Tattooing safety and hygiene

• Before tattooing, verify the individual is 18 years or older via driver’s license, liquor ID, military ID, or other legal record.
• Neither the tattooist nor the client should be under the influence of alcohol or chemical substances on the premises.
• Hands must be thoroughly washed with antibacterial soap and sanitary water, then dried with single-use disposable towels before tattooing.

Client Medical History

• Obtain the client's medical history and advise them of potential tattooing complications.
• Clients with diabetes or severe skin infections should be informed of additional risks.
• All clients must be questioned about latex allergies.

Glove Usage

• As a practitioner, single-service impervious gloves must be worn on both hands during all tattoo procedures.

Skin Preparation

• The area to be tattooed must be thoroughly washed for at least two minutes with warm water and antiseptic soap, using a single-use paper towel.
• The area must be shaved with a single-use disposable razor, disposed of properly, and cleaned with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution applied with a single-use paper towel.

Ointments and Applicators

• Only petroleum jelly, antibacterial, or antibiotic ointment from collapsible metal or plastic tubes (or equivalent approved by the Department) should be applied to the tattooed area using sterile gauze or single-use tongue depressors.
• All substances applied to the skin, including those enhancing transfer applicability, should be applied with a single-service applicator.

Needle Sterilization

• Use only single-service needles, specifically manufactured single-use needles sterilized with ethylene oxide.
• Needles should be examined for burrs before use with a magnifier or eye loop.

Single Use Items

• Single-service items such dye/ink containers, gloves, ointments, and razors must be used for each client and discarded immediately after use.
• Discarded items need to adhere to state and local laws, using high safety precautions.
• Dispose of used needles in a sharps container.
• Each establishment must register with the Department of Environmental Protection Biomedical Waste Management Rules.

Post-tattoo Procedure

• After tattooing, wash the area with sterile gauze saturated with antiseptic soap or 70% alcohol solution.
• Allow the tattooed area to dry and apply petroleum jelly, antiseptic ointment, or antibacterial ointment from a single-use tube or dispenser, with sterile gauze.
• Apply a sterile, non-adherent protective cover to the finished tattoo before the customer leaves.

Aftercare Instructions

• Provide verbal and written tattoo aftercare instructions, they must include:
  • Bandage care
  • Time guidelines
  • Skin care advice
  • Clothing considerations
  • Information about injuries
  • UV light exposure
  • Chlorinated and salt water exposure
  • Recommended skin care products (like Aquaphor, Dial Gold soap), advising application like sunscreen.
  • Practitioner's name
• Written instructions must include when to seek medical treatment.
• Washing 2-3 times a day with fragrance-free antibacterial soap using clean hands.
• Using Aquaphor (or any petroleum-based product) for the first few days.

Workstation Sanitation

• After the client leaves, the workstation (including the chair/table and all equipment) must be cleaned and sanitized before the next client.
• Replace all autoclavable items with clean, sterile items stored in individual packets.
• After cleaning, wash hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and dry with a disposable towel.

Tattoo Removal Restrictions

• Only licensed medical doctors can penetrate, abrade, or treat tattoos with chemicals for removal purposes.

This lesson covers the essential safety and hygiene practices for tattooing. It emphasizes age verification, substance-free environment, hand washing, and obtaining client medical history. Proper glove usage and skin preparation are also detailed to ensure a safe tattooing process.