Monday, 26 November 2012

General Inspection

These are some procedures to consider when inspecting a personal service establishment which performs tattoos and body modifications.


1.      Greet the operator


2.      Questions to start with

·         What types of services do you offer?

o   Tattooing, piercing, suspension, branding, bifurcations, scarification, implantation, anesthetics, etc.

·         How many clients do you receive on a typical/busy day?

·         How many artists are working here?

·         How long have you been in this business?

·         Anything you would like me to address?


3.      Request for a general tour of the premise, focus on …

·         Available hand sinks in proximity to service area

·         Open space or enclosed service rooms

·         Equipment storage

·         Types of disinfectant used

o   High level disinfectant1 (6% hydrogen peroxide, 2% gluteraldehyde)

o   Intermediate level disinfectant2

(70% isopropyl alcohol, 1 part bleach and 9 parts water)

·         Cleaning room

·         Public washroom

·         Lighting and ventilation

·         Non-porous surfaces

·         General cleanliness  

o   Should have no clusters and dust accumulation

o   All surfaces should be disinfected with low level disinfectant3


4.      Inspect each service room or each service routine set-up/procedures

                 Tattoo Typical Set-up

o   Storage of equipment

·         Sterile packaging with labels

·         Closed drawers

o   Biohazard disposal container

·         Rigid, puncture-proof


a.      Paper towel
·   single-use
·   must be stored in a manner that is not exposed to dust

g. Ink pot
·   semi-critical item
·   use high-level disinfectant
b.     Single-use latex gloves
·   must be stored in a box that is not exposed to dust
·   should not replace hand-washing

n. Needle4
·   single-use
·   in sterile packaging
c.      Vaseline bottle
·   bags should be changed between clients
i. Tattoo gun
·   bags should be changed between clients


d.     Antiseptic solution bottle
·   bags should be changed between clients
·   used prior tattooing
j. Bagged electrical cord
·    changed between clients
·   prevent cross-contamination

e.      Tongue depressor
·   single-use
·   prevent double dipping
k. Sanitary sheet
·    prevent cross-contamination between counter surfaces and equipment
·    changed between clients

f.       Razor
·   single-use



          Piercing Typical Set-up

o   Storage of equipment

·         Sterilized packaging

·         Closed drawers




a.  Non-critical equipment2,3
·      in sterile packaging with date label
·      use low/intermediate-level disinfectant
d.  Jewelry4
·       in sterile packaging
·       approved metal

b.  Anti-septic wipe5
·      70% isopropyl alcohol disinfectant prior piercing
e.  Ink pen
·       non-critical equipment
·       use low-level disinfectant if feasible


c.  Needle4
·      in sterile packaging
·      single use or sterilized between clients
f.  Sanitary sheet
·       physical barrier between equipment and surface



 Other possible tools for bifurcation, cauterization, implantation

o   Scalpels4

o   Dermal punches4

o   Jewelry and implant materials4


2.      Assess operator’s safety precaution

·         How are they safely transporting biohazard materials to cleaning area?

·         Safe disposal of single-use materials (i.e. needles) or biohazards?


3.      Inspect the equipment cleaning area

·         Must be separated from the service area(s) with no public access

o   Maintenance/Servicing logs

·         Two-Compartment Sink

o   Separation of clean and dirty equipment

o   Type of cleaner used

·         Ultrasonic Cleaner

o   Clean lid that prevents splashing when operating

o   The types of disinfectant used

·         Neutral, low alkaline detergent

o   Maintenance/Servicing logs

·         Autoclave (heat sterilization)

o   Sterilization records

o   Spore strips


4.      Sit down with the operator for questioning period and debriefing

·         Ask about the field experience and training of the artists

·         Recommend hepatitis B vaccination for the safety of the artist and the client

·         Review the potential health risks and cross-contaminations

 (blood borne diseases, skin infections and physical injuries)

·         Latex gloves and Vaseline issues

o   Vaseline has the potential to dissolve latex gloves in 20 minutes.

·         Take a look at records of incidents

·         Take a look at informed consent for under-age clients and general client records

·         Screening questions for clients

o   Are they feeling ill?

o   Any medication they are currently taking

o   Any medical conditions that the operator needs to know

o   Client’s age

·         After-care instructions for clients


5.      Review the inspection form and comment on corrective action needed.


6.      Thank the operator for his/her time.


1 High level disinfectants must be used for any equipment that has been contact with ears, nose, mouth, or non-intact skin

2 Intermediate level disinfectants must be used for blood spills

3 Low level disinfectants are Quats, 3% hydrogen peroxide, for general non-critical surface cleaning

4 These equipment must be cleaned in the ultra cleaner and sterilized or disposed of immediately if single-use

5 Examples of skin sterilization products are antiseptics such as 70% isopropyl alcohol and iodine.

Current Trend: Saline Injections “Bagel Head”


Japanese hipters have popularized a trend in saline injection, where approximately 400cc of sterile saline solution is injected via IV drip into the forehead. After about 2 hours a large saline bubble forms which can be manipulated by pressing on the skin. The end result is a temporary bagel shape on the forehead of the individual. The design disappears with the absorption of the saline solution into the body 16-24 hours after injection

Saturday, 24 November 2012

Younger Teens will need Parental Consent to get a Tattoo or Body Piercing

Starting December 15th, 2012, new laws in South Australia will require teenagers under 16 years old to have parental consent before getting tattoos, piercings or body modications. The maximum fine for anyone commiting unlawful tattooing or piercing has been increased to $5000 or a year in jail.

For more on the orginial article:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/younger-teens-will-need-parental-consent-to-get-a-tattoo-or-body-piercing/story-fndo471r-1226517677052

New Laws to Regulate Tanning, Piercings, Tattooing


New legislation governing personal services establishments (PSE) had been introduced by Newfoundland and Labrador government. The previous system for PSE to follow voluntary guidelines was found ineffective and therefore new regulations are in place.

According to CBC news, the new regulations include the following:
  • Ban those under 19 from using indoor tanning facilities;
  • Prohibit establishments from offering invasive body modification procedures — such as scarring, sub-dermal implants, branding, skin peeling and tongue splitting — to persons under the age of 19;
  • Bar them from offering body piercing and tattooing services to those under the age of 16 without the written consent of a parent or guardian;
  • Require information to be provided to clients on the health risks of the services to be provided, and post health warning signs in the premises;
  • Require personal services establishments and tanning facilities to comply with new, yet-to-be-developed provincial health standards;
  • Make such businesses register with the government.
For more on the orginial article:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2012/06/07/nl-tanning-tattoo-legislation-607.html

General Health Risks Associated with Body Modification

Blood borne Diseases

Skin Infections
Other Severe Health Risks
  • Nerve damage
  • Hemorrhage
  • Allergic reactions
    • Inks & injections
    • Jewelry
    • Latex gloves

Reference links: HealthLink BC and Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)




Friday, 23 November 2012

Tattoo-Associated Nontuberculous Skin Infections - Multiple States, 2011 - 2012

Between September – December 2011, 14 New York residents reported Mycobacterium chelonae skin infections after receiving tattoos. The infection was traced back to a nationally distributed, prediluted gray ink. Investigation has identified nontuberculous mycobacterial skin infections (NTM) contamination in 2 of 5 identified clusters of tattoo inks. NTM usually occurs when contaminated ingredients is used or when GMP is not followed. Currently, there is no specific FDA regulation that requires the use of sterile tattoo inks.

For more on the orginial article:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6133a3.htm?s_cid=mm6133a3_w

Oceanside May Redraw Line on Tattoo Parlours

The City of Ocean Side in California has been restricting a maximum of three tattoo parlours in the city grounds to clean up its seedier past. However, the City Manager believes such limitation is unnecessary and detrimental to local businesses. Therefore, he will be proposing to the City Council to remove the restriction this week with the hopes to attract more tourists for local tattoo parlours.

For more on the original article:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/nov/21/city-may-redraw-line-on-tattoo-parlors/

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Implants

Putting foreign objects into the body.


 **Associated health hazards: 
     use of non-surgical equipment and implants, hemmorhage issues, blood borne diseases



Eye implants

Inserting jewellery into the eye.





Magnetic implants

Placing a magnet under the skin



Microdermal Implants

Subdermal or transdermal implants to create a raised design or protruding piece of jewellery respectively. Transdermal implants have an implanted foot to anchor the visible jewellery.



Subdermal Implant

3D body art: Inserting materials underneath the skin for the purpose of a raised pattern once the skin has healed over the object. 

Transdermal Implants


Having objects anchored below while protruding a piece of jewellery above the surface of the skin.