Tattooing

  • Record the client’s name, address, telephone number, date and type of procedure, and the name of the tattoo artist.
  • Keep client, accidental exposure and pre-packaged sterile items records for at least three years with a minimum of one year (365 days) on site.
  • Record manufacturer, lot number and expiry date for pre-packaged sterile items including needles.
  • Cover all light fixtures, spray bottles and parts of the tattoo machine that cannot be cleaned and disinfected. Use single-use plastic wrap. New plastic wrap must be used for each client.
  • Clean and disinfect headrests, worktables, and chairs between clients. Use a low-level disinfectant 
  • Provide the client with information about the procedure and any associated risks.
  • Inspect the area of the skin that will be tattooed for inflammation or a rash. Avoid tattooing within 6 inches of skin that is red, swollen, infected or with a rash.
  • Clean your hands before putting on single-use disposable gloves and after removing gloves.
  • Use a new pair of single-use disposable gloves for each client.
  • Clean the area of the skin with an approved antiseptic such as 70% isopropyl alcohol. Use a disposable swab.
  • Deodorant sticks are not recommended for applying stencils.
  • Dispense any creams, lotions, ointments, and ink in a way that prevents contamination.
  • If a razor is required to shave the area, it must be sterile and discarded immediately after use, Discard the razor into an approved sharps container. Sharps containers cannot be discarded with municipal garbage.

Needle cartridges are used by many artists and aestheticians. There are two types of needle cartridges, cartridges with a protective membrane (also known as a safety membrane or backflow preventer), and cartridges without a protective membrane.

Needle cartridges with a protective membrane reduce the risk of blood and body fluids contaminating equipment and transmitting bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV

All needle cartridges that connect onto a device must have a protective membrane. Proof that the cartridge has a protective membrane is required on-site at the personal service setting.

Acceptable proof that a cartridge has a protective membrane:

  • It is written on the box the cartridge comes in.
  • It is written on the individual needle cartridge sterile container/package.
  • It is written on the manufacturer’s website for that specific cartridge.
  • Written communication from the manufacturer such as an email.

Information provided by suppliers or retailers is not accepted as proof.

Remember:

  • Always use individually pre-packaged and sterile needle cartridges.
  • Double-check that the packaging has not been compromised.
  • Open packages in front of your client.
  • When any commercially purchased sterile items arrive onsite, record the details on the ‘Commercially Purchased Prepackaged and Sterile Items Records”. A sample record is available. PDF
  • Open packages in front of your client.
  • Record each needle cartridge lot number on the client record. A sample invasive client record is available PDF. Keep the records for three years with a minimum of one year (365 days) on-site.
  • Immediately discard the used cartridge into an approved sharps container. Do not reuse.
  • The machine, grip tube/sleeve, clip cord, pigment bottles and squirt bottles used during the service must be covered with a single-use, disposable protective cover. Once the cover is discarded the item is to be cleaned and disinfected with an intermediate level disinfectant.
  • Toronto Public Health recommends using needles and needle bars that have been purchased pre-packaged, sterile and ready for use. Keep records for these items for at least three years with a minimum of one year (365 days) on site.
  • If the needles are prepared by the artist, the needles must be purchased pre-packaged and sterile. The needle and needle bar must then be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, re-packaged and sterilized before use. The date the item was sterilized must be written on the package.
  • Remove prepackaged sterile instruments and needles from their packaging in front of the clients.
  • Discard needles and needle bars into an approved sharps container immediately after use. Sharps containers cannot be discarded with municipal garbage.
  • Any item being sterilized must first be cleaned. An ultrasonic cleaner can be used to clean instruments before sterilization.
  • All items must be packaged before being sterilized.
  • Sterilizers must be monitored to ensure they are working properly.
  • There are three types of monitoring that are required; biological, chemical and physical.

For more information see the Sterilization – Infection Prevention and Control.

  • Do not use any equipment from the failed load and any items sterilized after the last passed spore test.
  • You can use any equipment sterilized during the time when the autoclave passed the spore test or use purchased pre-packaged sterile items.
  • Report the failed spore test to Toronto Public Health.
  • Reprocess items immediately using another internal chemical indicator (type 4) and external chemical indicator if the internal indicator is not visible in the package.
  • If the chemical indicator fails again:
    • Stop using items from the failed indicator tests and
    • Conduct a spore test right away.
  • Use items reprocessed from the last passed spore test or use purchased, pre-packaged, sterile items until you get the spore test results.
  • Toronto Public Health recommends using disposable ink caps. Cleanand disinfect ink caps before using. Use an intermediate-level disinfectant such as 70% isopropyl alcohol.
  • Discard disposable ink caps after each client. Discard any leftover ink. Use a new disposable ink cap, if additional ink is required during the procedure.
    • Foam inserts are not allowed to be used.
    • Ring ink caps are not recommended due to the occupational risk.
  • Sterilize reusable ink caps between clients.
  • If an ink cap holder is used, it must be cleaned and disinfected between clients using a high-level disinfectant.
  • Sterile water should be used if diluting ink. Do not use tap water to dilute ink.

Every client should be told and receive written information on how to care for their skin after their tattoo and what they should do if their skin becomes red, swollen or uncomfortable.