What safety precautions should I look for when getting a tattoo?
Sterilized Disposable Equipment
revision 11-06-2004

These needle bars have been properly and thoroughly processed in a spore tested autoclave load, but the process failed to completely destroy all sources of dangerous disease and infection because of contamination not obvious or visible to the unaided eye.  

[Please note: Most artists don't try to sterilize needle bars with rubber grommets in place.]

An attempt to decontaminate these items according to recommended standards and practices was made: 

1. enzymatic presoaking
2. submerged manual scrubbing
3. ultrasonic cleaning
4. rinsing and drying between each step
5. packaging
6. processing by steam  autoclave

They still had traces of  blood and pigment present, which could transmit potentially deadly pathogens such as Hepatitis C Virus even after processing and autoclaving because of the uneven surface finish left when needles were broken off for sharps disposal and reuse of the bar.

Reprinted from PAGE 6, THE SKIN GAME FALL 2001

International Hot Spots
 ISRAELI SUPREME COURT BANS TATTOO PIGMENTS

 I am writing on behalf of all the tattoo studios in this country. During the past year some studios have had problems getting their licenses. The reason for this is the Ministry of Health (MOH) has no standards for tattoo pigments. Last year I wrote to several major pigment manufacturers asking for their advice. They were helpful and sent me lab reports proving safety of the product. Regardless, the authorities withdrew licenses from some of the studios and they were dragged into court

 The Supreme Court has now decided not to approve the pigments that we are using and the studios that were in court were made to close. We are now all expecting court orders to close our studios, myself included. This might take them some time but eventually it seems that they will win in the end. Although I an hoping that this day does not come.

 I am going to meet with members of the Israeli Kneset (Members of Parliament) and try and obtain their help and support.

 Yadd Tattoo, P. 0. BOX 3155, TEL AVIV 61030, ytattoo (at) zahav.net.il  

 2. New tube, grip and tip

Examples of a few of the many options available to the tattooist for pre-sterilized disposable tube, grip and tip configurations

The danger  with reuse of tubes and grips is the surface finish of the lumens, the inside of the tube, is not polished to a microscopically smooth surgical device finish. Even if it were polished well, the mechanical damage done by the machine in motion would render it scuffed to the point where it could still be a problem.

Therefore, the lumens can harbor pathogens, endotoxins, and pyrogens in trapped residues of blood and pigment, even withstanding thorough and proper processing by mechanical and ultrasonic cleaning and autoclave sterilizer.

Check with your tattoo equipment supplier for more information and samples. The technology keeps improving. Even if you tried them and didn't like them before, new models are introduced frequently. We hope you find ones that work for you.

A preferred choice by some experienced artists:
Disposable tri-grip tubes with a 5/8" rubber grip and wash out for under a dollar, sterilized and ready to use.
A few sources:
Cam Supply 888-238-0808
Technical Tattoo 800-295-8991

LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN

 On August 7^th I attended a meeting in London on regulations regarding sterilization of piercing and tattooing implements. I was given 10 minutes to speak. Apparently this meeting is from a higher level than I thought. It is part of a larger investigation into skin piercing.

 The Environmental Health Authority in Suffolk presented a paper saying the tubes are not being cleaned and sterilized properly. They had a presentation that showed that when they visited some tattoo studios, when they passed a needle bar through a tube it picked up [blood and] pigment on the needles.

 It was suggested by Roger Harvard from the Medical Devices Agency that we should be using disposable tubes. And they suggested that if we have to use disposable tubes then it is better to have stainless steel grips and top tubes and to have the nozzle as the disposable piece. It should be a lot easier to clean the grip and tip tube, as there should be less pigment trapped inside these parts.

 Nightmare scenario is if Roger Harvard decides to have tattooing equipment classed as medical devices, then tattooing equipment will be regarded as medical equipment and have to be manufactured to strict quality controls and testing with certification for suitability for use. This will mean all internal and external surface being polished to mirror finish, like kidney dishes, medical forceps etc. Almost impossible to do at a reasonable cost.

 Another point that was raised by one of the speakers was that he thought we should not use the needle bars again. Normal practice is to sterilize the old needle bars, remove the old needles, resolder new needle to the bar and resterilize. They are not happy with this method and want us to dispose of the used needle and needle bar right after each tattoo.

 I do not know what the time scale is on this, could be a few months might be a year or so. What they want to do first is to audit every tattoo studio in the country, and make a statistical list of any problems that they find. I suppose they want this to get more ammunition to hit us with next time around.

 This now has to go forward another stage to another committee, whether I will be asked for comments again on this I don’t know. So, not a lot solved at the moment, everyone just waiting to see what they want us to do next.

Lionel Tichener, Tattoo Club of Great Britain
Email: tcab (at) tattoo.co.uk, http://www.tattoo.co.uk

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