Tattooists are required to follow the infection control procedures, public health practices, and sanitation standards in the journal articles referenced in Rule 3.2. Copies of these journal articles are available from the Office. It is strongly recommended that you read this information thoroughly .

BEFORE TATTOO APPLICATION

*Handle all financial transactions before or after--not during--tattoo application
**Complete consent forms/give copy to client
***Remove all dogs, cats, or other uncaged animals from the room where tattooing will occur

HANDWASHING

Inspect hands for small cuts and abrasions
Wash hands, wrists and arms up to elbows with antibacterial solution
Dry hands thoroughly
Don gloves
Set up equipment in front of client.

Single-use disposable equipment, needles and razors, should be used whenever possible.
Place plastic protection on spray bottles
Explain sterilization procedure to client
Equipment is single service, autoclave-sterilized
Bagged, dated and sealed
Opened in front of client
Autoclave bag discarded
Single use pigment trays, caps
Single use pigments
Single use applicator
Single use ointment from collapsible tubes
Single use tissues
Shave and disinfect tattoo site, taking care to disinfect area you may be handling

DURING TATTOO APPLICATION:

Check gloves periodically for pinhole tears
Do not touch eyes, nose, mouth or hair with gloved hands

NO SMOKING WITH GLOVES ON
Use separate tissue when opening pigment bottles
Do not allow tip of pigment bottle to come into direct contact with previously poured pigment in tray
When rinsing tubes for color change DO NOT BLOW EXCESS WATER OUT OF TUBE. Use a tissue to pat dry.

Be aware that everything touched during tattoo application is contaminated and must be disinfected (telephone, lamps, clipcord, power supply, modulator knobs, drawer pulls, cabinetry, pens, machines and rubber bands on machine, pigment bottles, immediate surface area and floor), unless sufficient protective barrier is provided.

AFTER TATTOO APPLICATION:

Blot excess blood and body fluids from tattoo
Apply thick layer of ointment to tattooed area
Bandage client using sealed telfa pads, or similar bandages or dressings
Plastic wrap is unacceptable
Give care instructions
Remove tube/needle set from machine
Immediately place in ultrasonic tank for rinsing and discard
Remove contaminated beaker/cup from ultrasonic tank-discard
Discard gloves

DON FRESH GLOVES FOR DISINFECTION ROUTINE:

Move in a circuitous manner to avoid re-contamination of services
Begin with machines-disinfect machines, remove from area
Disinfect pigment bottles, drawer pulls, cabinetry, telephones, clipcords, power supply, modulator knobs, lamps, chairs, sinks, ultrasonic tanks, tables, chairs, surface area, spray bottles and floor area

****Discard soiled lapcloths, in plastic bags for laundering unless using disposable lap cloths, which is preferred.

Double bag discarded materials after each client
Discard

ALL SHARPS (NEEDLES, STRAIGHT EDGE RAZOR BLADES, PIERCING NEEDLES) WILL BE PLACED INTO A CAPPED, PUNCTURE PROOF CONTAINER FOR PROPER DISPOSAL

SOLUTIONS FOR DISINFECTANTS MUST BE LABELED "VIRICIDAL"
"METRICIDE", OTHER BRAND NAMES AVAILABLE
ALCOHOL IS NOT A VIRICIDAL
CHECK LABELS
GLUTARALDEHYDES AND PHENOLICS FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY

AUTOCLAVE PROCEDURE:

ALL EQUIPMENT SHALL BE BAGGED, DATED AND SEALED.

PLEASE REFER TO YOUR AUTOCLAVE INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR PROPER USE.

*HANDLE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS BEFORE OR AFTER TATTOOING, SINCE CURRENCY HAS BEEN PROVEN TO HARBOR BACTERIA

**USE OF CONSENT FORMS MAY HELP TO PROTECT YOU IN THE EVENT OF AN OUTBREAK OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE OR SELF-INFECTION FROM IMPROPER CARE OF THE TATTOO BY THE CLIENT

***UNCAGED ANIMALS MAY DISRUPT THE TATTOOING PROCESS AND POSE A HAZARD TO TATTOOISTS AND CLIENTS

****CLOTH LAPCLOTHS DO HARBOR BACTERIA AND MUST BE PROPERLY LAUNDERED. WE SUGGEST THE USE OF DISPOSABLE MATERIALS SUITABLE FOR LAPCLOTHS AVAILABLE THROUGH MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANIES IS SUGGESTED

PROPER HANDWASHING IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ACT IN THE ELIMINATION OF BACTERIA AND VIRUSES