tattoo empek empek

There are several ways to approach a tattoo; thousands of designs, hundreds of different colors, and just as many companies to buy machines, tubes, and needles from. Through my quest as a tattoo artist, I have contemplated the difference between using disposable or stainless tubes. So I decided to give the pros and cons of each to maybe come to some type of conclusion.




Disposable Pros


Inexpensive:From a financial standpoint, disposable tubes are fairly cheap. You can get a large amount for a really cheap price.


Easy Disposal:After you are done tatting you can just dispose of these needles and tubes safely, instead of having to clean them with an autoclave. (an autoclave is a device to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure steam at 121° C or more, typically for 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of the load and the contents.)


Good for applying white: When applying white, the weight of the disposable tubes don’t create as much friction, which insures that you will get your whitest white.

Convenient For Travel: While on the road, it is much more convenient to have disposables because you don’t have to bring along your autoclave, which are pretty darn expensive.

Pre-Sterilized:When getting a tattoo or undergoing any kind of body modification process, it is also important to have sterile equipment. When using disposables, these have been pre-sterilized and pre-packaged individually for yet again; MORE CONVIENCE

**Just to add, when dealing with customers, using disposables gives them the security that they have not been tampered with in any way. This allows them to feel comfortable.


Disposable Cons


Lack of Quality: Quality is a big factor in deciding to use or not use disposables. Disposables are plastic which is not as strong as metal and steel.

Weight: Due to their light weight,Disposable tubes can makes it hard to control precision.

Appearance: Though it may seem like it doesn't matter, the appearance of a plastic disposable tube can be pretty plain/ordinary. Stainless steel tubes tend to have more character and eye appeal.

Different Sound: Disposable tubes tend to make a different sound than that of a stainless steel tube. Though it is up to the artist, it can be rather annoying or distracting to those not use to using them


Occupy Space:Disposable tubes come pre-packaged. While this may be convenient, they can tend to occupy a lot of space in your area because they are bulked together.




Stainless Pros

Precision: Being heavier, steel tubes are said to make more precise lines unlike disposables which have an extra bounce due to the plastic.

Quality: these are made from steel/metal which makes them sturdier than disposables.


Noise: steel tubes tend to make less noise than disposables because the needle doesn’t ricochet as much against the metal. This gives the customers less noise which can lessen fear.

Quantity: though it is never a bad idea to have many tubes, with stainless steel tubes you don’t have to order as many for they can be cleaned and reused over and over again.


Stainless Cons



The biggest problem with using stainless steel tubes is cleaning them. They are usually made up of 5 parts which can be disassembled. By being assembled with these pieces, there are several tiny spaces that microbes can get into and live. Using an autoclave will kill the microbes at first, but microbes can get into tight places, like between the threads and set screw inside of the grip, ultrasonic cleaning can’t remove them all. As the microbes die they begin to build up in places where scrubbing and ultrasonic cleaning can’t reach them. Over time the bio-film can form a protective barrier where living microbes can survive the autoclave process. If the bio-film ruptures during a tattoo, the microbes from the bio-film will be passed to the client and infection can occur. Because of the risks associated with bio-film all stainless steel tattoo tubes with multiple pieces, should be completely disassembled prior to cleaning. All parts must be individually scrubbed; which makes for a long PROCESS and can slow business down, or cause you to lose clients.


Conclusion

While it may seem that it is less risky to use disposable tubes, it really does boil down to the preference of the artist using the tools. If you are willing to take the time and precision to use an autoclave and scrub all of yours tubes for more distinct and precise lines, than steel tubes are a GO. However, if you can't afford an autoclave or believe you will risk less by using plastic tubes, than those can be used as well. With that being said, is there really a difference if you learn to perfect both and can create things like these:













What do you think?






Sources:
http://www.tattoonow.com/facemaster.cfm?task=message_list&thread_index=13469&generate=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave

http://tattooanswers.com/index.php?option=com_nicetalk&task=view&topic=1181&Itemid=99999999

http://www.inksling.com/tattoo_tubes.htm

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