This information is for those looking to get a tattoo or get tattoos.
A tattoo is a form of body art that’s created when ink is inserted, using a needle, into the dermis layer of the skin. This changes the skin’s pigment and can be used to create almost any image imaginable. Permanent makeup is also a form of tattooing. This is when permanent ink is used to mimic the look of eyeliner, lip liner, eyebrow pencil, or other kinds of makeup. Tattoos have become more and more popular in recent years. According to the Pew Research Center, almost four of every 10 people born after 1980 have at least one tattoo. Although tattoos have grown in popularity, these procedures have health risks.
We at THEBOXSHOW have dug out and compiled these 4 Health Complications of Tattoos
When you receive a tattoo, a tattoo artist uses a handheld machine with an attached needle to puncture the skin. Every time this device makes a hole, it injects ink into the dermis — the second layer of skin below the epidermis. Tattoos are a common form of self-expression, but they also damage the skin and can cause complications. Complications could include:
1. Allergic reaction to tattoo dyes, which may develop years later; signs of an allergic reaction include a rash at the tattoo site. Also one could develop skin infections such as a staph infection or tuberculosis
2. Development of nodules of inflamed tissue called granulomas around the tattoo site and formation of keloids, which are overgrowths of scar tissue
3. Blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and tetanus; these can be contracted by using contaminated tattoo needles that haven’t been sanitized
4. Interference with future magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests and burning or swelling at the tattoo site.
The long-term effects of tattoo ink and colorings remain unknown. Until recently, no government regulatory agency has closely examined the safety of tattoo ink. More than 50 colorings used in tattoos have been approved for use in cosmetics, but the risk of injecting them beneath the skin is unclear. Such pigments are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Trusted Source (FDA). So far, the FDA has only looked at whether these pigments were safe for external use, not for injection under the skin. No coloring has been officially approved for injection under the skin.
According to healthline.com, here are a few safety precautions for getting tattoos
1. Get a tattoo from a licensed, reputable facility. Tattoo regulations and requirements vary by state, so check with your local department of health for the latest safety laws.
2. Needles and razors should not be reused. Make sure you observe your artist remove needles from a new, sealed package.
3. Check to make sure your artist uses a fresh pair of gloves and washes their hands before starting the procedure.
4. Work surfaces, chairs, and non-disposable equipment must be properly cleaned and sterilized between customers. Choose another facility if there’s evidence of poor sanitation.
5. The area of skin being tattooed should be swabbed with a disinfectant, such as rubbing alcohol, prior to tattooing.
6. Fresh tattoos should be covered with sterile gauze or a bandage. Follow the artist’s instructions for caring for newly tattooed skin.
Be sure to see your doctor should you notice any form of irritation after getting a tattoo.
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