3. The use of STERILE GLOVES during the PROCEDURE helps maintain ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE.
4. The EAR-PIERCING GUN itself presents a high risk for BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN exposure. Most EAR-PIERCING GUNS are partially made of plastic and cannot be STERILIZED to the same extent as other piercing INSTRUMENTS. In LICENSED BODY ART ESTABLISHMENTS, reusable INSTRUMENTS are AUTOCLAVED. This process uses heat, steam, and pressure to STERILIZE INSTRUMENTS between use, killing most pathogens (National Environmental Health Association [NEHA], 2018). Since plastic INSTRUMENTS cannot be AUTOCLAVED, the BODY ARTIST must conduct procedures to ensure the EAR-PIERCING GUN is as clean and STERILE as possible. DISINFECTION and STERILIZATION procedures can be found in Section 8 of this Code. The policy statement from NEHA (2018) on EAR-PIERCING GUNS recommends that state, local, tribal, and territorial government agencies classify the use of EAR-PIERCING GUNS as a piercing PROCEDURE and enforce BODY ART regulations on these ESTABLISHMENTS, as governed by state and local health jurisdictions. The statement also encourages agencies to educate lawmakers and regulators on the public health risk associated with performing piercings with devices that cannot be fully STERILIZED. The full statement discusses this risk as well as the science and justification behind these recommendations and can be found in Appendix A: National Environmental Health Association Policy Statement on Ear Piercing Guns. 4.2 Specific regulations for tattooing/cosmetic tattooing 1. TATTOO inks and pigments can be CONTAMINATED with microorganisms that can cause infection and other serious complications. All inks and pigments must be specifically manufactured for performing BODY ART PROCEDURES. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigates and takes appropriate action when it identifies a safety problem associated with TATTOO ink. However, FDA has traditionally not exercised regulatory authority for color additives on the pigments used in tattoo inks (FDA, 2015). Color additives are subject to premarket approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. However, even with this approval process in place, inks can still be CONTAMINATED. For example, in May 2019, FDA issued a safety advisory regarding six TATTOO inks that were found to be CONTAMINATED with microorganisms and had been voluntarily recalled (FDA, 2019). Inks and pigments for BODY ART PROCEDURES must be manufactured following all current federal regulations. 2. Only distilled water or STERILE WATER may be used for the dilution of inks and pigments. Diluting with potable water is not acceptable. Such dilution must be single use for the individual procedure. Dilution with nonsterile water has been linked to multiple waterborne skin infections caused by Legionella, Pseudomonas, and Mycobacteria (County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health, n.d.). Infections from these bacteria can result in scarring, damage to the TATTOO, severe illness, and when left untreated, can result in fatality. It is essential that BODY ARTISTS use only distilled water or STERILE WATER to ensure CLIENT safety and prevent damaging the BODY ART. In the case of an outbreak or complaint, water should be tested to determine if it is a source of CONTAMINATION.
14
Powered by FlippingBook