Tattoo Safety

What is a tattoo?

A tattoo is essentially a puncture wound made deep in your skin that is then filled with ink. A needle is used to penetrate your skin, and then ink is injected into the area. The reason that tattoos are permanent is because of how deep the ink is injected into the skin in making them. It is not injected into the epidermis, the top layer of skin that you continue to produce and shed, but into the dermis, the second, deeper layer of the skin about 1/8 inch down.

Trivia:

Tattoos are ancient. They have been found on mummified bodies dating back as far as 3,300 B.C.

Age Requirement:

Generally, most states prohibit minors getting tattoos. You need to be 18 or older.

 

Things to consider before getting that tattoo:

Parental Permission:

At 18 or older you may legally be considered an adult, but how your parents feel about your decision to get a tattoo is something to consider. What is your parents attitude about tattoos and the idea of your getting one? Is this going to cause a major fight or rift in the relationship? If so, is it really worth getting?

The long-term:

Consider the long-term when it comes to tattoos before committing to one. Can you picture yourself with this tattoo when you’re 30, 50, or 75? It may seem like a great idea now, but will you always think so? Bodies at 60 look different than bodies at 30 – have you considered this?

Think about what you are getting and where you want it in terms of the career you would like to pursue one day. Remember that people still have preconceived notions about people who get tattoos. Will the wrong symbol in the wrong place cost you a job later in life?

If you’re banking on laser surgery to remove a tattoo if you ever get tired of it, are you clear about what is involved in tattoo removal, including the possibility of scarring?

The risks:

Before getting a tattoo it is important to understand the risks involved.

·         The most serious risks are life-threatening infections, such as HIV or hepatitis C, from unclean needles.

·         Other infections, such as a staph infection called impetigo or MRSA, or deep-skin infection cellulitis, can also develop.  

·         Allergic reactions to tattoo pigments can occur, especially red pigments.

·         Tissue injury and inflammatory reactions to dyes or metals into the skin can occur.

·         Occasionally a contact dermatitis can happen.

Because of these risks, if you decide to get a tattoo then do NOT attempt to do a tattoo yourself or have a friend do it. ONLY use a reputable, licensed tattoo artist.

FDA regulations:

The FDA does regulate the inks used for tattooing and the pigments used in these inks. However, they do not regulate how they are used – local laws and jurisdictions do that. The FDA does state that there is an increase in the variety of pigments being used in tattooing. These include additives that are approved for cosmetics, but not approved to be injected deep into the skin, as well as pigments used for printers and car paint.

 

What to look for in your tattoo artist/tattoo parlor:

Business license & regulations:

Make sure the tattoo parlor business license is up to date.

Some states, cities, and communities set up standards for tattoo parlors, but some don’t. Contact your state, county, or local health department to find out laws in your community, recommendations on licensed tattoo parlors, and to check about complaints about particular studios so you can get a sense of where to go and where to avoid.  

Training and experience:

Just as you would probably feel more comfortable putting your trust in a lawyer, doctor, therapist, or accountant who has many years experience under his/her belt, it is important to find a tattoo artist who is experienced at his/her trade. You are going to have a permanent piece of art on your skin – so you want someone who is going to do the job correctly. But you also risk various medical complications (such as passing on certain viruses or getting infections) if certain safety guidelines are not followed, so someone who knows what they are doing is key when it comes to your physical well-being. Ask the tattoo artist how many years he/she has been working as a tattoo artist. Obviously, the more experienced, the better.

What training has your artist taken and completed? Are certificates available to verify this? Ask for references.

Ask to see photos of your tattoo artist’s work. Make sure the photos you see are not a compilation of work from all the artist’s working in the tattoo parlor, but that you are shown photos of the work personally done by the artist you are considering working with.

Ask the tattoo artist to go over procedure, step by step:

Remember that getting a permanent tattoo is an invasive procedure that requires breaking the skin and coming into contact with blood and bodily fluids. Just as you would assume from your doctor and an outpatient surgery room, make sure the tattoo parlor operates in a safe and clean manner:

·         Your tattoo artist should wash his/her hands thoroughly immediately before and after each tattoo application

·         The workspace should be sanitized before and after each client with an EPA approved disinfectant.

·         The work area should be clean of non-sterile objects, such as water bottles, bags, etc.

·         New sterile and disposable needles should be used for each tattoo. The needle should be removed from a sterile single-use package directly before use and in front of you. The needle should be safely disposed of in a sharps container.

·         Any other tools involved must be sterilized. The studio should have an autoclave, a device that uses steam, pressure, and heat for sterilization. You should be allowed to watch the machine in action to make sure it is being used.

·         Everything being used should be specially laid out for your tattoo, such as single use disposable ink bottles. All instruments and items being used should be laid out and opened in front of you.

·         The artist should wear disposable latex gloves (unless you are allergic to latex and require that an alternate type of glove be used).

·         The area on your body that is to be tattooed should be cleaned and disinfected before the tattoo is applied.

·         Vaseline should be applied to the new tattoo with some kind of disposable instrument, NOT by hand.

·         Contaminated materials should be disposed of properly (the same as a hospital or doctor’s office would do).  

·         Ointment, ink, water, and other items should not be returned to a universal container after it has been removed for use on you.

·         Get a list of the specific pigments used, including color, manufacturer’s name, and lot number.

A good and reliable tattoo artist should be considerate and thorough in answering your questions. If the artist is annoyed to go over procedure with you or tries to talk you out of worrying about these things, go somewhere else.  If you do not feel comfortable asking these questions, then let go of the idea of a tattoo for now and wait until you are comfortable asking these questions before you pursue your tattoo.

 

Self-care tips for before and after getting a tattoo:

What you need to do:

·         Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs (especially aspirin) the night before or while getting a tattoo

·         Don’t get a tattoo if you are sick

·         It’s good to make sure you are up to date with your immunizations, such as hepatitis and tetanus shots.

·         If you have heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin disorders, a condition that affects your immune system, an infection, or are pregnant, then ask your doctor if there are any problems with your getting a tattoo.

·         If you are prone to getting keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue in the area of the wound), best to just stay clear of tattoos.

Caring for your tattoo:

Your tattoo is basically an open wound, so it does need to properly cared for.

·         Leave the bandage on for at least 12 hours. Do not cover the tattoo with plastic or saran wrap.

·         When the bandage comes off, let the wound dry for about an hour, then wash gently with lukewarm water and liquid antibacterial soap. Do not use anything abrasive, such as a washcloth. Pat (do not rub) the area completely dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Then apply a thin coat of antibiotic cream (Neosporin is not recommended)

·         Avoid touching the tattoo outside of the steps you take to care for it.

·         Wash gently and apply the cream 2x per day for the next 4-5 days.

·         Don’t submerge your new tattoo in water for 2-3 weeks. This does mean no baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs for a couple of weeks. Showering is okay – it’s fine to wet the tattoo as long as it is not being soaked in water. If soap or shampoo gets on the tattoo, just remove it quickly with water.

·         After 4-5 days, switch to a water-based cream or lotion until the tattoo is completely healed to keep the skin soft. Lotions used during this time should be free of dyes and fragrances. Do NOT use petroleum jelly as it may cause the tattoo to fade.

·         Like any open wound, your tattoo should be washed when it gets dirty, and it should not be scratched or picked at.

·         If you have concerns about how your tattoo is healing or worry that the area may be infected, meet with your doctor right away to have the area examined.

·         Some peeling and little bit of scabbing may occur. Apply a warm, moist compress to the scabs for about 5 minutes 2-3 x per day to soften them and they will eventually come off on their own. Don’t apply lotion or ointment to a softened scab and do not pick at any scabs.

·         Your skin may start to itch – do NOT scratch it. If your skin starts to peel, do NOT pick at it but apply lotion instead.

·         Put an ice pack on the tattooed area if you see redness or swelling.

Tattoos and the sun:

Keep your tattoo out of the sun until it is fully healed.

Even after your tattoo is healed you will always want to protect it from the sun’s UV rays as they can damage and fade a tattoo very quickly. Protect your tattoo and your skin by using a minimum of 30 SPF sunblock on the area.  

 

Involving doctors:

When to seek medical attention:

It is important to seek out medical care if your tattoo does become infected. Signs of infection can include:

·         Excessive redness or tenderness around the tattoo

·         Prolonged bleeding

·         Pus

·         Changes in your skin color around the tattoo

·         Excessive peeling and scabbing

Tattoo removal:

Tattoos can be removed with laser surgery, but if you are banking on the idea of tattoo removal in case you ever grow tired of your permanent skin art, then keep a few things in mind:

·         Completely removing a tattoo can be difficult depending on the age of the tattoo, how big it is, and the types of colors and inks used.

·         Removal can be costly – sometimes significantly more than the tattoo.

·         Removal of a tattoo by laser can take up to a few months – the process can feel similar to getting a tattoo.  

·         You will need to care for the area during the removal phase, which might feel like a burden for some.

·         The area can become infected, scarred, and susceptible to hyperpigmentation (which causes the area where your tattoo used to be to become darker than your normal skin) or hypopigmentation (your skin becomes lighter).

Removal is not an easy process and is not always guaranteed – a good thing to know as you decide whether a tattoo is really for you.