ENVIRONMENTAL health officers have advised anyone who is considering getting a tattoo to only use a registered practitioner.
The warning follows an investigation carried out by Durham City Council into alleged back-street tattooing in the city.
A council spokesman said: "Any skin-piercing procedures can carry a risk of infection, of which viruses such as hepatitis B and C and HIV are of most concern.
"However unsafe procedures, contaminated equipment and unclean premises can greatly increase the risk of transmission of such infections."
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