have metal...no autoclave...

I'm really not trying to start an argument or get anyone stirred up, but I really am a little bothered by the fact that everyone thinks that an autoclave is the "only" way to sterilize tubes to FDA and medically approved sterilization standards. I have an autoclave I use for my steel grips, I use disposable tubes that slide into the grips. I like the weight of a steel grip which is why I went this way, but like I said I use an autoclave to sterilize the grips everything else is single use disposable equipment. Yes I have my autoclave tested weekly and put everything sterilized during the week aside until I get the results of that weeks test back and they are good. So, like I said I'm not trying to start an argument here, but an autoclave is not the single best or only way to achieve sterilization of tubes for tattooing if you're going to use metal tubes. There are medically approved ways to sterilize equipment other than autoclaves, as is an autoclave is the easiest, safest and most cost efficient way for tattoo artists to sterilize. It is somewhat scary that more tattoo artists do not know acceptable alternatives to autoclaves though and the reason I think that is because I think there are probably those out there that don't wait for the weekly test results to come back before using equipment sterilized during that week.
I think disposable is the way to go all the way around and once someone comes out with a fully disposable tube that has the weight of a 1 inch steel grip I like I'll switch to those, until then I autoclave grips and use disposable tubes in them. I have done a ton of research on sterilization and methods of sterilization and know alternatives that are medically acceptable and commonly used in hospitals and other medical facilities. For those interested in learning alternatives research chemical sterilization (cold sterilization), chemical clave (requires weekly testing), and dry heat sterilization (dry heat still requires weekly spore testing) methods.
Please don't mistake this post as me saying that autoclaves are not the way to go if you're working as a tattoo artist, I firmly believe they are. However, I think it's our responsibility as tattoo artists to know alternatives to autoclaves and know how to use them and to keep up to date on the medical and FDA approved approaches towards sterilization. Those that are saying FDA WTF? Yes the FDA does do much of the research and approval of health\medical regulating when it comes to sterilization.
Now to all prospective artists and so called "scratchers", NO boiling, bleach, green soap baths are not going to sterilized your equipment, go disposable or get an autoclave and have it tested regularly.

I totally agree with what they all are saying, its always better to be safe than sorry no matter how careful you are. and thanks for sharing this topic.
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well to some of the comments, the boiling, then soaking in alcohol was actually RECOMMENDED by a doctor, so thats the method i went with. The chemical solution sterilizes everything it comes in to contact, so those of you saying i dont care about aftercare and spreading things, ur dead wrong. i research tirlessly for answers, and also had some questions on here. finally my question was answered by someone that actually WOULD know the legitimate answer, a freakin doctor. turns out, boiling in a pressure cooker for bout an hour, then soaking in alcohol was more effective than most autoclaves, mainly bc the alcohol would kill any spores that may still be on after the pressure cooker. So YES, to you guys that just post on here to be noticed and to make urselves look like u know what ur talking about, I DO care about spreading things with tatts. I continue to this day to switch from disposables to all metal grips using my method. Works for me, and no one has complained. JUST SO YOU WILL KNOW.

I've posted the CDC guidelines on this board that give all the information the CDC looks at for sterilization of equipment. I'm not going to argue that what you are doing isn't sterilizing, what I am going to say is that most of the people that have given you information on this thread have been trying to help you. The view point of the people on here is the view of professionals trying to help others become professionals. In the tattoo industry, with health board inspections the correct answer to sterilization is disposable and or autoclaves. The reason everyone is going to push information guiding you in the direction of autoclaves and disposables is because that is the only way you will be able to pass health board inspections and it is certified safe sterilization by recognized health officials and they've even printed material stating that. If someone on here was to tell you that boiling a needle in water then using a chemical sterilization agent then reboiling for and hour was an acceptable way to sterilize they would be giving unprofessional answers to inquiring/prospective professionals. Bottom line is, if you want to work in a shop and be with in health and safety regulations you will either use all disposable or have and use an autoclave. If you are tattooing out of your home and are comfortable with your sterilization methods then that is your business, everyone on here was just trying to give you professional advice and answers.

i understand what people are trying to portray to me,but sometimes people overthink a question or comment. All i was getting at was that I got a pressure cooker,which is an autoclave without a pressure guage. I do 15lbs of pressure for 20 minutes, and then soak in alcohol. If the people that bash scratchers would have read my post in its entirety, they would have noticed what I was asking. I even got a pro tattooist to OK what i was doing, being as it is the same as his $5000 autoclave. Also i posted bc i wanted people to see there are other ways to PROPERLY sterilize your equipment, not just tattoo shop religion gobbldygook.I understand u say, work at a shop, dont do at home, but for those who LIVE to tattoo, thats not an option. So for the ones that tattoo at home, GET A PRESSURE COOKER, save urself some cash.

disposable tubes with grips are pre sterilized and cost under $1/ea. why would someone even bother with the hassle of taking the chance on using the pressure cooker method? there may be alternate ways to sterilize equipment aside from an autoclave but industry and BBP certification standards list autoclave as the only approved method for sterilization of non disposable equipment. Personally the disposables work just fine for me, no scrubbing tubes and all that, pop it open set up, do your thing and get rid of it.

I agree with u Hated. Disposable is the way to go. But the truth is, an autoclave IS a pressure cooker. research it. Most shops and regulatory factors state to use an autoclave at 15lbs of pressure for 15 minutes. I do the same with my pressure cooker for 20, and THEN place in a sterile solution. I may have worded this thread wrong at first, i did notice I said that I boil my metals, but i dont. Water never touches my metal, I have a spacer in the pressure cooker. that is all i was saying, Im trying to inform the guys like me, and the ones like u, bc we started the same way, that if u are gonna tat at home, be as SAFE as possible. IF you are pinched with money, this is an alternative. It only is a price difference, not a safetly difference. I actually DO use mostly disposable. My argument was to justify my method. I dont work at a shop. I work at home when i can, and for me to practice safety first NOW, it only prepares me for when i DO get into a shop.

Oh and i do spore samples monthly on my pressure cooker. bought it brand new just for this reason. I have the autoclave bags as well that turn black when done right, and you know what? ITS NEVER FAILED ....cheapest home remedy out there.

[canvasyou]

First off, stop Endorcing your freekin full disposables all the time. I told you from jumpstreet i DONT have an apprentice. Ialready got my answer, the methods Im using is just as good as full on disposable. APROVED BY DOCTOR, so..... Thats the only answer I was seeking, not ur marketing for what u feel is a good product. Sorry if I sound rude, but whatever. I only wanted to know if what I have would suffice. Anywho, no further questions regarding that. Have a great day.

I am not endorsing "my full disposables" This is an industry standard that is actually becoming more popular. I did not create it - nor do I sell tattoo tubes or needles!
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It is smart though

[canvasyou]

GET A PRESSURE COOKER, save urself some cash.

Why stop there? You can get a 12volt car battery and a rotary motor, attach some guitar string - bust open a bic pen and you are in business... Why even tattoo at home. you could get a cardboard box?

Damn, I think I might have just saved you another $20,000 a year on your overhead!
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