Our shop is thoroughly cleaned daily to make sure it is a healthy place to get tattooed. Our artists stick to Western standards of cleanliness, and wear disposable gloves at all times. The bamboo sticks used to make your tattoo are only used once - you will receive it as a souvenir after your tattoo is finished. The bamboo itself does not puncture the skin - the tattoo is applied with surgical steel needles that are brand new and sterile. The artist will open the package containing the needle while you watch, and will throw away the needle when your tattoo is done.