While most people getting new tattoos have very little trouble there are some tattoo risks to consider. There are the serious risks of blood borne diseases from unclean needles and a number of other conditions that can and will occur. Some of these are part of the normal healing process while others can cause complications and need attention. Here are some of the conditions you need to look for.
1. Blood borne diseases such as hepatitis B and C, tetanus and HIV. These are all serious diseases and can be life-threatening. But they can be avoided by researching tattoo studios before you go to one of them. Ask others for a recommendation. Make sure the artist is registered with your state or local authority.
2. Allergic reactions to the ink are not uncommon. The chemicals in the ink can affect some people. Red ink seems to cause the most problems as it contains metallic dye such as cadmium, iron and mercury, but other colors can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Generally, this is in the form of an itchy rash, which should last only two or three weeks. This can also occur some years later.
3. Skin infection can result from poor aftercare. Reputable studios will give you an aftercare program to follow, which should take care of any potential infection. The main thing is to keep the new tattoo clean as you would any other wound. If the tattoo becomes inflamed and gathering pus you should see a doctor.
4. Bumps, called granulomas, can form over the tattoo. Red tattoos are generally the problem but reactions to other colors can occur.
5. Keloids can also occur in the form of overgrowths of scar tissue. They form over the scar as red or flesh-colored lumps, which do fade over time.
New dyes have been developed to avoid the problems that have occurred in the past but some of these new dyes still affect some people. It is easy to forget that the process of getting new tattoos involves piercing the skin and injecting ink into it. The body is going to react to this as it would to any other wound or injury.
It is normal to have some soreness after a new tattoo but it is a good idea to know what to expect. If you are concerned the wound is not healing as it should, make sure you get medical attention so there are no complications.
(Sources: Mayo Clinic website; emedicine.medscape.com)
1. Blood borne diseases such as hepatitis B and C, tetanus and HIV. These are all serious diseases and can be life-threatening. But they can be avoided by researching tattoo studios before you go to one of them. Ask others for a recommendation. Make sure the artist is registered with your state or local authority.
2. Allergic reactions to the ink are not uncommon. The chemicals in the ink can affect some people. Red ink seems to cause the most problems as it contains metallic dye such as cadmium, iron and mercury, but other colors can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Generally, this is in the form of an itchy rash, which should last only two or three weeks. This can also occur some years later.
3. Skin infection can result from poor aftercare. Reputable studios will give you an aftercare program to follow, which should take care of any potential infection. The main thing is to keep the new tattoo clean as you would any other wound. If the tattoo becomes inflamed and gathering pus you should see a doctor.
4. Bumps, called granulomas, can form over the tattoo. Red tattoos are generally the problem but reactions to other colors can occur.
5. Keloids can also occur in the form of overgrowths of scar tissue. They form over the scar as red or flesh-colored lumps, which do fade over time.
New dyes have been developed to avoid the problems that have occurred in the past but some of these new dyes still affect some people. It is easy to forget that the process of getting new tattoos involves piercing the skin and injecting ink into it. The body is going to react to this as it would to any other wound or injury.
It is normal to have some soreness after a new tattoo but it is a good idea to know what to expect. If you are concerned the wound is not healing as it should, make sure you get medical attention so there are no complications.
(Sources: Mayo Clinic website; emedicine.medscape.com)
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