P.E.I. tattoo and piercing regulations needed, say shop owners

Some tattoo and piercing artists in Prince Edward Island want to see the industry better regulated.

Shops are inspectedby Environmental Health officers using guidelines from Manitoba, Alberta, and Ontario.

They look for things like proper sterilization and hand washing, but theydon't hand out certificates to tattoo and piercing shops to say they've passed inspection.

AmyBrewster, co-owner ofIronsideTattoo & Piercing Company,plans to make recommendations to the province to help create standardizedregulations for the industry.

"I'd really be happy to work closely with the government officials and help them and make suggestions on the best practices as far as safety, sterilization, and procedures go."

No plans for provincial regulations

The province says it will respond to public complaints about medical issues but those are rare. It can investigate under the Public Health Act.

There aren't anyplans at this time to bring in more rules.

IronsideclientCarleyCochranegot her ears pierced a couple of years ago at another place. She said she still has pain.

"They were crooked, they were really sore after. I feel like they swelled a lot more than they should have."

Cochrane'sstory isn't out of the ordinary,Brewstersaid.

"More and more, as time goes on, people are coming in with botchedpiercings, infection, improper jewelry size and very difficult issues."

Customers should ask questions

It'simportant for people to educate themselves and to look for certain things when they are gettingpiercingsdone, she said..

"Shop cleanliness, bodypiercerportfolio. Have a look around. Ask people who have been pierced by them. They should be able to show you pictures ofpiercingsthat they've done and healedpiercingsthat they've done."

The same goes for tattoos, saidJaredSark,Brewster'sbusiness partner and tattoo artist.

"Ask for proof that they're following proper sterilization techniques for their equipment. We have our proof mounted on the wall right at the counter so customers can see that when they come in and also ask if they've had any blood-borne pathogen training that's training that helps prevent cross contamination," he said.

"When you're sitting down to get a tattoo, make sure that the instruments are open in front of you. Make sure they wash their hands before they perform it. Make sure they're wearing gloves."

Clear rules needed

It would be good to have clear rules for everyone in the industry, he said.

"To be able to prevent those types of situations with legislation, it would require a strong enforcement aspect."

CBC News contacted four other tattoo and piercing shops on P.E.I. and they all agreed they'd like to see tighter regulation including age restrictions and only allowing tattooing and piercing to be done at a site that can be inspected by the province.