Important Tattoo Medical Supplies to Store 0

It's important to keep your tattoo shop stocked with all the tattoo medical supplies needed to prep and modify clients--things like antiseptics, skin cleansers, tattoo bandages, and disinfectants. 

Read through the sections below to compare your options within each product category.  

Autoclaves & Autoclave Supplies 

An autoclave steam steriliser is the single most effective tool for sterilising reusable tattoo supplies like steel grips and tattoo tubes. You'll be able to sterilise larger batches of tools faster and more thoroughly with an autoclave than you could with chemical baths or other sterilisation alternatives. 

There are several types of autoclave accessories in store to keep on hand to get the most out of your steam steriliser. Every tool you sterilise will need to be bagged separately before being autoclaved, so it's a good idea to stock up on sterilisation pouches and nylon tubing in a variety of sizes. A heat sealer is also needed to seal your autoclave bags, steam sterilization integrators that clearly show when your tools have been fully sterilised, a reliable autoclave cleaner you can use to clean your steriliser regularly, and spore testing kits so you can periodically test your machine to make sure it's operating optimally. 

Cleaners 

Tattoo tools have to be thoroughly cleaned before they're autoclaved, and a variety of tools are readily available to simplify the cleaning process.  

An autoclave can be a huge time saver for a busy shop. Without an autoclave, you have to hand-scrub all of your reusable tattoo tools, soak them in disinfectant and lubricate them before you sterilise them. If you're interested in shortening the clean-up process in between clients so you can tattoo more people in a day, you need an ultrasonic cleaner.  

Tattoo Cleaners, Disinfectants & Bio-Hazard Containers 

It's highly critical that you maintain a sterile work environment to keep your clients safe and make them feel secure when they get tattooed in your shop. To keep surfaces sterilised throughout your shop, you'll need an assortment of disinfecting cleaning products. You should also make biohazard containers easily accessible to your tattoo artists so that they can properly dispose of used tattoo needles, other sharps, and contaminated protective gear, like used tattoo machine bags.  

Tattoo Covers & Protective Gear 

In your efforts to maintain a sterile work environment within your tattoo shop, you should bag all reusable tattoo tools that can't be autoclaved, like tattoo machines and clip cords. Additionally, it's important that your tattoo artists wear medical gloves while tattooing, and that they change them at appropriate intervals. Some artists also like to cover more of themselves, for their health, to prevent cross-contamination and to protect their clothing. 

For tattoo gloves, choose from latex and nitrile gloves in a variety of sizes and styles from brands like Defend, Aurelia, Black Dragon, Midknight, Ultraform, and more. 

When you're tattooing a client's face or neck, it's best to wear a face mask. These surgical face masks come in boxes of 50 and have ear loops to hold them in place. 

Antiseptics, Skin Cleansers & Other Skin Prep Products 

Before tattooing a client and after applying any topical anaesthetic requested, you have to perform surgical skin prep. This process requires washing the skin with an appropriate skin cleanser, and then applying a CDC-approved antiseptic. Make sure your client isn't allergic to any of the skin prep products you're planning to use. Some people have iodine allergies while others have sensitivities to fragranced soaps, so it's important to talk to your clients about the tattooing process and products you use before you begin 

Top brands like Intenze, Green Soap, Tattoo One, Tattoo Goo, and H2Ocean are just some of the well- known skin cleaners that are being used by tattoo artists, as well as surgical-grade antiseptics like alcohol pads and providone iodine swabs. 

Things you should know about Tattoo Anaesthetics 0

There have been a lot of questions and speculations about these tattoo anaesthetics. And we would like to answer some of those questions for you and for others who are scared to get a tattoo because of their low tolerance to pain.

• Do tattoo anaesthetics really work? Yes, of course! These products can be very effective. However, not all anaesthetics are created equally. If you own a tattoo shop, and you want to offer tattoo anaesthetics to your client, be sure to look for the following ingredients when buying tattoo anaesthetics: lidocaine, tetracine, benzocaine, and/or epinephrine. Menthol, camphor, tea tree oil, and comphrey roots are some of the natural additives that help enhance the power of the anaesthetics. 

• How do they work? Lidocaine, one of the numbing agents mentioned earlier, can be found in nearly every tattoo anaesthetic product. The higher the percentage of lidocaine, the more effective it will be. It deadens the nerve endings and makes the tattooing process more comfortable for both the artist and the customer. Also, lidocaine is a key ingredient in reducing the initial stings of a tattoo needle when it hits the skin. It prevents the client from flinching too much. There are also products that contain tetracine or benzocaine, if not both. These are nerve blockers.

  They do not totally put a stop to nerves from sending pain signals to the brain, but they lessen the level of discomfort that those pain signals can give. There's also, epinephrine, a vasoconstrictor that causes the blood vessels to narrow. This narrowing means there is less bleeding and swelling during the tattooing process. However, be careful as too much of these anaesthetics can cause complications.

• What is the most effective combination of tattoo anaesthetics? Some tattoo anaesthetics take effect faster than others, which makes them perfect as boosters to apply as secondary layers throughout the whole tattooing process. When you are using a tattoo anaesthetic that contains epinephrine, it won't be necessary to reapply it, one layer is enough. Also, try to use tattoo anaesthetics like Tattoo Soothe Cream or Hush anaesthetic gel. During the preparation of the skin for the tattooing process, wash client’s skin with products like H2Ocean’s Nothing Pain-Relieving Foam Soap enhanced with Bactine. The Bactine will help in reinforcing the effects of any topical anaesthetic applied beforehand.

5 Important Tips to Make A Perfect Tattoo 0

A perfect tattoo isn't that easy to achieve, but with the right elements and skills, you can definitely pull off a perfect tattoo.  

To accomplish this ultimate goal, keep these 5 important tips in mind. 

1. Listen to your client 

Different clients have different tastes. Some want a detailed tattoo, while others choose simpler ones. Whatever your client prefers, listening to their wants and needs is very important. Communicating with your client is important before and during the tattoo process. Coming up with an actual design based on what they want will depend on your creativity and skills. Draft the design and show it to your client, be open to their comments. Don't hesitate to suggest an idea, if you think it will improve the design. If the design or the size is not feasible, explain it to your client, tell them the reasons why you don't recommend it, and offer them alternatives. 

2. Pay attention to placement

The design shouldn't be the only focus to achieve a perfect tattoo. Most of the time, clients already know the design and placement they want. As the expert, you should be able to tell whether the design and size will fit the placement they have chosen. If not, don't hesitate to tell them. You can suggest other better placements, or you can suggest adjusting the size of the design. Explain to them and show them the possible outcome if they insist the placement and size they want. 

3. Consider techniques in advance

Tattoo sessions are usually pre-booked, this gives you an opportunity to study and consider techniques you can use that will give you the best approach. You can even try sketching and using coloured pens to give you a better idea on how you can give justice to your client's chosen design. 

4. Get to know your equipment

Of course, if you're planning to make this a career you should know every equipment by heart. You should be comfortable with the equipment you will be using. Being uncomfortable with your equipment will affect the overall result of your work. Familiarise your self with all the equipment you will be using, and the brand of ink you choose to use. This will give you overall control during the tattoo process. 

5. Be realistic.

A good tattoo artist knows their limitations. Knowing is one thing, but admitting and accepting these limitations is different. But that shouldn't stop you from learning and practising new techniques. But if you're not ready, and you know you're not confident that you can achieve the client's desired design, say it to them directly. Accepting projects that are beyond your limitations might lead to a disastrous outcome. You don't want an unhappy client right? Be realistic and be honest. Keep in mind that customers worked hard to save money for their tattoos and they also endure the pain, so they don’t want to end up leaving your shop dissatisfied and traumatised.

Things you should know about Tattoo Anaesthetics 0

Most people get addicted to getting a tattoo because of the pain they feel during the tattoo process. Others want to get a tattoo to overcome emotional pain and diverting it to physical pain. But not everyone wants to get a tattoo and feel the needle penetrate their skin. Some even doubt themselves whether they can handle the pain or not. Fortunately, tattoo product manufacturers have come up with a solution to cater to those who are dying to get a tattoo but have low pain tolerance. There are tattoo anaesthetic sprays, numbing creams, and anaesthetic gels available in the market. Tattoo artists have been using these anaesthetics for a long time.  

There have been a lot of questions and speculations about these tattoo anaesthetics. And we would like to answer some of those questions for you and for others who are scared to get a tattoo because of their low tolerance to pain. 

• Do tattoo anaesthetics really work? Yes, of course! These products can be very effective. However, not all anaesthetics are created equally. If you own a tattoo shop, and you want to offer tattoo anaesthetics to your client, be sure to look for the following ingredients when buying tattoo anaesthetics: lidocaine, tetracine, benzocaine, and/or epinephrine. Menthol, camphor, tea tree oil, and comphrey roots are some of the natural additives that help enhance the power of the anaesthetics.

• How do they work? Lidocaine, one of the numbing agents mentioned earlier, can be found in nearly every tattoo anaesthetic product. The higher the percentage of lidocaine, the more effective it will be. It deadens the nerve endings and makes the tattooing process more comfortable for both the artist and the customer. Also, lidocaine is a key ingredient in reducing the initial stings of a tattoo needle when it hits the skin. It prevents the client from flinching too much. There are also products that contain tetracine or benzocaine, if not both. These are nerve blockers. They do not totally put a stop to nerves from sending pain signals to the brain, but they lessen the level of discomfort that those pain signals can give. There's also, epinephrine, a vasoconstrictor that causes the blood vessels to be narrower to have less bleeding and swelling during the tattooing process. However, be too much of these can cause complications.

• What is the most effective combination of tattoo anaesthetics? Some tattoo anaesthetics take effect faster than others, which makes them perfect as boosters to apply as secondary layers throughout the whole tattooing process. When you are using a tattoo anaesthetic that contains epinephrine, it won't be necessary to reapply it, one layer is enough. Also, try to use tattoo anaesthetics like Tattoo Soothe Cream or Hush anaesthetic gel. During the preparation of the skin for the tattooing process, wash client’s skin with products like H2Ocean’s Nothing Pain-Relieving Foam Soap enhanced with Bactine. The Bactine will help in reinforcing the effects of any topical anaesthetic applied beforehand.