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

At the barber, there is no risk of infection unless the skin is cut (which may occur if the barber accidentally cuts you) and if there is a transfer of infected blood.

If the instruments are contaminated with infected blood and are not sterilised between clients there is a risk of HIV transmission.

To reduce the risk of blood-borne infections such as hepatitis and HIV, ensure that the razor/instruments used are new or have been properly sterilised.

However, people who carry out body piercing, tattoos, or hair dressing should follow procedures called "universal precautions", which are designed to prevent the transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV and hepatitis B.

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