One of the most important aspects of getting a great tattoo is the cleanliness of the procedure area and all the associated instruments being used. Making a call to your local health department will take only a few minutes and they can usually provide recommendations to the cleanest shops nearest you. Another good idea is to take a look at the shops restroom and if it’s not clean, good chance other areas are not either.

A good tattoo artist will show you during setup the equipment being used, which can include instruments that have been sterilized in an autoclave. Monthly testing of the autoclave should also be performed to insure proper sterilization. Most shops are required by law to do this. Single use needles are another means of making sure you are getting the cleanest tattoo possible.

Covering your new tattoo for the first hour with plastic wrap will also reduce the chances of infection.  After care of your new body art is extremely important in making it look great for years to come. Tattoo artist will generally provide an after-care packet that explains this process.  I highly recommend making the extra effort in the care of your new body art in the few days after receiving.