Let it be a pandemic or no pandemic; tattoo studio owners cannot ever break ties with their hygienic standards and running a tattoo studio is no joke. Cleanliness in a tattoo studio is the first chapter while kicking off your career as a tattoo artist, and it’s the first thing that helps your client calm their nerves and frame the right mindset about your studio and the tattoo industry. 

A clean tattoo studio isn’t just about getting five-star ratings and reviews. It’s more about reducing the risk of infection, refining the society’s perception of tattooing, and converting the undecided crowd into the world of tattooing. So, let’s get started on the best practices you need to follow to keep that tattoo studio squeaky clean.

#1: Flex those Gloves!

Wear them at all times while prepping for a tattoo, but once the appointment runs its course, dispose of them immediately. Wash your hands with a bar of antibacterial soap, and grab a pair of gloves before your next appointment. 

Remember, every single time you jump out of your sterile field — dispose and change those gloves!

#2: Hoard on Cleaners and Disinfectants!

As a tattoo studio owner, take an oath to never run out of cleaners and disinfectants. You should actively sanitize reusable metal grips and other equipment with disinfectants. Use an Autoclave to sterilize tools as you switch from one client to another, a germicide disinfectant soaking solution. Additionally, keep cleaning your tattoo chair and your work area with fast-drying disinfectants. 

Do not hesitate to invest in good cleaners, disinfectants, and autoclave. A suitable autoclave can be used to sterilize your tools thoroughly. Game up, and even practice sterilization pouches with your autoclave. You can even pair your autoclave with an ultrasonic cleaner! After all, a clean studio will attract more referrals and help grow your tattoo business.

#3: Get your Sharp Containers today!

We cannot overemphasize the importance of having sharp containers. Make fair use of sharp containers, and prevent accidental needle sticks as you properly get rid of the needles in sharp containers. The good news, there are containers available in all sizes for when you’re working from the shop or traveling!

#4: Skin Cleaners over Alcohol!

The first step for any tattoo artist is to clean the skin before tattooing. So, go ahead, always keep pre-tattoo cleaners well-stocked, and avoid rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol can assist the ink in making its way into the skin more efficiently. It can also lead the ink further in a person’s system than required. 

#5: An adequate supply of First-Aid and Disposables!

Here’s a list of first-aid you should always keep a steady supply of, 

  1. Bacitracin
  2. A&D Ointment 
  3. Povidone Iodine Prep
  4. Antiseptic wipes
  5. Ammonia Inhalant Pouches, if in case your client faints.

When it comes to the tattoo industry, disposables are as crucial as first-aid kits, primarily because it makes it so much easier for you to maintain a sterile work environment. Most of the essentials you will need are very readily available in the disposable form. For example, tattoo sleeves, clip cord covers, skin markers, gauze, pad grips for design patterns straight on your client’s skin, and face masks, table paper to line tattoo chairs, and so on. 

Further, you can even get disposable tattoo tubes you love to work with that have all the components packed in one unit that’s equally easy to use and then throw away!

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 #6: Never compromise on Tattoo Needles and Tattoo Needle Bars!

It doesn’t matter how consistently you autoclave your needles; they aren’t just the kind of stuff you would want to be sterilizing and reusing. Always stay onboarded with needles in any configuration or style you want!

So, that’s that when it comes to staying well up-to-date with your cleaning and sanitization practices for tattoo studio owners. However, as much as it’s essential to keep your clients clean and safe, it’s equally important to keep your and your fellow artist’s safety in mind, both health-wise and legally. Keep these few pointers in mind as you practice the mentioned cleanliness tactics!

  1. Always stay close to OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standards for the safety of your clients and to protect your employees and yourself.
  2. The US Department of Labor extends a collection on bloodborne pathogen training and OSHA resources if you require assistance while going through OSHA’s requirements and learning educational materials.
  3. Turn away clients who are intoxicated. There are no ifs and buts here, alcohol is a blood thinner, and tattooing a person in an inebriated state can cause excessive bleeding.

As we hit the end of the best practices to follow while keeping your tattoo studio clean, we can safely conclude that keeping up with the best cleanliness and safety measures is an added job in itself, and your clients would even tip you more.

While you keep up with your cleanliness checklists, let us help you manage your reputation through our tattoo shop software for artists and get a word on the cleanliness schedule out there. Additionally, you can always leverage our appointment booking, POS, consent and liability forms, and marketing features too.

Stay clean, stay safe, and always make sure you are sailing a solid ship when it comes to cleanliness practices!

Keeping Your Tattoo Studio Clean

Is it important to have your tattoo studio walls and studios covered with a non-porous material?

Yes, it’s crucial to keep the floors and walls covered in non-porous materials, like ceramic tiles, primarily because the UV dye is known to emit a micro spray that can cover your ceilings and walls. The spray can help pathogens stay behind after tattooing and it increases the risk of infections and diseases if not cleaned regularly. 

How do I keep up with the gloves if I am using Vaseline on the tattooed skin?

It’s possible to have the best of both worlds — you can use Vaseline and uphold the glove practice. Just simply switch your normal gloves with nitrile gloves. Plus, they also help you stay away from any latex allergies. 

How do I store cartridges and needles?

Cartridges and Needles must be stored individually and opened right in front of your clients, and make sure that the needle packaging is best-by-date.