Assemblywoman Brown's 1994 bill made it through the Legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Pete Wilson. The new bill was slated to be considered on Tuesday by the Assembly Health Committee. Iggy Evans, an artist for Erno Tattoo who has tattooed professionally for two years, also feels regulation is a good idea, as long as tattooists are involved. But he adds that he has seen divisions among tattooists over potential regulations. Cheri Hubert, owner of Lovedog Tattoos, says she has no problem with basic sterility requirements.
Good hygiene includes a work area that can be wiped down with antiseptics.
A good tattooist or piercer uses sterile rubber gloves and paper towels, and sterilizes needles, piercing tools, jewelry, inks and pigment tubes in an autoclave. Some also use ultrasonic cleaners. Ken Coyote, a body piercer at Curiosa, says the piercing industry needs regulation, too. Any idiot can open up a shop tomorrow. As for technique, that's another story.