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Health board drops anatomy requirement for tattoo artists
Published: December 17, 2007
DANVERS - The Board of Health is easing up on its rules for tattoo artists.
The board has voted to drop the requirement that tattoo artists pass a college-level course in anatomy and physiology, said Mark Carleo, the town's public health inspector.
The new rules require tattoo artists to take "a course on skin disease, disorders and conditions including diabetes," or complete an examination on skin diseases, Carleo said. The board will also consider an applicant's training and experience.
Carleo said the course on anatomy and physiology, in which students learned about the eyes, heart and skeletal system, was more information than the tattoo artists needed.
"Basically, the applicants felt it was unreasonable," Carleo said of the anatomy course. "It was more than was needed and the board agreed, and so amended the bylaw."
A tattoo parlor on Purchase Street has closed, Carleo said. The two artists had plenty of experience, but they had asked for a variance from having to take the anatomy course.
There is only one tattoo-like business in town, Carleo said, run by Saundra Grillo of the Skin Rejuvenation Center, 199 Newbury St.
Her business uses a machine to digitally create tattoos of eyeliner and lip liner to give clients the look of permanent makeup. She's an esthetician, has plenty of experience, has taken courses, and is knowledgeable about the skin, Carleo said.
The state lifted its tattooing ban six years ago and allowed local health boards to create their own rules.
Carleo said the skin course is not the only thing would-be tattoo artists need to do. The state requires first-aid and CPR certification, and tattoo-parlor owners must abide by U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration Agency rules to prevent disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens.
They also must use single-use needles and tubes and dispose of them properly.
Grillo, who has a conditional body art permit, is scheduled go before the Board of Health on Jan. 7.
The board has voted to drop the requirement that tattoo artists pass a college-level course in anatomy and physiology, said Mark Carleo, the town's public health inspector.
The new rules require tattoo artists to take "a course on skin disease, disorders and conditions including diabetes," or complete an examination on skin diseases, Carleo said. The board will also consider an applicant's training and experience.
Carleo said the course on anatomy and physiology, in which students learned about the eyes, heart and skeletal system, was more information than the tattoo artists needed.
"Basically, the applicants felt it was unreasonable," Carleo said of the anatomy course. "It was more than was needed and the board agreed, and so amended the bylaw."
A tattoo parlor on Purchase Street has closed, Carleo said. The two artists had plenty of experience, but they had asked for a variance from having to take the anatomy course.
There is only one tattoo-like business in town, Carleo said, run by Saundra Grillo of the Skin Rejuvenation Center, 199 Newbury St.
Her business uses a machine to digitally create tattoos of eyeliner and lip liner to give clients the look of permanent makeup. She's an esthetician, has plenty of experience, has taken courses, and is knowledgeable about the skin, Carleo said.
The state lifted its tattooing ban six years ago and allowed local health boards to create their own rules.
Carleo said the skin course is not the only thing would-be tattoo artists need to do. The state requires first-aid and CPR certification, and tattoo-parlor owners must abide by U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration Agency rules to prevent disease transmission and blood-borne pathogens.
They also must use single-use needles and tubes and dispose of them properly.
Grillo, who has a conditional body art permit, is scheduled go before the Board of Health on Jan. 7.
