Body Art Health and Safety Issues

By Karen L. Hudson, About.com Guide to Tattoos / Body Piercings

No matter how good a body modification may look, it has to be done in a sterile and safe environment or you could end up with serious health problems. Know what to look for and know when to walk away from a potentially dangerous situation.

1. Universal Precautions
2. Common Unsafe Practices
3. Body Art and Disease Risks
4. Allergic Reactions and Healing Difficulties

Universal Precautions

Universal Precautions is the term used to describe the method required to keep people safe from blood borne pathogens and hazardous waste. Not all body art practitioners abide by Universal Precautions, so it becomes your responsibility to know what to look for and how to know if someone is following the safety standards or not.

• Glossary Definition - Cross Contamination
• Glossary Definition - Blood-Borne Pathogens
• Studio Safety Requirements
• The Importance of Spore Strip Testing
• Blood & Plasma Donation Eligibility
• Why You Should Be Concerned About Cross Contamination

• Do Disposable (One Time Use) Needles and Tubes Make a Tattoo or Piercing Safe?
• Why Artists Must Wear Protective Gloves
• Biohazardous Materials - Proper Disposal of Medical Waste
• What is an Autoclave Bag and Why is it Important?
• What is an Autoclave Sterilizer?

Common Unsafe Practices

Certain practices may be common, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are safe. This section will explore controversial issues that deserve a second thought.

• Smoking in the Studio
• Tattoo Parties
• Outdoor Festival & Tent Tattooing
• The Dangers of Black Henna

• Covering Fresh Tattoos with Saran (Plastic) Wrap
• Do-It-Yourself Body Piercing
• Piercing Guns

Body Art and Disease Risks

Even though getting a professional tattoo or piercing is generally safe, nothing is completely without risk. And getting a non-professional tattoo or piercing is rife with safety hazards. Learn what dangers you could potentially be exposed to and how to protect yourself.

• MRSA and Body Modification - What are the Risks?
• Pre-Existing Diseases & Getting Modified
• Why Your Tattoo Artist Should be Vaccinated Against Hepatitis B

Allergic Reactions and Healing Difficulties

Even if a tattoo or piercing is performed with the utmost precautions, sometimes things can go wrong. You may experience a reaction to the ink, the jewelry, or a product used during aftercare. This section will help you troubleshoot those issues and found out how to handle them.

• Piercing Bumps, Growths, Cysts, Keloids and Infections
• Body Jewelry Rejection and Migration
• Raised, Itchy and/or Bumpy Tattoos
• Latex Allergies - Causes Symptoms Prevention Alternatives and Treatment