Dear Doctors

I am someone who loves tattoos, but the type of tattoo I like is traditional tattooing, which does not involve changing needles like modern tattooing. I would like to know if this type of tattooing, which does not involve changing needles (Bamboo Tattoo), carries a risk of HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or not ?

I have read answers on this website, but none of them address the issue I am concerned about, I know this is not about sexual activity but I don't want to receive incorrect information from the internet. That's why I purchased this question to ask you.

Sorry, English is not my first language

Thank you

In case you need this information.

I'm 29 years old and staying in Thailand.

I have no knowledge of specific measures required or recommended for tattoo establishments, but a basic principle in all health and cosmetic services is that sharp instruments used on the skin or in body orifices (mouth, ears, nose, genitals, etc) must be disposable and not re-used; or if disposal is not practical, they must be disinfected between uses on different clients. If these procedures are followed by a tattooist -- and especially if they are systematized and consistently followed in parlors with multiple clients -- there should be no risk. 

I would be concerned by an tattoo artist or establishment that does not change needles between customers or ensure their sterilization between uses. I would advise not patronizing such services if these protections cannot be guaranteed.

Sorry I can't be more helpul, but I hope these comments are useful. Best wishes and stay safe.

HHH, MD

Thank you for your answer. Certainly, your answer was helpful to me. I have a few more questions I'd like to ask.

1. I received three doses of the HEP B vaccine when I was a child. I want to know if I still have immunity to the HEP B or not ?.

2. How long can HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C survive outside the body, and when do they no longer remain infectious?

3. When will the Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C tests provide accurate results ? and If you were in my situation, what do you think you would do ?

The traditional Thai tattooing process does not involve discarding the tattoo needle, as the needle is considered valuable and sacred according to Thai beliefs. The tattoo needle is longer and thicker than a regular needle, with a bifurcated tip to hold ink in the middle. From what I've observed, there is no sterilization process, but there is a half-hour interval between me and the person who was tattooed before me. (this is my situation sir.)

For further information, you might check with Thailand's public health agency, which probably has data on HIV risk categories -- and learn if any reported cases were reported as acquired by tattooing. Here is the link to the data Thailand reports to the United Nations AIDS program (UNAIDS); it does not show such data, but such information might be available from public health authorities. My guess is that cases from tattooing are very rare, if this occurs at all.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful.