam for at least 20 minutes. [4]
- An autoclave is a tool specifically made for sterilizing needles and other tools by steam. If you need to sterilize needles often and precisely, you may want to invest in one. [5]
2 Bake the needle. Wrap the needle in multiple layers of clean cloth. Bake the needle for 1 hour at 340 degrees Fahrenheit. [6]
- This is one way to completely sterilize the needle by killing all the microorganisms. Make sure you leave it in the oven long enough. This method can be used to sterilize needles used for acupuncture, medical use, and piercings and tattoos. [7] [8]
- Dry heat can cause the needle to become brittle.
3 Use fire. Use a gas-fueled fire because they leave less residue behind. Place the needle tip in the flame until it glows red. [9]
- Sterilizing a needle in a flame is good for home use, but doesn’t get completely sterile because the needle can pick up contaminants in the air afterward. [10]
- If there are any soot or carbon deposits on the needle, wipe it with a sterile gauze pad. [11]
- This method is effective for removing a splinter, but is not the most sterile. Therefore, it is not recommended for piercing, tattooing, or medical uses. [12]
4 Boil the needle in water. One way to sterilize a needle is to drop it in boiling water. After you wash and rinse your tools, cover them with water and boil them for 20 minutes. Start counting the 20 minutes after the water has reached a boil.
5 Use chemicals. You can sterilize a needle by using chemicals. You can soak a needle in medical ethanol, bleach, 70% isopropyl alcohol, or 6% hydrogen peroxide. Make sure they stay submerged for at least 20 minutes before taking them out. If you use drinking alcohol, choose the strongest alcohol you can, such as gin, and allow it to soak for 1 day. [13]
- Clean the needles thoroughly before sterilizing them since even the slightest contamination can prevent the chemicals from working.
- Do not use chemicals to sterilize needles that you’d use inside the womb.

Add New Question

Question Can I boil my plastic syringes and needles to reuse for cattle? Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse and Laboratory Information Specialist for Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Illinois. She received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987. Registered Nurse Expert Answer
Question Can these methods be used on clean a needle for re-administering fluids to a dog? Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse and Laboratory Information Specialist for Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Illinois. She received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987. Registered Nurse Expert Answer Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. I don’t know if I would use this technique if your syringe and needle are all one piece, as many subcutaneous syringes are. Subcutaneous syringes can be purchased at the pharmacy with a prescription from your veterinarian; they are sold in small bags of 50 or 100 syringes.
Question How do I sterilize my diabetic meter? Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. Master’s Degree, Nursing, University of Tennessee Knoxville Expert Answer

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Don’t pop a blister. The skin keeps the wound sterile and helps it to heal.
Avoid touching the ends of the needle after sterilizing it.
Do not ever attempt to sterilize and reuse a disposable needle. They are not meant to be reused and could transmit deadly infections.

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How do you sterilize a tattoo area?

Can you sterilize and reuse tattoo needles?

Tattoo needles should be considered as single-use and shouldn’t be reused. If you’re tattooing yourself at home and know how to sterilize your needles, well, nothing’s stopping you. A tattoo parlor shouldn’t reuse needles on someone else and should be disposed of immediately.

Good hygiene is one of the most important elements of getting a tattoo, and it all starts with the artist and parlor. High sanitation and hygiene rules should be observed without any shortcuts whatsoever.

When it comes to tattoo needles, the utmost care should be taken in their use and disposal.

What do tattoo artists use to sterilize?

Autoclaves and Disposables – The tattoo studio of your choice should make sure that all tools are clean and sanitary. But how do we maintain this standard? Many shops these days use disposable medical grade versions of everything that gets used from client to client.

Each medical grade needle and tube used from is individually packaged and sterilized. Ink caps (the little cups tattoo artists put ink in) should all be disposable as well, and not re-used. Autoclaves are also commonly used in tattoo shops to sterilize non disposable equipment.

They do so by exposing the equipment to temperature high enough to kill any spores and bacteria. Some tattoo studios may use makeshift autoclaves such as pressure cookers and toaster ovens. This is not acceptable because only an autoclave can reach the proper temperature and maintain the right conditions for sterilization.

What disinfectant do tattooists use?

WE ONLY SUPPORT LICENSED PROFESSIONALS. What you’re doing is permanent and without the proper training under a licensed professional, you can cause serious harm. We ask that anyone who is not working in a proper shop find information elsewhere. This is not a “how to” article and you will not find any on our site.

This is to educate those who only wish to better understand the products that they work with every day. Remember – Work safe, work clean and work smart. Today we will be talking about a critical part of the tattoo scene: Disinfectants – particularly the wide selection that we offer at Liberty Tattoo Supply.

You may be wondering, “Dude, which one of these do I need?” Glad you asked. Before we dive into the deep end, I’d like to open this can-o’-information with two common household cleaners that are less than ideal for your station. Sanitizing a counter for your toddler to lick off of is one thing, but we’re dealing with open skin, a direct line to someone’s bloodstream.

Antibacterial Wipes

Those nifty dollar store wipes do a great job in the kitchen when that half-cooked pancake you just tried to flip like Guy Fieri lands on the floor; however, they will not save your clients from the Hepatitis gang or other gnarly blood-transmitted diseases. Until the label can list off the exact “germs” it’s killing, we remain unconvinced.

Bleach

Liquid bleach is another solution frequently used for cleaning shop. It’s great for mopping, but not so much for your equipment or chairs. Why? Bleach (referring to sodium hypochlorite) is corrosive and it will leave behind a chlorinated residue on most surfaces. Rinsing can remove these impurities, but that seems like wasted time, especially when there are products made to get things clean in one pass. Skin Sanitation Products

BZK Wipes

Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK) wipes are perfect for sanitizing the client’s skin. Benzalkonium Chloride wipes are used as a surgical prep to reduce chances of infection from microbial contamination of the patient’s skin. It’s not intended to be a deep wound cleaner but is pre-diluted and ready to use before you set your stencil and start inking.

So now that you know what’s not tattoo-kosher, let’s move on to what is. Below we have products divided for Skin Sanitation or Equipment Sterilization and break down the best uses for each of the products in those categories.

While this is a great use of the product, it should not be your go-to for equipment or chair sterilization.

Dettol

In tattooing, Dettol is frequently used for cleaning the skin and setting stencils. Keep in mind- Dettol contains pine oils. Clients with pine allergies, eczema, or dry skin conditions can be subjected to more irritation than normal or even have an allergic reaction. Dettol kills E. coli, salmonella, MRSA and the flu virus (H1N1), making it better suited for skin prepping rather than post-tattoo cleanup.

Green soap

“Green Soap” is referencing the tincture made from vegetable or palm kernel oil, potassium hydroxide, and glycerine. It is gentle on the skin when diluted, and ideal for skin prep or stencil setting. This soap can be used before, during, and after the tattoo to keep your (bleeding) canvas clean while reducing the risk of infection. Green soap is great for cleaning your equipment and apparatus prior to final sanitation. Also, It smells great, that’s always a plus! Station & Equipment Sanitation Products

Alconox

Alconox is a detergent powder for manual cleaning or for your ultrasonic, as an alternative to corrosive acids. As a solvent, it will sanitize your equipment without leaving a residue behind. It can be used on a multitude of surfaces such as glass, metals, plastics, ceramic, porcelain, rubber, and fiberglass. Alconox is to be used as your final step in equipment sterilization.

Madacide FD

Madacide is a hardcore germicidal surface cleaner. The FD formula (FD stands for FAST DRYING) is favored for apparatus and equipment cleaning, as it doesn’t sit on the surfaces to cause long-term erosion due to the chemicals involved. This is NOT something you want to use on your client’s skin. Not only is this used in hospitals, but Madacide is a reliable product every shop should have.

When used appropriately, it can kill even the most resilient of microbes (Polio, Herpes, Hepatitis, TB, HIV, Staph, and even fungus to name a few), making it a must-have for any cleaning regiment;
Recommended dry time is 6 minutes to kill the pathogens in question;

The FD formula is better suited for sanitation between appointments to avoid lingering residue.

Madacide 1

Madacide 1 is the same cleaning agent as our buddy Madacide-FD, however, it is NOT fast drying. Estimated dry time is 15-20 minutes. While all the same perks apply (heavy duty Germicidal, Fungicidal, Antimicrobial surface cleaner. Used in hospitals and medical facilities. ), this blend is designed to take longer to evaporate. Some diseases require a certain amount of time to be eliminated, so this would be better suited for your station and chair if you’re concerned about a pathogen surviving the Fast Drying formula.

Sani-Cloth

Our friends at AF3 developed something that makes Clorox Wipes drop to its knees and cry in envy. SaniCloths are a pre-mixed, alcohol based wipe that’s bactericidal, tuberculocidal and virucidal. You may have even seen these at your doctor’s office – which is why you should reconsider those flimsy wet-naps, that are so popular with soccer moms. This is a dream come true for station sterilization.

It’s also great as the final cleaning session before closing shop to allow proper dry time;
Much like Madacide-FD, this product offers a quick way to wipe down and clean shop while killing any concerning pathogens;

You may even use this as a pre-sterilization wipe down on your equipment. We love how there’s no dilution required, and because it’s not a spray there’s no need to stress over inhaling fumes or particles. As always, please read and follow the instructions on the labels for proper use & dilution formulas.

Can you use a UV sterilizer for tattoo equipment?

Can you use a UV sterilizer for tattoo equipment? – Yes, using a UV sterilizer is sufficient enough for both the tattoo machine and other smaller gadgets. Like the autoclave, you only have to put things inside the device and let it do the job for around an hour or two.

Do I need an autoclave to tattoo?

Believe it or not, it is a must to have a tattoo sterilizer to run any legitimate tattoo shop! The reasons why it is so important is because it is a matter of life or death. Autoclave sterilizers are not only used by tattoo artist but also by medical professionals.

What do tattoo artists use to wipe away ink while tattooing?

What Do Tattoo Artists Use to Wipe Ink Off? – Green soap is the go-to for most tattoo artists out there as it’s a medical-level soap that’s fragrance-free and environmentally friendly. This should be applied via a spray bottle and diluted before use.

Using a spray bottle will remove the need to directly touch your skin, keeping things more hygienic;
However, it could be that you’re allergic to some of the ingredients in green soap;
If so, the below alternatives also do a great job of keeping the skin clean before, during, and after the tattoo procedure: Hydrogen Peroxide: This is a product that’s used to disinfect the skin but will remove excess ink when tattooing;

Be careful when using it as it will also lighten the tattoo and possibly remove it. Sterilized Water: This is great to use if you’re allergic to any other ingredients. Make sure that you’re not using tap or bottled water as a cheaper alternative. Alcohol mixed with Carrier Oil: This is great to use to remove excess ink and care for your skin.

Can you boil tattoo equipment?

Boiling as a Sterilization Method It may be the only method a person can utilize at home to sterilize their body jewelry, but it is not an appropriate way to sterilize tools and jewelry in a tattoo and piercing shop.

Can you get STDS from tattoo needles?

Skip to content Myth: You can get HIV or an STD from getting a tattoo or through body piercing. Fact: This is true. There can be a risk for HIV or other blood-borne infection, like hepatitis B or C if the instruments used for piercing or tattooing are not sterilized or disinfected between clients.

Any instrument used to pierce or cut the skin should be used once and thrown away. Ask the staff at the parlor about their equipment and what precautions they use. They should be willing to do this…. otherwise, don’t get pierced or tattooed there.

Melissa Butcher 2017-07-29T08:07:09-06:00.

How do you know if your tattoo needle is sterile?

Needles should be sterilized in an autoclave before inking begins. Needle reuse in tattooing is illegal. Getting a tattoo can be dangerous, but it’s fairly easy to make sure you stay healthy with this safety check list. Is the tattoo artist licensed? In the state of Texas, tattoo artists must be licensed by the Drugs and Medical Devices Group, which is part of the Texas Department of Health Services.

To be licensed, tattooists must comply with all safety and health codes and have a tattoo parlor separate from their homes;
Separate licenses are required to perform piercings;
Tattoo artists must use antibacterial and germicidal hand soap and single-use disposable gloves;

Needles and ink must be sterilized. If there’s no autoclave — a heat sterilization chamber for equipment — walk away. Is the tattooist vaccinated for hepatitis B? Although not required, vaccinations against hepatitis for both you and the tattoo artists are the only way to protect against what can be a fatal disease.

Any time a needle punctures your skin, you run the risk of contracting a blood-born pathogen such as hepatitis B or C or HIV. The hepatitis vaccine involves a series of three shots given over four months.

How to disinfect your tattoo equipment – Tattoo Safety with Jens Bergström #4

If you can’t handle that, can you handle the thousands of shots it takes to get a tattoo? Don’t be a wimp! Protect yourself before the inking begins. Where and how does the artist store and use supplies? Most of the supplies used — ink, water, needles — in a reputable shop are only used once and thrown away.

Make sure your artist is not taking leftover ink and returning it to a universal container;
It should be thrown out;
Reused ink can be contaminated with disease;
Water and ointments should follow the same rules, especially if your tattoo artist uses deodorant to darken the initial outline;

Do not let a deodorant stick directly touch your skin. Deodorant must be transferred from the stick to your skin with a sterile pad or tissue. Can you see and guarantee the needles used are new and sterile? The only way to ensure a needle is sterile is if you see it being removed from a sealed or sterile bag right before your eyes.

New needles are usually bright silver with no stains or discolorations. If you don’t like how a needle looks, ask for different needles or go to a different shop. How is equipment disposed of? All needles should be disposed of after use in a sharps container, which is usually marked with a red top and a biohazard symbol.

Be sure your shop of choice has one and uses it. Find more articles like this in Tattoo Guide.

Does burning a needle sterilize it?

– Sterilizing a needle in fire does not provide complete protection from bacteria and other organisms. It may be ok for splinter removal, but this method should never be used for syringe needles. If you’re going to sterilize a needle in flame, such as from a lighter or stove, follow these steps:

Use a fire that does not produce much residue, such as a butane lighter.
Hold the needle into the flame with the help of an instrument, such as tweezers or pliers, until the tip of the needle glows red. It will be extremely hot to the touch.
Remove any char residue on the needle with a sterilized gauze pad.
You can also bake needles in a 340°F (171. 1°C) oven for one hour. This process will make needles brittle over time.

Do tattoo artists use a new needle every time?

Sanitation is a huge component of the tattoo industry and while there is some debate over certain procedures, there are some rules that should never be broken or bent under any circumstances. If you notice any of the red flags you’re about to read about below, please for your own safety, get the hell out of that shop. 1: There is No Sharps Box. Every tattoo shop should have what is called a sharps box and it’s where an artist disposes of their needles after a tattoo is complete. Needles and disposable cartridges should never, under any circumstances, be thrown into the trash. Also, if you see a sharps box that is overflowing with used needles, this can also be a red flag. 2. The Artist Doesn’t Disinfect With MadaCide (or other industrial cleaning brands. ) After a tattoo is finished, an artist or their apprentice will break down their station and clean every possible surface. Tattoo artists should always use industrial cleaning products, like MadaCide, to clean up the massage bed,, arm rests, chairs, and their entire station.

For decades, the industry has worked to prove that tattooing is a clean and safe practice, therefore we don’t need any reckless or lazy artists ruining things for the artists trying to create a professional environment.

If you see them using Clorox wipes, run. 3. There is No Autoclave. While some tattooers today use disposable cartridges for a rotary machine, many artists still use metal tubes with a coil machine. Of course, artists should no better than to reuse their needles, however, they all reuse the metal tube that holds the needle in place. 4. They Don’t Use Clip Cord Covers. A clip cord connects the tattoo machine to the power source and it should always be wrapped in plastic. During the set up process, an artist will put a plastic sleeve over the cord to ensure proper sanitation during the tattoo.

Artists use what is called an autoclave to sanitize their tubes, which is a machine used by hospitals to sterilize medical instruments;
If you see an artist using metal tubes, be sure to ask if they have an autoclave on site;

And this goes without saying but an artist should use a new cover for every single tattoo. 5. They Don’t Wrap Their Tattoo Machines or Green Soap Bottles. Tattooers reuse their green soap bottles and machines every day, however, they always need to ensure that their supplies are wrapped in plastic. Some artists use special bags to wrap their bottles, while others prefer using saran wrap. 6. They Don’t Use Distilled Water. In order to prevent the spread of bacteria, artists should always use distilled water in their rinse cup. You should never see a tattooer filling up their rinse cup in the sink. 7. They Don’t Use Bed Covers. During the tattoo, there should always be a bed cover or layer of saran wrap between you and the massage bed or arm rest. This keeps your fresh tattoo away from anything that might harm it and it makes the cleanup process a bit easier for the artist. 8. They Don’t Display Their Bloodborne Pathogens Certificate. All states require some type of certification that ensures an artist has completed their bloodborne pathogens and infection control training. You should also check if their certificate is up to date and hasn’t expired. 9. There is Trash Everywhere. If there is trash all over the shop or if the trash can is overflowing, this is a sign that the shop may not be clean. There should never be open food around an artist’s station while they’re tattooing and if an artist is handling trash, they need to change their gloves before handling any tattoo equipment or a client. 10. They Don’t Use Pre-Packaged Needles or Disposable Cartridges. This is a big one and it should be a no brainer. Under no circumstances should a tattooer use an unpackaged or worse, a used needle to do a tattoo. Even if a tattoo artist is doing another tattoo on the same client, they need to change their needles. 11. They Have a Dirty Bathroom. You can tell a lot about a person’s cleanliness based on the state of their bathroom. A shop should be clean from the moment you step through the door to the bathroom in the back, with no exceptions. If a bathroom is visibly dirty or smells bad, then they may not be up to code in the sanitation department. 12. They Don’t Change Out Their Gloves. Seriously, do we even need to explain this one? An artist should obviously be using a new pair of gloves between every tattoo, however, they also need to change their gloves if they touch anything outside of the sterilized station.

Either will suffice as long as they’re new for each and every tattoo. Also, “people shouldn’t unwrap an armrest to make for a better photo of the tattoo resting on it. ” says Joice Wang of Grit N Glory. Seriously, if you notice needles out of the package, get the hell out of there.

And if their gloves tear during the tattoo, it’s time for a new pair. 13. They Use Expired Ink. This may be a bit tricker to detect, however, if an ink has really gone bad you will be able to see the ink separating in the bottle and a layer of oil forming on the top. “Remember, ink expires a year after opening the bottle” says Saga Anderson of Boss Tattoo.

What happens if you share tattoo needle?

Teenagers are putting themselves at risk of debilitating and potentially deadly blood diseases by buying DIY tattoo kits over the internet. At £60 a time, the kits come with inks, needles and designs but there are no controls over age of the recipient, infectious diseases, or cleanliness.

Children have caught hepatitis from such kits, which are cheaper than visiting a professional, particularly if used several times. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) sounded the alarm after carrying out an investigation into tattooing trends and practise.

Professional parlours are legally required not to tattoo anyone under 18 and are licensed and inspected by local authorities. By contrast, Chinese-made kits often have no instructions. Julie Barratt, the CIEH director, said: “The age of consent goes out the window.

You are not going to ask questions about health;
You could be tattooing your mates all in one go and passing on infections;
You also cannot trace people if anything goes wrong;
You wouldn’t do this with anything else – you can’t stroll into Boots and buy a needle;

” Unsafe tattooing – without health screening and cleanliness – risks spreading HIV/Aids and hepatitis. In Llanelli, south Wales, in 2008, teenagers as young as 14 using DIY kits found that their tattoos becoming infected and Several contracted hepatitis.

In a study to be published on Thursday, the CIEH’s Wales researcher, Stephanie Powell, found that more than half of professional tattooists broke rules on best practise;
Students visited parlours posing as potential customers and asked by telephone whether tattooists would work at an all-weekend 30th birthday party;

Of the 33 parlours visited, only 61 per cent screened for medical conditions and only 52 per cent offered any advice. Only 7 per cent asked for proof that the client was an adult. Of 56 licensed parlours asked whether they would attend the party, 49 rejected the idea.

However, seven accepted despite the likelihood of the clients’ decisions being influenced by alcohol or peer pressure;
Conditions might have been unclean or unsafe for other reasons;
The research, carried out in Cardiff, Caerphilly, Newport, Bridgend, Monmouthshire, Rhondda-Cynon Taf, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan, will be presented to a CIEH conference on Thursday;

Describing some of the findings as “astonishing”, Ms Barratt said tattoos should be regulated more closely because they were occasional purchases as well as being permanent. “It’s not like having your fringe cut – it’s not going to grow back,” she said.

Charles Gore, the Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, said: “The rise in DIY tattooing is particularly alarming when you consider viruses such as hepatitis C;
Most people don’t realise that transmission’s not just about needles: sharing any equipment, including things like ink pots, is a risk;

Often hepatitis C has no symptoms for decades so anyone who has had a tattoo that might not have been safe, at home or on holiday, should think about getting tested. Like everything, hepatitis C is a lot easier to treat if it’s caught early.

How do you know if your tattoo needle is sterile?

To be licensed, tattooists must comply with all safety and health codes and have a tattoo parlor separate from their homes. Separate licenses are required to perform piercings. Tattoo artists must use antibacterial and germicidal hand soap and single-use disposable gloves.

Any time a needle punctures your skin, you run the risk of contracting a blood-born pathogen such as hepatitis B or C or HIV;
The hepatitis vaccine involves a series of three shots given over four months;

Make sure your artist is not taking leftover ink and returning it to a universal container. It should be thrown out. Reused ink can be contaminated with disease. Water and ointments should follow the same rules, especially if your tattoo artist uses deodorant to darken the initial outline.

New needles are usually bright silver with no stains or discolorations;
If you don’t like how a needle looks, ask for different needles or go to a different shop;
How is equipment disposed of? All needles should be disposed of after use in a sharps container, which is usually marked with a red top and a biohazard symbol;

Be sure your shop of choice has one and uses it. Find more articles like this in Tattoo Guide.

Can you sterilize a needle with a lighter?

YSK how to easily sterilize a needle using a lighter to kill off any bacteria or infection. Don’t hold the needle above the flame, but on the side. Hold it until the needle is very hot. Another option is to soak the needle in hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.

How can you sterilize without an autoclave?

Julia