Running a tattoo shop is an excellent way to make money by being creative. However, it is still a business, and owners and artists must adhere to regulations that keep employees and customers safe. Taking measures to keep your tattoo parlor clean is essential for attracting and retaining clients.
Maintaining a sterile tattoo studio involves more than frequent hand-washing. Infections are common with fresh ink, and you should do everything in your power to ensure a safe tattoo experience for everyone. Make sure your cleaning routine includes these practices for proper hygiene.
Utilize Single-Use Equipment
Reusing supplies might seem like a money-saving technique, but many materials in the tattoo industry should be single-use. Of course, you should never reuse dirty needles; this also applies to gloves, masks, and other protective gear.
Your stencils and marking tools should also be single-use. Anything that is nondisposable, like ink cups, tattoo machines, or acetate stencils, should undergo a deep cleaning between clients to avoid cross-contamination.
Give Each Artist Their Own Space
Being a tattoo artist can be a collaborative experience. However, artists shouldn’t share stations if they want to maintain a sterile tattoo studio. Everyone needs their own machines, tables, chairs, and storage areas.
Giving artists their own spaces will reduce contamination. It will also ensure that everyone is cleaning their own areas. Miscommunication about sterilization is common in facilities that share workstations; this way, each artist is responsible for their area’s hygiene.
Disinfect Every Inch of Your Studio
It’s not enough to keep workstations neat and tidy; your entire studio should undergo disinfection every day. Wipe down all door knobs, countertops, and other frequently touched items. If your studio has a waiting area, be sure to disinfect benches, chairs, and tables, too.
Think about it like this: customers leave your shop with an open wound, and passing through an unclean area leaves them susceptible to infections. For this reason, you might even consider hiring a professional cleaning company to regularly give your studio a deep clean.
Aside from high-quality art, cleanliness is the most important aspect of a tattoo parlor—your reputation as a trustworthy shop depends on these hygienic procedures. Establishing yourself as the most sterile studio around will keep people coming back for more.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist who appears weekly in the Los Angeles Wave newspaper and can be reached at [email protected].
