FAQs


CaTS TaTS Artist Ojas's Mission Statement




At Cats Tats, I Ojas Cats believe that tattooing is a healing art.  I like to incorporate this aspect into what I do, and give you a different type of tattoo experience.  

I have owned Cats Tats since 1998 and I love what I do.

I am a Buddhist and Intuitive Psychic Healer.  I am trained in Integrative Body Psychotherapy and like to use and share what I have learned to show others how we hold ourselves.  I also like to incorporate Aromatherapy and Sound Therapy into the tattooing process, as I find that the more relaxed you are the easier it is for you to enjoy the experience. 

I have also invented and created a new 100% pure skin product called 
Tat-Dew that I use for the tattooing process which helps with inflammation and virtually stops the bleeding associated with getting a tattoo.  Tat-Dew can also be purchased for aftercare and all your skin care needs.

I believe in our modern culture we are trying to find ways to incorporate more rituals into our lives.  We are looking for more ways to connect as people.  I believe that tattooing is a way to bridge this gap.  It is something that we can give to ourselves that no one can take away...and sometimes we need to feel pain to release pain.

I do a lot of memorial tattoos and I think this is a excellent example for transforming our grief.  It marks your body with a permanent remembrance at the same time allowing you to always feel close to the being you are remembering.

So if you are looking for a special healing experience with your next tattoo please give me a call.

Peace,  Ojas Cats


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CaTS TaTS’s 
Guideline Regulations for 
Safety in Body Art 
Is your tattoo studio safe & clean?


These guideline regulations were written so that the general public or future client could be aware of potential risks involved in getting a tattoo or body art. This guide only covers the tattooing process.  This is also the regulations as to what is involved in proper operation of a tattoo business or studio.  

The following is to help you make an informed decision when choosing a tattoo artist or studio. These guidelines are based on the regulations in British Columbia, Canada with added information written by Ojas Cats of Cats Tats Skin Art Studio in Nelson, BC.  

I, Ojas Cats believe in complete transparency and integrity in my work as a tattoo artist and studio.   I also believe that the client should have the safest experience as well.  I guarantee all my work 100%.  I have been in business since 1998 and with what I believe is an excellent reputation in my community.  That being said, you can make your own conclusions.

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Premises and general operation basics

Make sure all business license’s are paid each year and are up to date, as this ensures the health board is also up to date on your business with inspections.
It is not law but all tattoo studios should consider ONLY tattooing persons 18 years of age or older, and if you do take clients younger between 16-18 then it is recommended that you get parental consent with a copy made of their identification (ie Driver’s License).
Tattoo artists/studios MUST consider the issue of informed consent (ie release form) by their customers, for both you and the clients safety and health (ie health questions).
The tattoo artist should also acknowledging that the client is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and seems of sound mind.
The tattoo artist should make sure the client has had something to eat within a few hours before their tattoo appointment, as this will help with the client’s ability to tolerate the experience.
Tattoo artists should verbally go over the risks involved with getting a tattoo and explain to the client that they must also be involved with the safe healing.
The tattoo artist must also consider supplying the client with written aftercare instructions.                                                              
There should be no smoking or incense burning permitted in the studio or tattooing area.
There should be no food or eating permitted in the tattoo working area, this also includes the client.
The area where the tattooing takes place should be separated from the rest of the studio by a wall or partition.
All wall/partitions should be capable of being wiped down and cleaned with cleaners so as not to be made of fabrics or non-porous materials.
There should be no paper work or clutter in the area where the tattoo is being done.
All chairs/furniture and hard surfaces in the tattoo work area should be able to be wiped down with disinfectant cleaner; so no fabrics
The floor in the tattoo work area should be a non-porous material capable of being swept and washed daily.
The garbage containers in the tattoo work area must be stainless steel to be able to be cleaned, wiped down and emptied daily for disposal.
All garbage bins should be lined with thicker lined plastic bags to prevent tears.
The tattoo and work area must be adequately lit.
There should be a sink for hand washing ONLY with hot and cold running water in the room where the tattooing is done.
There should be a second sink in the sterilization bio-hazardous zone area; and this sink should be used for sterilization cleaning ONLY and disposal of contaminated rinse water. 
Regular liquid hand soap not anti-bacterial soap should be used for hand washing and paper towels should be used for hand drying.
This bio-hazardous area with a sink should also be the area for the sterilizer/autoclave, sharps container, ultrasonic cleaner, stainless steel container (for storing used equipment in until the end of day), cleaning brushes and cleaners.
All countertops should be made of arborite or non-porous material.
The studio should look clean and smell clean too.
The studio should have and ultrasonic cleaning device. 
The studio should have an autoclave sterilizer in proper working order, with regular test strip done with every load and a spore test done every 3 months with records kept on file.     


Preparation and handling of instruments and equipment

To set up area where tattooing will be performed first wash hands and forearms at hand washing station and put gloves on.
All hard surfaces (ie countertops) should be wiped down with a proper cleaning solution of  Cavicide/cavi-wipes, 10% bleach solution or 70% Isopropyl alcohol.
Depending on solution and manufactures recommends the surfaces should stay wet for 1-3 minutes if left to air dry.
Once dry ALL surfaces should be covered (including all dials and switches on power supplies and all areas where the client will be siting or lying for tattoo) with plastic barrier film and/or dry back medical/dental bibs, paper pillowcases, and disposable plastic backed covers.
Wash bottles should NOT be spray type bottles as these can spread germs with their spray; autoclavable bottles with stream type release tops upon squeezing the bottle should be used.
Wipe down with a cavi-wipe cleaner and fill one clean wash bottle with water and a small amount of dexidin skin cleanser or another applicable skin cleanser type soap; replace this with new wash bottle daily.
Wipe down with a cavi-wipe cleaner and fill one wash bottle with a mixture of Dettol and water for applying stencils; replace and change daily with new bottle.
All electrical clip cords for the machines should be covered with plastic with each new client.
All wash bottles/soaps should be covered with clean disposable plastic bag covers with each new client.
Plastic bags that will be used for covering machines should be laid out on work area with each new set up.
All machines should be covered with a new plastic bag covering between each client.
Clean paper towels, tongue depressor, grommets, razor, elastics, and cotton pads should be put out on covered work area with each client.
If there will be a number of pigments used for the tattoo then a clean disposable cup with water with a small amount of soap should be placed out on work area as well.
All sterilized equipment such as tubes/grips and needles should be stored in clean drawers or cabinets, and all handles should be covered with a new plastic barrier film to be discarded after each client.
Tattoo machines need to be stored in a clean and dry area away from tattoo working area.
All machines when being assembled for tattooing should be done in a manner whereas not to contaminate the needle sets.
All pigments should be dispensed into separate ink caps and if more ink is needed during the tattoo process then gloves should be removed and changed as to not contaminate the bottles.


Infection control:
General

All hand soap should be a liquid type and not anti-bacterial.
Hands and forearms should be washed and rinse well before and after each client, as well as before and after each set-up and break-down.
When washing hands and forearms take 30 seconds and rub between all fingers, up the forearms and scraping nails on soapy palm of hand then rinse well, leaving water running dry hands with paper towel and then use towel to turn off tap.
A new sterilized packaged needle and tube/grip should be used for each new client.
The needles after use should be discarded into a sharps container.
The tube/grips should either be discarded if using disposables otherwise they should be placed in a stainless metal container with a lid for cleaning/sterilization at end of a workday.
Gloves should be removed when leaving the tattoo area for any reason.
All tattoos should be covered after completed; or if the client is leaving the tattoo work area for any reason with a breathable barrier type bandage of the non-stick variety.
Separate new pigments caps should be used for each new colour dispensed and all unused pigment should be discarded after each client.
If more than one colour is needed the needle will need to be rinse out between colours this should be done in a new small cup with water and a very small amount of dexidin or any type antiseptic skin cleansing soap added to it.
This rinsing cup water should be disposed of in the sterilization sink only, as this water is contaminated and bio-hazardous.
Excess pigment/ink should be removed from the skin with a clean absorbent disposable material (ie paper towel) in conjunction with a antiseptic solution, I use a mixture of water and dexidin skin cleanser soap (green soap is no longer acceptable).
At the end of the tattoo session remove gloves and wash hands, then proceed to other room to finish with client.

Skin preparation

The skin to be tattooed should be examined prior to being tattooed for skin lesions, rash or any other irregularities.
The client should be informed of the possibility of allergic reaction or rejection of ink, as well as contamination or infection potential of the tattoo site.
The skin should be washed with water and good skin cleanser like Dexidin 4 Detergent which is 4% Chlorhexidine and or a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab works also.
Disposable razors should be used for every client as everyone has body hair that should be removed before the tattoo.
A solution of Dettol Antiseptic slightly diluted with water on a clean cotton pad is used to moisten the skin to apply the stencil, this will also clean the skin again.
If vaseline or lubricating jelly is used it must be dispensed from jar or container with a clean tool (ie tongue depressor) and put out on work area so as to not contaminate the whole jar, any unused must be discarded.

Cleaning

To break-down work area first wash hands and apply new gloves.
Carefully use your one hand to touch dirty parts and one to touch clean parts when breaking down machine and removing needle and tube/grip as to not contaminate the machine.
Remove the tube grip first by loosening it, then remove the elastics if applicable and then the needle.
Dispose of the needle(s) in a Sharps Container.
Dispose of the tube/grip if it is disposable otherwise store in a stainless metal container for later cleaning and sterilizing.
Using clean stainless steel scissors cut off the plastic clip cord sleeve and remove all plastic bags from bottles.
Discard of rinsing water from cup down bio-hazardous sterilization area sink.
Now wrap all used vaseline, pigment in ink caps, elastics, paper towel, plastic bags in the plastic paper dental bib that was covering your work area and discard into the garbage along with your gloves.
Put on new gloves and now clean and then again wipe down machines and scissors or any tools used with Cavi-wipe cavicide cleaner or similar type cleaner and let them air dry depending on manufacturer’s cleaner.
Remove gloves and wash hands again after breaking down.
Prior to sterilization of tubes/grips or needles they must be scrubbed and cleaned of any adherent material and then ultrasonically cleaned, with all detergent discarded after each use.

Sterilization

All needles, tubes/grip should be sterilized and packaged in sterile pouches for later use and stored in date order.
When sterilizing tubes if they are in separate pieces they must be disassembled cleaned, rinsed and dried before putting into sterilizations pouches.
All sterilized pouches should have indicator strips to tell if they have been sterilized properly, sterilization usually takes 25-30 minutes at around 270 degrees f with about 15 to 17 psi.
Sterile packs are considered to keep the wrapped instrument sterile for 6 to 12 months depending on the manufacturer.

NOTE:  Even if you use disposable needles and tubes/grips there are other things that should be regularly sterilized these include: stainless steel storage containers, stainless steel scissors, allen keys, nalgene autoclavable wash bottles and tops and any tool or equipment used in the tattoo hazard zone area.  

Waste disposal

When breaking down your work station after a client all disposable materials should be discarded (ie cotton, paper towel, cup, tongue depressor, pigment caps with un-used ink, razor) this should be wrapped up with the dental bibs used under your working area.
When your Sharps container is full (do not overfill) take to proper disposal area such as pharmacy, hospital etc.
At the end of the day all garbage should be removed from the tattoo area and placed in a secure locked bin.

Personal Service Worker

The tattooist should wash their hands before and after tattooing each client and every time gloves are changed.
The tattoo artist should be clean and wear clean outer garments.
The tattoo artist should not wear any bracelets, watches or rings.
The tattoo artist should use single use non-latex powder free gloves with each client.
The tattoo artist should change gloves if the process of tattooing is interrupted, you need to touch something Or you need to leave the tattoo room or area.
It is recommended that all tattoo artists be immunized against Hepatitis B and tetanus.

Post tattooing skin care

The tattoo artist should always cover the newly applied tattoo with a clean bandage/dressing, (not plastic wrap) the best being a non-stick breathable one.
Any bandages that need to be cut or re-sized should be done with clean stainless steel surgical scissors.
The tattooist should supply the client with verbal and written skin care instructions.
The client should be advised not to swim in chlorinated water or salt water during the healing process, as either may leach out the pigment.
The client should be informed to stay out of the intense sunlight, avoiding sunburns.
The client should be informed about what to put on the tattoo, as a small amount of moisturizer is generally needed when the tattoo starts to dry out making sure to explain to the client not to use too much of anything as the skin needs to breathe.



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Are you ready?
Are you sure you want body art?

Tattoos are permanent. Think 20 years down the road.

What will the body art look like and where will it go on your body?

It should say something about YOU and not somebody else.

***DO YOUR RESEARCH!!
This means do your research on the studio you want to do the tattoo art for you.  Make sure the studio is clean as Hepititis C can live on a surface for up to 4 days, or in ideal conditions up to 60 days. Make sure it smells clean. Make sure the artist looks clean.

**BUDGET!
Take the time to save money for your tattoo.
Great looking, safe body art is worth the price.

**Make sure you know of any severe skin allergies you may have, and be sure your skin is clear of cuts or rashes.

**Try to be in your most balanced state...
So get rest and make sure you eat something before your appointment as this will help with your bodies natural ability to produce endorphins which are your natural painkiller.

** Be sure not to drink alcohol 24 hours before your appointment, because it makes your blood thinner and this will make you bleed more which usually causes loss of colour as well as making you more sensitive to the pain!

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