Hey Guys,
About 10 months ago I was looking for a new art outlet, and decided to buy a machine and give fake skin a try. The day my kit arrived I got a call that my father had passed away. I’m so thankful I got the kit when I did because it gave me something productive to focus on during an otherwise really tough time. I purchased courses, some good, some bad, watched endless videos and consumed everything I could on the subject of tattooing.
I would like some information on the safest way to tattoo at home if you don't have an autoclave. I know most professionals would say there isn't one, get an apprenticeship, and work in a professional shop, which is understandable. But there are a lot of self taught artists out there. People starting out tend to practice on friends and I think it would be useful to give as much safety advice as possible, as there can be conflicting information online. Personally, I do hope to get into a shop and apprentice, but can only do it part time as of now and landing that gig seems like a major uphill battle. I did get my BBP certificate before touching skin for whatever that's worth.
Here is the method I've been using to keep things clean.
I use a Mast archer rotary tattoo machine, Kwadron and Lance disposable cartridges.
Set Up: I put on gloves, bag my green soap bottle, and clean my skin before shaving the area. Followed by an alcohol wipe, a little stencil stuff and then apply the stencil. As it's drying, I begin setting up the station. I use cavicide wipes and wipe the machine down. I wait out the kill time and then It is then bagged and wrapped with grip tape. I fold and tape down the top bit of plastic that's left open. I use cavicide spray on my work tray table, and arm rest. Both are wrapped in cellophane. A dental bib is taped to the work table. Tongue depressor with vasoline, lay out my little ink set up, my disposable cartridges and paper towels and distilled water cup. I set my lights so I don't have to touch them again, change gloves and start tattooing.
When I finish I put saniderm on the tattoo. I put my sharps in a sharps container. I am buying scum safe for caps as well, right now I just put in a ziplock. I then breakdown the wrapping on machine and hit it with cavicide wipe again, and then wrap everything on the work table into itself, toss in a tattoo trash bag, everything gets hit with the spray again and wiped down.
Does this process sound sufficient? I know I'm really just sanitizing and not sterilizing. If I was to tattoo another person with this system would you recommend using Ultrasonic or UV machines to add a layer of cleanliness? I'm looking into maybe purchasing a steam autoclave as they are a little cheaper. Money is kinda tight at the moment.
Any thoughts, tips, would be much appreciated, thank you.
E
About 10 months ago I was looking for a new art outlet, and decided to buy a machine and give fake skin a try. The day my kit arrived I got a call that my father had passed away. I’m so thankful I got the kit when I did because it gave me something productive to focus on during an otherwise really tough time. I purchased courses, some good, some bad, watched endless videos and consumed everything I could on the subject of tattooing.
I would like some information on the safest way to tattoo at home if you don't have an autoclave. I know most professionals would say there isn't one, get an apprenticeship, and work in a professional shop, which is understandable. But there are a lot of self taught artists out there. People starting out tend to practice on friends and I think it would be useful to give as much safety advice as possible, as there can be conflicting information online. Personally, I do hope to get into a shop and apprentice, but can only do it part time as of now and landing that gig seems like a major uphill battle. I did get my BBP certificate before touching skin for whatever that's worth.
Here is the method I've been using to keep things clean.
I use a Mast archer rotary tattoo machine, Kwadron and Lance disposable cartridges.
Set Up: I put on gloves, bag my green soap bottle, and clean my skin before shaving the area. Followed by an alcohol wipe, a little stencil stuff and then apply the stencil. As it's drying, I begin setting up the station. I use cavicide wipes and wipe the machine down. I wait out the kill time and then It is then bagged and wrapped with grip tape. I fold and tape down the top bit of plastic that's left open. I use cavicide spray on my work tray table, and arm rest. Both are wrapped in cellophane. A dental bib is taped to the work table. Tongue depressor with vasoline, lay out my little ink set up, my disposable cartridges and paper towels and distilled water cup. I set my lights so I don't have to touch them again, change gloves and start tattooing.
When I finish I put saniderm on the tattoo. I put my sharps in a sharps container. I am buying scum safe for caps as well, right now I just put in a ziplock. I then breakdown the wrapping on machine and hit it with cavicide wipe again, and then wrap everything on the work table into itself, toss in a tattoo trash bag, everything gets hit with the spray again and wiped down.
Does this process sound sufficient? I know I'm really just sanitizing and not sterilizing. If I was to tattoo another person with this system would you recommend using Ultrasonic or UV machines to add a layer of cleanliness? I'm looking into maybe purchasing a steam autoclave as they are a little cheaper. Money is kinda tight at the moment.
Any thoughts, tips, would be much appreciated, thank you.
E
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