Body art is a big decision. Not only can it be expensive, but in the case of tattoos, it is permanent. The experts of the Be Smart with Body Art campaign, however, believe too few people consider the health risks when getting ink done.

The group is spearheaded by UC Davis professor Marlene von Friederichs-Fitzwater and Sac State professor Heather Diaz. The duo will be leading a panel discussion about body art safety at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Hinde Auditorium.

The campaign started two years ago when Fitzwater and Diaz conducted a survey among UC Davis and Sac State students in an attempt to discover how much they knew regarding health risks of body art. Fitzwater said the results were unsettling, with as many as 40 percent of students being unaware of the dangers like hepatitis C.

Fitzwater said these risks are compounded by the fact that laws regarding sterilization of tattoo and piercing equipment go largely unenforced. While regulations are on the books, Fitzwater said California’s government has to this point been reluctant to spend the money to see they are followed. Shortly before he left office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to sign a bill for this reason, which would have made body art much safer, Fitzwater said.

Fitzwater’s oldest son was diagnosed with hepatitis C several years ago. She said he acquired the virus when he got tattoo work done at a shop that did not follow strict guidelines regarding sterilization and sanitation, and doctors gave him six months to live. While there is no cure for hepatitis C, Fitzwater said her son has responded well to treatment and is in good health today.

Even though the dangers of body art have hit close to home for Fitzwater, she explained that she is not here to discourage students from considering tattoos or piercings.

“Body art has been around for thousands of years, we love it, and we are not saying do not do it,” she said. “We are just saying be smart, because it does have a risk factor of acquiring (hepatitis) C.”

Fitzwater and Diaz used their research to develop a list of five questions they say every customer should ask upon entering any tattoo parlor. They are:

1. Do you use new needles?

2. Do you use new ink caps for each client?

3. Do you sterilize all equipment that may come in contact with blood?

4. Do you wear single-use latex gloves?

5. Do you cover fresh tattoos to prevent infection or hepatitis C virus transmission?

The group has produced thousands of postcards and posters with these questions on them, and encourages shops to post them inside. Fitzwater said a good parlor should encourage clients to ask these questions.

One shop recognized by the campaign as an example of safety and responsibility is Elk Grove’s Wild Bill’s Tattoo. Owner Bill Hill said the shophas three sterilization machines, and the shopis inspected weekly. He said cleanliness is one of the most important aspects of what he does, and is the first thing a new artist learns.

In an apprenticeship, tattoo artists just sterilize and clean before they are ever given a tattoo machine, Hill said.

Before Sac State students rush to the nearest tattoo artist and get the name of their significant other permanently drawn on their skin, it might be wise to attend Wednesday’s panel discussion on safety. With the danger of hepatitis C and other bloodborne illnesses lurking, it might just save a life.

Alex Grotewohl can be reached at [email protected]