Things to consider prior to getting a tattoo

Tattooing is a painful process, and tattoos are expensive to remove. If you want to have a tattoo removed there will always be a scar. You need to carefully consider the reasons behind your need to get a tattoo before going through with it. Trends come and go, as do boy friends, girlfriends and yes I am afraid husbands and wives!! but a badly chosen tattoo lasts forever, or costs a lot to remove. Just ask Johnny Depp or Angelina Jolie.

Health risks

Getting a tattoo at an accredited professional tattoo parlor or mobile tattoo artist is relatively risk-free, but getting a tattoo still puts you at risk of the following:

serious infectious diseases such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B or HIV (which are passed on via infected blood or other body fluids)
tetanus
skin infections such as
impetigo (‘school sores’)
dermatitis
flare ups of existing eczema
allergic reactions
thick scars called keloids
(you are more likely to get these if you have dark skin)
distress due to regret after the procedure - this has been identified as one of the main problems after getting a tattoo.
All these should be taken in to consideration prior to going ahead with a tattoo.
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The recent growth and popularity of tattooing has created numerous safety and risk issues throughout the world. Before getting a tattoo it is important to research safety issues related to tattoo procedures, studio hygiene, aftercare, and removal. Additionally, if you have sensitive skin you may want to investigate the ingredients used in tattoo inks, pigments, and ointments. The most common risks associated with tattoos are allergic reactions, exposure to transmittable diseases, and infection.

Allergic Reactions

Immediately after receiving a tattoo the application area may be itchy, red and slightly swollen. This is normal and usually disappears after a few days. However, if these symptoms persist, increase in intensity, or are accompanied by oozing or bleeding medical assistance should be sought. Allergic reactions are usually linked to an intolerance to tattoo inks. Certain hues of red and green inks tend to cause more irritation than other colours. Some of the inks used during the tattoo application process are industrial grade and not safe for those with skin allergies. In some instances the strength of the pigment mixed into the inks may not be appropriate for skin contact. As such people with skin allergies should request that the tattoo artist perform a swatch or patch test in which a very small section of skin is tattooed and then observed to determine the bodies reaction to the inks.

Transmittable Diseases

Because tattoo instruments and tattoo artists come in contact with blood and bodily fluids the risk of getting a transmittable disease is a concern. Although HIV is the disease that people getting tattoos express the most concern about, Hepatitis B actually poses a greater risk. It is important that your tattoo artist has been vaccinated against this disease. To safeguard against blood borne diseases it is very important that the tattoo artist wear gloves when applying a tattoo. The tattoo artist should also change gloves between different clients. Additionally, tattoo instruments should be sterilized using an autoclave which is a container that cleans the instruments with intense heat and strong disinfectants, or use single use supplies. Leftover ink tubes that were used on a client should be disposed of and never used to apply a tattoo on a different person. Reputable tattoo artists/studios will brief their customers on these risks before applying a tattoo.

Infection

The cleanliness of the tattoo studio or area to be used for tattoo and the procedures followed by tattoo artists are integral to safeguarding against infection. The biggest risks are staph infections which spread quickly in the body and can be deadly. Additionally, individuals with prosthetic knees or hips should investigate the safety practices of the tattoo studio because blood borne infections tend to target prosthetic areas. Pregnant women should be especially cautious about getting tattoos because of the risk to the unborn fetus.

Since most council areas now have regulations that outline mandatory safety practices of tattoo studios or mobile tattoo artists the risks described above are fairly uncommon. However there are many tattoo artists in the UK that operate illegally or who have hidden studios that are not regulated by health department standards and we would highly recommend you to steer clear of these and report them. As with any procedure that introduces trauma to the skin it is important to take precautions to diminish the chances of adverse reactions and safeguard against infection and disease.

Allergic Reactions to Tattoo Ink

Allergic reactions to tattoo inks are very uncommon but usually an allergic reaction would show up with a shade of red ink. Red ink is the only colour that no current tattoo ink manufacturer has developed to be hypo-allergenic. Ink makers have the either most of or the rest of their colours hypo-allergenic, so you only need to worry about red if you have allergies to certain pigments.

People who are allergic or sensitive to certain metals may react to inks in the skin by becoming swollen and/or itchy, oozing of clear sebum is also common. People with allergies should think carefully about getting a tattoo because of the risk of anaphylactic shock which can be life threatening.

Unfortunately when a person gets a tattoo there is always the potential to develop an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink. While allergic reactions are rare, they do happen. This is a result of the different types of materials that make up the composition of the tattoo ink.

The usual signs of an allergic reaction can range from localized redness to a generalized eczema-like rash. Steroids are usually used for treatment but keep in mind that just because a tattoo is red and irritated it does not mean that you are having an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink.

Tattoo allergies can also cause the formation of hives, which can usually be treated with medication at home. Very rarely tattoo ink allergies can develop complications that are more serious. When this happens it is possible to experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, and swelling in the throat area and more.

It is always a good idea to keep an eye out for any signs of an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink anytime that you get a tattoo. Basically always follow the overall directions too about keeping your tattoo clean and keeping it away from exposure to sunlight and moisturize the area at least once a day.

There are many metals that are put into tattoo inks, including nickel, which is said to be the most common metal allergy. Most normal earrings are made from nickel, so if you can wear those, some tattoo inks may not be able to be used. If you have allergies to metals then speak to your tattoo artist prior to actually getting the tattoo so you can discuss options. Tattoo ink is made of two basic components; pigments and carriers. Pigments are pretty much anything that can be finely ground down to provide colour. Minerals, vegetable dyes, plastics, and metallic salts are all substances that have been used to create tattoo inks. Tattoo inks can result in some really great body art, but you need to do what you can to protect yourself.

Manufacturers of tattoo ink do not have to divulge what is in it, so you, and likely your tattoo artist, may never know exactly what chemical compounds have been used. If you have any allergies you should be extra careful in your considerations whether to proceed with a tattoo.

IT IS YOUR CHOICE, YOU NOW KNOW THE RISKS IT IS YOURS AND ONLY YOUR DECISION WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH ALL THE ABOVE CONSIDERED - DON’T TAKE THE DECISION LIGHTLY AS YOUR ARTIST WILL NOT.