Facts on Tattoos

1. Know the Risks

Tattoo artists must clean their equipment properly after each use. When the blood from one person infected with a disease, such as HIV or hepatitis, is left on the equipment and comes into contact with the next customer's blood, these diseases get passed along. People can have allergic reactions to the inks used in tattoos. However, these allergic reactions may not present themselves for years. Failing to clean the tools properly can also cause skin infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

2. No Pain, no Gain

Tattoos can hurt. The process involves injecting ink into the deeper layer of skin called the dermis. This lies just below the outside layer, or the epidermis. A needle pokes into the skin and deposits the ink, making the tattoo permanent. Pain associated with a tattoo can be mild or it can make you wonder what in the world ever made you believe getting one was a good idea. It really depends on your stamina. Because the needle punctures your skin in order to deposit the ink deep enough, bleeding is common.

3. See a Professional

Make sure you go to a licensed tattoo artist. Ask for references so you can check out the artist's work before you commit. Look around the tattoo studio and see how clean it is. The artists should clean their tattoo equipment in an autoclave. This is a machine that medical professionals use to sterilize their equipment. Also be certain that the studio abides by the Universal Precautions procedures established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) when it comes to handling blood.

4. Take Care of Your ink

Once the tattoo is finished, keep it covered for about a day. This is an open wound, so expect to form scabs over the area. Don't pick them off, though. Just let them heal on their own, otherwise you can damage the tattoo. Apply ice to the area if you notice any swelling and keep the tattoo as dry as possible until it's fully healed. Cover the area with antibiotic ointment to keep it moist as it heals and avoid exposure to the sun. Put sunscreen over the healed tattoo to avoid fading.

5. Can I Remove the Tattoo?

If you decide you made a bad decision, you should discuss tattoo removal with a dermatologist. A laser procedure can get rid of a tattoo by aiming concentrated light at the ink and causing the body's immune system to remove it. This procedure can take months to complete and can be uncomfortable. You may need anesthesia during the several visits it takes to fully remove a tattoo. Talk with your dermatologist about risks associated with laser tattoo removal.