How Does A Tattoo Autoclave Work
Autoclaves are the best devices, that are able to provide really safe sterilization of any type of equipment. Nothing else can guarantee you high-quality disinfection as autoclaves can. Due to the pressure and high temperature inside this machine, the autoclave kills bacteria and microbes. And doesn’t give infections or viruses a chance to get into clients bodies.
They can have different sets of characteristics, including size, so that means how much equipment it can accommodate temperature, it depends on it how much time of utilization it will take to process the instruments.
Autoclaves And Piercing Equipment
Not all equipment used in tattoo and piercing studios can be sterilised using an autoclave.
Some of these, such as piercing guns, are made of plastic, which would melt when placed in an autoclave.
Most of the parlours that still use the old metal piercing guns dont sterilise them properly and may, therefore, be unfit for piercing.
Equipment made of metals, glass, and some acrylic can be sterilised using autoclaves.
Some of the acrylics that can be autoclaved include Bioplast, PMMA, PTFE, and Bioflex.
What Do Tattoo Artists Use To Wipe Ink Off
If youve had a tattoo before, youre likely familiar with how a tattoo artist wipes away excess ink throughout the procedure. Green soap can also be used for this purpose. After completing the tattoo, your artist applies green soap to the skin once again. The soap removes any remaining ink or blood left on the skin.
Also Check: Lucky’s Tattoo San Diego
What Does An Autoclave Do
Tattoo autoclaves are used in tattoo shops to sterilize piercing equipment, needles, and any other device that is reused. The purpose is to kill any bacteria or viruses, thereby preventing the movement of bacteria from one person to another.
Autoclave sterilizers use high-pressure steam, a concept developed in the 1600s. In fact, the first functional autoclave was built in 1884. Today, compact, mobile autoclaves can be used to quickly and efficiently sterilize your shops tools of the trade.
Sterilisation Alternatives To Autoclaving
Autoclaving is by far the best form of sterilisation in the tattoo and piercing industry.
Flame sterilisation for needles and other piercing tools is one of the most unacceptable sterilisation methods as it can easily lead to contamination.
Whats more, this method damages the structural integrity of such equipment.Boiling water is not recommended as a means of sterilisation as well. This is because it is not effective at killing some bacteria, even at 100oC.
Other methods, such as rubbing alcohol, are effective at disinfecting piercing equipment but may not kill microbes that cause diseases such as Hepatitis. Sterilisation using chemicals such as ethylene oxide gas, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde is yet another option.
Some of the practitioners in this industry also use ionising and ultraviolet radiation for sterilising equipment, but ultraviolet doesnt guarantee effective results compared to autoclaving. What benefits does sterilisation and autoclaving provide to players in the tattoo and piercing industry? Here are some of them:
- Prevent infections on individuals getting tattoos and piercings
- Prevention of potentially terminal diseases
- Longer lifespan of equipment
Don’t Miss: Tattoo Goo Where To Buy
Sterilization Equipment For A Cleaner Tattoo Shop
Clients put a lot of faith in the hands of their tattoo artists not only are they trusting the artist to permanently mark their skin, they are trusting the artist with their health. Autoclave sterilization brings the same technology used by hospitals into your tattoo shop, allowing you to quickly and reliably sterilize your needles, bars, tubes, and other equipment. Our Tuttnauer autoclave is a great fit for any shop looking for affordable sterilization equipment that is still the top of the line heat, steam, and high pressure eliminate infectious bacteria from metal surfaces in as little as 11 minutes.
Once the materials are sterilized, they are sealed until the artist is ready for a client be sure to store all equipment in sterilized pouches, available by Crosstex and Defend, after they have been through the autoclave. Testing of the equipment is required as proof of sterilization, and all tattoo artists must show they are compliant with state regulations. A spore test kit, however, is all you need for proper testing. Simply send the testing strip to a reputable testing service, and the resulting report is proof of compliance.
Outfit your tattoo shop with a Tuttnauer autoclave and its accessories, and insure that the trust your clients have in you is well-placed.
New Or Refurbished Sterilizers
Brand new equipment is always the superior choice. If the budget is sufficient, go for it as a long-term investment. However, this does not mean that you cant opt for refurbished equipment. Restoring a used autoclave to like-new condition will see you make savings that you can channel back to the business to spur growth. Youll be surprised to find out that refurbished sterilizers can still offer the same performance as the new ones.
If youre a fledgling tattoo shop, a used autoclave means less expenditure. However, for the sake of your business success, its paramount to ensure that used autoclave goes through safety inspection guidelines. Whether you buy new or refurbished, only buy from a reputable dealer.
When buying an autoclave, ensure that your business needs are prioritized. Factors such as cost, quality, maintenance, space durability, and others should have an essential influence on your choice. It is also good to remember that apart from the initial cost, performance and reliability of autoclaves will have a direct impact on the efficiency of your business.
You May Like: Mast Tour Pro Tattoo Pen
Covering Your Tattoo Machine And Grip/tube
Your tattoo machine should always be covered in plastic when you are working with it to avoid being contaminated by blood and liquids. You can do this very easily by using a classical machine bag for coil and angled rotary machines. For pen-style machines, it is best to use a fitting clip cord sleeve that you can put over the machine. Dont forget to also cover your grip when you are not using disposable grips. Take care to seal the plastic bag with either a rubber band or cohesive bandage. Needless to say, these items should be kept in a drawer and not lay openly around your working place to keep them from being contaminated by splashing liquids.
This way you can prevent contamination on your machine to a good grade in the first place and the cleaning effort is not as much. Disposable grips and disposable tubes are a great choice if you want to work clean or if you do not have the time and equipment at hand to clean and sterilise your machine and grip/tube after the session.
When you cover your tattoo machine and have it sealed inside the plastic bag, as well as taking care that it does not come into contact with any liquids, blood or any other working equipment , you do not need to sterilise your machine for the next customer. Nonetheless, you need to clean and disinfect your tattoo equipment, even though it has been sealed in a plastic bag.
We still recommend sterilising your machine after each use to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination.
Sterilisation And Safety Standards For Tattooing And Body Piercing
Reputable tattoo studios are most likely those that are compliant with the safety standards in this industry.
Before getting a tattoo, it is important to ask the following questions regarding a tattoo studio:
- Is the tattoo studio clean, including rooms such as the bathroom?
- What are the sterilisation procedures applied in the tattoo studio?
- Is an autoclave used for sterilising reusable equipment?
- How do they handle equipment that cannot be sterilised?
- Do they use sterile needles for piercing?
- Are piercing guns used for piercing procedures?
Read Also: How To Remove Tattoo Naturally
Tattoo Shop Autoclaves For Sale & Service
AKW Medical specialized in the highest quality, small or big and portable tattoo shop autoclaves for needle care along with the best repair and preventive service!
We carry the most popular tattoo shop autoclave brandsincluding portable onessuch as SciCan, Ritter, Midmark, and Tuttnauer!
For over 30 years AKW has been a leader in sterilizer preventive maintenance and service!
AKWs autoclave service team includes knowledgeable CBET technicians and a caring support staff!
Tattoo artists and shops in San Diego and all around the United States already trust our products and service!
What Does Your Budget Look Like For An Autoclave
Autoclave prices vary widely. You dont have to choose the most expensive piece of equipment and odds are a new shop cant afford the more high-end models. Set aside a reasonable budget for an autoclave and dont exceed it.
Making a budget work for you is a good practice for any business, so its a good idea to practice it with your needed shop equipment. However, you should spend some time looking at autoclave prices, checking with other shops, or asking around, so youll know how much money to budget for one.
Budget-Friendly Autoclaves for Tattoo and Piercing Shops
Read Also: How To Add Tattoos In Photoshop
In Respect To This What To Use To Sterilize Before Tattooing
If you have a tattoo, you might remember your tattoo artist using green soap on your skin before the procedure. Green soap is an environmentally friendly, oil-based vegetable soap. Professionals use this soap in medical facilities, tattoo parlors, and piercing studios to help sanitize and clean the skin. Do you have to clean a tattoo gun? In order to make sure that customers get safe and hygienic tattoos, it’s important to make sure that the tattoo gun is cleaned and all the parts scrubbed down after each tattooing session. This process can be tiresome and complicated at first, but it’s a necessity for keeping things sterile.
The business is easy to start and can make a lot of money. It takes about $27,000 to get started. After a few years of establishing their clientele and honing their craft, most tattoo artists earn $50,000/year and shops have an average profit margin of 45%.
How much profit can a tattoo parlor make? Successful tattoo artists make less than $15,000 their first year. You can make over $100,000 annually if you make a name for yourself and your shop.
Check For One Every Time
When properly used, autoclaves are an important part of any tattoo shop’s overall sanitation program to keep both customers and artists safe from potential infections. A person should never get tattooed at a shop that doesn’t have one. A shop’s reputation comes, in part, from its sterilization processes. Ensure it earns it the right reputation with an autoclave.
Don’t Miss: Tattoo Removal Scars Before And After
Does An Autoclave Tattoo Sterilizer Require Additional Components
A tattoo autoclave sterilizer can be purchased from a reliable retailer that deals with genuine products. Here are a few of the additional products that are used alongside the autoclave tattoo sterilizer and can be purchased online.
- The Speed Clean Autoclave Cleaner this product is used to wipe down the ultrasonic chambers inside the sterilizer. It can also be used to clean other metal surfaces such as trays.
- Autoclave Cleaner Chamber Brite you can get this item for $52. It is used in steam sterilizers to clean the tubing, chamber, and reservoir. It also helps prevent the build-up of water inside the chamber.
The Sleek & Contemporary Look Created With Our Tattoo Artists In Woodbridge
Discovering the perfect location is, more often than not, only half the battle. Located in the heart of Vaughan, at the south west corner of Weston Rd. and Rutherford, Dreamworx Ink is one of the most highly recommended studios in the city.The sleek and contemporary look of our studio pulls from the most innovative design layouts and styles currently available. Developed with a modernist theme, Dreamworx Ink was created to stand as an upscale and spa like body art studio. The studio prides itself on our premium procedure rooms and completely single-use disposable equipment. With clean-cut edges and a minimalist theme, the gut renovation design was developed by owner Ben Tarzia and a team of designers and architects. The studio stands in a category of its own and brings class and elegance to the world of tattoos and body modification.
Don’t Miss: Best Soap To Use For Tattoos
Prevention Of Potentially Terminal Illnesses
Infectious diseases such as AIDS and Hepatitis C are some of the worst infections that could occur during tattooing or piercing.
Such illnesses are terminal, as they affect the immune system and body parts such as the liver, which could lead to death in the long run.
As such, such infections should be avoided at all costs, which means autoclaving all equipment used for tattooing and piercing.
What Is An Autoclave
An autoclave is a sterilization unit that uses pressurized water vapor to disinfect objects, including medical equipment, shears, blades, containers of liquid and a host of other items. In the tattoo shop, a unit is used to sterilize tattoo guns to prevent the possible transference of bacterial and viral infections from one customer to the next.
The unit itself is constructed from strong steel to withstand the high pressure that builds up within the chamber when the machine is in use, and all of the gaskets are made to fit precisely, so no pressure can escape the unit.
There are two main types of autoclaves:
- Stove top autoclaves actually resemble a culinary pressure cooker. Each unit comes complete with a bolt-down lid and a pressure gauge on the outside. These units require an outside heat source and can be extremely dangerous in untrained hands. They should only be used by experienced professionals.
- Front loading autoclaves are more widely used for their convenience, but must also be handled with great care. The units are box-shaped and self contained, equipped with a heating unit to turn water into vapor for sterilization. The autoclave’s controls allow the operator to set the desired temperature, and determine how long the machine will remain in operation. There is also a gauge to track chamber temperature/pressure.
Larger, oven-sized front loading autoclaves are also available for high volume sterilization needs such as in hospitals.
Don’t Miss: Glucose Tattoos To Monitor Diabetes
Popular Autoclave Tattoo Sterilizers
Autoclaves can be either manual or automatic. They can come in several sizes and at different price points. The following are some autoclave tattoo sterilizers used by popular tattoo parlors for keeping their equipment bacteria free:
- STATIM autoclave is the leading sterilizer in the market. It has been designed using the latest technology and innovation. This autoclave is the fastest one out there and is Wi-Fi enabled as well. It is even used by health care facilities and practitioners.
- AU410-T Tattoo Autoclave the autoclave tattoo sterilizer by this company is made of aluminum and has a mirror polish. It has a capacity of 11 liters and is perfect for sterilizing needles.
- Best reviewed Autoclave this automatic steam sterilizer has two programmable cycles. The water reservoir capacity is at 18 liters. It is known for its ease of use and is quite durable as well it can last for years with proper maintenance and car. Thus making it worth the investment. This is what youre sure to spot in most tattoo parlors.
If you are looking for a place that offers the best tattoo artists in the city and has all the equipment wiped clean using an autoclave tattoo sterilizer, then be sure to do your research by inquiring about it before getting an appointment. For more information and insight into how tattoo parlor operates, visit all our tattoo advice posts.
Soaps & Miscellaneous Supplies
Soap is the first thing you will touch in the tattoo process and the last. Because of its importance, you’ll want to ensure you are using quality soap on yourself and your client. Additionally, there are supplies used occasionally during the sanitation process that aren’t used directly in tattooing. These supplies are vital to disease control and sterilization, and you’ll need to ensure you have them to provide a sterile environment.
Read Also: What Military Branch Allows Hand Tattoos
Why An Autoclave Tattoo Sterilizer Is A Must Have
Inside: Autoclave Tattoo Definition & Purpose.
When deciding which tattoo parlor to pick for your first ever tattoo, it is important to do your research on whether it uses autoclave tattoo sterilization in its tattoo procedures. This is because the tools and equipment used in tattoo parlors may be prone to having a greater percentage of germs and bacteria. If you are getting a tattoo for the very first time, then inquiring about an autoclave tattoo sterilizer is a must you will be at ease while the procedure takes place.
So, if you wish to learn more about what an autoclave tattoo sterilizer is and how it ensures disinfection of the equipment being used, then read ahead.
Why Are Autoclave Tattoo Sterilizers A Must Have For Tattoo Artists
For one, the chances of getting a skin infection are close to none after having sterilized tattoo equipment used for your tattoo procedure. Since the tattoo needle and equipment is penetrated deep into the skin the presence of any bacteria or bodily fluid can cause unwanted repercussions. As a tattoo artist, you definitely do not want that for your customers.
Don’t Miss: New Hope Laser Tattoo Removal
How Long Does It Take For The Autoclave Tattoo Sterilizer To Sterilize Equipment
On average, it requires at least 15 minutes for the tattoo equipment to be fully sterilized. Some tattoo artists sterilize the equipment for up to 30 minutes as well. This is because the autoclave exerts pressure on each part of the equipment. The temperature inside is expected to reach 121 degrees Celsius to attain the best results. Without these key markers, you can expect the tattoo equipment to not be sterilized effectively.
Once the items inside have been sterilized, it is recommended to remove them after 10 to 20 minutes. Keeping the items overnight for sterilization is not advised.