These are the questions you should be asking and the answers that will reflect proper infection control practices are in place.

• Ear piercing
• Body piercing
• Tattooing

EAR PIERCING - this means the lobe of the ear.

Q: What are the risks associated with ear piercing?

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Anytime the skin is pierced, viruses and germs can easily get into the body. Body sites with more bacteria (nose, naval, genitals) can have a greater infection risk. See body piercing.

There is also the risk of an allergic reaction to the chemicals or jewelry used in the piercing.

Q: How do you clean your piercing gun?

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There are several piercing guns in use today. Each type of gun should be cleaned according to the following:

• Ear piercing guns designed for use with disposable sterile cartridges. After each client, disposable parts are discarded and the gun is cleaned with soap and water using a brush. We dry the gun completely with a single-use towel. Wipe the surfaces of the gun with a recognized disinfectant (10% bleach, 70% isopropyl alcohol or 6% hydrogen peroxide). The gun must then be stored dry, in a clean, disinfected case between uses.
• Guns can be completely disposable… after each pierce the entire gun is thrown away.
• Ear piercing guns designed for use with pre-packaged studs on an integrated platform (earrings are manually loaded) must be cleaned and then sterilized. These guns have no disposable parts and these guns do come in direct contact with the ear. Check with the operator to make sure that they have an autoclave or chemiclave to sterilize this gun before you get any piercing.
• Guns are not intended for use on any part of the body other than the ear lobe. Ask what the manufacturer states about the use of the gun. If an artist is going to use any tool for a body pierce (any part of body other than ear lobe) ensure that they have an autoclave or chemiclave to sterilize the gun!

Q: What do you do if a sealed package of earrings is accidentally opened?

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Sterile studs must be used directly from a sealed package. Sterile studs must not be handled with hands or any non-sterile equipment in the loading process. If a package is opened it must not be used for piercing.

Q: Do I have to give you my name, address and phone number?

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By regulation, the personal service worker must keep a record of all body piercings and tattoos for a period of one year. Records include the name, address and phone number of the client and a description of the service performed. These records are necessary for contact tracing in the event of the discovery of a reportable infection.

BODY PIERCING - any body part other than the lobe of the ear. An ear cartilage piercing is considered a "body piercing." 

Q: What are the risks associated with body piercing?

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Anytime the skin is pierced; viruses and germs can easily get into the body. Body sites with more bacteria (nose, naval, genitals) can have a greater infection risk.

Other problems have been reported when the piercing gun is used on cartilage (high ear piercing, nose). The risk of infection is increased because piercings of the cartilage are much slower to heal. Cartilage piercings have also led to permanent damage and cosmetic deformities. Many complications can result from piercing and include, but are not limited to:

• Local infections.
• Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus infections.
• Auricular chondritis (cartilage infection in the outer ear).
• Sepsis (blood infection).
• Keloid scar formation.
• Cyst formation.
• Hepatitis.
• Bifid ear lobe deformity.
• Deep tissue infections.
• Excessive bleeding and scar tissue
• Fistula formation (tongue piercing).
• Salivary gland injury.
• Blisters.
• Corneal abrasion or eye infection.
• Loss of sensation or movement on forehead.
• Urethral damage.
• There is also a risk of an allergic reaction to the chemicals or jewelry used in the piercing.

Q: Do you use a new piercing needle for each piercing?

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Yes, each piercing is done with a new, sterilized needle. All needles and instruments (that come in contact with the needle) should be in individual packages and will be opened while you are present.

Q: How do you prep the area before the art is started?

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The area to be pierced will first be cleaned (with soap and water) and then wiped with a skin antiseptic.

Q: What type of jewelry will you use for my specific body piercing?

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Piercing studs are not intended for any part of the body other than the ear lobe.

Appropriate grade sterile jewelry is to be used (i.e., surgical steel, 14-18 carat gold, titanium, and niobium). Because there are a lot of different types of piercings, we have a variety of jewelry types, sizes and styles.

Q: How do you clean and sterilize your instruments and equipment?

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All instruments and equipment must be cleaned first prior to sterilization.

Any item that penetrates the skin or mucous membranes must be cleaned and then sterilized. A body piercing shop must have a working autoclave (sterilizer using steam) or a chemiclave (sterilizer using chemicals) to sterilize their equipment.

Q: How do you know that your autoclave or chemiclave is functioning properly?

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The operator is required to keep a logbook that records each load of instruments that are sterilized and whether the load passed the sterilization requirements.

The operator is also required to submit special spore strips to a laboratory once a month. These strips prove that the autoclave (or chemiclave) is working properly. Ask to see spore test results. A passing spore test will prove that the machine is working properly and destroying harmful germs.

Q: Do you have aftercare instructions for my specific type of piercing?

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Yes, we will give you verbal and written aftercare on how to take care of your piercing.

Q: Do I have to give you my name, address and phone number?

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By regulation, the personal service worker must keep a record of all body piercings and tattoos for a period of one year. Records include the name, address and phone number of the client and a description of the service performed. These records are necessary for contact tracing in the event of the discovery of a reportable infection.

TATTOOING

Q: What are the risks associated with tattooing?

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Anytime the skin is pierced; viruses and germs can easily get into the body. Body sites with more bacteria (nose, naval, genitals) can have a greater infection risk.

Many complications can result from tattooing and include, but are not limited to:

• Local infections.
• Necrosis, sarcoidosis and uveitis.
• Inflammatory reactions.
• Erythema.
• Sarcoidosis.
• Sepsis (blood infection).
• Warts.
• Toxic shock syndrome.
• Cutaneous tuberculosis.
• Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV.
• There is also a risk of an allergic reaction to the chemicals or dyes used in the tattoo

Q: Do you use new needle(s) for each tattoo?

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Yes, each tattoo is done with new, sterilized needles. All needles and instruments that come in contact with the needles should be in individual packages and will be opened while you are present.

Q: How do you prep the tattoo area before the art is started?

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The area to be tattooed will first be cleaned (with soap and water) and then wiped with a skin antiseptic. If we have to shave the area a new disposable razor will be used for shaving. Any stencils must be new and disposed of after each client.

Q: How do you dispense the ink?

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Ink is dispensed into disposable ink caps (thimble size holders) to prevent contamination of the ink containers. The inks used are non-toxic and special for tattooing.

Q: How do you clean and sterilize your instruments and equipment?

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All instruments and equipment must be cleaned first prior to sterilization.

Any item that penetrates the skin or mucous membranes must be cleaned and then sterilized. A tattoo shop must have a working autoclave (sterilizer using steam) or a chemiclave (sterilizer using chemicals) to sterilize their equipment.

Q: How do you know that your autoclave or chemiclave is functioning properly?

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The operator is required to keep a logbook that records each load of instruments that are sterilized and whether the load passed the sterilization requirements.

The operator is also required to submit special spore strips to a laboratory once a month. These strips prove that the autoclave (or chemiclave) is working properly. Ask to see spore test results. A passing spore test will prove that the machine is working properly and destroying harmful germs.

Q: Do you have aftercare instructions for my tattoo?

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Yes, we will give you verbal and written aftercare on how to take care of your tattoo.

Q: Do I have to give you my name, address and phone number?

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By regulation, the personal service worker must keep a record of all body piercings and tattoos for a period of one year. Records include the name, address and phone number of the client and a description of the service performed. These records are necessary for contact tracing in the event of the discovery of a reportable infection.