Why Can Tattooing Be Dangerous?

Tattooing is a very common practice today. And while it is true that tattoo shops are increasingly responsible when it comes to compliance with the respective hygiene measures, there are still places where getting a tattoo can be risky. 

Therefore, before tattooing that design that has so captivated us, we should inform ourselves well about the place, its reputation and its treatment with customers. We should also look carefully at the work of the artists (their portfolio) to see if they fit the style we are looking for and in general know well the services they offer.

However, it must always be borne in mind that not all responsibility is borne by the venue or the artist. In fact, clients must learn to take care of their skin both during the tattoo session and afterwards in order to reduce the risk of contracting an infection and suffering all kinds of health complications.

It is dangerous to get a tattoo without taking responsibility

To tattoo, an electric machine with needles (which must always be disposable) is normally used to inject colored ink into the lower layer of the skin, the dermis. The upper layer or epidermis loses ink easily by producing flakes after wounds, hence the inner layer is used.

All of the above means that to tattoo it is necessary to make a wound in the skin and fill it with ink to make the design. And like any open wound, it is vulnerable to various pathogens (bacteria, germs, viruses, etc.).

If the machine is not in good condition and the artist does not use disposable instruments (needle, gloves, cottons, etc.) to perform the procedure, or simply does not have them, the risk of contracting an infection (such as hepatitis, tetanus and HIV, among many others) increases considerably.

Based on the above, we have to take into account the following:

• If the tattoo artist does not have the necessary tools, does not use gloves and “recycles” any type of material, do not get tattooed.
• If the tattoo studio is not clean and in good condition, do not get tattooed.
• It is not advisable to get a tattoo if you suffer from any type of skin disorder (psoriasis, dermatitis, etc.) without first consulting a dermatologist.
• You have to go to the studio knowing in advance the hygiene measures that we will have to comply with before, during and after the tattoo session.
• Tattoos can cause different complications on the skin, such as granulomas (red pimples) and keloid scars; the latter can arise suddenly due to inflammation or allergic reactions even years after the tattoo is made. Therefore, it does not hurt to consult a dermatologist first.
• It is not advisable to get a tattoo on a mole, since it makes skin analysis very difficult in case of suspicion of melanoma

Measures to avoid complications

As we have been commenting, in addition to making sure that the tattoo studio is clean and authorized by the health authorities, check that all the appropriate measures are taken to avoid contagion. For example:

• Make sure they use new disposable needles for each new customer.
• Confirm that the pigments and trays used are thrown away after their particular use, as they are another important source of infection.
• Among its machinery, the establishment must have an autoclave, to sterilize all its tools, and work surfaces must be cleaned with disinfectant.
• The tattoo artist should wash their hands with antibacterial soap and wear disposable latex gloves. You should never handle the skin with dirty hands.

• At the end of the work you must give us a guide on how to act to avoid infections and keep the tattoo intact. It would be interesting to discuss all these points before hiring.
• It is very important to take into account the quality of the inks. Sometimes cheap tattoos are expensive in the long run because afterwards we have to receive medical attention or even remove them because they caused complications.
• You have to know that inks and pigments are contaminated by various causes :
  • The use of contaminated ingredients when manufacturing them.
  • Manufacturing processes that introduce contaminants.
  • Unsanitary practices that contaminate ink bottles.
  • The use of non-sterile water to dilute the inks.
  • The use of expired inks.

You don’t have to get a tattoo without thinking it over before

Removing a tattoo is expensive and painful, and in addition, it is very possible that a scar will remain in the place where it was. Therefore, we must be VERY clear about the design we want and the place where we are going to do it.

• There are many people who go to health centers to remove old tattoos due to the complications that these have brought them as a result of poor skin care before, during or even after the session.
• We must also consider that if we gain or lose weight, this can produce stretch marks that spoil the drawing.
• The tattoo can be altered by a future motherhood. Therefore, it would be advisable for women not to use the chest and belly as canvas.

Finally, we have to tell you that if you want a tattoo, but do not know if you will want it later, you are in luck. It seems that there are some biodegradable inks that are less toxic and easier to remove than traditional ones.  The only drawback is that it is much more expensive than ordinary ink, hence it is not usual.