Quick Guide Tattooing

If you choose to have a tattoo there are several things that you need to carefully consider. Tattoos are permanent, so you need to ensure that the artwork you are having is right for you, and applied by someone capable and experienced in the style that you want.

It is also important to choose a professional who can prove that they run a safe and clean business. Tattooists who don’t could be putting you at risk of skin infections that could lead to scarring, or transmission of blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis C and HIV that could be life threatening.

Registered Tattooists have to comply with standards for cleanliness, and are visited by Environmental Health to ensure they meet minimum standards. Starting in early summer 2015 we began a regular audit programme for all the registered tattooists in East Devon, carried out by Environmental Health to see how they compare with the best practice guidance provided by the Tattooing and Body Piercing Toolkit.

The toolkit has been produced by the Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union, Public Health England, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Health and Safety Laboratory (part of the Health and Safety Executive). It gives guidance on the measures needed to ensure the business is being carried out as hygienically as practical.

All new tattooing businesses will be subject to an audit once they have registered and are ready to start work.

Premises who receive a score of 80% and above have been be deemed as ‘compliant’. Premises falling short of the standard will either receive support by Environmental Health Officers to improve or enforcement action, depending on the level of risk.

For more information view the CIEH: Tattooing and Body Piercing Guidance.

You can access aftercare information for a variety of procedures from this guidance document:

• Tattooing
• Ear and facial piercing
• Oral piercing
• Body and surface piercing
• Female genital piercing
• Male genital piercing
• Microdermal implant

The audit only looked at issues of hygiene and not at the style or quality of the artwork each studio can produce. You must discuss your requirements with your tattoo artist and ensure that you are both comfortable with any procedure you choose to do.