Position Paper

Updated July, 2011

Environmental Considerations for Permanent Cosmetic Procedures

The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals has had a long-standing policy that permanent cosmetics (cosmetic tattooing) should be performed in a safe and controlled environment in accordance with OSHA and regulatory health and safety standards. 

In concert with this policy, the SPCP has endorsed only pre-recorded procedural demonstrations for events held for audience viewing. This policy relates to SPCP industry educational events and also applies to exhibitions during events identified as expos or beauty shows as well as smaller venue classes.

Adherence of industry health and safety guidelines to prevent cross-contamination provides assurance that the procedure was conducted in a manner that protects the model, technician, those observing the procedure, and other attending the event, including hotel and exhibition staff. 

In a safe controlled environment there is adequate lighting, applicable barrier supplies, disposal equipment, and appropriate procedure related equipment. Importantly, the model is able to return to the same technician in the event advice is needed for the follow up procedure, or if issues arise during the healing period. 

Rationale:  In reality, the observer typically only sees what the presenter wants them to see. Often the demonstrating technician is forced to work more quickly than in a private setting; the procedure is played out to appear simple, easy, and without effort. This is not the case when professionals are conducting serious permanent cosmetics on a client. Steps that would typically be a routine part of the session are omitted due to time constraint and to catch the eye of as many passing observers as possible. As a result, adverse conditions that could arise are infection, allergic reaction, disease transmission such as hepatitis, and esthetically poor work, among others. Of paramount concern is the model who realizes later they have no one to turn to for follow up work. 

Many permanent cosmetic professionals recognize that when technicians perform procedures in an environment not conducive to standard business practices it is very difficult to maintain the necessary level of protection against cross-contamination. Furthermore, it has been noted that while body art tattoo procedures are performed at tattoo conventions, those tattoos are immediately covered with bandages. These events are generally under the control of written regulatory guidelines with official monitors ensuring practical engineering controls are in place and adhered to. This is not the case with permanent cosmetics. Models that have had onsite procedures such as eyebrow, eyeliner, and lip tattooing are often observed touching the procedure area (open wound) and then touching things at other event booths, sorting through candy on conference tables, touching cloth furniture, and using common water pitchers, all of which contaminate the items and allow exposure to innocent bystanders. 

Additionally, people hovering around a performing technician and model, in any large volume, can be problematic in that they have been observed bumping into the table, have had hair hanging down in close proximity to the work surface, and they have interrupted the actual tattoo process that requires a large degree of concentration.

In conclusion, SPCP events only allow for pre-recorded procedures not only for all the reasons stated, but also for the value of seeing the process in its entirety and on a large screen for safe and comfortable viewing. This means not only is the initial procedure shown, but the return touch up visit is also recorded along with documentation of the healed result. This provides a complete learning process for the attendee and validates the entire progression as a successful procedure for the presenter.