Safer Tattooing
Tattooing and body piercing are potential sources of hepatitis C transmission if contaminated needles or shared ink are used. You can minimize your risk if you are aware of the danger and take very specific precautions.
When tattooing or piercing:
- Get only tattoos and piercings done by licensed professionals in specialized settings.
- Make sure tattoo and body piercing is done with sterilized tools and that the needles and ink are new. Ask if you're not sure.
- Make sure the person doing the piercing is wearing latex gloves.
If you GET OR GIVE a tattoo in a non-professional setting
Tattoos in correctional facilities and on the streets are often done with crude and unsterilized instruments such as knives, pens and paper clips, which carries a much greater risk. So, it's VERY important to follow these guidelines:
- Make sure you, or the person doing the tattooing, washes their hands before and after the tattoo.
- Use new tattoo/piercing tools for each person. Never share your needle/tool.
- If you can't, make sure you first sterilize it. (Burning the end of the tool or cleaning it with alcohol or bleach can help to sterilize it.)
- Use separate tattoo ink for each person. Don't share or reuse your ink.
- Cover fresh tattoos with clean bandages.
