KTRV Fox 12 Dangers of Unlicensed Tattoo Artists
Member Center:
Boise, Idaho - Federal health officials are warning people about the risks of getting tattoos from unlicensed tattooists. This after more than 40 people in Ohio, Kentucky, and Vermont came down with a drug-resistant skin infection, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has traced to 13 unlicensed tattoo artists.
Here in Idaho, tattoo parlors and those doing the body art don't have to be certified, but that isn't stopping them from doing what they can to keep their facility clean and sterile.
Tattoo artist, Larry Guel, is hard at work, tattoing this picture of the Sawtooth Mountains in the shape of a star. His canvas is the back of Jessika Rogers, who was recommended to Imperial Body Art.
"My mom's friend got her tattoo here along with her daughter, they said it was really good," said Rogers.
"We run a really clean shop," said owner, Paul Birnbaum.
Birnbaum says he does everything he can to make sure the facility and equipment his body artists use are germ-free. Autoclaves used to sterlize the instruments are checked monthly by a third-party to ensure proper maintenance, and no needles are ever re-used.
Birnbaum does all of this, even though Idaho law doesn't require him to do so. He says it's for the safety of his customers and his staff.
"If a customer comes in and they have a disease and we don't run our tools properly and then we're tattooing or piercing someone else, and we get a needle stick, who's to say we didn't contract that disease for ourself," said Birnbaum.
In Idaho, tattoo parlors and artists are not required to be licensed, that means no one is regulating their business practices. No one is watching to see if tattoo artists are properly disinfecting the skin and their equipment.
"Without that regulation, who's to say they're gonna keep their equipment up to par," said Guel.
Guel is a licensed tatooist in two different states, Mississippi and Alabama. His certificates are proudly displayed at his work station.
"Because I think it should be regulated in state of Idaho. I think it should be regulated everywhere. We're dealing with cross-contamination, blood, it just amazes me that it's not regulated," said Guel.
But until lawmakers decide to monitor these places and their employees, it's highly recommended that those looking to get a tattoo do their homeword before letting someone take a needle to their skin.
"Ask people that's went to them before, ask to see their portfolio, without being regulated, that's the best you can do," said Guel.
The skin infection is called MRSA. It can lead to pneumonia, bloodstream infections and even a painful flesh-destroying condition.
Good news though, health officials say all of the tattoo patients that were infected have recovered, including four who had to be hospitalized.
