Find a safe way to tattoo

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A tattoo of an eagle, a bear, a dragon, hearts, barbed wire, names of boyfriends or girlfriends, and navel, ear or nose rings are expressions of art that carry personal meaning for the person who gets one.

Among the ancient Egyptians and other cultures, including Aboriginal cultures, tattoos have been around for thousands of years. In the early 1900s, tattoos were associated with macho sailors or ex-convicts

Today, tattooing and body piercing have become popular in the mainstream, not only with students, but with urban professionals as well. Television programs and movies often depict heartthrobs with "cool" tattoos or navel earrings.

Getting tattoos or getting body pierced, however, can be a risk. There is a possibility that diseases such as HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis can be contracted in tattoo shops or places where body piercing is done. Outbreaks of hepatitis B associated with tattooing have been reported since 1950. Case reports published in Gayle E. Longs, Infectious Complications of Tattoos, indicat that the problem came after tattoo artists used the same needle on several customers. Today the concerns are not only hepatitis B but also HIV and hepatitis C.

"We are still concerned about the spread of hepatitis B and HIV, but we are finding that hepatitis C is the fastest spreading disease and is harder to track," said Sherry McKibben, executive director of HIV Edmonton. "Most people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms and may not know they have it. It attacks the liver and can cause all sorts of problems," she said.

According to the AIDS Network's Safe Body Art pamphlet, re-using non-sterilized needles is like sharing syringes with strangers. Tattooists should always use fresh needles and ink. Viruses are found to survive in re-used ink. Brand new, surgical steel earrings should be used in body piercing. Tattoo shop surfaces should always be disinfected. There should also be evidence of health board approval and a business license in the shop.

"Anybody can be a tattoo artist or pierce ears; our concern is that they may not know the safe practices needed and they can spread diseases," said McKibben. "For example if anyone goes into a hair salon with HIV or hepatitis C and gets their ears pierced, if proper sterilization is not used, the next person will get the disease. We recommend to everyone who does tattoos or body piercing that they should get proper sterilization equipment into their shops," she said. Provincial regulations now require that all tattoo shops use one of two methods to sterilize equipment: the steam based autoclave or the dry heat method. Both kinds of sterilization can be used on needles and tubes.

The autoclave is about a foot high and looks like a steel safe and the dry heat equipment looks like a toaster oven.

"Both methods are all right to use. However, we recommend the autoclave method because it sterilizes the equipment a lot faster," said Dennis Chu, environmental health officer, personal services program co-ordinator, Capital Health Authority. "The dry sterilize method takes longer. Our concern is that the tattoo artist might use short cuts and not sterilize the equipment long enough," he said.

A tattoo is permanent so the idea should be explored before making the commitment. Make sure you can also handle the discomfort; getting a tattoo or your body pierced does not tickle.

The AIDS Network suggests that people should get referrals about a tattoo shop from someone they trust before they choose one. Visiting several shops before making a final decision and seeing the health precautions that the shop takes is always wise.

Tattoos can be expensive, but getting one at a safe place is worth the price. It may be tempting to save money by letting a friend or a relative do the job, but it is not worth the risk.

"We are not trying to stop people from getting a tattoo. Our interest is to put cautionary material out there so that the people are safe," said McKibben. "The infctious disease rate is quite high. Tattoos and body piercing areas can be high-risk areas," she said.

"There are places that are safe to go and get a tattoo in the city, but you have to ask questions," said Christine Martenson, administrative assistant of the Interfaith Association on AIDS. "People who get a tattoo or body piercing are often asked not to donate blood for a year," she said.

The Health Standards and Guidelines for Personal Service operational manual suggest an age requirement of 18 for tattoo clients. Clients should not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which tends to interfere with the healing.

OK, so you found a safe place to get a tattoo and you are now the proud owner of one. When you leave the shop, the tattooist should provide you with a list of instructions to prevent infection of your tattoo or piercing.

For further information the public can contact the AIDS Network at 1-800-STOP-HIV