Do Disposable (One Time Use) Needles and Tubes Make a Tattoo or Piercing Safe?
I’ve written on this debate before – the wide availability of tattoo and piercing kits, videos and books instructing anyone that shells out a few hundred bucks. The kits claim to come with everything you need to start your new business. The problem is that they don’t come with the most important pieces – an autoclave sterilizer or instructions on Universal Precautions. Some say an autoclave is not necessary, especially when disposable needles and tubes are also readily available. Each customer gets their own one-time-use needle and tube, so there is no risk of exposure. Sounds good, doesn’t it? The problem, though, is that needles and tubes are not the only culprits in spreading disease. There are so many other things that can be handled wrongly by an inexperienced person that hasn’t been properly trained. In October of 2005, four Maryland teenagers all got tattoos from some guy working out of his basement. What
