Identifying Sterility

by Tat2Duck

Types of sterilization

There are four common types of sterilization; Steam autoclaving, ethylene oxide (EO) gas, chemical and dry heat. Each has its strengths and uses but the two most commonly used in tattooing and piercing are steam and EO gas.

Steam

An autoclave uses pressurized steam to kill bacterial and viral matter.

Ethylene Oxide Gas

Chemical

Dry Heat

Needles

Many of today's tattoo artists purchase pre-made and pre-sterilized tattoo needles. Some artists still make and sterilize their own needles as well. The same goes for needle tubes. In either case, you should always be shown your needles in their sterile pouches prior to the tattoo machine being assembled.

All sterilization pouches have indicators that change color to visually show they have been properly processed. Needles processed by a reputable manufacturer are typically sterilized by EO gas and sealed in a blister pouch. Needles made in-house are usually packaged in a self-sealing sterilization pouch and processed by steam autoclaving.

If you are not shown your needles in their sealed pouches prior to you getting your tattoo, ask to see them. If the artist has pre-assembled the tattoo machines, ask that new needles be taken out to replace the pre-assembled machine's. Insist on this even if the tattoo artist makes excuses or tries to reassure you that the needles are clean.

All needles used during your tattoo procedure have to be disposed of in a sharps container. Stick around after your tattoo and watch the artist toss them away.

Needle tubes

Depending on your artist's preferences, needle tubes can either be disposable plastic ones or reusable metal ones. Like the needles, they all need to be in sealed, sterilized pouches.

Plastic needle tubes are designed to be single use, disposables. These tubes are packaged at the factory in blister packs and processed by EO gas. Metal tubes are cleaned, packaged and sterilized in-house. As with the needles, you should always see your tubes in their pouches before they are opened and assembled.

Pouches

All pouches, irregardless of their manufacturer, do the same thing; they keep their contents sterile until they are needed. Established health codes require medical instruments processed for sterilization to contain some form of visual indicator to ensure proper sterilization. Commercially available self-sealing sterilization pouches have litmus indicators that change color during the sterilization process.

Many of these pouches are pre-printed with both EO gas and steam autoclaving indicators. They are typically pink and light blue arrows or words that change to a dark brown, dark green or black color. Some pouches are designed to be cut-to-length from a roll. These require a separate indicator in either a sticker, tape or a paper insert form. These indicators are placed on the outside of the pouch in order to be clearly visible without needing to open the package.

If your are unsure about what the colors are or how they change, ask to be shown an unprocessed pouch with your processed pouch. This lets you see side-by-side that your equipment is sterile.