The Risks of Tattoos

Tattoos can have potential risk if done incorrectly or not up to legal code. Since tattooing involves needles and blood there are a few important things to know before getting a tattoo. Diseases such as hepatatis and HIV are two very real consequences of tattooing. Some people may also have an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink, causing the tattoo to raise and skin to swell.

Because there are many risks with tattooing make sure you are getting unopened tattoo ink, and needles. The reuse of these materials can cause illness and, transmit disease which will make you sick.

www.howstuffworks.com - gives a great checklist to make sure you are safe while getting a tattoo.

"Other precautions specific to tattooing include:

• Checking gloves for pinhole tears during tattooing, since petroleum-based ointment erodes latex
• Pouring ink in advance, using clean tissue to open ink bottles during tattooing and preventing nozzles from touching contaminated surfaces
• Patting tubes dry after rinsing during color changes -- never blowing excess water from them
• Spraying liquid soap into a tissue, not directly onto bleeding area, since blood can become airborne when the spray hits it
• Giving pens used for drawing on the skin, which should be medical grade and sterile, to the client"

"Tattoo artists must also take special safety measures regarding their hands. Gloves help prevent disease transmission from bodily fluids, but bacteria thrive in the warm, damp environment they create. This means that artists must:

• Wash hands thoroughly and often
• Inspect hands for cuts or sores and cover them with bandages
• Remove hangnails and keep nails short to prevent punctures to gloves
• Refrain from tattooing when experiencing lesions, dermatitis or allergic reactions"

(cited from: http://health.howstuffworks.com/tattoo3.htm)

I remember finding out that my preexisting condition put me at high risk for infection when getting a tattoo and I actually lucked out that my tattoo didn't cause harm. Make sure you don't have anything that can cause infection or reaction, ask your doctor if you're unsure. Better safe than sorry!