Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 511 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 511-3 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS › Subject 511-3-8 - BODY ART › Rule 511-3-8-.15 - Tattoo Procedures

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)
				Medical grade disposable gloves shall be worn during the preparation of
				equipment for a tattoo procedure and during the procedure. Vinyl gloves are not
				permissible.
(2) Before the
				procedure begins, all instruments to be used during the tattooing must be
				placed on a medical grade absorbent liner which must be placed on a disinfected
				surface.
(3) Only a commercially
				packaged, single-use, pre-sterilized needle assembly with bar shall be used and
				disposed of immediately after use into a puncture-resistant, or disposable
				biohazard container. Expired, breached needle packages or needle packages that
				have become wet may not be re-sterilized and must be discarded.
(4) Sterilized instruments shall remain in
				sterile packages until opened in front of the client.
(5) Any part of a tattooing machine that may
				be touched by the artist during the procedure shall be covered with a
				disposable plastic sheath that is discarded after each procedure and the
				machine shall be disinfected.
(6) A
				clip cord sleeve and barrier film shall be used over exposed electrical cords
				or other approved cleaning and disinfection methods demonstrated to prevent
				contamination.
(7) All devices used
				to apply pigments must be designed and used to prevent backflow of pigments
				into the machine. Needle cartridges must have a membrane.
(8) Single-use towels or gauze shall be used
				in preparing the site to be tattooed and shall be disposed of after use on each
				client.
(9) If shaving is
				necessary, single-use disposable razors shall be used and discarded into a
				puncture-resistant container between clients and as otherwise needed.
(10) After shaving the area to be tattooed,
				or if the area does not need to be shaved, the site of the tattoo shall be
				thoroughly cleaned with an antimicrobial solution used in accordance with the
				manufacturer's label instructions.
(11) When a workstation rinse cup is used
				alone, the cup and solution shall be disposable and discarded after each
				client.
(12) If squirt bottles are
				used to dispense liquids, the liquid shall be applied onto a single use wipe
				rather than directly onto the client.
(13) Single-use ointment tubes, applicators,
				and supplies shall be discarded after each tattoo application.
(14) When a paper stencil is used by a tattoo
				artist for transferring the design to the skin, it shall be single-use and
				disposable. The use of roll-on or stick deodorants for tattoo site preparation
				is prohibited.
(15) The stencil
				shall be applied with antimicrobial soap, or a Health Authority approved
				product dispensed from a container in a manner that does not contaminate the
				unused portion.
(16) When the
				design is drawn directly onto the skin, autoclavable, pre-sterilized pens shall
				be used, or single-use, non-toxic pens or markers shall be used and discarded
				after each use.
(17) The completed
				tattoo shall be washed with a single-use towel saturated with an antimicrobial
				solution.
(18) A sterile bandage or
				dressing shall then be applied to the finished tattoo. For procedures such as
				"permanent makeup", "microdermapigmentation", "micropigment implantation",
				"microblading", "microshading", "micro-needling with the use of pigment",
				cosmetic tattooing or any other similar procedures, the use of a sealed or
				non-sticking wrap or dressing is not required.
O.C.G.A. §
											31-40-5.