Body Art: Tattoos & Piercing

If you are getting a tattoo or piercing, get it done professionally. If you can’t, make sure you use clean needles. It is up to you if you want to tell the tattooist that you are HIV positive - you don’t have to tell.

When you are looking for a safe body piercing look for these things:

• Make sure the studio is clean and carpet-free
• Get the artist to show you their piercing/tattooing portfolio
• Make sure your artist wears latex gloves
• Choose a studio that is regularly cleaned with an autoclave sterilizer
• Make sure the artist never re-uses a needle
• Get sterilized medical grade steel jewelry
• Find out about aftercare