How to clean and sterilize a tattoo machine
Cleaning the tattoo equipment after completing the tattoo is an important process not only for the beauty of the machine, but also on a regular basis to sterilize them and prevent diseases and infections.
A. The most important factor in tattoo sterilization is the tool. The common tools that we need to clean and sterilize a tattoo machine are autoclaves and ultrasonic cleaners.
Before sterilization, tattoo machines, needles, and tubes must be thoroughly cleaned after each use or at least once a day. The best and easiest tool to clean a tattoo machine before sterilizing it is an ultrasonic cleaner. It can clean all the remaining tattoo ink, including small spaces and blind spots, without chemical reactions to the machines.
But keep in mind though that ultrasonic cleaners work very well to kill Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus. But bacteria like HIV can only be sterilized by autoclave sterilizer, that’s why it becomes the only professional tool for tattoo sterilization.
B. Clean before sterilizing.
1, Remove the tip, tube and handle from the machine. This procedure for unscrewing the parts may vary depending on the make and model of the tattoo machine.
2, Basic cleaning. Wash these machine parts with antibacterial soap and warm water.
3, additional cleaning by ultrasonic cleaner
For 300ml-500ml of water in the tank of the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner; Place the tip tubes and handles in the tank of the ultrasonic cleaner; Turn on the digital ultrasonic cleaner and set the cleaning time, take out the parts from the machine after 3-10 minutes; Rinse and dry naturally, or use special pads to save time.
C. How to sterilize a tattoo machine
1, Fill one sterilization bag with the tubes, one with the tip and one sterilization bag with the grips. Prepare a tray for each bag; Place each bag on a sterilization tray. Close the bag and place each in its own autoclave tray. If there is only one tray in the autoclave, sterilize one bag at a time, taking turns with the others.
2, Fill the autoclave with distilled water. Fill in what is right in the middle. Turn on the autoclave; Always be careful when autoclaving as it will take 1-2 hours to clean each bag.
3, please wait until the temperature shows 0 degrees before opening. Remove the bags, or place them in sterile bags in a clean, dry cabinet, and finally reassemble the machine.
D. Contraindications and tattoo cleaning tips.
Do not immerse your tattoo machine in water, as the liquid will oxidize the coils.
Pre-sterilized disposable needles and silicone-grip needles do not require resterilization.