Why an Autoclave Is Vital to a Tattoo Business

We know that as of 2015, Edmonton, Alberta had over 120 tattoo shops. And every single one of those tattoo businesses should be using an autoclave.

Why an autoclave?

Autoclaves use heat, water, and pressure to sterilize equipment, almost like a pressure cooker works to sterilize your canned peaches. Autoclaves are the go-to method of sterilization for hospitals and scientific research facilities because autoclaves work.

Autoclaves do one job, but they do it exceptionally well. Autoclaves can sterilize liquids, solids, and equipment that has different shapes. They can even sterilize several different types of materials including borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and some types of plastic, like polypropylene.

All different kinds of microorganisms will be killed by an autoclave. Bacteria, viruses, and spores can sometimes resist sterilization by chemicals, but these nasty critters don’t have a chance inside an autoclave.

Tattoos and Disease Transmission

Researchers have known for years that tattooing carries a risk of disease transmission (Nishioka, 2001). These risks have come down as more and more tattoo businesses practice better and better hygiene and use sterile techniques.

And there is no doubt that some diseases are acquired after the tattoo is completed because of poor after-tattoo hygiene.

The highest risks are for the transmission of hepatitis, especially types B and C. There are, however, plenty of cases of the transmission of other microbes including the dreaded MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Research and statistics on the transmission of HIV through tattooing is still in its infancy.

The point here is that an autoclave is your best bet to reduce the risk of disease transmission associated with tattooing. If you have a tattoo business, and you want to reduce your risk of disease transmission to close to zero, then you need an autoclave.

Contact us, and let us help you. Don’t worry, we have autoclaves in all sizes, and we provide training to staff for all of the equipment we supply and service. You don't have to be a scientist to use an autoclave.

Alpha Scientific supplies, installs, and services medical equipment in western Canada. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about medical equipment, please call our toll-free number, (888) 818-4847, or email us at sales@alphascientific.ca.