This is a hard story to refute - three young men all got tattoos together at Lil Smitty’s, a Blue Island, Illinois tattoo parlor, and all three broke out with MRSA staph infections all over their brand new art. Illinois is soon going to be implimenting a new law for tattooing shops that will require them to be certified and inspected annually, but for now, they are not, and this is true for the most part across the country. If you must go have a tattoo, which I don’t recommend these days (and I have two myself, so I am not a tattoo prude…lol), follow these guidelines:
1. Look at the shop - does it look dirty? Tattoo shops should be as clean as a doctors office. Remember this is an invasive procedure. If they don’t even bother to try to make it look clean, then don’t bother getting a tattoo there.
2. Get recommendations from friends - don’t drink too much and decide its time to get a tattoo and stop in at the first place you see. Take some time to check out the place. Googleit.
3. Observe the artists at work. Do they wear gloves? Do they take care not to touch anything while their gloves are on? Is their working area a mess? Are they eating/drinking/smoking while they are working? If so, move along.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask about their santitation procedures. If they are rude about answering, do not pass go, do not collect your $200, just leave. If they are impressed that you care about these things, and are happy to tell you, then they probably care enough about you to take care of you. Probably.
5. Be sure they swab your skin with alcohol before they begin, and be sure you have showered recently too. You can’t get enough bacteria off your body before someone starts poking you with needles.
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5 responses so far ↓
MRSA Notes » President APIC Chicago Suggests Alternative Legislation // May 4, 2007 at 8:18 am
[…] though that Illinois seems to be trying to take a stand and clean things up (see the earlier Illinois tattoo shop story) - lets do it the right way the first time though. Add to: […]
Kate Ciampi // May 8, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I am very interested in this not only from the standpoint of a registered nurse in Illinois, but also as a tattoo studio owner of Perfection Dermgraphics in Des Plaines.
Our artists understand that not only are we protecting our clients with proper safety protocols, but ourselves. We pride ourselves in our “doctor’s office” appearances and the extra steps we take such as using disposable tubes rather than having to clean and sterilize metal ones, and completely wiping down our workspaces in addition to equipment (even though all covered with barrier film, etc.) after each client. All artists wear plastic disposable aprons. There are no shortcuts to health and safety. You might also mention in your list that clients should be given written aftercare instructions along with a verbal explanation as to how to care for their tattoos.
We sponsor an annual industry-specific OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard class each year - this year it is going to be on Sunday,July 8th at the Radisson at Manheim and Higgins in Des Plaines. Many tattoo artists from the area attend this event. I would be pleased to provide further information.
kevin // Jul 10, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Here’s the part that the papers seem to be leaving out of the story.These three guys were sharing a jar of vasoline,dipping into it with dirty fingers. they were seen doing this in the shop,and were qiuckly told that was not the proper waythe tattoo’s are to be taken care of. Then reminded how to take proper care of them. I know this because im the one who had to remind these kids . I did the cute lil yellow ducky on his arm.Now when he came back to the shop the next night ,his tattoo still had not been washed , from the night before and had no no a and d ointment(like they were told) on the tattoo. So now the real story is out there.There are two people responsible for the tattoo and i know our side was completely fullfilled. Kevin Tattoo Magic
David Miller // Jan 29, 2008 at 11:17 am
Hello I live in a small town east of Cleveland Ohio,Mantua.We just had a new Tattoo shop open up here in town just in the last 4/5 months.I really think they should be a little cleaner then they are.I couldn’t believe how dirty the shop was.CLEAN UP!OR GET OUT!
Matt // Jan 29, 2008 at 11:23 am
DONT GO THERE!
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