Creating a Tattoo: Sterilization & Prep Work

A tattoo machine creates a puncture wound every time it injects a drop of ink into the skin. Since any puncture wound has the potential for infection and disease transmission, much of the application process focuses on safety. Tattoo artists use sterilization, disposable materials and hand sanitation to protect themselves and their clients.

To eliminate the possibility of contamination, most tattoo materials, including inks, ink cups, gloves and needles, are single use. Many single-use items arrive in sterile packaging, which the artist opens in front of the customer just before beginning work.

An autoclave sterilizes tattoo equipment before each use.

Reusable materials, such as the needle bar and tube, are sterilized before every use. The only acceptable sterilization method is an autoclave -- a heat/steam/pressure unit often used in hospitals. Most units run a 55-minute cycle from a cold start, and they kill every organism on the equipment. To do this, an autoclave uses time, temperature and pressure in one of two combinations:

• A temperature of 250° F (121° C) under 10 pounds of pressure for 30 minutes
• A temperature of 270° F (132° C) under 15 pounds of pressure for 15 minutes

Prior to sterilizing the equipment, the artist cleans each item and places it in a special pouch. An indicator strip on the pouch changes color when the items inside are sterile.

Before working on customers, tattoo artists wash and inspect their hands for cuts and abrasions. Then, they should do the following:

• Disinfect the work area with an EPA-approved viricide.
• Place plastic bags on spray bottles to prevent cross-contamination.
• Explain the sterilization process to the client.
• Remove all equipment from sterile packaging in front of the client.
• Shave and disinfect (with a mixture of water and antiseptic soap) the area to be tattooed.
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