'Unsanitary' home-based Edmonton tattoo parlour ordered to close

Alberta Health Services has ordered a home-based Edmonton tattoobusiness to close, and is advising anyone who got tattoos there to be tested for viruses that can be spread through unsanitary procedures.

Noeyez Tattoozoperated from a home at 11508 32 St., AHS said in a media advisory.

All customers who received tattoo services at the location are being advised to be tested.

Dr. Christopher Sikora, medical officer of health for the Edmonton zone, said the tattoo business was operating out of a basement in unsanitary and unsafe conditionsand had not previously been inspected by AHS.

Sikoradid not elaborate on the specific conditions that led to the closure, butsaid unsanitary and unsafeconditions include a lack of sterilization, or the reuse of sharps and devices used in the tattooing process.

"Due to the unsanitary conditions that were identified during the inspection, there is an increased riskfor transmission of blood-borne viruses, specifically hepatitis B, C and HIV," Sikora said.

These underground operators are relatively rare, relatively uncommon.- Dr. ChristopherSikora, medical officer of health for the Edmonton zone of AHS

AHS suspects the business had been operating for all of 2016, Sikora said,and possibly longer.

Reputable tattoo businesses should keepclient records, useone ink capsule per client, washhands and weargloves and should offer both written and verbal after-care instructions, Sikora said. This business did not follow "many" of these practices, he added.

"Obtaining tattoos can be a very safe process," Sikora said."Our studios which are inspected by AlbertaHealth Services follow those guidelines.

"These underground operators are relatively rare, relatively uncommon. For the sake of public health and for the sake of keeping our public healthy, we much prefer that if people decide to tattoo, use one of our safe, approved operators."