Tattoos and Piercings

• Work in an inspected studio storefront or home-based studio.
• Have a work area that is clean and organized.
• Have a sink. It should have hot and cold running water, liquid soap and paper towels.
• Wash hands using liquid soap and water, or use hand sanitizer. It must be done before putting on a new pair of gloves.
• Cover the machine, lighting, and spray bottles in plastic. The plastic should be discarded after use.
• Use new, disposable applicators.
• Throw out leftover product after each client.
• Must pour ink in front of you. Be sure the new ink caps are new. Old ink and used caps must be thrown out.
• Use a new, disposable cup with clean water for rinsing ink from tattoo needles.
• Clean the skin with an antiseptic before beginning.
• Use a new, disposable razor if shaving is required.
• Use a new, disposable stencil.
• Use new, pre-packaged, and sterile disposable tattoo needles.
• Make sure that all tattoo tubes, grips and needles must be sterile and kept in sealed packaging. The artist must assemble it in front of you.
• Discard used needles and razors into a sharps container after use.
• Must clean and sterilize all reusable metal tubes and grips after use.

See disposable versus reusable items.

Ask about the follow-up care. The artist must give you verbal and written instructions. They tell you how to clean and care for your tattoo to help prevent an infection.

• The finished tattoo should be covered with a clean bandage.
• Always wash your hands before you touch your tattoo.
• Only touch your tattoo to clean it.
• Make sure clothing does not irritate the area.
• See your doctor immediately if the tattooed area becomes infected. Signs are increased redness, swelling, tenderness and/or the appearance of pus.

Do not get a tattoo if the artist cannot answer your questions. That should warn you not to get a tattoo.

Warning signs are:

• The artist does not use new, pre-packaged, sterile, disposable needles.
• The artist does not use proper cleaning and disinfecting or sterilizing methods.
• The artist appears to have used drugs or alcohol.
• You have used drugs or alcohol. Alcohol and drugs may thin your blood and this may lead to excessive bleeding.
• The studio cannot show you the latest inspection report.
• The disclosure sign is not posted.

• Work in an inspected storefront or home-based studio.
• Have a work area that is clean and organized.
• Have a sink with hot and cold running water, liquid soap and paper towels.
• Wash hands using liquid soap and water, or use hand sanitizer. It must be done before putting on a new pair of gloves.
• Must apply products with new, disposable applicators.
• Must throw out left over product after each client.
• Must clean the skin with a skin antiseptic. After the area is marked, the piercer must clean the area again with an antiseptic just before you are pierced. Mouth piercings require a mouth rinse.
• Must use new, pre-packaged, sterile and disposable needles every time.
• Use piercing instruments (e.g. needles, clamps) that are sterile and stored in sealed packaging. The piercer must open it in front of you.
• Must use sterile jewellery that is made of high quality, non-allergenic materials such as gold, surgical steel, niobium, titanium or PTFE nylon.
• Must discard used needles into a sharps container after use.
• Must ensure that all reusable equipment used to pierce the skin, or that may become contaminated during the service (i.e. clamps, pliers, etc.) is cleaned and sterilized.

See disposable versus reusable items.

• Only use an ear piercing device on ear lobes. An ear piercing device should not be used to pierce any other part of the body.
• Must use new, pre-packaged, sterile, disposable, plastic cartridges or adapters when using an ear piercing device.
• Use earrings and disposable cartridge or adapters that are stored in sealed sterile packages and should be opened in front of you.
• Discard plastic cartridges or adapters after use.

See disposable versus reusable items.

Ask about the follow-up care. The artist must give you verbal and written instructions. They will tell you how to clean and care for your piercing to help prevent an infection.

• Always wash your hands before cleaning your piercing or the surrounding area.
• Do not touch your piercing. Only clean it until it has healed.
• Piercings may take weeks or months to heal.
• Risk of infection is higher if clothing irritates the pierced area.
• Rick of infection is higher if the area is not kept clean and dry while healing.
• Piercings can result in serious scarring or disfigurement if infected.
• See your doctor immediately if the pierced area becomes infected. Signs are increased redness, swelling, tenderness and/or the appearance of pus.
• Do not remove the jewelry. The hole can close up around the infected area.

Do not get a body or ear piercing if an artist cannot or will not answer all your questions. That should warn you not to get a piercing done.

Warning signs are:

• The artist does not use new, pre-packaged, sterile, disposable needles.
• The artist does not use proper cleaning and disinfecting or sterilizing methods.
• The artist appears to have used drugs or alcohol.
• You have used drugs or alcohol. Alcohol and drugs may thin your blood and this may lead to excessive bleeding.
• The studio cannot show you the latest inspection report.
• The disclosure sign is not posted.