Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 641 - Public Health Department
Chapter 22 - Practice of Tattooing
Rule 641-22.6 - Procedures

Universal Citation: IA Admin Code 641-22.6

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

Tattoo establishments shall comply with the following:

(1) Tattoo establishments will establish a written standard operating procedure (SOP) that includes the process for setup and tear down of tattoo procedures. The SOP focuses on procedures of hygiene and cross-contamination control.

(2) For privacy purposes and at the patron's request, establishments have in place or readily available a nontransparent panel or other barrier of sufficient height and width to effectively separate the patron from any unwanted observers or waiting patrons.

(3) Tattoo artists scrub their hands thoroughly before beginning the tattoo procedure. Tattoo artists dry their hands with individual single-use towels or hand dryer.

(4) Tattoo artists wear clean garments and disposable latex, nitrile, chloroprene, or vinyl gloves during the tattoo procedure. Gloves are changed after each tattoo. Tattoo artists wash their hands before and after each tattoo procedure.

(5) All items with which the gloved hands of the tattoo artist would normally come into contact during the tattooing procedure have appropriate barrier films covering them, including clip cords, squeeze bottles, seat adjustment controls, power control dials or buttons, and work lamps.

(6) The skin area to be tattooed is first cleansed with soap and water. Single-use towels or sponges (gauze) are used during the cleansing procedure.

(7) Before placing the tattoo design on the patron's skin, the tattoo artist prepares the skin with 70 percent ethyl or isopropyl alcohol solution or an equally effective antiseptic or antimicrobial.

(8) Tattooing is not performed on any area where there is evidence of skin infection, irritation, or abnormalities.

(9) After the tattooing is completed, the tattoo artist:

a. Applies an adequate dressing or bandage to the tattoo area.

b. Provides to the persons tattooed printed aftercare instructions regarding tattoo care during the healing process.

c. Thoroughly cleans the machine head with an acceptable disinfectant and sprays an acceptable surface disinfectant over the work area during the clean-up procedures before the area is set up for the next tattoo procedure.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Iowa may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.