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 really based in common sense. Try and 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:
- Let the artist know about any allergies you may have.
- 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.
- Latex or vinyl gloves must be worn when sterilizing equipment and changed in between in each client.
- They must have a functional autoclave for sterilizing metal equipment. Some shops will even display their autoclave’s maintenance calendar for you to know that they are following the recommended standards of operation.
- 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.
- Other equipment such as razors, markers, stencil paper and dental bibs (for mouth piercings) should only be used once and then disposed of.
- The artist must have the skills required to pierce or tattoo the chosen site on your body.
- The jewelry should be high-quality stainless steel or titanium that has been sterilized.
- Disposable ink cups can be used with the right amount of ink just for you. Sharing ink can spread infections such as Hep C.
- The artist should provide aftercare instructions on how to look after your tattoo or piercing to prevent infection.
- Report dodgy tattooing and piercing salons to public health.
Non-professional settings
Having a tattoo or piercing done in a non-professional setting 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 doesn’t always happen in studios though so it’s important to be as safe as possible.
Piercing
Safer piercing kits can be obtained from some needle exchange programs. They contain hollow piercing needles, gloves and swabs to reduce the risk of infection. The hollow needles create the space needed for the jewelry and work better than safety pins or sewing needles that can cause scarring.
Tattooing
To reduce the risk of infection, tattooing is safer if done in a professional setting. Take care if you’re getting a tattoo in a place where you don’t have access to sterile equipment and new ink, like in prison. Without your own sterile equipment and your own ink, it’s easier to get Hep C, HIV or skin infections.
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 you and your piercing 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 jewelry.
- Soak your piercing in warm water to loosen any crusty buildup. Do not pick at the crusty buildup.
- 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 jewelry and rinse well to remove all the soap. Do this twice a day.
- Wear loose clothing to allow for air circulation and so your jewelry does not get caught in it.
- Avoid hot tubs, bathtubs and swimming pools while your piercing is healing.
- If it 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 every time you eat or drink for two weeks. In the second week, you can dilute 50/50 with water.
- 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. You can gently take it off about five hours after the procedure.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before washing your tattoo with a gentle non-scented soap and water using only your fingers. Pat dry with a clean towel and let it air dry.
- When your tattoo feels dry, lightly moisturize it with non-scented ointment 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 healed. Even when healed, use sunscreen lotion to prevent ink from fading too quickly.
- If the tattoo gets infected, contact your artist for further instruction or seek medical attention.
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