TOP 3 Potential Risks Of Getting A Tattoo
Some students treat college as a time to cut loose and enjoy their freedom from parental control. Sometimes students express their newfound independence by getting a physical reminder - like a tattoo.
One in five college students have a tattoo, and one in three have a body piercing.
Are you thinking about getting a tattoo or body piercing? Well, the good news is that tattooing and body piercing are perfectly safe when done by professionals who are careful to protect their clients from infections. There are risks, however, and you should know them before visiting any body artist. Blood diseases are a potential risk. The hepatitis virus can survive for a long time in open air.
HIV or AIDS
HIV is a very delicate virus and does not survive long outside the human body. Nor is it spread through casual contact. Generally, the virus is only transmitted when sufficient quantities of highly infected blood are introduced into the body of another. The structure of tattoo needles does not lend itself to HIV transmission. But it is possible to be infected through unsafe body art practices
Hepatitis
The disease to consider when getting tattooed is hepatitis. Hepatitis, unlike HIV, is a very hardy virus that can survive long periods outside the human body and can be transmitted through little more than a scratch with an infected needle. To combat this and any other infectious bloodborne pathogen, artists autoclave their single service equipment, use individual portions of ink and lubricant, dispose of used sharps according to OSHA guidelines, use EPA registered virucidals to clean their stations between clients, and use barrier protection. These procedures are called Standard Precautions. Basically, the artist must treat everyone (including themselves) as though they were infectious. That way, everyone is protected and the potential for infection is reduced to next to nothing.
If excessive redness, swelling or pain around the area of the tattoo develops, a licensed physician will need to inspect the tattoo in order to determine whether or not it is infected. Common treatments may include medication, but an infection that has gotten extremely bad may require that the patient be hospitalized.
If a tattoo is done by an amateur or simply not done well, it’s appearance may be ruined. At the same time, if a tattoo is every removed, there is a great possibility that a visible scar will remain. While it is true that most scars become less noticeable in time, they never completely go away and will forever be a reminder of the tattoo that was once there.
This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations for tattoo placement.
Our thanks to AIDS Survival Project, which provided some part of this artical
One in five college students have a tattoo, and one in three have a body piercing.
Are you thinking about getting a tattoo or body piercing? Well, the good news is that tattooing and body piercing are perfectly safe when done by professionals who are careful to protect their clients from infections. There are risks, however, and you should know them before visiting any body artist. Blood diseases are a potential risk. The hepatitis virus can survive for a long time in open air.
1.Blood diseases
HIV or AIDS
HIV is a very delicate virus and does not survive long outside the human body. Nor is it spread through casual contact. Generally, the virus is only transmitted when sufficient quantities of highly infected blood are introduced into the body of another. The structure of tattoo needles does not lend itself to HIV transmission. But it is possible to be infected through unsafe body art practices
Hepatitis
The disease to consider when getting tattooed is hepatitis. Hepatitis, unlike HIV, is a very hardy virus that can survive long periods outside the human body and can be transmitted through little more than a scratch with an infected needle. To combat this and any other infectious bloodborne pathogen, artists autoclave their single service equipment, use individual portions of ink and lubricant, dispose of used sharps according to OSHA guidelines, use EPA registered virucidals to clean their stations between clients, and use barrier protection. These procedures are called Standard Precautions. Basically, the artist must treat everyone (including themselves) as though they were infectious. That way, everyone is protected and the potential for infection is reduced to next to nothing.
2. Infection
If excessive redness, swelling or pain around the area of the tattoo develops, a licensed physician will need to inspect the tattoo in order to determine whether or not it is infected. Common treatments may include medication, but an infection that has gotten extremely bad may require that the patient be hospitalized.
3. Risks of removing tattoo
If a tattoo is done by an amateur or simply not done well, it’s appearance may be ruined. At the same time, if a tattoo is every removed, there is a great possibility that a visible scar will remain. While it is true that most scars become less noticeable in time, they never completely go away and will forever be a reminder of the tattoo that was once there.
Here are some warning signs that you may be dealing with an amateur body artist:
- Re-using needles (this is like sharing IV drug syringes with strangers).
- Re-using tattoo ink (a virus can survive for some time in ink).
- Used jewelry (you don't know where it's been or if it's been sterilized).
- Piercing guns (these should ONLY be used for ear piercing and never, ever on any other part of the body).
- Dirty environment (if shop surfaces are not disinfected, the risk of acquiring a variety of bacterial infections exists).
It's also tempting to save money by letting a friend or relative give you a tattoo or piercing. Don't. These well-meaning folks rarely take full precautions to protect you from infections like hepatitis (liver inflammation and disease) or HIV. The risk of transmitting HIV is relatively small, but possible. But the risk of getting hepatitis B or C from unsafe body art is very real.
When you're ready to choose a body artist, consider the following:
- Get referrals from trusted friends who have tattoos or piercings and had good experiences with the body artist.
- If your friends have no referrals, go to the Yellow Pages, make a list, and visit several shops until you find one where your gut isn't screaming "Get out now!"
- Ask the artist what precautions he/she takes against infection.
- Check out their work; ask to see the artist's portfolio.
- Talk to the artist long enough to get an honest sense of your comfort level with him/her.
You should also do a little "shop inspection" of your own. Here are some specific things you should see or ask about during your visit:
- Sterilizing machine (called an autoclave)
- Packaged, sterilized needles and tubes
- Disposable razors for shaving hair from tattoo areas
- Fresh ink dispensers and disposable ink caps
- A sink, disinfecting spray bottles and rubber gloves
- Clean rooms (no pets should be allowed either)
- New, sterile, surgical steel jewelry selection
- Evidence of health board approval and a business license
This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations for tattoo placement.
Our thanks to AIDS Survival Project, which provided some part of this artical
posted by Mr.Health at
1:26 AM
