Sure enough, there was a scraggly looking dude tattooing one of the event-goers inside that tent. I cringed and walked away; it wasn’t my place to cause a scene and tell this guy what an idiot he was, but it is my place to tell me readers here why this was such a stupid thing to do.
Yes, I know – biker events and tattoos go hand in hand. But maybe this is one of those reasons that bikers get a reputation for being dirty and unintelligent. It’s a very old school mentality – 40 years ago, this type of thing was perfectly acceptable and no one gave it a second thought. But we, as humans, are supposed to evolve – to better ourselves and improve our actions based on new information. It’s called progress.
Even Sturgis has progressed – all of their tattoo artists work indoors, keeping everything clean and sterile. They are all licensed and inspected by the health authorities before the event and are required to follow Universal Precautions during the event just as they would in their own shops.
Tattooing outdoors – even in a tent – is not a clean environment. Dust particles and pollution surround the work area, and one gust of wind can carry numerous pathogens. Many health departments won’t allow outdoor tattooing at all. Why bother going to the trouble of sterilizing your equipment and wearing gloves only to expose your client to unknown outdoor elements? And as a potential client, I would questions the sterile practices of any so-called artist that is willing to work this way.
It should also be noted that there was a building at this event, and it would have been easy enough for this artist to request that he be able to set up indoors for the safety of his clients. Most of the biker events I have been to have some kind of building where a cleaner environment could be created.
Mobile tattooing units – trailers that are fully equipped with proper sterilization equipment and protect the client from outside elements – are also a safer alternative to tent tattooing. But another thing to consider before getting tattooed at a biker rally or any other kind of temporary event is who, if anyone, the artist answers to about his sterile practices. Is he licensed, is his mobile unit inspected by health authorities, does he have an autoclave and does he conduct monthly spore tests? Certification, licensing and any other legal paperwork should be prominently displayed.
Going home with a new tattoo as a memento of a special event can be a positive thing, but not if you also take home an infection or blood borne illness. Temporary, traveling tattooers have the advantage of not having to stick around to guarantee their work or answer to anyone when problems occur. If the event coordinators aren’t savvy enough to require that their tattooers follow safety protocol, then it’s the responsibility of the potential client to ensure their own safety.