Tattoos, Piercings, and Sexual Health: What to Ask & Look For

Getting a tattoo or piercing should feel empowering — not risky. Body mods are common and mostly safe when done in regulated, hygienic settings. But because these procedures puncture skin and can expose blood, there are real infection risks (bacterial, hepatitis B/C, and — in rare/unregulated cases — HIV). Below is a practical, no nonsense guide to help you pick a safe shop, ask the right questions, and spot problems early so your new ink or jewelry stays a positive part of your life.

Quick reality check

• When studios follow proper infection control rules (single use needles, sterile technique, clean environment), the chance of HIV transmission from a professional tattoo or piercing is extremely low.

• The bigger, more common risks are bacterial skin infections (Staph, Pseudomonas, etc.) and blood borne viruses like hepatitis B or C, which can be transmitted if equipment or inks are contaminated. Regular shop sterilization and single use needles cut those risks dramatically.

• Outbreaks happen when infection control is ignored. A recent example: reuse of equipment at an unlicensed spa led to multiple HIV cases after a cosmetic needle procedure — a reminder that sterile technique and licensing matter.

Before you book: choosing a safe shop (checklist)

Look for a shop that clearly follows public-health rules. If they hesitate to answer these, walk away.

• Visible license or permit from the local health department; staff should be able to explain local rules.

• Clean, well lit studio with separate workstations and no cluttered surfaces.

• Single use, sealed needles and disposable items opened in front of you.

• An autoclave on site (or documented sterilization procedures) for reusable tools and spares; autoclave logs and test strips are a good sign.

• New gloves for each client, fresh ink poured into single use cups, and safe sharps disposal containers in use.

• Clear written aftercare instructions and contact info for the artist/clinic if problems arise.

Questions to ask the artist (short & direct)

You don’t need to be shy — these are normal, important questions:

• “Do you use single-use needles and dispose of them in a sharps container?”

• “Is there an autoclave for sterilizing tools? Do you run biological indicator tests?”

• “Do you open needles/ink/sterile packs in front of me?”

• “What’s your aftercare plan for this location (especially for genital or oral piercings)?”

• “Are you licensed with the health department? Where can I find your inspection record?”If any answer sounds vague or evasive, pick a different place.

Special considerations for intimate or oral body mods

Piercings or tattoos on or near the genitals, anus, mouth, or nipples require extra care:

• These sites are more prone to infection and slower to heal because the area is moist, gets more friction, and can contact bodily fluids — so aftercare must be meticulous.

• Genital piercings may affect condom use or barrier methods — discuss how a piercing or fresh tattoo might change protection and plan accordingly with partners.

• If you or a partner have a known blood borne infection (HIV, HBV, HCV), discuss it with a clinician before getting a mod in those areas so you can plan safe timing and aftercare.

Aftercare: what to do and what to watch for

Follow the shop’s written aftercare instructions. General tips: keep the area clean, avoid submerging in pools or hot tubs, don’t pick scabs, and avoid sexual activity that irritates the area until healed.

Watch for signs of infection and get medical care if you see:

• Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or severe pain.

• Yellow/green pus, fever, red streaks spreading away from the site.

• Any unusual bleeding that won’t stop or a bad smell from the wound.Untreated infections can become serious — getting checked early prevents complications.

Testing, vaccines, and medical safety

• If you’re unsure about the studio’s sterility and later have any exposure concern, seek testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C and consult a clinician about PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) where relevant.

• Hepatitis B is vaccine preventable — check your vaccination status before getting pierced or tattooed. If you’re not vaccinated, talk to your provider; vaccination adds a strong layer of protection.

What to do if something goes wrong

1. Contact the studio immediately and describe symptoms. A responsible shop will help and may have protocols for referrals.

2. See a healthcare provider quickly if you notice signs of infection or systemic symptoms (fever, chills). Bring photos and note when the procedure happened.

3. If you suspect a blood borne exposure (e.g., you saw needle reuse), seek urgent medical advice about testing and PEP, and report the incident to your local health department. Public health teams can investigate and prevent further harm.

Quick takeaways (keep these in your pocket)

• Professional + regulated = low risk. Ask about single use needles, autoclaving, and licenses — and expect clear answers.

• The common problems are bacterial infections and hepatitis; HIV from a licensed shop is extremely uncommon but possible in unregulated settings.

• For intimate mods, plan ahead about healing, condom/barrier implications, and extra aftercare.

• If you’re worried afterward, get checked fast — early treatment prevents bigger problems.