If you have been to a tattoo shop before, you surely have taken notice of how most working tools are properly wrapped in plastic. While this practice may appear to be rather strange to outsiders, it is actually considered a norm in the tattoo industry.
So, why do tattoo artists wrap their machines? What are the pros and cons of this practice, and how can you do it right? Keep reading to satisfy your curiosity!
Why Do Tattoo Artists Wrap Their Machines?
The majority of tattoo artists wrap their machines in plastic (or other covering materials) to comply with the hygiene standards regarding sterilization and cross-contamination.
The working bench, the tattoo workstation, the machine, as well as ink bottles and spray bottles are all shielded from external factors to minimize infections. As lots of people come in and out of a tattoo shop on a daily basis, it is essential that both the artist and the customers are kept safe.
Direct skin contact with the working tools and space – where plenty of people have touched or even bled on – can be the main cause of irritations, infectious diseases, and multiple health risks.
By employing one-time-use plastic wrappers, tattoo artists and their clients can enjoy the inking process in peace, knowing that their well-being is not compromised within the process.
Hygiene And Safety Standards of Tattoo Shops
Wrapping machines in plastic is not the only thing tattoo artists have to do regarding safety measures. There are plenty of other practices to be taken seriously if a tattooparlor remains open.
Design and follow a working flow
A tattoo shop should consist of at least 9 different areas, namely the reception, the shoe barrier, the drawing barrier, the main office, the tattoo workstations, the storage room, the sterilization area, the toilet, and the cleaning storage.
Some of these areas are shared by both the owners and the customers, while others are restricted to tattoo artists only.
Usually, the sterilization and cleaning storage stand the highest chance of cross-contamination, as it is full of used tools, which may carry unwanted germs from outside.
The tattoo workstation is also worth mentioning since the customer’s skin will be inked here, and the percentage of direct skin contact is the highest.
Thus, each tattooparlor must come up with a reasonable working flow, where people follow strict instructions and do not wander off to high-risk places.
Take care of hand hygiene
Since tattoo artists use their hands to ink on the client’s skin, good hand hygiene is a must. This can be achieved by wearing disposable gloves during the inking process and the sterilization process as well.
The tattoo artist and the staff are also forced to wash their hands using water and soap regularly, which is followed by comprehensive hand and finger rubbing with hand sanitizers.
Remove all risks of cross-contamination and infections
Reusing plastic wrappers, touching things that do not belong to the tattoo workstation with contaminated gloves, touching newly tattoo skinned and dirty tools without gloves, or not cleaning the entire working area after each customer leaves are all frowned upon.
Any misstep may lead to horrible accidents that negatively affect the health of all sides involved.
Frequently-Asked Questions
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Conclusion
Why do tattoo artists wrap their machines? The answer is simple enough now that you have finished this article. If you ever want to get a tattoo in the future, make sure to check out whether the tattooparlor is carefully guarded against contaminations by wrappers.
And do not forget to spread the word if you find this article interesting!