Know When to Wait: Protecting Clients and Your Practice
It’s your duty as a body art professional to recognize when a client isn’t a suitable candidate for a procedure—at least not right now. Understanding contraindications keeps your clients safe, reduces complications, and shows your commitment to ethical, responsible practice.
Common Contraindications
- Active infections: Never proceed with a tattoo, piercing, or PMU if a client has a local or systemic infection.
- Skin conditions: Eczema, psoriasis, rashes, or open wounds in the area should be healed before any procedure.
- Medical treatments: Recent surgeries, blood-thinning medications, or ongoing chemotherapy are clear reasons to wait.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s safest to postpone until after this period.
- Allergic reactions: Prior reactions to pigments, metals, or anesthetics must be taken seriously and discussed with the client.
Always ask for a thorough medical history, explain your reasoning, and document any decision to postpone or decline a procedure. Protecting your clients means protecting your reputation and career for the long run.