Stop the sale of tattoo supplies to unlicenced practitioners

We live in a time where tattoos have become more main-stream and the art of tattooing is more appreciated, this has bought about a greater public acceptance and focus to the art form but also a concerning downside, mainly due to the ignorance and practices of unregulated / unknowledgeable practitioners.

The aspect of unhygienic people and practices when applying tattoos, mainly from home, has brought a big concern to the professional tattoo industry and real lovers of the art form. This due to the ever-increasing sale of cheap tattoo supplies, mainly from China, to people who have no knowledge of the hygiene or safety side of tattooing, not to mention the correct procedures of tattooing, and the very real lack of regulation requiring Licensing of people applying Tattoo’s.

The sale of tattoo equipment is not regulated in any way, and websites like ebay, Trademe, Zillion, craigslist,.... are just a few who are ignoring the welfare of people and the risk of spreading diseases, due to allowing the sale of tattoo equipment to unlicensed practitioners.

These results are a big burden to those who do everything they can, to work in a safe and hygienic environment and in accordance with local health and safety laws, to keep our customers and themselves safe from possible diseases.

Due to the sale of those, mostly very low quality supplies, professional tattoo studios see more and more people who ask them to fix tattoos that were done by unlicensed people. This is a serious Risk factor to those professionals as they do not know what inks have been used and how the tattoos were applied, putting them in a difficult situation with many risks involved.

Nobody can put a definition to the word 'artist' but hygiene and sterilization must be one of the main factors, if not the most important one in the tattoo profession. Diseases can easily be spread in unhygienic environments and people who have no autoclave, ultrasonic, or proper means of sterilization & providing a sanitary environment can seriously damage the health of people getting tattooed, not to mention the whole tattoo world and the public perception of the Art form.

There are a number of Local Authorities who have adopted By-laws, requiring Licensing of all premises where tattooing occurs, however the proliferation of availability of supplies to the general public renders these by-laws somewhat weak. Those councils who have done what they can to avoid the spread and risks of communicable disease are applauded by Professional Tattooists and true lovers of the art-form, however they believe their needs to be more done, to ensure the general public are given greater protection from the risks of many diseases and infections.

Whilst the industry appreciates it will never be able to stop the “Backyarder” it does believe that measures can be taken to ensure that any such occurrence is limited.

The first would be to impose regulation that only allows for the sale of Tattoo equipment to established businesses and or licensed premise, this would dramatically decrease the amount of unsafe operators and go some way toward public safety.

There should also be standards developed for Licensing and Premises, Be they commercial or home based studio type environments, the “Key” elements being licensing and ensuring the premise meets specific health / sanitary conditions and appropriate sterilization / sharps disposal systems.

It is asked that the government, health authorities, take immediate steps to protect the health and wellbeing of the general public and protect them from unsafe practices by enacting change to the sale of tattoo equipment, and working of a licensing system across the entire country.

It is also sought that Inks derived from China must be tested for harmful elements, there are many brands of Tattoo ink on the market now days and Chinese suppliers have in recent years began to replicate packaging and labelling in order to capture markets, genuine producers have taken steps to assist in the identification of fakes, and the industry worldwide has genuine concerns as to the makeup of fake inks, we have seen issues of lead based paints, contaminated baby formula and seriously hope these fake inks do not contain harmful elements or chemicals. It should also be an expectation that Chinese made “Sterile” needles and other “Sterile” items are supplied with certified records of the EO Gas sterilization process.

It is not believed that an immediate change to the sale of equipment would greatly affect current Professionals within the industry, as they are able to verify to sellers that they are operating in a safe and professional environment.

Auction sites could restrict the sale of such items (or those who can bid) to only members who have been verified as legitimate through a thorough process. There should also be penalties to individuals, businesses, and associated Auction / Web sites, for allowing general distribution of Tattoo equipment.

Many within industry have over a number of years, tried, without success, to have Trademe, Ebay, ...., take a socially responsible stance and take steps to protect the health and well being of the general public.

We also feel that Body Piercing should be incorporated into the same category and handled in a similar fashion under regulation.
This picture is of an auction on trademe, when people contacted trademe, they neglected the fact that the auction clearly shows used tips, opened bottles,.... only when some people contacted the seller and told him they would report the health authorities, he stopped the auction.

Check out our webpage with more obvious pictures of unhygienic practitioners or auctions or online sales.

We hope and trust, that somehow, as an industry and lovers of the art and body adornment we can bring about change and ensure not only the safety and well being of the public, but also ensure the longevity of the industry and its acceptance.