Turning your body into a work of art

Body piercing and tattooing are becoming more popular among young Canadians aged 18-22. Likewise, the number of piercing and tattoo shops is on the rise. If you're considering getting a piercing or tattoo, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

Choosing a professional piercing or tattoo artist:
- Piercing should be done with sterile needles or a gun with a disposable sterile cartridge.
- Tattoos should be done with sterile needles in a tattoo machine that is wiped with alcohol after each use and covered with plastic.
- Needles should be new each time and not re-used.
- The chosen area of your body should be disinfected before proceeding.
- Tattoo ink should be new and poured into a separate disposable container for your tattoo only
- Artists should wear latex gloves.
- Instructions should be given on how to prevent infections.
- Artists should practice proper hygiene including hand-washing.

Choosing a piercing or tattoo parlour:
- Visit different piercing and tattoo parlours and ask questions about their safety practices
- Look for information posted about safety in waiting areas or around the parlour.
- Look for work areas that are clean and bright.
- Make sure the parlour has “clean zones” for procedures and sterile equipment and “dirty zones” for contaminated products
- Ensure there are biohazard containers for disposal of used needles and other sharps.
- Make sure that work surfaces are smooth and sterilized with bleach and water.
- Ensure reusable equipment is sterilized with an autoclave (hot water at 120ÞC for 30 minutes) with a temperature gauge and test strips are available.

For more information, visit www.phac-aspc.gc.ca, drop by Fanshawe's Health and Safety Services office in D1021, or call 519-452-4424.
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