Why would I choose disposables?

Cost: Disposables are a comfortable fit for any budget, and a money saving alternative to steel tubes. A high quality single use tube can cost as little as $0.76

No contaminates: Some would argue that the friction steel needles create when rubbing against a steel tube can cause unwanted changes in your lightest colors. Hard plastic disposable tubes are recommended for keeping even your brightest whites pure.

Ease of use: Disposables offer a speedy and simplified approach to making sure you´re using a clean tube/needle every time. Combos offer everything you need in one easy-to-use package that´s always ready when you are. So if you´re traveling and uncertain your destination has a working Autoclave, you can be certain you´re equipment is clean and sterile.

Pre-Sterilized: Disposables take care of all your worries by providing items in sealed Ethylene oxide gas sterilized blister pack. E/O gas is a common gas-phase disinfectant which is widely used in hospitals to sterilize heat-sensitive tools and equipment, thus making it perfect for use in sterilizing needles and tubes.

Disposable Cons

Wear and tear: Disposables are plastic which is not as strong as steel or aluminum. Plastic tubes can be cleaned and re-sterilized just as you would a metal tube, but after time the heat and pressure of an autoclave can brake down the plastics. The plastic itself is obviously more fragile that steel, so eventually you´ll need to buy new tubes. But that´s the idea behind disposable tubes and grips. They´re inexpensive, and after proper disposal you can start fresh.

Weight: Due to their light weight, disposable tubes can take some time to get used to if you´re been using heavy steel tubes in the past. To offset the difference between a steel tube and a plastic, you have the option of adding a variety of grips. These help compensate for the weight difference in the materials and add comfort.

Storage: This could go either way, Disposable tubes come pre-packaged. Since they are pre sterilized if you´ve got 50 of them they´re going to take up more room in your drawer than a couple of steel tubes. But steel tubes require more separate pieces, so it´s really not an issue.

Stainless Steel tubes and grips are a tried and true staple of almost every tattooist.

Pros

Wear and Tear: Obviously these are made from steel/metal which makes them last longer than plastic disposables, but steel tubes or grips should never be considered a life time purchase. They are going to wear, and need to be replaced.

Noise: Some would argue that steel tubes are quieter. And the mass of the tube and grip soaks up vibration.

Quantity: You´re not going to have a drawer full of 50 stainless tubes, unless you´ve been tattooing for a very very long time. A few good tubes and grips will last you years.

Weight: Again, this is subjective. Weight is both an advantage and a disadvantage. If you´re use to the heft of a steel tube and grip combo, switching to lightweight plastic is going to take some getting use to. If you like heavy tubes you´re not going to get that feel from a plastic. We should note that aluminum grips are available to give you the feel of something between steel and plastic.

Stainless Cons

Cleaning: The biggest problem with using stainless steel tubes is properly cleaning them. They are usually made up of 5 parts. By being assembled with so many pieces, there are several tiny spaces that microbes can get into and live. Using an autoclave will kill the microbes at first, but microbes can get into tight places, like between the threads and set screw inside of the grip and ultrasonic cleaning can´t remove them all. As the microbes die they begin to build up in nooks and crannies where scrubbing and ultrasonic cleaning can´t reach them. Over time this bio-film can form a protective barrier where living microbes can survive the autoclave process. Because of the risks associated with bio-film all stainless steel tattoo tubes with multiple pieces, should be completely disassembled prior to cleaning and all parts must then be individually scrubbed. Even after doing this eventually you´re going to have to throw away the pieces and start fresh to guarantee cleanliness every time you use them.

Storage: Like we mentioned with disposables storage can be an issue, but more important with steel tubes is the way heat can unseal a sterilization pouch. It´s important to plan ahead for the climate you´ll be storing your equipment in after it´s been sealed. While they may be fine resting in your drawer, during travel heat and humidity can loosen or break that seal and let in unwanted contaminates.

Conclusion

It´s basically all about personal preference. We´ve provided you with the information, so you can make the decision to use disposables or stainless. The trends are leaning towards disposables because of their cost and ease of use. Traditionalists will stick with stainless because of its feel. That´s why Superior Tattoo Equipment carries a wide variety of both. We want to choice to be yours.