Last week, Buncombe County’s Environmental Health team got some ink done—pen on paper that is—by permitting artists at the Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival.
This yearly event is an opportunity for the group to exercise their teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills.
The festival brings tattoo artists from all over the nation and even some international talent who show off their work and provide tattoos to attendees. In order to do this safely, these artists had to get inspections and permits before the festival began.
The Environmental Health team worked together to get all tattoo artists permitted in about five hours.
“The tattoo convention was a success,” says Jessica Silver, Environmental Health Administrator. “Huge thanks to our front office staff for organizing the permits in a way that ensured smooth and efficient check-ins for the 220 artists.”
The Food & Lodging staff and their supervisors did a great job inspecting and permitting each artist's workspace. This work included checking work locations to ensure proper handwashing, cleaning, and disinfecting procedures to reduce the spread of diseases associated with blood-borne pathogens.
The Environmental Health team would like to remind folks about safely getting tattoos:
Tattoo Safety
- Don't get a tattoo if you're sick.
- Be sure the work area is clean and get details of everything used in your tattoo, including ink.
- Closely follow all advice on healing. You may be told to use a germ-fighting ointment, for example.
- Tattoos are only allowed for those who are 18 years or older. Even if the parent/guardian "signs" for the tattoo, the required age for a tattoo is 18 years or older.
What To Look For At Tattoo Establishments
- Tattoos at home or artists that travel to your home are not permitted.
- Only get tattoos from permitted artists.
- Make sure all needles come from sterile, one-use packages.
- Ensure that the studio has machines to kill the germs on instruments after each use.
- Make sure the artist washes their hands and uses sterile gloves.
For more information, please call Environmental Health at 828-250-5016.