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It might seem like everyone, from teens to grandmothers, has a tattoo or is planning to get one soon, but you shouldn't get a tattoo simply because it is the "in" thing to do. Tattoos are for life; the only way to have a tattoo safely removed is to go to a doctor and have it removed with a laser, and even then, you have a scar where the tattoo used to be. If you're going to get a tattoo, it's best to think carefully about what you want -- and to know beforehand what you're getting into.
Infection
Non-sterile 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. It is all important to understand that in some cases sterilization doesn't work. In addition, the person who receives a tattoo must be sure to care for the tattooed area properly to avoid infection.
Allergic Reactions.
Although allergic reactions to tattoo pigments are rare, they may be particularly troublesome because the pigments can be hard to remove. Occasionally, people develop an allergic reaction to tattoos they have had for years.
Granulomas and Keloids
Granulomas are nodules that may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment. If you are prone to developing keloids--scars that grow beyond normal boundaries--you are at risk for keloid formation from a tattoo. Keloids may form any time you injure or traumatize your skin, and tattooing is a form of trauma.
MRI Complications
Some people with tattoos experience swelling or burning in the affected areas when they have an MRI. This seems to occur only rarely and apparently without lasting effects. The cause of these complications is uncertain, although one hypothesis is that they result from an interaction with the metallic components of some pigments.
Dissatisfaction
The most common problem that develops with tattoos is the desire to remove them. Removing tattoos can be very difficult, and 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. What may have looked flattering when first injected may later clash with changing skin tones and facial or body contours. The tattoo that seemed stylish at first may become dated and embarrassing. And changing tattoos is not as easy as changing your mind.
Tattoo Removal
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 and location of the tattoo, and whether it was done professionally. It costs more to remove a tattoo than to apply one, and as an elective procedure, it is not covered by most health insurance. Total removal of a tattoo is not always possible.
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 and bleeding result with this method. Salabrasion is a similar procedure, bur requires the application of an irritating substance prior to sanding. This procedure can take 30 to 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 depends 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.
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