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Public Health and Infections

Whenever you’re injecting a substance into your skin, there’s a risk of infection. Some risks include hepatitis, staph, or warts. Using unsterilized tools such as needles, guns or ink can lead to infection, so you’ll want to make sure that your tattoo artist is following safety rules to keep you healthy and infection free. This risk of infection is why the American Association of Blood Banks requires a one-year wait to give blood after you get your tattoo. The first week after is the most important time to take all the precautions suggested to guard against infection. Don't get into a pool or the ocean, chlorine can irritate or you may pick up a bacterial infection in the ocean, lake or stream water.

You should make sure that you’re going to a licensed establishment with experienced artists they know the correct safety procedures for tattooing. Your tattoo artist should have an autoclave and sterilization certification (don’t be afraid to ask to see them!). You also need to make sure that your artist is wearing gloves. Ointment, ink, water and other items should be returned to a universal container after it has been removed for use on a client.

It’s not the best idea to get your tattoo if you’re sick—you’ll need your immune system to be at 100%. Your white blood cells are what help heal your tattoo and if your body is busy battling against virus and bacteria, your cells won’t be able to work as hard or as fast. If you already have an appointment and then get sick, call and reschedule.

IIf I get a tattoo and develop an infection or other reaction, what should I do?

First, contact your health care professional.

Second, notify the tattoo artist so he or she can identify the ink and avoid using it again. Ask for the brand, color, and any lot or batch number of the ink or diluent to help determine the source of the problem and how to treat it.

Third, whether you’re a consumer, tattoo artist, or health care professional, tell the health department. Provide as much detail as possible about the ink and your reaction and outcome. Reports from consumers are one of our most important sources of safety information.

Finding a Tattoo Artist

Tattoos, piercings, permanent makeup, and other forms of body art are increasingly common. If you or someone you know is considering having a procedure done, you should make sure that it both looks good, and is done safely. You should be able to answer the following questions:

  • Does your artist have a valid health permit?
    • It should be hanging clearly in the shop. If you have doubts, contact your health authority. You artist or health department can provide you a copy of the inspection report if you request it. You can find permitted shops in rural Nevada on our licensing website.
  • Does the establishment look clean?
    • Your artist should also be able to answer any questions about how they clean and sterilize their equipment, and whether they use disposable equipment.
  • Can the artist show you examples of their work?
    • Ask if you can watch them work or photos of their work.
  • Is the artist able to explain to you how to clean and care for the procedure site?
    • Some locations and procedures require more attention than others. Your artist should have written directions for you to take home. Always contact the shop and your doctor if you find the procedure site is healing abnormally or seems infected.
  • Are you ready for the procedure?
    • If you are sick, have been drinking, are taking certain medications, or haven’t eaten recently, wait. These conditions can cause excessive bleeding, fainting, rejection of a piercing, or reduce healing times. Listen if you artist has concerns about the procedure, and consult a medical professional before a procedure if you have a history of keloids or other skin conditions.

Caring for your new tattoo, piercing, or permanent makeup

  • Pay attention to the aftercare instructions provided by your artist.
  • Wash your hands before touching the procedure site, and don’t play with new jewelry.
  • Don’t go swimming with a fresh tattoo or new piercing! Until it is fully healed, your procedure site is an open wound. Activities like swimming increase your risk of infection.
  • Don’t let other people touch the procedure site until it’s healed. For oral or genital piercings, use appropriate protection during sexual activity or sexual contact until the piercing is fully healed, and avoid trauma to the procedure site.
  • Avoid sun exposure to new tattoos or permanent makeup. Always wear sunscreen over healed tattoos if sun exposure seems likely. Sunburn over a tattooed area can be painful, can fade the tattoo, and increases your risk of skin cancer in the area.