1. (a) Reusable needles, bars, and tubes shall be constructed in a manner that permits easy cleaning and sterilization.
2. (b) All dyes or pigments used in tattooing shall be nontoxic, free from adulteration, and made from materials generally regarded as safe.
3. (c) Only single-service pigment or dye containers shall be used for each client. Individual containers of dye or pigment shall be discarded after use.
4. (d) In order to minimize transmission of body fluids and disease, single-service plastic covers shall be used to cover spray bottles or other reusable accessories for multiple client use that are handled by the tattooist during application of tattoos to multiple clients.
5. (e) All tattoo stencils shall be single-service. Petroleum jellies, soaps, and other products used in the application of stencils shall be dispensed and applied using aseptic technique and in a manner to prevent contamination of the original container and its contents. The applicator shall be single-service.
6. (f) Contaminated reusable tattoo equipment shall be placed in a covered container of disinfectant solution such as 2.0% alkaline glutaraldehyde (not to be construed as all-inclusive), until it can be cleaned and sterilized.
7. (g) All containers holding contaminated tattoo equipment and container lids shall be emptied of contaminated solution and cleaned and sanitized daily or more often if needed.

8. (h) Reusable tattoo equipment shall be cleaned by gloved personnel prior to sterilization by one of the following methods:

   1. (1) mechanically pre-clean the items by using a clean cottonball or swab moistened with a solution of low-residue detergent and cool water, with care taken to ensure removal of any pigment inside tube/tubes not visible to the eye, thoroughly rinse with warm water and then drain, and clean by soaking in a protein-dissolving detergent-enzyme cleaner used according to manufacturer's instructions; or
   2. (2) clean the items in an ultrasonic cleaning unit used according to manufacturer's instruction. A copy of the manufacturer's recommended procedures for operation of the ultrasonic cleaning unit must be available for inspection by an authorized agent; and
   3. (3) rinse and dry the items prior to packaging for sterilization.

Source Note:The provisions of this §229.409 adopted to be effective March 1, 1994, 19 TexReg 1110; amended to be effective July 12, 1998, 23 TexReg 6957.