Red Flags When Looking for a Cosmetic Tattooist in Queensland.
Welcome to our guide on navigating the world of cosmetic tattooing in Queensland. While the prospect of enhancing your features is undoubtedly exciting, it's essential to approach the process with caution and discernment. Not all cosmetic tattooists uphold the same standards of safety and professionalism. In this guide, we'll highlight key red flags to watch out for when selecting a cosmetic tattoo artist. From outdated techniques to communication lapses, we'll empower you to make informed decisions and prioritise your safety throughout the tattooing journey. Let's dive in and uncover the warning signs you need to know before booking your next appointment.
Not directing Clients to Obtain Numbing Cream from a Compounding Pharmacy: Artists should direct clients to obtain numbing cream from a reputable compounding pharmacy rather than supplying it themselves. Anaesthetics used in cosmetic tattooing are controlled in Queensland and it is illegal for an artist to supply numbing cream with 5% or more active ingredients and you will require more than 5% to have effective pain relief. A pharmacist must prescribe and dispense your numbing cream, as the pharmacist can determine if it is safe and check for allergies to ingredients such as sulphur and if required, make a compound without it. A cosmetic tattooist who applies their own numbing cream to clients does not have the appropriate medical background to determine safety or adequate insurance to cover a claim if something goes wrong.
Offering Microblading: Microblading is extremely hard to do correctly and really only works well on young skin with a thicker epidermal layer. Once clients have received 3 or more sessions of microblading there is a high chance of scar tissue forming. It’s common to see scarring, strokes done too deep, strokes too close together creating blurring or strokes done with an organic pigment containing carbon black and turning grey or blue. Look for an artist you does nano or machine brows if you want the featherstroke look.
Offering Touch-Ups Before 6 Weeks: Immediate touch-ups can hinder the healing process. A reputable artist advises waiting at least 6 weeks for the skin to heal properly before any touch-up sessions. If the skin healing response has not reached maturation before tattooing again, there is a risk of scarring and suboptimal results. There should be a minimum 6 weeks between sessions and longer for mature clients whose wound healing response is delayed.
Cheap or Discounted Service: Be cautious of artists offering services significantly below the average price. Quality work often comes with a fair price, and discounted services might compromise safety and quality. If an artist is discounting regularly, they may be desperate for clients. Remember, this is a tattoo on your face.
No Pictures of Healed or Aged Work: A reputable artist showcases healed and aged work, demonstrating the long-term quality of their tattooing.
Lack of Insurance: Ensure the artist has liability insurance, providing reassurance in case of unforeseen complications or issues. If something goes wrong and the artist is liable but doesn’t have insurance, they will have to pay for costs and damages out of their own pocket and could potentially bankrupt them, leaving you with nothing. Ask your potential artist for their certificate of currency for their liability and professional indemnity insurance.
Not upskilling regularly: Artists committed to excellence consistently update their skills and training to stay current with industry standards and advancements. Ask your potential artist the last training they participated in.
Uniform Brows in Shape, Color, and Size: Diverse client preferences should result in varied brow shapes, colors, and sizes. Uniformity may indicate a lack of adaptability, skill or care. Check the artists pictures to gauge if they do the same technique on all face shapes, ages, skin types etc.
Using Pigments with High Amounts of Carbon Black: Carbon black is a colourant in cosmetic pigment that is resistant to fading and overtime, you are left with grey/blue residual. It is also small in size and tends to migrate in the skin. Which when tattooed in too heavily or too often can make them impossible to correct and removal is the only option.
Using the Same Needle Configuration on All Skin Types: Different skin types require different needle configurations. A one-size-fits-all approach may lead to suboptimal results and potential complications such as tattooing too deep. Ask your potential artist what needles they use.
Using a PMU Pen Without Backflow Prevention: Proper hygiene includes preventing backflow in PMU pens. Artists should use equipment that meets safety standards to avoid contamination. A good artist invests in good tools. Ask your potential artist if their machine has backflow prevention and their needles have a membrane.
Lack of Skin Penetration License from Local Council: Ensure the artist holds a valid Skin Penetration License from the local council, confirming compliance with health and safety regulations. The council will check the space being used to tattoo and that the artist is using proper infection control techniques. Ask your potential artist to see their skin penetration licence.
Absence of Sink in or Within 5 Metres of Treatment Area: A dedicated sink in or close proximity to the treatment area is crucial for maintaining hygiene and cleanliness during procedures. This can indicate whether they have a Skin Penetration Licence. The council will not approve without this.
Carpet or Rug Under the Treatment Bed: Hygienic standards dictate hard, easily cleanable surfaces in the treatment area. Carpets or rugs may pose cleanliness concerns. This can indicate whether they have a Skin Penetration licence. The council will not approve this and if the artist has done it after they have received approval, they are disregarding hygiene standards.
No Infection Control Certificate: A certified infection control course is essential for artists, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining a safe and sterile environment. This is mandatory to perform skin penetration treatments such as tattooing in Queensland. Ask the see your potential artist’s certificate.
Incomplete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Adequate PPE, including gloves, masks, and apron/gown, is vital for protecting both the artist and the client during procedures. Check their socials and website, are they wearing all the correct PPE in photos of them tattooing? (In some professional photo shoots where they are pretending to tattoo, they may not).
Tattooing in Sandals or Open Shoes: Proper attire, such as closed shoes, is necessary for maintaining a hygienic work environment and minimising contamination risks. Check their socials and website, are they wearing closed shoes in photos of them tattooing?
Unwrapped Tattoo Machine and Cord: A professional artist ensures the tattoo machine and cord are appropriately wrapped in plastic to prevent cross-contamination. Check their socials and website, is their machine wrapped in photos of them tattooing?
Using Non-Disposable Tools Mid-Tattoo (e.g., Tweezers): Disposable tools are crucial for hygiene. Reusing non-disposable tools mid-tattoo can pose infection risks and compromise safety.
Poor Communication: A professional artist should prioritise clear and transparent communication throughout the entire process. This includes promptly responding to inquiries, providing detailed information about the booking process, offering thorough pre-care instructions to prepare clients for their appointment, and giving comprehensive aftercare guidance to ensure proper healing. Poor communication or delayed responses may indicate a lack of professionalism or commitment to client satisfaction, potentially leading to misunderstandings or dissatisfaction with the service provided. Clients should feel informed and supported at every stage of their cosmetic tattooing experience.
In the world of cosmetic tattooing, selecting the right artist is paramount. While artistic style and personal preference play a significant role in the decision-making process, prioritising safety and professionalism should never be compromised. Throughout this guide, we've highlighted numerous red flags that may indicate potential risks or shortcomings in a cosmetic tattooist's practice.
From outdated techniques to poor hygiene practices and communication gaps, these red flags serve as important indicators for clients to consider when choosing a cosmetic tattoo artist in Queensland or anywhere else. While it's essential to trust your instincts and aesthetic preferences, it's equally crucial to prioritise safety and quality in every aspect of the tattooing process.
Ultimately, while art is subjective, safety is not. Choose your cosmetic tattooist wisely, and may your journey to beautiful, long-lasting results be as safe and rewarding as it is aesthetically pleasing.
Hope that helps!
Blush X
