If you’re headed to a local tattoo parlor, you’ve probably put a lot of thought into the design and meaning of your tattoo, but there are other factors to consider in order to ensure your tattoo experience is a pleasant one. To put it plainly, think about your health and safety prior to getting inked.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you take several precautions before getting a tattoo. A few important tips are included below.
Get Vaccinated
It’s important to protect yourself from bloodborne diseases prior to getting tattooed. As a precautionary measure, get vaccinated for Hepatitis B, which is spread via infected blood or body fluids. If the needles or equipment used for your tattoo are not sterilized, there’s a possibility it can be passed to you.
Symptoms of Hepatitis B may not show up for several months, and only 70 percent of those infected even show signs of illness. With or without symptoms, the virus can still be passed to others. People with the Hepatitis B virus may develop liver cancer or failure, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver or life-long infection.
Scope Out The Shop
When selecting a tattoo parlor, look for preventative practices around the shop, such as the artist’s gloves being changed often, surfaces being disinfected frequently, the sterilization of tools and sharp object disposal containers.
Additionally, make sure that the shop has an up-to-date incident log (hopefully one that is sparse with incidents) and an exposure control plan. These two items mean the shop is keeping up with the exposure of its artists to blood and also has an itemized plan for when an artist does come in contact with blood.
Know The Rules
Each state has specific body art regulations that every tattoo parlor must comply with. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the regulations in your state so that you can make sure nothing is out of the ordinary when you visit the shop to get inked. You can check your state’s regulations here.
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