If you have chosen a professional body piercing studio and proper sterilization and infection control standards are practiced than body piercing is safe. This means anything that comes in contact with blood or other body fluids is medically disposed of (i.e. single use needles) or is sterilized using an autoclave.
An autoclave is a device that sterilizes equipment using heat, steam, and pressure. An autoclave maintains a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit under 10 pounds of pressure for 30 minutes or 270 degrees Fahrenheit under 15 pounds of pressure for 15 minutes. This is the only accepted method of sterilization to kill every living microorganism.
Single needle use means one customer, one needle. The needles that are used on you are brand new, have been individually packaged, sealed, and autoclaved. After these needles are opened and used, they are disposed of in a safe medically appropriate manner.
All ointments, gloves, razors, paper towels (used and unused), surface coverings, and any other materials used during your piercing process is disposed of immediately. Nothing is reused. Upon the disposal of these items all work surfaces are disinfected with an EPA approved veridical that kills any surface bacteria or viruses. All of this eliminates the possibility of contamination of materials.
A note from the Association of Professional Piercers; “most ear piercing guns cannot be sterilized and anyone being pierced by them is a at risk.” For this reason most states have made it illegal to use these instruments to pierce any part of the body other than the ear lobe. Most importantly, “A reputable professional body piercer will not use a gun for any piercing – even for ear lobes.”
A professional body piercing studio must be licensed which includes health department inspections. In addition, all professional body piercers must be licensed which includes passing a bloodborne pathogens exam. The studio and piercers’ licenses should be visible. If you don’t see them, ask for them. Professionals take pride in their skills and work environment.
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