Schenectady County has a question for the members. Our current tattoo code requires tattoo artist to apply a thin layer of antibacterial ointment over the tattoo and then apply a sterile gauze pad. Does anyone else do another process? We are having difficulty with one of our shops refusing to comply with this code because they feel it causes the ink to leach out of the skin.

Chemung County does not currently regulate tattooing.

Niagara county’s tattoo code does not specifically state that the area has to be covered with sterile gauze but it can be used if desired. We have seen clear sterile bandages used in many establishments to cover a finished tattoo. One of the more common ones seen is a product called Saniderm but there are others out there. This serves the same purpose as the sterile gauze in our code.

Suffolk County has the same code requirements. Please contact Madeliane Feindt at (631) 852-5835 with any additional questions.

Per the member inquiry, please find a copy of the Allegany County Environmental Health Division tattoo aftercare instructions. We have not had an issue in the past with these instructions being followed, but we have had some questions about particular item usage such as A&D ointment and things of that nature that we have handled on a case by case basis. Please let me know if you have any questions as we have a ton more forms dealing with the tattoo/body-piercing program.

At each yearly inspection, we check to see that there is the proper antibacterial ointment present in each tattoo shop and that they are packaged in individual units as required by our law, but we have never received a question about an alternative method for handling a tattoo as was described. The method for aftercare is also clearly on the instructions sent home with the client, and we have never seen the alternative method mentioned there either. If there are any questions or further detail in needed, feel free to call us at 518-447-4620.

I’ve copied the applicable tattoo section of the Sanitary Code of the Chautauqua County Health District below.

We provide similar regulation in Erie County Sanitary Code Article XXII: ARTICLE XXII-REGULATION OF TATTOO ARTISTS AND ESTABLISHMENTS
Section 10: After Care of Tattoo
(a) The completed tattoo shall be washed with a piece of sterile gauze or sterile cotton saturated with an approved germicidal solution. It shall be allowed to dry.
(b) After drying, an anti-bacterial ointment shall be applied from a collapsible metal or plastic tube. The entire area may be covered with a piece of sterile dressing, which may, in turn, be covered with a piece of tissue and fastened to the site with an approved type of adhesive. I haven’t read any studies or reports that a thin layer of antibacterial ointment applied to a fresh tattoo will leach any more ink out than would normally come out of a fresh tattoo.

The NYC Administrative Code and Rules of the City of NY do not require that antibacterial ointment and a gauze pad be applied after a tattoo is completed. Such steps are recommended in the “Health Standards and Recommendations for Tattooing” manual used as part of the DOHMH Infection Control Course, which all tattoo artists must complete in order to obtain a DOHMH Tattoo Artist License. But DOHMH does not enforce this recommendation.

RCNY §22-12 Tattoo Care Instructions does require the following:
“The licensee shall provide the customer with written instructions regarding care of the tattooed area to prevent infection.”

The attached PDF is from the DOHMH Tattooing manual and lists the recommended written instructions.

We have not heard this complaint from any tattoo artists in NYC.

Guidance on the prevention of communicable disease, specifically in regards to protection from skin infections such as MRSA and staph infections, encourage keeping cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed. (Link)

The DRAFT regulations applicable to tattooing & body art are attached. Note that 72-2.15(s) specifies that….

A new tattoo shall be covered with a sterile breathable covering.

While NYSDOH has yet to issue these health regulations for tattooing and body art, the NYSDOH website contains information on the risks associated with tattooing and body piercing, and further states;

If you get a tattoo, make sure the tattooist: covers the tattooed skin with a bandage and provides aftercare instructions

The attached Tattoo Aftercare Instructions emphasizes that taking proper care of a new tattoo can prevent health problems such as infection.

It further implies that a sterile gauze bandage shall be applied to cover it, and that the purpose of the bandage is to provide a barrier for protection of the newly tattooed skin, which should be treated as an open wound.

Not sure if the artist objects to the applying of the antibacterial ointment or / and the bandage. Per the Aftercare Instructions, applying a thin coat of antibacterial ointment is a suggestion for follow up care Two Hours after completing tattoo. The sterile bandage is necessary to protect the open wound immediately after tattoo work is completed.

Orleans Leg passed resolution in opposition of adult use marijuana last night.

Please see attached sections of Rockland County Sanitary Code, Article XVI, Body Art.

Rockland County does not, “…require(s) tattoo artist to apply a thin layer of antibacterial ointment over the tattoo and then apply a sterile gauze pad…”
Rockland County does require preparation of the tattoo site (§16.6.8.10) and instructions on aftercare (§16.6.8.11).