The 411 on piercing and tattoos:

Ear Piercing | Body Piercing | Tattoos

Safer Ear Piercing

• The artist should wash their hands and then put on new disposable gloves prior to starting your ear piercing.
• Piercing guns are not intended for any part of the body other than the lobe of the ear. Sterile surgical, single use piercing needles are highly recommended for body piercing. If a shop is using a piercing gun for a body pierce (anything but the lobe of the ear) the shop must follow the SAME sterilization requirements as a body piercer.
• Make sure that the piercing gun is stored in a clean container. Ensure that the gun is clean and disinfected.
• The piercing site must be cleaned (with soap and water) and wiped with a skin antiseptic prior to the piercing.
• Make sure the earring studs are in a closed package. The earrings are sterile when the shop receives them and should not be open prior to your piercing. Earring studs are not intended for use on any part of the body other than the ear.

 

• Safer Body Piercing
  • Body piercing is a pierce on any part of body except the ear lobe.
  • The artist should wash their hands and then put on new disposable gloves prior to starting your body piercing.
  • Each type of piercing has specific jewelry that should be used. Make sure that the jewelry is made of quality metals (stainless steel, titanium, gold, etc.).
  • Piercing guns are not intended for use on any part of the body other than the ear lobe. If a shop uses a piercing gun for a body pierce, ensure that they have a working autoclave.
  • Sterile surgical, single use piercing needles are highly recommended for body piercing.
  • A new, sterile needle must be used for each piercing.
  • The artist must also first clean (with soap and water) the area to be pierced. The skin area then must be wiped with a skin antiseptic.
  • Make sure that the equipment used for your piercing has been cleaned and STERILIZED. Needles, forceps and jewelry should be removed from sterile sealed packages in front of you.

 

• Safer Tattooing

• The artist should wash their hands and then put on new disposable gloves prior to starting your tattoo.
• Artist must use new sterile needles every time.
• The artist must use single-use disposable ink caps (small thimble sized containers that hold a small amount of ink) for each client.
• Inks used should be non-toxic skin dyes or pigments.
• Any stencils used must be disposable.
• The artist must also first clean (with soap and water) the area to be tattooed. The skin area then must be wiped with a skin antiseptic.
• A new disposable razor must be used for shaving.