Aseptic Technique in Micropigmenation
Article by Gemma Hutchings | Date Published 15th November 2024
What is an aseptic technique, and why is it the cornerstone of a safe micropigmentation practice?
An aseptic technique is a set of practices used in healthcare, laboratories, and surgical environments to prevent contamination by harmful microorganisms. Its primary goal is to create a sterile environment that minimises the risk of infections, especially during procedures that involve penetrating the skin or handling sterile equipment. An aseptic technique is essential for patient safety, as it reduces the likelihood of introducing pathogens that could lead to infection.
What is a Microorganism?
A microorganism is a microscopic organism, meaning it is so small it typically can’t be seen with the naked eye and requires a microscope to be observed. Microorganisms include a variety of tiny life forms, such as:
• Bacteria: Single-celled organisms that can be found in various environments. Some bacteria are beneficial (e.g., those in the gut that aid digestion), while others can cause infections.
• Viruses: Tiny infectious agents that require a host cell to replicate. Viruses can cause diseases like the flu, COVID-19, and HIV.
• Fungi: Organisms that can be unicellular (like yeast) or multicellular (like mould). Fungi can live on and within the human body, sometimes causing infections like athlete's foot.
• Protozoa: Single-celled organisms that can cause diseases such as malaria.
Microorganisms can be found almost everywhere—in the air, soil, water, and even within the human body. While many microorganisms are harmless or beneficial, some can cause illness and infections, particularly if they enter the body through wounds, ingestion, or other pathways.
A bloodborne pathogen is a type of microorganism—typically a virus or bacteria—that is present in human blood and can cause diseases when it enters another person's bloodstream. Bloodborne pathogens are of particular concern in micropigmentation treatments because this profession involves direct contact with bodily fluids.
Common bloodborne pathogens include:
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): A virus that causes liver infection, potentially leading to chronic liver disease.
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): Another liver-infecting virus, which can lead to chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): The virus that causes AIDS, attacking the immune system and making the body more susceptible to other infections.
How Bloodborne Pathogens Spread
Bloodborne pathogens spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. Common ways they spread include:
• Needle-stick injuries: Accidental pricks from contaminated needles
• Contact with open wounds: Exposure to infected blood through broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth)
Key Components of Aseptic Technique
Hand Hygiene: Rigorous handwashing to kill bacteria and viruses before procedures.
Use of Sterile Equipment and Supplies: Ensuring that all instruments, other supplies are sterilised, meaning they are free from microorganisms.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wearing gloves, aprons, masks, and eye protection to create a barrier that protects both the patient and technician from potential contaminants.
Sterile Field: Creating a controlled environment, where only covered or single use items can come into contact with the patient or procedure site.
Proper Technique for Handling and Disposal: Using proper procedures for handling and disposing of contaminated materials and maintaining the sterility of instruments and equipment throughout the procedure.
Creating a sterile field
As micropigmentation or microneedling practioners, we use a three-tier trolley system to maintain a sterile field.
Here's how each tier is organised to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and prevent contamination.
Top Tier: The top tier is designated as your sterile field. Everything on this level must either be covered with barrier film or be single-use.
Covered with barrier film
• Your machine or device
• The lead (if applicable), which should be fully covered by a lead cover securely fixed to the device, leaving no exposed areas
• Your pigment pot holder
• Pure4 spray
Single-Use Items:
• Wound Care Packs
• Gauze
• Pigment pot or pigment finger ring
• Microbrushes
• Needle
• Dispensed Pigment
These items are all sterile and must remain untouched by any non-sterile surfaces during the procedure.
Second Tier: The second tier holds items you may need to top up supplies on the first tier. Since these are not in the sterile field, you must follow proper protocols if accessing this tier during treatment:
Procedure for accessing second-tier items:
• Remove your gloves (deglove) before handling anything on this tier.
• After using an item, such as refilling the pigment pot, (avoid touching any surfaces directly with the pigment or your hands) put on a new pair of gloves before returning to your sterile field on the top tier.
Example: If you need to refill your pigment pot, deglove, take the pigment from the second tier, dispense it carefully into your pot without directly touching anything, then put on new gloves.
Post-Treatment: Disposal and hygiene
Once your treatment is complete, all items on the top tier must be disposed of in the clinic waste bag.
Disposal Protocol:
• Do not touch or handle any items outside the sterile field without degloving first.
• After removing items from the top tier, wash your hands thoroughly to maintain hygiene.
