Tattoo Tips: Read this if you've ever considered it

March 16, 8:54 PMHealth Care ExaminerDoctor Lissa

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Be sure they wear gloves!

If you've read my previous post on why you should seriously consider all the risks against the benefits before you get a tattoo and you still insist on going through with it, then I've provided some tips to help you avoid negrotizing fasclitis, and maybe if you're lucky hepatitis C and B.  Sound good? Then read on!

You can decrease the possibility of complications if you look for and ask about the following:

* Check and see if the "establishment" has a state or local license. This is actually difficult because regulation requirements and licensing standards vary from state to state. Check with your city, county or state health department for information on licensing and regulations in your area,if they even have any. Also, choose a reputable tattoo studio that's clean, tidy and professional and that employs only properly trained employees.  If shouldn't look like pirates spend their spare time in there, but instead should look and smell like well, Lysol.
* Ask to see their autoclave. An autoclave is a heat sterilization machine that should be used to sterilize all nondisposable equipment after each customer. Instruments and supplies that can't be sterilized with an autoclave should be disinfected with a commercial disinfectant or bleach solution after each use. These include drawer handles, tables and sinks.  If they resist your question or say they don't need one, make a speedy retreat for the car. 
*Do they use fresh equipment? Watch the tattoo artist and make sure he or she removes a needle and tubes from a sealed package before your procedure begins. Any pigments, trays and containers should be unused as well.  This means, they don't keep stuff in the drawer or in a mason jar with a label that says "alcohol" in it.  Once again, if you don't see individually wrapped instruments, head for the door.
* Do they use a fresh pair of gloves? The tattoo artist must wash his or her hands and put on a fresh pair of latex gloves for each procedure. The tattoo artist should change those gloves if he or she needs to touch anything else, such as the telephone, during the procedure.  But really if your tattoo artist is talking on the phone when he or she is creating the Mona Lisa on your arm or something else, then well, you know what to do.

In case you're still on the fence about getting a tattoo, here are some additional things to consider (carefully)

1. Learn about the risks and research the process beforehand.
2. Once it's done, use proper care afterward to reduce the risks. Horror stories abound in every ER in the country about this one.
3. Be sure you're not drunk or high when deciding to get a tattoo. Many a college freshman has woken on a Sunday morning to Chinese characters she can't read because her roomates thought it would be fun.
4. Remember a tattoo is permanent and requires careful and clear thinking so it doesn't become a source of regret.

Next time, what to do if you already have a tattoo and it is a source of regret.

If you've decided to leave the tattoos to others but would like to read about fictional characters who don't need to worry about complications, check out the Pirate Examiner, The "Rum Captain". He's fun and you will laugh at his column while mine is probably not as funny.