Tattoos: Think Before You Ink
By Laura Fleenor

Today is the age of tattoos.  It seems that everyone has a tattoo, or is planning on getting one soon.  You may be trying to decide if you should get a tattoo yourself.  This article is going to provide you with a few thoughts to keep in mind if you think you should get a tattoo, and some things you should think about before you accept the needle!

Do not under any circumstances; get a tattoo, because it is the “in” thing to do.  Tattoos are for life.  The only way that I know of to have a tattoo safely removed is to go to a doctor and have them remove it with a laser.  The way I understand it, you are still going to have a scar that covers the area of the tattoo.  So ask yourself, if you really want to be scarred for life.

One thing a lot of people do when getting a tattoo is to have someone's name tattooed on himself or herself.  I do not suggest tattooing your girlfriends name on yourself.  Let's face it people, whether you think it will happen or not, people break up all the time!  I actually know a tattoo artist that would not tattoo names on his customers unless those names where the name of their children, or a loved one that has passed away.  Do you really think your new girlfriend Sally wants your ex girlfriend Jane's name on your arm?  Think before you ink!

Lots of men seem to think it is cool to have a half naked woman tattooed on their body.  Although when you are young, your male friends may think it is awesome, chances are the women in your life will not.  You also have to ask yourself if you are ever going to have children.  Do you really want to become a father and have your children see a naked woman on your body on a daily basis?  I am sure that some people would not mind, but I sure do not want my children seeing it.

The last point to think about is how this tattoo will look in 30 years.  As a person gets older, their tattoos begin to blur.  Your tattoo artist should tell you all the ways to keep your tattoo looking good, and part of that will probably be a touch up.  Tattoos are for life; so if you are going to get a tattoo, choose wisely.

Article written by: Laura Fleenor - owner and webmaster of  Articles 4 Me And U.com, and Particle Articles.com.  Laura is also webmaster of K.A.G.E.D. Band.com.  Laura holds an AAS in Computer Programming, an AS in Information Technology, and a Certificate of Program Completion in Web Page Design/Publishing.

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More info on Tattoos:

Potential Complications -- The FDA States These Risks: (This information is provided by the FDA) Write to them if you disagree; we just wanted people to know their stance on pigments.

What Risks Are Involved in Tattooing? The following are the primary complications that can result from tattooing:

Infection. Unsterile tattooing equipment and needles can transmit infectious diseases,such as hepatitis. The risk of infection is the reason the American Association of Blood Banks requires a one-year wait between getting a tattoo and donating blood. It is extremely important to make sure that all tattooing equipment is clean and sterilized before use. Even if the needles are sterilized or never have been used, it is important to understand that in some cases the equipment that holds the needles cannot be sterilized reliably due to its design. In addition, the person who receives a tattoo must be sure to care for the tattooed area properly during the first week or so after the pigments are injected.

Allergic reactions. Although allergic reactions to tattoo pigments are rare, when they happen they may be particularly troublesome because the pigments can be hard to remove. Occasionally, people may develop an allergic reaction to tattoos they have had for years.

Granulomas. These are nodules that may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment.

Keloid formation. If you are prone to developing keloids -- scars that grow beyond normal boundaries -- you are at risk of keloid formation from a tattoo. Keloids may form any time you injure or traumatize your skin, and according to Office of Cosmetics and Colors (OCAC) dermatologist Ella Toombs, M.D., tattooing or micropigmentation is a form of trauma. Micropigmentation: State of the Art, a book written by Charles Zwerling, M.D., Annette Walker, R.N., and Norman Goldstein, M.D., states that keloids occur more frequently as a consequence of tattoo removal.

Removal problems. Despite advances in laser technology, removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, usually involving several treatments and considerable expense. Complete removal without scarring may be impossible.

MRI complications. There have been reports of people with tattoos or permanent makeup who experienced swelling or burning in the affected areas when they underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This seems to occur only rarely and apparently without lasting effects. There also have been reports of tattoo pigments interfering with the quality of the image. This seems to occur mainly when a person with permanent eyeliner undergoes MRI of the eyes. Mascara may produce a similar effect. The difference is that mascara is easily removable. The cause of these complications is uncertain. Some have theorized that they result from an interaction with the metallic components of some pigments. However, the risks of avoiding an MRI when your doctor has recommended one are likely to be much greater than the risks of complications from an interaction between the MRI and tattoo or permanent makeup. Instead of avoiding an MRI, individuals who have tattoos or permanent makeup should inform the radiologist or technician of this fact in order to take appropriate precautions, avoid complications, and assure the best results.

Dissatisfaction The Most common problem with tattoos: Dissatisfaction According to Dr. Toombs, the most common problem that develops with tattoos is the desire to remove them. Removing tattoos and permanent makeup can be very difficult. Skill levels vary widely among people who perform tattooing. According to an article by J.K. Chiang, S. Barsky, and D.M. Bronson in the June 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the main complication with eyelid tattooing is improperly placed pigment. You may want to ask the person performing the procedure for references and ask yourself how willing you are to risk permanently wearing someone else's mistake. Although tattoos may be satisfactory at first, they sometimes fade. Also, if the tattooist injects the pigments too deeply into the skin, the pigments may migrate beyond the original sites, resulting in a blurred appearance.

Another cause of dissatisfaction is that the human body changes over time, and styles change with the season. The permanent makeup that may have looked flattering when first injected may later clash with changing skin tones and facial or body contours. People who plan to have facial cosmetic surgery are advised that the appearance of their permanent makeup may become distorted. The tattoo that seemed stylish at first may become dated and embarrassing. And changing tattoos or permanent makeup is not as easy as changing your mind.

Reporting Adverse Reactions

The FDA urges consumers and healthcare providers to report adverse reactions to tattoos and permanent makeup, problems with removal, or adverse reactions to temporary tattoos. The agency operates the Cosmetics Adverse Reaction Monitoring (CARM) system to monitor problems consumers experience with cosmetic products and ingredients, including color additives. Consumers and healthcare providers can register complaints by contacting their FDA district office (see the blue pages of your local phone directory) or by sending written reports of adverse reactions to:
Office of Cosmetics and Colors
HFS-106 Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Food and Drug Administration
5100 Paint Branch Parkway College Park,
MD 20740-3835

You also can contact CARM by phone at 1-202 - 401-9725. In addition, healthcare professionals and consumers may submit information about adverse events to MedWatch, the FDA Medical Products Reporting Program, as follows:

By phone in the USA: 1-800-FDA-1088
By fax: 1-800-FDA-0178 Consumers may obtain reporting forms by calling the following FDA toll-free number: 888 - 463-6332 [888-INFO-FDA]

There are various methods of tattoo removal. The removal method depends upon the pigment used, the amount of time the tattoo was on the skin, the size, location and whether or not it was done professionally. It is important to remember that it costs more to remove a tattoo than to apply one. Since it is an elective procedure it is not covered by most health insurance companies. Total removal of a tattoo is not always possible. In the U.S. dermatologist's estimate that 400,000 people will have their tattoos removed this year.

Common Removal Methods

Surgical removal may be an option for small tattoos. Surgery also can be used for the removal of larger tattoos, but this may involve the need for multiple surgeries and skin grafting.

Dermabrasion is another removal method, which involves freezing the skin, then sanding the surface with an abrasive instrument. Because the pigments are located in the middle of the skin, pain, bleeding and or discomfort can be expected.

Scarification involves removing the tattoo with an acid solution and creating a scar in its place.

Salabrasion is a similar procedure, bur requires the application of an irritating substance prior to sanding. This position can take 30 - 60 minutes depending upon the location and size of the tattoo.

Laser treatment, whereby light is amplified by stimulated emission radiation, is a popular removal method. Its effectiveness is dependent on the targeted pigment. These instruments emit highly focused light beams that break up the pigment particles, which then evaporate.

Laser treatments can lighten many tattoos, some more easily and effectively than others. Generally, several visits are necessary over a span or weeks or months, and the treatments can be expensive. Some individuals experience hypopigmentation -- a lightening of the natural skin coloring -- in the affected area. Laser treatments also can cause some tattoo pigments to change to a less desirable shade.

The laser beam feels as if a rubber band is being snapped against the skin. Crusting at the tattoo site results and the tattoo will gradually fade as healing takes place.

The effectiveness of this method is compromised if the person has a deep tan. In some cases the multiple treatment sessions may be required for complete removal. The average cost for complete removal can vary, but the average range for removal of a 2-square-inch tattoo is $900 -$1500.

So, Before Getting Tattooed, (if you are of age of course)...

 Do not get a tattoo if you are sick or not feeling well. Wait until you're feeling better before getting that tattoo.

 Make sure you've had food and rest. Getting tattooed on an empty stomach may cause you to feel faint, nauseated, or dizzy.

 Don't take pain killers like aspirin, ibuprofen, and anesthetics, which may possibly cause cause problems, such as increased bleeding.

 Do not get tattooed if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

  You must be over 18 years of age with a valid, government issued photo ID in most states. Call your local department of health if you are not sure of the age requirement or if you think the tattoo artist might be lying.

As I stated earlier, there is a lot of follow-up care after having a tattoo. Make sure you are informed by the tattoo artist before getting one. Antibiotic ointment must be used, you can buy it over the counter, but the tattoo artist must tell you how to care for it before you get it, otherwise leave and go somewhere else. There are sites on the web which tell you how to help the tattoo heal properly. If you do decide that you really want one, talk to your parents about the decision. Perhaps they have one or two that they wish they never got put on. Listen to their opinion and see what they have to say, they might just surprise you.

The temporary tattoos that are sold today look real and are a lot more fun because they come off as soon as you want them to. Be careful, take some time to think about this decision. And remember, many girls and guys find tattoos a turnoff!

This article is intended to provide factual information, it is not meant to encourage or discourage your choice about a tattoo if you are of age (Age 18 or older in most states in the U.S.) To read about body piercing... >>

An FYI: Scientists at the CDC are researching a possible link between tattoos and piercings and the infectious liver disease called viral hepatitis. (See our Hepatitis B section under STDs). Piercing any part of your body with a non-sterile needle may put you at risk for contracting hepatitis, which is even more contagious than HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). Like HIV, hepatitis is spread through person-to-person contact with infected blood or other body fluids and there is no cure. Just the facts, it is your body.

Thanks extended to Dr. Rob A. MD, Dermatologist - for his information on this topic.

FYI: The divisions of 'Adolescent Medicine' and ' Departments of Pediatrics' in several major Schools of Medicine, and their Universities have been studying "Tattooing and High-Risk Behavior in Adolescents" and have concluded: “Tattooing was strongly associated with peer substance use”. And... “Adjusting for sociodemographic factors and peer substance use, tattooing in adolescents was independently and significantly associated with reported sexual intercourse, substance use, violent behaviors, and school problems.” (I am not at liberty to give this source of information at this time). I wear temporary tattoos sometimes, where do I fall in this study? :)

I have interviewed about 150 teenagers with tattoos and while I am NOT promoting the choice or act of tattooing, I have not found their conclusion to be true at this time.

Update, May 2003: The CDC is still concerned about the transmission of Hepatitis B and C from tattoo 'parlors' that do not use proper sterilization techniques. I did some research here in Florida, as we have many tattoo establishments. They all follow the state guidelines for sterilization and none that I spoke to knew of any cases of transmission from their 'work'. If you decide to get a tattoo, check the place out first. For more on Hepatitis transmission and Hepatitis A, B, and C... see the “Hepatitis Introduction ” article and video from well-known physicians. Stay Informed. Check out “Hepatitis C, An Epidemic Ignored”.

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