Safer tattooing and piercing

Hep C is spread through blood. Because tattoos and piercings both use needles to pierce the skin, there will always be blood present and this means that Hep C can be there, too. As service providers, tattoo and piercing artists should take steps to stop the spread of Hep C and other infections that could happen during a tattoo or piercing. These steps are called “infection control procedures,” “universal precautions,” or “routine practices” and are based in common sense. Try to look for clean, well-sterilized facilities and an artist you trust. The artist should be able to answer all your questions and explain the procedure to you.

To control infections:

• Consider not taking drugs and alcohol on the day you’re getting body art. Drugs and alcohol can thin your blood and cause lots of bleeding, which can increase your chance of getting an infection.

• Body-piercing and tattoo artists must use pre-packaged, pre-sterilized disposable needles and sterile equipment. Sharing any of this equipment can transmit infections such as Hep C.
  • Tip: You can ask the artist to prepare the equipment in front of you so you can see that everything is sterile. 
  • Tip: You can look around to see if there is a “sharps” container for disposing of the needles. If there isn’t, the artist may be reusing them.

• Other equipment—such as razors, markers, stencil paper and dental bibs (for mouth piercings)—should only be used once and then disposed of.

• Disposable ink cups can be used with the right amount of ink just for you. Sharing ink can spread infections such as Hep C.
  • Tip: If you can, show up early and watch the artist finish working on another person. Does he or she throw away any leftover ink?

• The artist must wear latex or vinyl gloves when sterilizing equipment and touching broken skin. Gloves must be changed in between each client.

• The studio must have a functional autoclave for sterilizing metal equipment.
  • Tip: Some studios display their autoclave’s maintenance calendar (also called a spore-test calendar) for you to know that it’s working. If it isn’t displayed, you can ask to see it. 

• The work area must be clean, sterile and free of clutter.

• A piercing gun should never be used to pierce anything other than earlobes because it cannot be sterilized in an autoclave.

• The artist must have the skills required to pierce or tattoo the chosen site on your body.

• The jewellery should be high-quality stainless steel or titanium that has been sterilized.

• The artist should provide aftercare instructions on how to look after your tattoo or piercing to prevent infection. You can also find instructions in this article.

• Report dodgy tattooing and piercing salons to your public health department.

Non-professional settings

Having a tattoo or piercing done in a non-professional setting like someone’s home or on the street can increase the risk of getting Hep C, HIV or skin infections because it’s harder to follow the “infection control procedures” listed above. Tattooing and piercing don’t always happen in studios, and when they don’t, it's important to be as safe as possible.

Piercing

Safer-piercing kits can be obtained from some needle exchange programs. They contain sterile hollow piercing needles, gloves and swabs to reduce the risk of infection. The hollow needles create the space needed for the jewellery and work better than safety pins or sewing needles that can cause scarring.

Getting a piercing kit from a needle exchange program is safer than buying one online because you can be sure the materials from a needle exchange are sterile.

Tattooing

Getting a tattoo outside of a studio has additional risks:

• Without new needles, sterile equipment and fresh ink, it’s easier to get Hep C, HIV or skin infections. This is because Hep C can live in needles, guns, rags, ink and even ink cups if they have been used before. The Hep C virus is strong so it can live on equipment for days and you can get an infection even if you don’t see blood on the equipment. Previously used needles can also develop rust or barbs, and this can ruin your art and make getting the tattoo more painful.

Hep C can live in needles, guns, rags, ink and even ink cups if they have been used before.

• The only way to sterilize metal equipment is to put the equipment in an autoclave, which isn’t found in many non-professional settings. Bleach doesn’t kill Hep C.

• A clean environment prevents germs and bacteria from getting under your skin while you’re being tattooed. It’s harder to sterilize a workspace if you are in a backyard, basement or alley.

• Accidental exposure to Hep C, HIV and other infections can happen if the tattoo equipment is not properly disposed of after use.

• Taking alcohol or drugs before getting a tattoo can cause more bleeding and increase your chance of getting an infection.

Bringing your own equipment and not sharing it can reduce some of these risks. Also, disposing of needles, pens, razors, ink, ink cups, gloves, cloths and other equipment immediately after the tattoo is done will reduce the chance of accidental exposure. A sharps container or other bottle with a tight-fitting lid (such as a bleach bottle or pop bottle) can be used to dispose of equipment safely.

How to tell if you have a skin infection

The tattoo or piercing artist should give you aftercare instructions. If the tattoo or piercing takes longer to heal than expected or is red, swollen, itchy and oozes pus, get it checked by a healthcare worker right away. A certain amount of pain, redness, swelling and oozing are normal after piercing or tattooing but if it takes too long to heal or gets worse as time goes on, you need medical attention.

Piercing aftercare

A piercing is an open wound and needs time to heal or it can become infected. As an open wound, it also is a place where Hep C or HIV can get into your body. For example, a new genital piercing can bleed during sex, making it easier to transmit Hep C or HIV. Your piercing artist should give you aftercare instructions on how to keep your piercing—and yourself—healthy. These instructions will include the following:

External piercings (including eyebrows, navel or ears):

• Always wash your hands with soap and water before cleaning your piercing or the jewellery.
• Soak your piercing in warm water to loosen any crusty build-up. Do not pick at the crusty build-up.
• Use a non-scented soap to wash your piercing and rinse well to get rid of all the soap. Clean the exposed parts of your jewellery and rinse well to remove all the soap. Do this twice a day.
• Wear loose clothing to allow for air circulation and so your jewellery does not get caught in it.
• Avoid hot tubs, bathtubs and swimming pools while your piercing is healing.
• If your piercing gets infected, seek medical attention.

Oral piercings (including tongue, lip or cheek):

• If your piercing is half outside and half inside the mouth, such as a cheek or Monroe piercing, clean the outside part with soap and water.
• For the inside of your mouth, rinse for 60 seconds with salt water or non-alcohol-based mouthwash after every time you eat or drink for two weeks.
• Suck on ice cubes or sip ice water to reduce swelling.
• Brush your teeth twice a day as part of your general oral hygiene.
• Avoid smoking, spicy foods, alcohol and dairy for the first week. Avoid oral sex and kissing before your piercing heals completely so you don’t get infections or sexually transmitted infections.
• Signs of infection are excessive swelling, yellow or green coating of the tongue, pus, localized hardness or bumps.

Tattoo aftercare:

• Leave the bandage on for about five hours after getting the tattoo. Once the tattoo has stopped bleeding, gently remove the bandage after washing your hands. If it sticks, wet it with warm water.
• Wash your hands with soap and water, then wash your tattoo with a gentle non-scented soap and water using your fingers. Pat it dry with a clean towel and let it air dry.
• When your tattoo feels dry, lightly moisturize it with non-scented body lotion containing vitamin A or D.
• The tattoo can become dry and flaky. Do not scratch or pick at it, as this may cause infections, loss of ink and scarring.
• Wear clean and loose clothing around the tattoo.
• Use ice packs to relieve swelling.
• Stay out of pools, hot tubs and direct sunlight until the tattoo has fully healed, about 10 to 14 days. Even when healed, use sunscreen lotion to prevent the ink from fading too quickly.
• If the tattoo gets infected, contact your artist for further instruction or seek medical attention.

Revised 2011.