Because a wound occurs during tattooing, there is a risk of contamination from blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B and C. Therefore, check if the tattoo artist is working hygienically. Hygienic practices are also important to prevent your new tattoo from getting infected. In any case, make sure that:
- the skin is cleaned, disinfected and, if necessary, shaved with a new disposable razor before tattooing;
- the needles and ink are sterile packaged and used only for you. The needles are individually packed, ink is contained in small ink cups;
- clean tissues are used during tattooing to clean the skin;
- the tattoo artist wears gloves while getting the tattoo and changes them if he or she touches anything other than the tattoo machine, a tissue or your skin;
- the tattoo is cared for and covered afterwards.