Numbing Agent Clarification
This deserves its own post, please read in its entirety
IMPORTANT!:
It was speculated the HLO was going to come out with some information regarding topical anesthetics at some point, which was unceremoniously revealed in an emailed agenda memo ahead of Monday’s committee meeting.
It plainly states that Tattoo Artists cannot and should not apply any sort of topical anesthetic to their clients. The reasoning is that it is legally beyond the scope of practice of a licensed tattoo artist. HOWEVER It is not regulated by the board if the client self-administers topical anesthesia or over the counter medicine before or after the tattoo. This is also a CLARIFICATION meaning the laws are already in effect so they did not recently ban anesthetics or come up with new laws out of the blue, so please do not panic. This will be something to watch closely in the coming months especially for cosmetic tattooing.
If you are familiar with other states licensing laws a similar ruling was recently just announced in Michigan as well. It is not known at this time what that means for cosmetic tattooing or really anything for that matter as they declined to go into the topic further due to the current committee meeting being about the curriculum review, despite many people seeing the memo and showing up to give well-thought public comment statements about the issue. Please read through the practice clarification document provided for more information.
SO! We know there are SO MANY questions!
Our long term goal should be to separate these two licenses (Artistic Tattooing and Cosmetic Tattooing) so that each faction can get the curriculum tailored to what they want. This will take time and requires lobbying a senator to change the law. It is in the best interest of both factions of tattooing that this happens, without a doubt.
How do we stay connected? Here are some action steps to move this forward:
Follow us on Instagram @reformoregontattooing
We will do an AMA today 3/31 to answer any questions as best we can and save it in a highlight
Send us an email at reformoregontattooing@gmail.com
Sign up on the HLO website for them to send you updates about upcoming news and meetings here (This is to subscribe to the Board of Electrology & Body Art Practitioners info specifically)
Talk to your friends and peers about wanting to get involved
Show up at the next HLO meeting 10/19 9:30am either in person or virtually
Prepare a public comment statement and submit it before the meeting
Show up at HECC meetings with other tattooers when we get their meeting dates and times
Best,
R.O.T.