§ 38-149. Needles and dye used in tattooing.

(a)

A sterile set of needles shall be used for each patron or customer. Needles used in tattooing shall be sterilized for 15 minutes, at 15 pounds pressure at 121 degrees Celsius or 250 degrees Fahrenheit in an autoclave, sterilizer or other equipment providing equal viricidal conditions, as approved by the local health department, after each use and, if not immediately used, stored in sterile containers. The open end of the needle tube of the tattooing machine shall be cleaned and sterilized in a similar method after use.

(b)

Excess dye applied to the skin shall be removed with individual sterile gauze pads or sterile cotton only. After tattooing, the remaining unused dye or pigment in the single-service or individual containers shall be discarded. The area tattooed shall then be allowed to dry and the entire site covered with a sterile gauze dressing, and fastened with adhesive.

(Ord. No. O-93-9-103, § 18, 11-22-93)