Professional tattooers and piercers understand that their crafts are ever-changing and that continued education is imperative.  Many states even require a yearly minimum of 12 hours in courses to renew tattoo licenses.   These courses can be health or business related and must come from approved sources.  At this time Hawaii does not require continuing education but DOES require licensing and shop inspections.  Just because it is not required is no excuse--a true professional will seek expanded knowledge.

Tattooing and piercing... it's not just a simple, sit down, let's poke a tattoo or let's pierce that!  The responsible practitioner brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and experience that protects the safety and health of all parties involved.

The ever changing world of blood borne pathogens and their consequences is reason enough for those of us in the body modification trade to stay on top of the latest information available whether it is required or not.   It is a wise artist who keeps themselves informed and aware!

Last week in the Star-Advertiser Dr. Tice with Infections Limited Hawaii wrote about the statistics of hepatitis for Hawaii.  Hawaii has the HIGHEST rate per capita of liver cancer in the US....THE HIGHEST!   One in 50 residents have Hep C in their blood and one in 20 immigrants have Hep B in their blood.    How often is a tattooer coming in contact with one of these people?    Just how valuable is education on the prevention of cross contamination during the tattoo session?  PRICELESS!

To quote Dr. Tice, "Most people with viral hepatitis C or B do not even know they have it.  It is a silent epidemic with usually no acute symptoms with the initial infeciton.  It may not be diagnosed for 20 to 30 years after the infection--when it surfaces with cirrhosis or liver cancer that may not be treatable."

This is the drum I've been beating for the many years I have been blessed to contribute to AroundHawaii... what you CAN'T see CAN hurt you!

There are many courses available through local colleges, professional organizations such as the Alliance of Professional Tattooists and even on-line.   I personally think the classroom is superior where there is interaction between instructor and student... in fact, an OSHA approved course requires that an instructor be present to answer questions. 

Mentioning OSHA:  By federal law we must have in every studio an OSHA mandated Exposure Control Plan... how many courses offer training and paperwork for that?  Very few but they are available even locally.  This Control Plan is not a suggestion from OSHA, it is a REQUIREMENT as per OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CR 1910.1030.  Ask your tattooer to see their Plan.  None?  hmmmmm...

I must ask those practitioners who take a simple on-line course for $19 and 10 minutes of their time to 'pass' and have a piece of paper to hang on the wall... Who's cheating who?  The latest health information is NOT available through that cheap little course and the price might just be one's health and life.

Can the practitioners recognize and advise their client about psoriasis and the Koebner affect?  Do they understand the complications of diabetes and healing?  Do they understand the connection to allergies to bananas and the use of latex gloves? Those circumstances along with other skin conditions, gout, medication complexities, etc are covered in proper comprehensive courses.

When you are shopping for a tattooer or piercer ask them about their education and what courses they have taken and maintained.   Anything course certificate more than two years old is, well, old and outdated.   What we know today about hepatitis is vastly different than what we knew just two years ago!   Quality blood borne pathogen course certificates will give an expiration date.   Check your artists' certifications while you are checking their licenses and shop licenses! (You ARE checking, aren't you?) 

As I continue to say here... ask questions and expect open, friendly answers.  If they are not forthcoming be wary.  Your health depends on it.