Safe Tattoo Practices

23rd April, 2017    |    By  headspace    |     1.8k

headspace Bunbury have produced a clever animation to promote safe tattoo practises. Funded by Hepatitis WA.


Also check the related topics:  

Hepatitis C

Video provided by headspace

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Safe Tattoo Practices

Hepatitis is a word that means inflammation of the liver. The two well-known viruses that cause hepatitis are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Most people with the disease look and feel fine. In fact, up to 40% of people living with hepatitis do not even realize they have it.

The long-term chronic symptoms include:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Sensitivity to fatty foods and alcohol
  • Brain fog
  • Bruising and swelling

If left untreated, it can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

There is an effective vaccine for Hepatitis B but not for Hepatitis C. Most people can clear the Hepatitis B virus naturally without medication, but for those who do not clear the virus, they are considered to have a chronic infection, which can result in a lifetime of medication to stop the virus from damaging the liver.

Chronic infection also requires significant lifestyle changes, including:

  • No or severely reduced alcohol and drug consumption
  • No unprotected sex
  • No sharing toothbrushes, razors, or dental floss
  • Being extra careful with cuts and grazes
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Getting regular GP checkups

Hepatitis B and C are both passed on through blood. It is most often passed on through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing drug injecting equipment. Unsafe tattooing also carries a big risk of infection.

Tattooing involves injecting ink into the dermal layer of the skin using needles, which can carry a contamination risk if the tattoo artist is not careful.

Here are a few things you can do to help lower the risk of hepatitis when getting a tattoo:

  • Always get a tattoo at a reputable studio by a trained artist.
  • A good tattoo artist knows the risks and will take steps to keep you safe.
  • Viral hepatitis can stay infectious outside the body for up to 7 days.
  • The tattoo artist should use new needles, razors, and sterilized equipment.
  • Make sure the studio looks and smells clean.
  • The artist should have clean hands and wear gloves during the tattoo process.

It’s very important to feel safe. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and back out if you’re concerned about the hygiene standards of the studio or artist.

After the tattoo is finished, proper aftercare is crucial. A new tattoo is an open wound and needs to be looked after properly. Follow the directions from your tattoo artist, keep the area clean, and most importantly, don’t let it come into contact with the blood or body fluids of another person.

Hepatitis is easy to avoid if you know how. A backyard tattoo or having fun with a mate’s tattoo gun may seem like a cheap alternative, but the risks of infection can be huge and potentially life-changing.

Remember, you can always cover up a bad tattoo, but you can’t cover up Hepatitis B and C.

Video by headspace