Considering a tattoo? Weigh health risks, removal costs

[Rat-tat-tat]

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...ollen0606.html

If it seems that every other person you see these days has a tattoo, you're almost right.

Twenty-five percent of adults in the United States have at least one tattoo or permanent makeup (tattooing to the lips, eyelids or other feature), Phoenix physician Art Mollen says.

"That was kind of shocking to me," he says.
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His interest in the subject was piqued when his young adult daughter visited recently, a tiny star tattooed on her foot.

"I said, 'What is that? What were you thinking?' " Mollen says.

Question: What risks was she taking in getting a tattoo?

Answer: Tattooing has been banned in some states for health and safety reasons. Unsterile tattooing equipment can transmit infections, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and even HIV. The risk is so significant that the American Association of Blood Banks requires a one-year wait between getting a tattoo and donating blood.

Q: What signs of infection should someone who has been tattooed watch for?

A: Increased pain, tenderness, swelling, heat around the tattoo site, red streaks, pus, swollen lymph nodes - all of these are signs that you need to see a doctor for antibiotics.

Q: What other risks are involved?

A: You could get granulomas, little nodules that can form around the tattoo, or keloid scar formation. Some people are prone to developing these keloid scars, which grow beyond the boundary of the tattoo. Granulomas and keloids are permanent unless you have them surgically removed.

Also, allergic reactions, although rare, can happen.

Q: What causes them?

A: Some people have hypersensitivity to particular color pigments and develop an allergic response. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has received reports of adverse reactions in people who got permanent makeup - "color enhancement," it's called.

Some of the color additives have been approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics, but none is approved for injection into the skin. Some are industrial grade, suitable for printer's ink or automobile paint, according to an article I read in American Medical News. Even with temporary tattoos, the henna that's used has been approved only for use as a hair dye, not for direct application to the skin.

But perhaps the most common problem with tattoos is that people want to remove them. What may have cost $100 to have put on may end up costing thousands to have removed with lasers or other procedures.

Q: How difficult is it to remove a tattoo?

A: About 75 percent of the inks on the market can be removed, but certain colors, such as a particular shade of green, are very difficult to get rid of. Sometimes a new tattoo with skin-tone pigments has to be put over the original tattoo to camouflage it.

People should view a tattoo as permanent and consider how they'll feel about it in 25 years. If you tattoo your boyfriend's or girlfriend's name on yourself, hopefully you'll be with that person for life.

Q: How would you caution people who are determined to get a tattoo or permanent makeup?

A: Any tattooing involves multiple injections into the skin by a small machine with one or more needles connected to tubes that contain dyes. Tattooists guide the machine, and you're subject to their capability. Make sure they are well trained and experienced and that they adhere to the infection control guidelines developed by the Alliance of Professional Tattooists.

I certainly would recommend against getting a tattoo at a fair from someone in the back of a van. You don't want to try out some new dye they got a special deal on from the local car-paint shop. That Earl Scheib paint might not look so good on your lips.

[Frankie4Fingers]

good info

[golfingmom]

My 17 year old son wants to yet a tattoo for his 18th birthday. I appreciate your website and all of the great information it provide.

A few months ago, I heard a radio interview discussing a new tattoo ink that is permanent but, if you want to remove it at a later date, it is much easier (and less expensive) to accomplish.

I was looking through your website but didn't find any discussion on this topic.
Thanks.

[bluntmonkey]

If you or your son is thinking about removal before even getting a tattoo perhaps you should pass and NOT get one at all . You should discuss the permanence of this decision with your son and make sure and express the ramifications and stigma that is still "although much less than in the past" attached to tattooing. A tattoo in a visible location could keep him from getting certain employment or admission to future opportunities. "Take this advice from someone who is full sleeve tattooed on both arms. If he or you still want to proceed make sure and find a reputable tattoo artist in an established shop look closely at his or her portfolio and make certain that they are properly trained in sterilization and blood borne contamination techniques . If you ask an artist about these issues and they look at you like you have three heads you might want to go elsewhere. Fortunately there are Many artists out there these days who can safely and appropriately tattoo you with excellent results. Finally you might want to consider what I told my children who are in the same age bracket, I told them if they want a design
applied permanently to there body they should hang a pic of it on the wall and see if they feel the same way in 6 months or a year what seems good today might not be so appealling in the future. Good luck and if you do get inked go big and go bold ! I'm out B

[Dileca]

Really good info
My daughter has been keen on getting one, I have taken her with me twice now so she can see what it is all about and I have told her the same as bluntmonkey said to his kids
She is 21 and still can't decide what she wants but like I said to her it takes time to find the right design.

[golfingmom]

Thanks for your note. My son has been looking for a design since he was 12 and found one on a site that he is very excited about. He wants to put it on his back. He isn't thinking about ever removing it but, I want to know he has an option. It looks like the next step is finding a good tattoo parlor since he wants the tattoo for his 18th bday in April.

[Dileca]

All the best for your son and remeber to post some pics when he has it done
I remember my first tattoo, I was sooooooo excited almost 18 yrs ago now, where do the years go?