EDMONTON – Alberta Health Services has shut down a home-based tattoo parlour in Camrose due to improper sterilization and sanitation processes.
AHS is urging anyone who received a tattoo from ‘Dermal Defiance Tattooing’ – located at 123 Mount Pleasant Drive in Camrose – or from the parlour’s operator, Trevor Thompson, to be tested for Hepatitis B and C and HIV.
“This particular home-based tattoo operation did not have these proper sterilization or sanitation processes in place,” said Dr. Digby Horne, Medical Officer of Health with the Central Zone of AHS.
“Individuals who received tattoos through this operation may have been exposed to viruses including Hepatitis B and C, and HIV.”
READ MORE: Health and safety tips to consider before getting a tattoo
The residential parlour was shut down on July 23. AHS officials have directly notified clients whose records were available.
Thompson responded to the closure on his Facebook page. In part, he writes:
“I want to apologize to all of my friends and family for the phone calls and want you all to know I would never do anything to harm you or risk your safety to my knowledge everything I did was to standard for your safety and mine contrary to the accusation made against me to Alberta health services I have NEVER reused a needle or tube my work space has always been cleaned with appropriate antibacterial and antiviral disinfectants as a result of this I have found some shortcomings to n my space and am working with Alberta health services to move forward and build up again to their standards and hope that I can still have your trust and respect in the future.”
He also goes on to say:
“And to the coward that made the initial accusation do yourself a favour make a public apology now and I will not take this to the courts nor seek any retribution.”
The following pictures was posted on the Trevor Thompson (Dermal Defiance Tattooing) Facebook page:
Anyone who received a tattoo at the Dermal Defiance Tattooing operation is asked to call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465 to schedule an appointment to be tested.
AHS says the operator will remain under a closure order until it has addressed all violations noted in the closure order.
“It is the responsibility of all tattoo facility operators to ensure all regulations are met and operations are compliant. This applies not only prior to commencing operations, but also while operating, always,” said Horne.
Tips to follow before receiving a tattoo and Alberta’s Health Standards and Guidelines for Tattooing have been posted below: