This might sounds stupid. Is it possible to catch something ( any kind of hep or hiv ) from getting a tat? I want one, but dont know where to start as far as choosing a good artist and being safe with it etc.
2007-07-17 19:59:26 · 5 answers · asked by undone 4 in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
Beyond hepatitis, on the rise is MRSA infections and these can be serious. Rule of thumb - if the place looks dirty, you can be sure it is! I would not hesitate to ask them if they take regular classes in infection control. Many artists who "think" they work clean have no clue that they aren't. What good is an autoclave if they aren't using it properly?
As they say, you don't know what you don't know. All of us in my studio take annual bloodborne pathogens classes. It's a great refresher class for us and a commitment to safety for ourselves and our clients.
2007-07-18 01:19:54 · answer #1 · answered by tatt_bratt 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here are the only 2 ways you could get blood borne disease from tattoo. 1. Dirty needle - I don't think anyone outside of a prison is doing tattoos this was anymore (and maybe not even them. 2. Taking the ink that wasn't used in one person's tattoo and injecting it back into the ink vat. Some blood could have gotten in - small amount - during the tattoo process and then it's re-introduced into the ink from which the next person's is coming. Prior to 1990 or so, tattoos were the most common way of getting hepatits C because reusing ink was very common. (Symptoms of hep C don't show up for 10 to 30 or more years so no one really knew it was a big problem.)
MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to the most common antibiotics used to treat staph. If your tattoo became infected after you left the place; let's say you forgot to keep it clean or whatever, you would just get a regular bacterial infection unless you have a history of taking tons of antibiotics. The only other way to get MRSA is from another person who has it, and the most common place to get it is a health care facility.
2007-07-18 01:45:34 · answer #2 · answered by lotus4yoga 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to transmit Hepetitis, but there has never been a recorded case of AIDS transmitted by tattooing (though many people falsely believe that).
However, if you go to a reasonably reputable tattoo studio, the chances of you getting a disease are pretty much zero. And even if blood does wind up getting passed, the tattoo artist is at more risk than you are (after all, who's the one getting poked? you or him?).
Ask them about their sterility procedures. They should mention an autoclave, and be clear that needles are one-time-use only and disposed of after use.
If they don't say those things at the very least, turn around and walk out.
2007-07-17 20:03:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are more likely to catch some communicable disease from having a cut on your hand and touching things around the house than you are from having a tattoo. as long as you go to a reputable shop that uses new needles and sterilized equipment and sterile processes there is not a risk of catching anything. whatever shop you chose, be sure to go there before and see what they do as far as preparation and what tools they use. ask about their health practices and make sure you are comfortable with the measures they take to protect you and themselves.
2007-07-18 00:57:09 · answer #4 · answered by somebody's a mom!! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe all shops are required to have an autoclave machine make sure your needles are opened in front of you everything should be ok
2007-07-20 10:50:18 · answer #5 · answered by cheri h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋