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Tommy420 · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

I recently got a tattoo at a pretty reputable place. I was watching the artist put together the gun, etc., before he called me over to the workplace. I saw him open a brand new needle to put in the gun, but I also realized that he was handling the needle with his bare hands. Also, once he opened the needle, he was attempting to bend it, I guess to make sure it's hard enough to withstand the gun. He did all of this with this bare hands. I didn't see him wash his hands before hand. Now I'm concerned about getting some sort of an infection. Is this a legitimate worry on my behalf or am I making too much of it.

Also, today I noticed that the skin surrounding my tattoo is a little on the yellowish side...the sort of yellow I usually get on my skin if it's been bruised. Is this normal, or an early sign of infection?

mmm36 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject:

I don't think that you have any concerns as the yellowing is what you have stated. I have had that with all my tattoo's. And believe me when you get an infection you will know it as it will be red all around it. But his practice what you said is a lot to be desirered.

Tommy420 · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

Wow...I finally got a reply. I appreciate the response mmm...but do you or anyone think I should be worried about infections such as Hepatitis, etc., due to his bare handling of the needle? Just to clarify, he was wearing gloves [i]while[/i] he was tattooing me...but not wearing gloves when he was assembling the gun and putting the needle in the gun.

Garyzda1 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't worry.

mommabird · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:34 am Post subject:

Like Gary said, I wouldn't worry at this point.

But I also wanted to add that the artist I go to goes to extremes when it comes to cross-contamination - and that is one of the things I love about him. Anytime he touches anything (machine, ink, etc), he has on gloves. And if he's tattooing and needs more ink, for instance, he will put on new gloves before handling the bottle, and then will change gloves again before going back to tattooing. This way he doesn't contaminate the bottle with anything from the person he is working on, and he doesn't transfer anything back to the person from the bottle. Hope that makes sense.

Tommy420 · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

Mommabird, I appreciate you chiming in, but your story about how your artist goes through extreme measures to avoid cross-contamination isn't exactly making me feel better when I'm worried about contamination myself.

Tommy420 · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

I guess one thing I'm confused about is...that long metal bar that goes into the tattoo gun...is that thing the actual needle, or does the needle attach to the end of that metal bar? Because I only saw the artist handling the bar with his hands.

Bren · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 4:13 am Post subject:

Hiya Tommy. Yeah that is the needle bar. the actual needles are soldered to the end of that stem. He should have been wearing gloves. Abit careless yes. 20yrs ago it would have been hard to find a tattooist using gloves at all.
All in all, it's a medical procedure. Wink

Tommy420 · Tattoo lover Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

So all in all...is this something I should be concerned about?

chic · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 11:04 am Post subject:

if you are concerned then go get tested..its the only way to stop your niggling feelings...peace of mind is what your after. and only you can do that..
i think mommabird was just stating what her tattooist does.. theres noneed to get upety about certain replies..

And as for answering a post, we get to it when we can...
rome wasnt built in a day, but i do understand your concerns.. Laughing