Basic Guidelines Fact Sheet.pub
Source: www.health.state.ok.us
Topic: Tattoo
Sort Desciption: When considering getting a tattoo, ask staff at the establishment whatprocedures ... OSDH licenses tattoo artists and establishments, so insure that these ...
Content Inside: Basic Guidelinesfor Getting a Safe Tattoo Public Health Fact Sheet Public Health Fact Sheet Thisinformation is adapted from the Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT). Theirwebsite can be accessed at www.safe-tattoos.com. Tattooing has increased in popularity over the last several years. It is important to be informed of the potential risks involved in getting tattoos, and take appropriate steps to protect yourself. The following questions and answers will be helpful in learning the basics of getting a safe tattoo. Will I get HIV or AIDS? HIV is a fragile virus and does not survive long outside the human body. It is not spread through casual contact. Generally, the virus is only transmitted when sufficient quantitiesof highly infected blood areintroduced into the body of another person. When considering getting a tattoo, ask staff at the establishment whatprocedures they use to prevent the spread of HIV and other blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis. Read about preventive measures in the next section. What about Hepatitis? Hepatitis B and C, unlike HIV, are very hardy virusesthat can survive for long periods outside the human body and can be trans- mitted through as little as a scratch with an infected needle. To combat this and any other bloodbornepathogens, artists use single service equipment or autoclave reused equipment, use individual portions of ink and lubricant, dispose of used sharps according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered virucides to clean their stations between clients, and use barrier protections such as gloves at all times. How should I choose an artist? OSDH licenses tattoo artists and establishments, so insure that these licenses are current. Artistic abilities vary, and this ele - ment cannot be licensed. Make every effort to find an artist whose work you like, and who will work on you safely. Ask others where they got tattooed, and ...
