(1) Aftercare instructions appropriate for the tattooing or body piercing procedure that describe effective means of infection prevention must be provided to the client both verbally and in writing before every procedure.

(2) At all times during the tattooing or body piercing procedure, artists shall use sterile instruments as specified in ARM 37.112.131 and aseptic techniques.

(3) Before and after performing the tattooing or body piercing procedure, artists shall thoroughly wash their hands and wrists in warm running water with soap for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing around and under their fingernails, rinsing completely, and drying with a clean single-use towel.

(4) Artists shall wear a clean outer garment. A hair restraint must be worn if necessary to prevent the artist's hair from contact with the client. All necklaces, bracelets, or other personal items of the artist either must be removed or covered by the outer garment or sterile gloves to prevent the item coming in contact with the client.

(5) If it is necessary to shave the client's skin area to be tattooed or pierced, the artist shall use single-use razors. Straight razors and replaceable blade units may not be used. After shaving the client's skin, the artist shall:

(a) wash and scrub the artist's hands as described in (3) of this rule; and

(b) wash and rinse the client's area of skin that was shaved.

(6) If the artist wore gloves to wash or shave the client's skin, the artist shall discard those gloves after completing those tasks. The artist shall then put on a new pair of gloves before continuing the procedure.

(7) Before performing the tattooing or piercing procedure, the skin and surrounding area where the procedure is to be done must be thoroughly dampened with an antiseptic using a clean single-use cotton ball, gauze, or tissue.

(8) If it is necessary to use a marking device, the marking device must be used only once.

(9) New gloves must be put on before each tattooing and piercing procedure.

(10) If the artist's gloved hands become contaminated during the tattooing or body piercing procedure, then the artist shall rewash hands and reglove before resuming the procedure.

(a) Inadvertent contamination of gloved hands may include touching eyes, nose or mouth, answering the phone, opening a door, or retrieving an item from the floor.

(b) If the artist sustains a needle stick, the artist shall resume the tattooing or body piecing procedure with clean and sterile equipment after rewashing hands and regloving.

(11) In the event of blood flow, all materials used to stop the flow of blood or to absorb blood must be sterile and single-use.

(12) Upon completion of the tattooing or piercing procedure, artists shall apply an antiseptic solution to the procedure area with a clean single-use cotton ball, gauze, or tissue.