The recent growth and popularity of tattooing has created numerous safety and risk issues throughout the world. Before getting a tattoo it's 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 colors. 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 body's 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's important that your tattoo artist has been vaccinated against this disease. To safeguard against blood borne diseases it's 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. 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 studios will brief their customers on these risks before applying a tattoo.
Infection
The cleanliness of the tattoo studio 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 several states have enacted regulations that outline mandatory safety practices of tattoo studios the risks described above are fairly uncommon. However there are thousands of tattoo artists in the U.S. that operate illegally or who have studios that aren't regulated by health department standards. As with any procedure that introduces trauma to the skin it's important to take precautions to diminish the chances of adverse reactions and safeguard against infection and disease.
