For tattoo Removal
L.A.
Tattoo artists applaud notion of rules to protect customers
By Richard Dooley
The Daily News
HALIFAX - Nova Scotia is
considering whether tattoo parlours and body-piercing studios need to be
regulated by the government in the aftermath of a teen's death in Newfoundland
after a breast piercing.
Robert Strang, the medical officer of health for the Capital District Health
Authority, said a government committee is looking at the risks involved and ways
to regulate the business.
In Nova Scotia, there are no rules governing tattoo parlours or piercing
studios.
"Right now, it's buyer beware," said Strang. "This issue is being looked at
among a number of others around the issue of gaps in public health programs."
Strang said if proper sterilization and infection-control procedures aren't
followed, tattoo and piercing customers run the risk of picking up blood-borne
infections such as HIV, hepatitis C or hepatitis B.
"If you had a contaminated needle, blood can be transmitted from one person to
another," said Strang.
Piercing also gives bacteria that normally grow on the outside of the body an
opportunity to get a foothold internally. Sometimes that can result in a
localized infection or, rarely, more serious complications.
A 17-year-old girl in Newfoundland died earlier this month of toxic shock
syndrome a week after a breast piercing. The province's coroner confirmed the
infection was a result of the piercing.
Christine Landry of Utility Tattoo and Body Piercing Studio in downtown Halifax
says there should be regulations.
"It worries me that there could be people out there, completely filthy and
dirty, piercing kids," she said.
Landry follows a strict procedure for cleaning her instruments after each
client.
The tools are soaked in an alcohol solution, cleaned ultra-sonically and dried,
autoclaved for 25 minutes, packaged and sterilized again. All the sterilization
cycles are logged.
But other piercing artists may not be as fastidious with their tools.
"We always encourage people to look for that sort of thing in every shop they go
to," said Landry.
Steve Sutherland, of Black Rose Tattoo & Piercing Studio, the oldest tattoo
parlour in metro, refuses any client younger than 18, and says he hopes any
regulations will require age limits on tattooing and piercing.
Regulations are needed, Sutherland said.
But they need to be enforceable, common-sense rules to work.
"It could be a good idea, but if it's not done properly, it could do more damage
than good," he said.
