A risk of HIV or Hepatitis C transmission does exist if instruments used for tattooing or piercing are shared. Personal service workers who do tattooing or body piercing should be educated about how HIV and Hepatitis C are transmitted and take precautions to prevent transmission.
When getting a piercing ask for or make sure:
- The artist shows you their portfolio
- The artist tells you about aftercare before the piercing
- Single use piercing needles
- New surgical steel jewellery
- Right type of jewellery for that piercing
- The artist wears latex gloves
- The auto clave sterilizer recently serviced
- The artist is informed about HIV and hepatitis
When getting a tattoo ask for or make sure:
- The artist shows you their portfolio
- The artist tells you about aftercare before you get a tattoo
- That the ink is new and only used for you (Hepatitis C can live in ink)
- Single use tattoo needles and razors
- The auto clave sterilizer was recently serviced
- The studio had covered surfaces
- The artist wears latex gloves
- The artist is informed about HIV and Hepatitis C
