Is there a risk of HIV transmission when having a tattoo, body piercing or visiting the barber?

If instruments contaminated with blood are not sterilised between clients then there is a risk of HIV transmission. However, people who carry out body piercing or tattooing should follow procedures called 'universal precautions', which are designed to prevent the transmission of blood borne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B. When visiting the barbers there is no risk of infection unless the skin is cut and infected blood gets into the wound. Traditional 'cut-throat' razors used by barbers now have disposable blades, which should only be used once, thus eliminating the risk from blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis and HIV.  more

If instruments contaminated with blood are not sterilized between clients there is a risk of HIV transmission. Those who carry out body piercing or tattoos should follow universal precaution procedures, which are designed to prevent transmission of blood borne infections such as HIV or Hepatitis B.  more