Tattoo You

Thousands of Canadians have become infected with HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and other from sharing needles for injection. This includes needles used for street drugs and anabolic steroid injections.

Unclean needles for tattooing and piercing also cause infections.

Professional tattoo artists and piercers know how to prevent infections transmitted through body art.

In Canada there is minimal risk from a professional artist, but travelers should look for artists who follow all the safety practices.

Before getting a tattoo check:

The needles are always new and sterile which should stay in sealed packages until use, and be disposed of in a sharps container after use.

All other instruments should be cleaned, disinfected or sterilized before each use. Tattoo studios should have an autoclave that heats and sterilizes instruments.

The tattoo artist should never test the needle or ink on their own skin.

Before tattooing the artist should shave the skin with a new disposable razor that must be thrown away after use and is not to be used on anyone else.

The artist should have good hygiene and wash their hands. The artist should never smoke while working. Artists should wear single use medical gloves.

Before a tattoo is applied, moisten the skin. Excessive lubricant should not be returned to the main bottle.

Ink from the main supply should be placed in a small disposable container or ‘cap'. Ink should be commercially produced and not homemade.

Any remainder ink should be discarded not returned to the main supply.

The studio should be clean. All surfaces that come into contact with blood should be disinfected with bleach or hospital strength disinfectant.

Similarly before piercings check :

Each piercing should be done with a new needle even when getting multiple piercings.

Tools of the trade (insertion, tapers, forceps, needle receiving tubes and pliers) should be clean and sterilized before use. Cleaning is done with water and detergent followed by an autoclave to sterilize.

Skin should be cleaned with antiseptic before and after the piercing but soaps, water, alcohol and sprays are not strong enough.

Only sterilized jewelry should be used in a fresh piercing. Acrylic, bone and horn cannot be sterilized and could start an infection in a new piercing.

If the piercing will go through the lips or tongue, the customer should rinse with an antibiotic mouthwash first.

Ask if a studio is inspected by local health boards and look for a business license .

Tattoos and Piercing at Home:

Although this can be much cheaper, it can be dangerous and lead to infections and scarring. Some areas of the body have rich nerve and blood supplies and can develop to excessive bleeding, pain, and scarring.

Ask the artist for written instructions on how to care for the tattoo or piercing, and follow their instructions.

Care for your New Tattoo or Piercing: 

Don't pick at scabs.

If the site becomes infected, a doctor must treat it.

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun for at least a month.(Wounds tend to hyperpigment) 

Avoid swimming pools and hot tubs for at least 1 week.

Tattoos can be a source of self expression but some people regret what they chose. The website www.kanjimatters.com gives numerous examples of Chinese character tattoos that were translated very wrong.. Examples include: “sweet and sour pork”, “eunuch” and” 'At the end of the day, this is an ugly boy.'

Suggestions on avoiding silly tattoos:

Get a sketch or printout of the proposed design.

Remember that Western names may not be well translated well into Chinese. 

Ask several Chinese people what they think as this could save much embarrassment later.