Tattoos and their effect on Health

Tattoos are growing in popularity with each passing day especially amongst the youngsters. Getting a tattoo can be quite an experience and thus more and more people are getting inked each day. Tattoos can be temporary or permanent. The process mostly involves a needle piercing the outermost layer of the skin and creating the design using ink drops. Technology which is used to create tattoos is getting better with the growth in popularity of body art. But still risks in getting a tattoo and erasing the same if required remain. Laser tattoo removal is done by directing high energy pulses to remove the ink. Although the process does not affect or damage surrounding tissues but still issues such as scarring, discoloration of skin, burning sensation, incomplete removal and infections may occur.

Common Health Issues Associated with Tattoos

The most common and widespread risk of tattoos is that of infections and skin allergies. Many a time the ink used for the body art will not suit the skin and cause irritation and other problems. These issues may happen immediately or even after weeks, sometimes things such as exposure to the sun or other factors may trigger infections and allergies. It has been seen that coloured tattoos especially that of red and yellow colours have a higher rate of infections and allergies as many a times metallic stains such as cobalt and cadmium are added to the ink for colouration purpose. Fresh tattoos will have redness and swelling but if the tattoo stays red even after a couple of weeks or gets greenish and oozes puss you have most likely caught an infection. Foul smell, prolonged swelling and tattoo being hot to touch even after days can be other symptoms of infections and allergies. Tattoo related allergies are classified as Type - 4 allergies which are also known as 'delayed allergies'. Thus it may even take weeks after the tattoo for the allergy to show up.

Other Risks Associated With Tattoos

There are many other health risks that are associated with tattoo making. Because there is a needle involved in the tattoo making process the individual is exposed to risk of HIV and hepatitis. Also individuals may suffer from issues such as skin bumps around the tattoo, scars and bruises. Tattoos will also cause skin discoloration, although with time some discoloration will fade away but the normal color of skin can never be achieved. Ink used in the tattoo making process can also interfere in future MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans. Due to iron oxide present in the black ink during MRI swelling or burning of the tattoo may happen. Individuals are also advised to restraint from donating blood for at least a couple of months after getting a tattoo done due to risk of infection. Blood loss due to bleeding and hematoma which is a bruise caused due to rupture of blood vessels can also happen during the process of getting a tattoo.

Best Practises and Dos and don’ts when getting a Tattoo

If an individual has a history of allergies he or she should be extra careful when getting a tattoo done. One can first try a drop of ink and only after making sure that there is no reaction or allergy one should go ahead. Always get your tattoo done from a licenced professional through a quality tattoo parlour. Cheap parlours and illegal professional heighten the risk and chances of infections and infectious diseases. Always insist to know the needle sterilization policy of the tattoo parlour and always insist that the artist used non-latex gloves. Take all necessary precautions before getting a tattoo done and proper care after getting the tattoo done.