Safety should be every professional Tattoo/ Piercing artist number one priority. It has been this way at Buddha's Since the very beginning .We have help set the standards for safety in the body art world as well as local and state laws that regulate tattooing/piercing. We work with the Erie County Health Dept as well as others across the country in the out reach program and other areas educating our youth and other citizens about The safety standards for tattooing/piercing as well as universal precautions.We find that education of these topics helps the customer and the industry. Buddha's has been in operation since 1966. We have seen the industry change for the better when it comes to safety and will continue to educate to those who will listen.Here is some general information regarding this topic.

There are
two types of sterilizers that you may find in a tattoo studio. The
first is an Autoclave Sterilizer and the second is a Dry Heat
Sterilizer.

An
Autoclave Sterilizer is the approved an accepted method used for
sterilizing surgical instruments. It is 100% safe!! An Autoclave
Sterilizer uses pressurized steam heat to kill any disease causing
bacteria. This is the type of sterilizer that you should make sure the
studio has and uses.

Caution!!!
Just because they have one doesn't mean it works. Ask to see if they
have documentation, from a third party, proving that the sterilizer
functions properly and is maintained on a regular basis. A spore test
should be done every week to prove the autoclave works and the operator
is trained to operate it.We do a spore test every time we run the autoclave.I want to know now, if it is sterile.That is the purpose of a spore test!

A
Dry Heat Sterilizer resembles a toaster oven and is not accepted or
approved by the medical community. Why? It does not create the level of
heat or pressure required to kill many disease causing bacteria. It is
considered to be only 60-80% effective AND has only a 20-40% chance of
killing AIDS or Hepatitis. I don't know about you but a tattoo or
piercing is not worth my life.

Note: Assimilated sterilization such as bleach, boiling, open flame,Alcohol and Boric acid ARE NOT effective.

Nothing should be soaking . Everything must be in a sealed sterile
pouch with an indicator mark to prove it has gone through a autoclave
sterilizer.


My Tattoo Artist Uses New Needles!!!

I
can't tell you how many time we've heard that one. New needles MUST be
sterilized before they are used. Stop and think for a moment about the
person making or packaging the needle that is going to enter your body. Do you know how many time they picked their nose today? Or went to the bathroom and didn't wash their hands?

New needles (some) don't come from the factory sterilized, there are no regulations that require them to be sterilized.If they do come sterilized, They must have a spore test with them to prove sterilization.

For
your own safety DO NOT get tattooed by anyone that does not sterilizer
their equipment.Just because, it the instruments are in a bag does not
necessarily mean that they have been in a autoclave sterilizer.



Safety Measures You Should Require From Your Tattooist

1.


A tattooist or piercer should explain all safety measures in detail and
prove the techniques to you before the tattooing or piercing starts.
2.


Make sure the autoclave sterilizer works and the tattooist or piercer
has documentation to prove it has been serviced in the last year,as
well as weekly spore test results in house.
3.

All needles, tubes and other equipment should be individually wrapped with an indicator mark to prove sterilization.
4.


The tattoo machine or piercing equipment should be assembled in front
of you to ensure you are getting a clean, sterile tube and needle.
5.

All inks should be in individual disposable caps and discarded after use.
6.

All piercing sharps should be discarded after use.
7.

The tattooist or piercer should be wearing gloves while working in any situation involving blood.
8.

Plastic bags should be used for waste disposal.
9.

Any tattooing or piercing of private areas should be performed in a private setting.
10.


11. All Tattoo and Piercing artist must be Health dept Licensed and
Inspected. The documentation must be visible. Any one tattooing out of
there homes are not inspected and are breaking the law. If they can not fallow the laws, why would they worry about your safety!

Consult your physician and or Erie Co. Health Dept. concerning the above procedures before getting a tattoo or piercing.