Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 210 - RULES RELATING TO TATTOOING › Section 144-210-4 - TATTOOING PROCEDURES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. No tattooing
				shall be practiced on the person of any individual who is obviously under the
				influence of intoxicating liquor, or chemical substances. No intoxicating
				beverages or chemical substances shall be consumed on the tattooing premises.
				This rule includes, but is not limited to, the tattoo practitioner.
				(Critical)
B. No food or beverages
				are allowed in the tattoo workstation. This rule includes, but is not limited
				to, the tattoo practitioner.
C. No
				tattooing shall be conducted outside of an approved tattoo establishment or
				approved tattoo trade show inspected by the Department and run by a licensed
				tattoo practitioner. No other unlicensed practices may be conducted within the
				approved tattoo establishment by the licensed tattoo practitioner.
				(Critical)
D. No tattooing shall be
				practiced on the person of any one who is less than 18 years of age, as
				verified by a driver's license, liquor ID card, military ID card, or other
				adequate record. (Critical)
E. The
				tattoo practitioner shall be 18 years of age or older. (Critical)
F. Neither the tattoo practitioner, or person
				being tattooed shall use tobacco in any form while tattooing is being
				performed. (Critical)
G. The tattoo
				practitioner shall wash his or her hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and
				water and dry them with individual single use disposable towels before starting
				to tattoo. (Critical)
H. The tattoo
				practitioner shall use single service impervious gloves on both hands before
				beginning all procedures associated with the application of the tattoo.
				(Critical)
I. No tattoo shall be
				penetrated, abraded, or treated with chemicals for the purpose of removal,
				except by licensed medical doctor. (Critical)
J. A safety razor with a new single service
				blade, a new single edge, single use, disposable razor or an autoclavable
				straight edge razor may be used for shaving on only one person.
				(Critical)
K. The area to be
				tattooed shall first be thoroughly washed for a period of at least two (2)
				minutes with warm water to which has been added an antiseptic soap. A new
				single use sponge, gauze or paper towel shall be used to wash the area. After
				shaving and before tattooing is begun, a solution of 70% alcohol shall be
				applied to the area with a single use sponge, gauze or paper towel.
				(Critical)
L. Only petroleum jelly,
				anti-bacterial, or anti-biotic ointment in collapsible metal, plastic tubes, or
				its equivalent as approved by the Department, shall be used on the area to be
				tattooed and it shall be applied with a sterile gauze or single use tongue
				depressor. (Critical)
M. The use of
				styptic pencils, alum blocks, or other solid or liquid styptics to check the
				flow of blood is prohibited. (Critical)
N. Any and all substances being applied to
				the skin including, but not limited to, enhancements of applicability of
				transfers, etc., will be done with a single service applicator.
				(Critical)
O. All needles shall be
				of the single service type. (Critical)
P. Single service items including, but not
				limited to, individual containers of dye or ink, gloves, ointments, razors, and
				all other applicable supplies shall be used for each patron and the containers
				shall be discarded immediately after completing work on a patron and any dye in
				which needles were dipped shall not be used on any other person. These items
				shall be disposed of in accordance with state and local laws, utilizing the
				highest of safety precautions. Used needles used shall be properly disposed of
				in a sharps container, in accordance with subsection 5.B.2. Each establishment
				must register with the Department of Environmental Protection Biomedical Waste
				Management Rules, 06-096 C.M.R. Ch.900. (Critical)
Q. Excess dye or ink shall be removed from
				the skin with an individual gauze or new single use paper towel which shall be
				used only on one person and then immediately discarded. (Critical)
R. After completing work on any person, the
				tattooed area shall be washed with sterile gauze saturated with an antiseptic
				soap solution approved by the Department , or a 70% alcohol solution. The
				tattooed area shall be allowed to dry and petroleum jelly, antiseptic ointment,
				antibacterial ointment, or antibiotic ointment, from a single use collapsible
				or plastic tube or other single service method of dispensing, shall be applied,
				using sterile gauze. A sterile, non-adherent protective cover shall be applied
				to the finished tattoo before the customer leaves the establishment.
				(Critical)
S. The tattoo
				practitioner shall provide written and verbal instructions to the person that
				has been tattooed. Verbal and written instructions on how to care for a new
				tattoo will include at a minimum: bandages, time guidelines, skin care,
				clothing, injuries, exposure to U.V. light, exposure to chlorinated and salt
				water, and skin care products and the practitioner's name. In addition, written
				instructions will include information when to seek medical treatment if
				necessary. (Critical)
T. Once the
				patron has left, the tattoo workstation shall be completely cleaned and
				sanitized to include the service chair or table and all tattoo related
				equipment before the next patron is allowed into the tattoo area. All
				autoclavable items shall be replaced with clean autoclavable items stored in
				individual sterile packets. After completion of this requirement, the tattoo
				artist shall thoroughly wash his or her hands with antibacterial soap, and dry
				them with a disposable single use towel. (Critical)
U. All containers shall be labeled clearly
				with their contents. (Critical)
V.
				Needles shall be examined for burrs with a magnifier or eye loop (loupe) before
				being used. (Critical)
W. A medical
				history of the client shall be obtained. All clients shall be advised of
				possible complications from being tattooed. Anyone with a history of diabetes
				or severe skin infections shall be advised of possible additional complications
				from being tattooed. All clients shall be questioned about any history of latex
				allergy.