FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: BEWARE OF BACKYARD OPERATORS! The greatest risk for transmission of potential infections comes from operators who avoid the notice of a professional body or government supervision. They might operate from their home or offer to come to your home. They might have an unregistered studio; these operators are not monitored by the health authorities, and therefore not complying with hygiene and sterilisation requirements. They may not care about their professional reputation or business, and while they may be a lot cheaper, the risks of infection or poor work are much higher. You should always go to a professional studio.
BEWARE OF PIERCING PARTIES! At a piercing party, a number of people get pierced at the same time, sometimes by a friend. There is a high chance that the needle, gloves or a piece of piercing equipment will be reused, and that proper sterilisation of other equipment and jewellery will not be carried out—after all, how many homes have an autoclave? Even the ice used to reduce swelling can transmit hepatitis C should there be the tiniest speck of infected blood on it.
Hepatitis SA 1800 437 222 www.hepatitissa.asn.au Body Art Resources Online bit.ly/bodyartresources SA Health bit.ly/sabodyart The Association of Professional Piercers (International) www.safepiercing.org Australian Medical Association Body Piercing & Health bit.ly/amabodyart SA Health has contributed funds towards this Program. Artwork in this pamphlet created by young artists for the C-Pix Project.
Alcohol or drugs may also be involved, leading to risk-taking behaviour. Peer pressure may also influence people to take risks they would normally avoid. Just because someone else isn’t concerned about the possibility of infection with a blood-borne virus, it doesn’t mean that you should endanger yourself.
Hepatitis SA Ph 1800 437 222 or (08) 8362 8443 Kaurna Country 3 Hackney Rd Hackney SA 5069 PO Box 782 Kent Town SA 5071 www.hepsa.asn.au
Last update: Feb 2025
Body Art &
Hepatitis