Casey Gooley
Western States Insurance Agency – Missoula
406.327.6561
800.998.0196 toll free
406.721.9230 fax
The only other requirements i could see being put into place is that you use Titanium Grade 23 as the type of jewely you use and the use of the biospy punch is prohibited.
Remember, micro dermals are STILL ILLEGAL until your local health inpector gets the go ahead from Tim Smith. This information you have read today is only made possible because I have been in close contact with the Body Art Department. If you would like to read a bit more on the history on how this was made to be possible i suggest reading below. The information below may be useful if you are having issues in your own state and are not sure on how to go about fighting it. If you would like to comment on what you just read or give me some feedback PLEASE send me an email. I really like reading what you people are thinking. contact@jonnyneedles.com
Hello Everyone,
I created this page for piercers to update them on New Jersey Microdermal Laws & Legislation issues. Back in June 09 When they were classified as implants making them illegal I contacted the APP for guidance on how to handle this issue.
Basically the APP gave me advice on how to handle this situation. I was to write an eight page report on everything micro dermal. I had to do this from a very political standpoint. This was not easy. The report took about 2 months of back and forth research to put together. Luis Garcia did accompany me on one occasion when I first met with with Trenton New Jersey State officials. After this I was basically on my own minus many phone calls back and forth for advice from Jim Weber, David Vidra and Luis Garcia.
Due to some statements mis-represented early on during this process I was to be blamed for the reason why dermals are banned in the “tattoo community”. This was a tough blow. I was working very hard to make them legal again all while having to read emails from people thanking me for being the reason why they were banned. I can tell you this was very far from the truth. In total i have spend an estimated 60 hours of time dedicated towards making dermals legal again. I became very close with Tim Smith who is the head of the Body Art Department in New Jersey. This is a good thing. Little do you guys know all of the other changes NJ is trying to make for tattooing and body piercing that would definitely hurt the business for us. I sat through a total of 8 hours of meeting with NJ discussing not only micro dermals laws and regulations but all of the other proposed changes to be made to body art laws. I was told that I would act as their consultant on certain matters. This was over my head and I declined such a role. But i have to tell you I did help NJ get rid of some of these proposed changes. Not to toot my own horn but thank goodness someone stepped up and did something about this. I know no one helped me minus a select few. So enough about the history lets go into whats happening now.
If you did not read the APP’s latest issue of “The Point” here is a piece from it.
http://news.bme.com/tag/microdermals/
New Jersey:
http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/phss/bodyart.pdf
Earlier this year, the Director of the Health Department approached the New Jersey Health Board with questions regarding surface anchors. The Health Board then contacted the Medical Board, and was advised that surface anchors are to be considered implants, and are therefore prohibited under New Jersey Administrative Code 8:27-2.6. As stated in the preceding article, this same determination prohibited the use of punches by body art practitioners, in addition to implants, branding and scarification.
[Jonny Needles, of Dynasty Tattoo and Body Piercing in Newfield NJ, has been in conversation with Tim Smith, New Jersey Public Health Sanitation and Safety Program Manger and Head of the NJ Body Art Department in Trenton. Together with Luis Garcia (former APP Board member), they have been working to repeal the prohibition on surface anchors. According to Jonny, Mr. Smith has stated the intention of the NJ Health Board was to start a pilot program. This program, starting before the year’s end, would give an as-yet-undetermined number of piercers the authority to perform surface anchor piercings. Jewelry quality will be specified, client numbers are to be monitored, and clients will be provided a number to directly contact the Health Board to report complications. If this program is considered a success at its completion, other piercers can apply for the authority to perform this piercing. This program is to be open to all piercers who have 3 or more years of experience.
Both Jonny Needles and Luis Garcia are optimistic that the two groups can come to an agreement on the best way to allow this procedure while still looking out for the public interest.]
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WHATS DO YOU DO NEXT?
During these meetings with the state I was to set the standards to be followed. I will be guiding the state on what makes a piercer qualified to be a part of the initial pilot program. The state is not allowing the use of punches so for now your all going to state your using a needle to install these anchors (no matter what you really do).
Here are some suggestions to you if you want to get on this initial pilot program
1. Get micro dermal insurance! This is a must! I use Western State Insurance. They do not charge extra for microdermal insurance. Make sure you tell them Jonny Needles sent you. It may help you in some ways.
Casey Gooley
Western States Insurance Agency – Missoula
406.327.6561
800.998.0196 toll free
406.721.9230 fax
2. Have a true 3 years or more of body piercing experience
3. Only use Grade 23 Ti-6AL-4V-ELI Titanium micro dermal anchors
4. If you have done anchors prior to them being made illegal get photos of them healed and letter from each one your clients that those photos came from. Have a copy of their drivers license of the back of the letter.
5. Get a doctor that will write you a letter stating that they are aware you could possibly be performing these anchors and that the doctor is on call for any issues that could arise.
6. This is NOT a must but will could help GREATLY to improve your chances of getting approved. Take a private class on micro dermals. There are other people in the United States that teach these classes other than myself. I have none that I recommend. Personally I would not recommend anyone but myself but to be fair I wanted to make you aware you can find other seminars classes out there. I dont know if they are good or even correct. I would suggest to take my private class. You can read more about it here. Again, this is NOT a must. Im NOT trying to take advantage of any situations. However, I know for a fact if NJ State Officials see that you took my private class it will help you a lot. I will have no part in the actual approval of piercers for the NJ Pilot program. To be fair I will be staying as far away from choosing or seeing any applications for the program as possible. Being that I have been working with NJ from the beginning on this I will have the tools you need to increase your chances. You can contact me at contact@jonnyneedles.com for more info or just call my studio at 856 697 3962.
If you have any questions or comments please email me at contact@jonnyneedles.com
If you are a piercer in another state in the same position trying to fight for legislation my report is available to anyone who needs it. It worked for me and it should help you.
Good luck! As more info arises it will post it for sure!
Special thanks to Jim Weber, David Vidra and Luis Garcia for all their guidance and help!
Jonny Needles