Tattoo and piercing popularity prompts regulation
by Dena Babbs & Crystal Zobrist, Outpost Contributors
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Gen-X follow piercing fad |
Jeff Buckingham, an environmental health specialist for the Washoe County District Health Department, said Washoe County has had tattoo regulations since 1975. But the county saw a need for stricter regulations with the increase in communicable diseases.
The Washoe County District Health Department Invasive Body Decoration Regulations Committee is comprised of several members from the Washoe County Public Health Environmental office and three members from the industry. It has revised the regulations governing invasive body decoration establishments in 1996
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Buckingham said Washoe County is just a regulatory agency that only provides minimum standards. Some owners and operators abide by the Association of Professional Piercers and the Association of Professional Tattooing regulations, which are much stricter.
"We don't require that they belong to the associations," Buckingham said. "That is voluntary."
Buckingham said earlobe piercing is unregulated. Washoe County Health Department are now targeting the jewelry shops to be sure that they are not piercing above the earlobe with a gun.
Buckingham said the local industry insisted on an age requirement for those who want to get a tattoo or piercing. The new regulations require anyone who receives any form of invasive body decoration be 18 years old. Nevada did not have an age requirement in the past.
Parental consent is required for a minor to receive invasive body decoration. It requires numerous identifications and a parent must show proof of being the parent. A legal guardian must show court documents, which are also required in the cases of emancipated minors.
According to Washoe County regulations, all operators must wear latex gloves during procedures. All single-use items, such as needles, stencils, ink cups and razors, must be properly disposed of after use on each client. All non-disposable instruments used for invasive body decoration shall be sterilized by an autoclave sterilizer.
Body jewelry used during the healing period must be composed of surgical steel, 14-karat gold, niobium, and/or platinum.
Safety regulations are intended to protect both the clients and the operators.
"Our big focus is to see that it is done safely and to protect the public from disease transmission," Buckingham said.
copyright 6/1/97 Nevada Outpost
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