Blood borne pathogens are germs (bacteria or viruses) that live in human blood and can cause serious illness if they get into someone else’s body.
They spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids — especially if that fluid gets into broken skin, eyes, or a cut.
The Most Common Blood Borne Pathogens in Our Industry:
Hepatitis B (HBV) – A virus that affects the liver. Some people recover, others live with it for life.
Hepatitis C (HCV) – Also attacks the liver. There’s no vaccine, and many people don’t even know they have it.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) – A virus that weakens the immune system. There’s no cure, but it can be managed with medication.
There are others, but these three are the most important to be aware of in PMU, tattooing, and beauty services.
How Do BBPs Spread in Beauty & Tattoo Work?
BBPs can spread through:
· Dirty needles or tools
· Contaminated gloves or surfaces
· Accidental needle sticks
· Touching blood or open wounds without protection
If you’re working on broken skin (which we often are), it’s your legal and moral duty to prevent cross-contamination.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Clients
Here’s what you need to do — always:
✅ Wear gloves – And change them often
✅ Sterilise tools or use disposables
✅ Disinfect your work area before and after every client
✅ Use sharps containers for needles and blades
✅ Never re-use anything meant to be single-use
✅ Cover cuts or wounds on your own hands
✅ Use proper aftercare and wound dressings for clients
Bonus tip: Get vaccinated for Hepatitis B if you haven’t already — it’s a smart extra layer of protection.
Why This Matters So Much
Clients trust us with their faces, bodies, and health.
Even if someone looks healthy, they could carry a virus without knowing it.
That’s why we use Universal Precautions — treating every client as if they could be infectious. Not out of fear, but out of professional responsibility.
Final Thoughts
Being in beauty or tattoo work is more than skill — it’s also about safety, ethics, and trust.
Understanding blood borne pathogens is part of what makes you a true professional.
Keep learning. Stay clean. And always protect yourself and the people who come to you.