Risky business: unprofessional tattoos
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 3:14PM 
There have been concerns raised recently about the potential risks associated with unprofessional tattoos and the potential for infection including the spread of Blood Bourne Viruses. South Australia Health recently funded a campaign urging tattoo artists to increase their knowledge of infection control. Articles have appeared recently in Hepatitis Council magazines from Victoria and New South Wales. The Victorian Hepatitis Council has also updated a Body Art Campaign aimed at educating students in Secondary Schools.
Environmental Health Officers from Kingborough Council recently discussed their concerns at the increase of “backyard” tattooists in the Kingborough area. This led to an education session about BBV transmission through tattooing at the Statewide EHO meeting in Campbell town. It is not clear how many people contract HCV from unprofessional tattoo and piercing procedures but anecdotally the incidence of “backyard” tattooing is on the rise. The professional tattoo artist who also attended the session in Campbelltown talked about the number of “backyard jobs” referred to him for clean up.
Anyone can call themselves a tattoo artist but to register as a business, tattoo shops need to apply to the local council. Applicants for registration of a business submit an application for a license to carry on a public health risk activity. The applicant is assessed on their knowledge of hygiene and infection control measures and the premises are inspected before the licence is issued.
Anyone considering getting any form of body art which pierces the skin should check on the credentials of the person offering the service. Professional tattoo artists and body piercers will not have a problem discussing their infection control procedures. You are much more likely to get a product you are happy with by visiting an experienced professional than a mate with a needle and a pack of frozen peas.
Carolyn Hay
Hep C Coordinator
Reader Comments (3)
This doesn't mean there aren't all sorts of privacy implications, along with implications for security,
liberty, democracy, etc. But I do think it's a bit silly to treat this particular development as somehow
surprising and unexpected.
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