How to Sterilize a Tattoo Needle

You should never use a tattoo needle more than once, especially if the person you are tattooing changes. If you are only tattooing yourself, then even though you should change your needles, sterilizing your needles should be okay.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Autoclave
• Latex gloves
• Anti-bacterial soap

1. Find an autoclave that is satisfactory for use with tattoo equipment. A good way to do this is to check with a local tattoo and piercing parlor or ask your state health board about its requirements.

2. Setup your autoclave. After you have purchased the appropriate autoclave, make sure to set it up for the appropriate level of sterilization, and follow all directions exactly.

3. Wash all your needles, tubes and other tattooing equipment with the anti-bacterial soap.

4. Run all of your equipment in the autoclave, paying attention to the cycle time that will be specific to your autoclave.

5. Wearing rubber gloves to keep all the equipment sterile, remove the equipment from the autoclave and prepare for use.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use a UV sterilizer for tattoo equipment. It WILL NOT WORK!
• Dispose of needles in a proper manner, marking them as a bio-hazardous material.

Resources

• Tattoo supplies

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[victimink]

on 6/19/2009 Sterilizing your needles is never ok. You are an amateur and have no idea what you are talking about. This is an epic fail. I suggest, that if you don't know what you are talking about, you shouldn't talk.