There are just few regulations covering tattooing other than
the laws requiring that minors are not to be tattooed or in
same states only with parental permission. However, every
professional tattoo parlor must be licensed. This happens when
all the artists in the studio qualify by completing a health
department course on infectious disease transmission and pass an
exam. Unfortunately businesses aren't inspected regularly and the
law allows anyone to acquire a tattoo machine, get a license and start
tattooing whether they have to ability to do it or not. Most reputable
tattoo artists object to this situation too.
Here are just a few tips you can remember to ensure choosing a save
tattoo studio:
Take a look around in the studio. See if the studio is
clean, artists wear gloves, and the studio looks
professional. That says a lot already!
Ask the artists questions. Ask if they have an
autoclave, if the needles and other materials they are using
are single use, if they are using EPA approved
disinfectants and so on. If it is a legitimate parlor they will
not mind answering those questions.
Watch the artist when applying a tattoo to be sure safety
procedures are being followed.
Memberships in professional organizations are voluntarily
but most artists do participate in one anyway. Those who
participate are always better informed about safety issues and
innovations.
