I’m relatively new at this blog thing but I’ve actually great at informing and educating. In addition to training permanent makeup techs, I am also a certified nurses aid educator and Red Cross CPR, Bloodborn Pathogens and First Aid Instructor. First and foremost I am a registered nurse. It has been a long time desire of mine to educate the public re permanent makeup or, if you will, cosmetic tattooing(my preferred terminology). That was one of the main reasons I started this blog.
In considering subject matter suitable for the public I wanted to stress how natural pmu could look. But I’m going to put that on the back burner for a moment and, instead put on my nurse educator hat, speak to you about your safety in the tattoo artists chair.
Since this is an invasive procedure and there is a possibility of transference of disease causing organisms the technician you choose must have proper and ongoing training in Bloodborn Pathogens. As a matter of fact, its the law. The health requires these classes yearly. The tech also requires a permit from the health department, both for the technician and the site. Very strict on site requirements are necessitated by both the health department and OSHA. It is against all regulations to do this at a techs residence. If someone offers to tattoo you in their home and I don’t care if they converted their kitchen into an OR, run far and wide. A residence will not provide you with the safe clean environment as required by law and is not open for inspection by the health department to assure standards are being maintained. This is just a way for that individual to cut costs thereby putting you at risk. A few of the requirements include a nonporous washable floor. Walls and all work surfaces also must be of a nonporous and washable material. Everything that comes in contact with the client must be disposable or autoclavable. Anything that is used on the client to open the skin must be sterile. The needle and the tube must come in sterilized unopened packs. The pigments used must never be poured back into the original container and must be obtained from a trustworthy and regulated manufacturer. There is no such thing as an FDA approved tattoo ink or pigment. The ingredients are approved for topical application and have been used safely for many years. The instrument used to implant the pigment needs to be manufactured so that there is no chance of contaminated fluid backwash. The safest machines are those that use a needle and tube or self contained cartridges. The machine and all surfaces must be covered with unapproved barrier, and Saran wrap is not an approved barrier. Once these barriers are removed all surfaces, including the machine. must be cleaned with an EPA registered germicidal solution or wipes. Hands must be washed before and after each procedure and gloves must be worn. If your tech needs to obtain anything outside the clean field, they must remove their gloves, obtain the object, wash their hands and reglove. A powder room sink is not appropriate for thie either. I could go on and on but I think I have covered the important points.
It is of utmost importance you choose your technician wisely, cosmetic tattooing can be heaven sent, but you don’t want to risk your health when getting a procedure. Remember safety first.
Natural Brow by Lillian Lang.