Blood diseases passed through unsafe piercing or tatooing are a concern. Although less likely, HIV and other STIs could also be transferred through unsafe practices. Piercing and tattooing should be done by a professional in a clean environment where all surfaces and equipment are disinfected and sterilized. All professional piercers and tattoo artists should use one-time-use sterilized needles for each client. Ink used for tattoos should be put in disposable containers and thrown away after each client. Piercing guns should only be used for earlobes since they are too difficult to clean properly.
STIs can potentially be passed any time there is broken skin. Since tattooing breaks the skin, the tattooed area needs to be protected. Keep the tatooed area clean and make sure it is not touched by a hand after contact with genitals. Both genital warts and herpes can be spread by skin to skin contact.
The same is true of piercing. Until the pierced area is fully healed, it must be kept clean and away from contact with semen and genital secretions (male ejaculate and vaginal fluids). A pierced area (nipples, tongue, belly button, etc.) should be protected from semen and genital secretions for as long as 6 to 8 months, or until it is completely healed.
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