Tattoos are fast becoming a fashion fad with more and more youngsters opting for it. It is advisable to know the health risks and the alternative options before you get yourself inked.
1.) There are many types of tattoos available:
a) Amateur tattoos are usually done at home with ink or ashes jabbed under the skin with a needle. These have a high risk of infection and are usually aesthetically not very tidy. They usually limit themselves to a slogan or name or a small animation.
b) Professional tattoos are done by so called professionals who have a certificate and usually work with a tattoo gun under hygienic conditions. These are registered artists and can make elaborate designs.
Some people do cosmetic tattoos for highlighting say the lip contour or eyebrows or fake make up and usually require repeat inking as the colour fades with time. Others may use tattoos for medical reasons say for a diabetic, or to mark the site of radiation therapy or to create artificial nipple after surgery etc.
2) The tattoo studio should be chosen after making a preliminary visit. It should be tidy, neat and clean (as clean as a doctor’s office). One must check that the used needles are properly destroyed (check if they have the machine for destroying the needles) and the artist has a valid tattoo licence. The tattoing area should be a clean hard surface with no random items lying around to ensure that the area is germ free.
3) To improve tattoo safety it is advisable to avoid alcohol a day before and while getting the tattoo done. Also avoid getting a tattoo if you are feeling sick or have fever. Ensure that the artist puts in a sterile, disposable needle for you and cleans the instruments before use.
4) Getting a tattoo involves a break in the skin with exposure of blood and body fluids. Hence, dangerous diseases like hepatitis, HIV etc can spread from unclean needles. Also skin infections like MRSA, fungus etc can be contracted due to unclean surroundings or old ink which could have grown fungus on it. These infections can affect our liver or lungs and may leave scars on the tattoo area. Also, one can develop allergic reaction to the ink causing a bad scarring of the area.
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5) Tattoos can be removed but the skin never looks exactly the same as before. Tattoos can be removed best if they are in black ink only. Coloured tattoos are hard to remove and may require multiple sittings. Tattoo has to be either scrubbed or peeled away using a small surgery or laser. One should never use an over the counter tattoo removal product as the results are unreliable and may cause permanent skin damage.