Tattooing
Doing research is the best thing you can do! Whoever and whenever you work with an artist the first thing is Sterility!!!!!! Ask questions!! your not out of line to ask to see the Autoclave (a kind of sterilizer, sometimes looks like a pressure cooker) any Plastic gizmo simply WILL NOT DO! don't want to lose your life for a Tatt !! Make sure the needle(s) and barrells (the tube lookin' thing that holds the needle and goes up to your skin) come out of sterilzed pouches, and inspect these! there'll be something that proves it's been sterilized, something changes color , read the pouch it will explain!
Now if all this stuff is not met , be willing to say "I'll keep shopping"

The Tattooing Machine (The Gun)
Barrells and needles in sterilization pouches
Note the test strip in the pouch that say "TURN BROWN" if they're not brown , then it's not sterile! there's another test on the paper side of the pouch. different brands of pouches will have different types of test strips
The pigments or Inks. (Most aren't actully ink, only some of the blacks) These bottles should never be touched by anything that could be contaminated. The pigments are poured onto disposable caps (seen below). if the cap runs low and more pigment is required, the Artist should reglove or at least use a paper towel to handle the bottles. (Regloving is best)
Ink Caps , These are disposable and after the Tattoo has been completed, the remaining pigment is discarded. NEVER put back into the bottles!!
These are assorted goops for varying purposes. Green soap is a sterile surgical soap and is the standard cleaner for just about everything. Alcahol and beach are also used to clean the studio area.

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The Information provided here is only the opinion of this Artist and is provided to give a general guide line to the comsumer.
However, methods vary from Artist to Artist, and Studio to Studio