Hepatitis B and C transmission can occur if a tattoo artist or body piercer uses an unsterilized (unclean) needle used on someone else that has hepatitis B or C to pierce or tattoo a person or uses other equipment that is unclean.

Before getting a tattoo or piercing, check out the place…ask some questions. 

·     Is the place clean & professional looking?

·     Does the artist or piercer wash his/her hands and wear latex gloves when tattooing or body piercing?

·     Does the artist or piercer use sterile, disposable needles that he/she opens in front of the customers ?

·     Does the artist or piercer throw away ink caps, razors and stencils after each use ?

·     Does the artist or piercer use an autoclave (an intense heating process) to sterilize (clean) equipment? If they do, ask if the autoclave gets inspected monthly?

·     Does the artist or piercer sterilize the bottles used for color and/or the work area with bleach or other approved disinfectants?

·     Does the artist or piercer uses an ultrasonic tank to rinse the tube and needle set from the tattoo machines?