The use of plastic wrap to cover fresh tattoos may have gotten its start at biker events years ago. I can remember first seeing it used in the '70's. Newly tattooed people were peeling off their bandages to show their bros their new ink so untrained artists came up with the 'see-through' idea of plastic wrap. No need to peel that bandage back anymore. Blood, body fluids and their inherent dangers weren't much of an issue (or so we thought) in those days.
Unfortunately some of our uneducated brethren today fail to see the dangers and continue this error-filled practice. I've seen it 'recommended' in a supposedly comprehensive 'how-to tattoo' book that is far too widely distributed to contain this erroneous information. (a 'how-to' book on tattooing is like a home tonsillectomy kit....don't try it!)
The problem is that plastic wrap creates an occlusive seal meaning that no air gets in or out. That skin surface builds up body temperatures to nearly 103 degrees which is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Your tattoo has just been turned into a petri dish for bacterial growth. Nice, huh?
CARE TO RUB ON SOMEONE'S BODY FLUIDS?
With the elevated body temperature the pores remain open and allow more seepage of body fluids than normal. With no absorbent surface these fluids must go somewhere and gravity takes them to the bottom of the plastic wrap. Body fluids leak out and drip OFF the body or when the client brushes against surfaces or other people thus creating a contaminated field. Putting a paper towel at the base of the 'wrap' to catch this fluid does nothing to stop the oozing open pores and the temperature build up.
I recently visited a neighboring studio and witnessed a plastic wrapped client sitting in their waiting room with body fluids running down his arm onto a fabric sofa. Talk about a contamination danger!! UGH!! If such an unfortunate individual enters our shop with his 'wrap' we ask him politely to leave as we do not want their fluids on our floors, chairs, racks, counters or any other surface he may come in contact with. I also give them a copy of this article to take back to their artists who are obviously not educated about blood borne pathogens or proper customer care.
At no time is plastic wrap applied to the skin an option. Not even for a temporary 'break' during a tattoo session. If a client needs to step outside for smoke a paper towel or other absorbent material should be applied to the skin. A little water will quickly lift it from the skin surface when the session continues.
The only proper use of plastic wrap in a studio is for a surface barrier. Using it for countertop or bottle wraps is correct....never on skin!
STATE REGULATIONS
We are fortunate here in Hawaii to have an excellent set of regulations regarding tattooing. Hawaii Department of Health Regulation 11-17-10-H states that after a tattoo: "the entire area is covered with a piece of sterile dressing" This is even one of the questions on our state tattoo license exam!
Not only is the use of plastic wrap illegal in most regulated states it is also a cheap insult to a client who deserves a better start with their new tattoo! What price is proper bandaging? How do you put a dollar sign on contamination or better yet the elimination of it? Tattooers have a tremendous responsibility to our/their clients and to the public in general to take every and all precautions we can to prevent any chance of cross contamination.
Use of plastic wrap is forbidden at many quality tattoo conventions. The National Tattoo Association (www.nationaltattooassociation.com) and the Alliance of Professional Tattooists (www.safe-tattoos.com) have both outlawed it's use at their shows. All convention promoters need to educate themselves and make this ban an industry wide policy. Studios need to brush up on their blood borne pathogens education and take a good look at their own practices of proper procedure and quality customer aftercare. We have a moral obligation to give our clients what they deserve.... our very best.
