Beauty and Body Art Safety
Are you thinking of getting a tattoo, piercing or spa service? The Middlesex-London Health Unit inspects the businesses that offer these services to make sure they are safe. As a customer, it is also important to be well informed so you can make educated and informed decisions for your health and safety.
The Health Unit’s inspection disclosure website includes inspection reports for personal service settings, such as hairdressing and barber shops, tattoo and body piercing studios, manicure/pedicure salons, and other aesthetic services, including home-based and mobile businesses.
Before Your Appointment
- Know what to know
Before your visit, become knowledgeable on the service and the type of equipment that is used. This will help you to think about how equipment is used, and how it should be cleaned and disinfected. - Don’t be afraid to ask questions
It is your body and your health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good spa employee or tattoo artist will gladly answer your questions. - Make a confident decision
If you feel uncomfortable with anything you see or hear, do not be afraid to refuse the service. You have the right to make sure you are a getting clean and safe service.
What to Watch Out For
Clean Hands
Make sure the artist or spa worker washes his/her hands thoroughly with soap and water and puts on single-use disposable gloves before beginning the procedure. Make sure the artist washes their hands and puts on a new pair of gloves if they are interrupted to answer the phone or deal with another matter.
New Sterile Needles
All needles must be brand new and sterile. Make sure they break the seal in front of you. Never allow a needle that has been used, or that you suspect has been used before, to enter your skin for any reason at any time.
Clean and Sterilized Equipment
Equipment that touches your skin but does not actually break it can be reused after it is properly cleaned and sterilized. This includes things like the needle bars or rods that support the needle in a tattoo machine, forceps, and scissors.
Clean Linen
Make sure you are given clean sheets, towels, and robes for your service. Paper bed liners are single use and must be changed between clients.
Clean Skin
Make sure the artist cleans your skin with soap and water and disinfects the area with an antiseptic before the decorating procedure. If shaving is necessary, insist that the artist use a fresh, disposable razor.
No Double Dipping
Make sure that the artist pours the ink for your tattoo into small, disposable containers that have not been used before. Also make sure that the artist discards the container after they completes your tattoo. During spa treatments, make sure creams, lotions and waxes are used in a way to prevent “double dipping.”
Quality Jewelry
Metal is an important part in body piercing. Choose high-grade sterile surgical steel or gold because other metals can cause allergic reactions.
Gun Control
Ear piercing guns are to be used on ear lobes only, they are not suitable for piercing other body parts. Make sure that the artist uses a sterile needle to pierce your body.
After Care Instructions
If aftercare instructions are provided, follow these guidelines carefully. See your doctor if the area becomes infected.