10-144 C.M.R. ch. 210, § 4 - TATTOOING PROCEDURES

A. No tattooing shall be practiced on the person of any individual who is obviously under the influence of intoxicating liquor, or chemical substances. No intoxicating beverages or chemical substances shall be consumed on the tattooing premises. This rule includes, but is not limited to, the tattoo practitioner. (Critical)

B. No food or beverages are allowed in the tattoo workstation. This rule includes, but is not limited to, the tattoo practitioner.

C. No tattooing shall be conducted outside of an approved tattoo establishment or approved tattoo trade show inspected by the Department and run by a licensed tattoo practitioner. No other unlicensed practices may be conducted within the approved tattoo establishment by the licensed tattoo practitioner. (Critical)

D. No tattooing shall be practiced on the person of any one who is less than 18 years of age, as verified by a driver's license, liquor ID card, military ID card, or other adequate record. (Critical)

E. The tattoo practitioner shall be 18 years of age or older. (Critical)

F. Neither the tattoo practitioner, or person being tattooed shall use tobacco in any form while tattooing is being performed. (Critical)

G. The tattoo practitioner shall wash his or her hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water and dry them with individual single use disposable towels before starting to tattoo. (Critical)

H. The tattoo practitioner shall use single service impervious gloves on both hands before beginning all procedures associated with the application of the tattoo. (Critical)

I. No tattoo shall be penetrated, abraded, or treated with chemicals for the purpose of removal, except by licensed medical doctor. (Critical)

J. A safety razor with a new single service blade, a new single edge, single use, disposable razor or an autoclavable straight edge razor may be used for shaving on only one person. (Critical)

K. The area to be tattooed shall first be thoroughly washed for a period of at least two (2) minutes with warm water to which has been added an antiseptic soap. A new single use sponge, gauze or paper towel shall be used to wash the area. After shaving and before tattooing is begun, a solution of 70% alcohol shall be applied to the area with a single use sponge, gauze or paper towel. (Critical)

L. Only petroleum jelly, anti-bacterial, or anti-biotic ointment in collapsible metal, plastic tubes, or its equivalent as approved by the Department, shall be used on the area to be tattooed and it shall be applied with a sterile gauze or single use tongue depressor. (Critical)

M. The use of styptic pencils, alum blocks, or other solid or liquid styptics to check the flow of blood is prohibited. (Critical)

N. Any and all substances being applied to the skin including, but not limited to, enhancements of applicability of transfers, etc., will be done with a single service applicator. (Critical)

O. All needles shall be of the single service type. (Critical)

P. Single service items including, but not limited to, individual containers of dye or ink, gloves, ointments, razors, and all other applicable supplies shall be used for each patron and the containers shall be discarded immediately after completing work on a patron and any dye in which needles were dipped shall not be used on any other person. These items shall be disposed of in accordance with state and local laws, utilizing the highest of safety precautions. Used needles used shall be properly disposed of in a sharps container, in accordance with subsection 5.B.2. Each establishment must register with the Department of Environmental Protection Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 06-096 C.M.R. Ch.900. (Critical)

Q. Excess dye or ink shall be removed from the skin with an individual gauze or new single use paper towel which shall be used only on one person and then immediately discarded. (Critical)

R. After completing work on any person, the tattooed area shall be washed with sterile gauze saturated with an antiseptic soap solution approved by the Department , or a 70% alcohol solution. The tattooed area shall be allowed to dry and petroleum jelly, antiseptic ointment, antibacterial ointment, or antibiotic ointment, from a single use collapsible or plastic tube or other single service method of dispensing, shall be applied, using sterile gauze. A sterile, non-adherent protective cover shall be applied to the finished tattoo before the customer leaves the establishment. (Critical)

S. The tattoo practitioner shall provide written and verbal instructions to the person that has been tattooed. Verbal and written instructions on how to care for a new tattoo will include at a minimum: bandages, time guidelines, skin care, clothing, injuries, exposure to U.V. light, exposure to chlorinated and salt water, and skin care products and the practitioner's name. In addition, written instructions will include information when to seek medical treatment if necessary. (Critical)

T. Once the patron has left, the tattoo workstation shall be completely cleaned and sanitized to include the service chair or table and all tattoo related equipment before the next patron is allowed into the tattoo area. All autoclavable items shall be replaced with clean autoclavable items stored in individual sterile packets. After completion of this requirement, the tattoo artist shall thoroughly wash his or her hands with antibacterial soap, and dry them with a disposable single use towel. (Critical)

U. All containers shall be labeled clearly with their contents. (Critical)

V. Needles shall be examined for burrs with a magnifier or eye loop (loupe) before being used. (Critical)

W. A medical history of the client shall be obtained. All clients shall be advised of possible complications from being tattooed. Anyone with a history of diabetes or severe skin infections shall be advised of possible additional complications from being tattooed. All clients shall be questioned about any history of latex allergy.

Notes

10-144 C.M.R. ch. 210, § 4