Stay Safe When Getting Inked

http://www.dailyrxnews.com/ Tattooing is an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years. These days, 21 percent of adults in the US report having at least one piece of permanent artwork on their bodies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But tattoos are not without their risks. These risks may include infections, scarring, rashes and allergies, as well as reactions during the medical test known as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI reactions are very rare, however. Even temporary tattoos — which do not involve using a needle — can cause skin reactions. In a traditional tattoo, a needle deposits colored ink into the skin. These designs may include a variety of ink colors, including black and white ink. In a permanent makeup tattoo, a needle deposits colored ink into the skin to mimic eyeliner, lip liner, eyebrow pencil or other cosmetics. In a henna tattoo, plant dye (henna or mehndi) is stained onto the skin. And in a temporary tattoo, a design on paper is stamped onto the skin with water. Henna tattoos may last up to three to four weeks, while temporary tattoos may last hours to days. Coyle S. Connolly, DO, a clinical and cosmetic dermatologist and president of Connolly Dermatology, told dailyRx News that patients should be proactive in protecting themselves. "[Gather] as much information about the tattooing process [as possible] before the actual procedure," Dr. Connolly said. "A simple, direct discussion with the tattoo artist regarding sterile technique and complications they have personally encountered is advised. Voice your concerns with the tattoo artist and establish a comfort level with their explanations." Tattoo reactions are relatively uncommon, however. One study of 300 people in New York City found that 6 percent reported some type of skin reaction to a tattoo. Infection is the most serious risk from tattooing, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dirty needles can pass infections, like hepatitis and HIV, from one person to another. However, it's very rare to contract one of these diseases in most tattoo parlors today. Inks contaminated with bacteria may be another source of infection. Inks are not always manufactured under sterile conditions, and tattoo artists may not always keep these inks sterile when using them. If the tattoo artist doesn’t use sterile water to mix the ink, the water may also carry bacteria. The skin can have a negative reaction to anything that is applied to it, including tattoo ink and temporary tattoo ink found on stickers or papers. According to the FDA, allergic reactions to various ink pigments in both permanent and temporary tattoos are another possible complication. Granulomas — small knots or bumps which may form around material that the body perceives as foreign — can also develop if the body rejects the particles of tattoo pigment. If you have any kind of skin reaction or your tattoo changes in any way, see a dermatologist.