Sterilized piercing equipment is essential for a successful piercing. It prevents infection and helps establish client trust. Furthermore, sterilizing equipment like autoclaves is the hygiene standard and even required in many jurisdictions.
Keep reading to discover more about this vital machine and its role in creating and maintaining a successful career as a professional body piercer.
What Is an Autoclave?
An autoclave is a box-shaped machine used to sterilize piercing equipment and jewelry. It uses high-pressure steam to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. The sterilization process takes 30-60 minutes and will save you and your clients from infections and disease.
How to Use an Autoclave
While it is not difficult to use an autoclave, it is important to learn how to use it properly. If you're interested in body piercings and want to pursue being a piercer, a piercing course can be a great place to learn. There, you will be under the careful supervision of an experienced professional piercing instructor who will show you more than how to sterilize piercing equipment and jewelry but also how to become a professional body piercer yourself.
The 5-step Autoclave Sterilization Process
1. Place anything that has or will come in contact with a piercing site into a sterilization pouch and place it inside the autoclave chamber.
2. Seal the chamber.
3. Pump in hot (usually 121°C/250°F) high-pressure steam.
4. Maintain the hot, high-pressure conditions for 30-60 minutes.
5. Remove the pouch of sterile items piercing equipment.
Test & Maintain Your Autoclave
There are 9 things that should be done to make sure that your autoclave is reaching the appropriate temperature and successfully sterilizing your piercing equipment.
1. Regular Spore Testing: Conduct weekly or monthly biological indicator tests that verify the autoclave's ability to kill even the most resistant microorganisms.
2. Chemical Indicators: Use chemical indicator strips or tape in each load. These change color when exposed to proper sterilization conditions.
3. Bowie-Dick Test: For pre-vacuum autoclaves, perform a daily Bowie-Dick test to check steam penetration and air removal.
4. Physical Monitoring: Regularly check and record time, temperature, and pressure readings for each cycle to ensure they are sufficient to sterilize.
5. Proper Loading: Ensure items are properly packaged and loaded to allow steam circulation. Avoid overloading the chamber.
6. Maintenance Schedule: Follow a regular maintenance schedule, including:
· Daily: Clean the interior and wipe spills after each cycle
· Weekly: Drain and refill the water reservoir
· Monthly: Check the safety valve and bleed valve
· Annually: Have a qualified technician inspect and service the autoclave
7. Water Quality: Use distilled or deionized water to prevent mineral buildup and protect the heating element.
8. Chamber Cleaning: Clean the chamber every 20-30 cycles using a non-abrasive cleaner.
9. Visual Inspection: Regularly inspect door gaskets, seals, and filters for wear or damage.
Keeping a detailed record of all your maintenance, testing, and inspections will help reassure clients and ensure their safety.
Perfect Your Body Piercing Technique in Brampton
At Tattoo & Piercing School of Canada in Brampton, Ontario, you can go beyond sterilization and learn how to become a body piercer. Our four-day piercing courses include extensive hands-on learning under the expert eye of an experienced instructor.
Contact us to inquire about our upcoming piercing and tattooing courses.
Kommentare