Before getting your tattoo, familiarize yourself with the following guidelines. The studio you select should abide by these basic rules for your safety:

The only acceptable means of sterilization is by autoclave and/or gamma sterilization. The autoclave should be spore tested, at the very least, monthly to ensure that it is functioning properly. Witchdoctor's Tattoo Emporium has no problem producing the test records upon request. An ultrasonic cleaner is a must. Only ultrasonically cleaned and freshly sterilized instruments should be used.

Needles ARE ALWAYS single-use only at Witchdoctor's Tattoo Emporium. Always insist that you see your tattooist remove the new needle and tube from a sealed autoclave bag immediately prior to your tattoo. Autoclave bags have color indicators to show that they have been run through an autoclave. This stripe can turn even if the autoclave is not working properly. This is another reason one needs to check autoclave test records.

Be certain that your tattooist pours fresh ink into new disposable ink caps. Under no circumstances should ink that has been poured out or used be poured back into the main ink bottles. Make sure that all items that will be touched during the tattoo process are covered by plastic or barrier film. Such items include spray bottles, clip cord, lamp, knobs on power supply or chair adjustments.

Make sure the tattooist washes their hands and puts on a new pair of gloves when setting up tubes and needles. make sure the tattooist does not touch anything with dirty gloves, including the telephone.

The tattooist should always be clean in appearance and sober. The furnishings in the studio should be clean and orderly in appearance. All containers, work stations, and floors should be made of hard non-porous materials, so they can be cleaned with a hard surface disinfectant.

Feel free to question the tattooist about any of these basic guidelines and procedures. Witchdoctor's Tattoo Emporium is a professional tattoo studio, we have no problem complying with these standards. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable or your tattooist does not appear to meet the above guidelines or appears evasive when questioned--go elsewhere!

If the above guidelines are followed and the client cares for the new tattoo properly, then the tattoo experience is a low health risk endeavor.