HOW SAFE TO GET A TATTOO (2021 REPORT TO HELP YOU MAKE THE DECISION BEFORE YOU GET YOUR FIRST TATTOO)

HOW SAFE TO GET A TATTOO (2021 REPORT TO HELP YOU MAKE THE DECISION BEFORE YOU GET YOUR FIRST TATTOO):-

Some people just get a tattoo whenever they feel like having it, while others would like to do proper research on its health safety before getting the first tattoo. While tattoos can be a mode of personal expression, influence, sense of belonging to a certain community or a fashion trend, there are certain health hazards that we may have to consider before we decide to get a tattoo.

Harmful chemicals that maybe present in the tattoo ink

Many tattoo owners and tattoo artists are aware of the possible infections after getting a tattoo, however many are not concerned about the possible chemical risks. The tattoo ink may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, primary aromatic amines, microorganisms, heavy metals, and preservatives that might be a potential chemical health hazard in the long run.

Some pigments that are present in the tattoo, such as Solvent Red 1, can degrade into compounds like 0-anisidine which is a potential carcinogen.

Arisa Ortiz, MD, director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Diego, mentioned that red inks are particularly more hazardous. This may be the case for any color but red is more prone to cause allergic as well as inflammatory reactions.  

If the tattoo ink is very bright in color, then this is an indication that the ink has a lot of harmful chemicals. Thankfully, cinnabar, a bright red pigment, which became very popular, has been banned to use as it is a toxic mercury sulfide pigment. However, tattoo ink may also contain harmful chemicals like cobalt, copper, nickel, chromium.

According to Jens Bergstrom, 20 years experienced tattoo artist, owner of Heavenly Ink Tattoo & Piercing Studio, Sweden, all tattoo inks are not for tattooing. The manufacturers pack them in fancy bottles, put a nice professional image like a dragon and label it as tattoo ink. This can be a potential danger to the customers. However, he also mentions that there are a lot of good manufacturers who comply with the safety norms of tattoo inks. Jens was also a panelist for ESOF (The Euroscience Open Forum) which is dedicated to scientific research, innovation, and discoveries in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

The general public is unaware of the fact that many pigments present in the tattoo ink are retrieved from wastes coming from the plastic, textile, car paint industries. Hence before getting a tattoo we need to ensure that the tattoo ink that the tattoo artist uses is from a reputed company which would minimize the chemical risk hazards.

Do tattoos cause cancer?

Research does not have direct evidence that having a tattoo may lead to cancer. The percentage of consumers who get cancer after getting a tattoo is less. So researchers consider that people who get cancer after having a tattoo may be a mere coincidence. However, certain chemicals that are present in the tattoo ink are potential carcinogens, that might cause cancer. Research also shows that, with time, the tattoo ink may reach the lymphatic system. This indicates that the carcinogens may reach the other parts of the body.

Now, this has become a serious issue as the FDA does not need to regulate a certain tattoo ink because it is not food and not a drug. They investigate and approve certain chemicals that are present in the tattoo ink only after certain infections are reported.

Tips from FDA before getting a tattoo

👉A licensed tattoo artist must be selected who is aware of the tattoo ink manufacturer and possible after-effects and who follows all sanitary methods.

👉Consumers must be aware of unbranded tattoo ink manufacturers or distributors and possible health hazards coming from making a tattoo in a less expensive roadside tattoo studio.  

👉Both consumer and the tattoo artist must be aware of where the tattoo ink comes from and the manufacturer, so that, the same can be contacted if certain complications arise after getting the tattoo.

👉If allergic or chemical reactions happen after getting a tattoo, consumers must contact the doctor immediately for early treatment and avoid further complications.

Can you donate blood after getting a tattoo?

Yes, a person who owns a tattoo can donate blood after 3 months of getting the tattoo. This is because within these 3 months the tattoo is still healing and there may be possible infections and micro-organisms present in the area where the tattoo is done and thus it may be present in the blood as well. This is also applicable for piercing as well as permanent makeup procedures like lip and eyebrows tattooing.

Some Tattoo Facts:

★ Otzi, a 5300 years old mummy found in the Alps had 61 tattoos on its joints. This is speculation for researchers that tattoos may have been part of ancient treatment for arthritis.

★ To ensure that they would go to heaven, crusaders tattooed crosses on their bodies.

★ According to surveys in Italy, Denmark and the US, women have more tattoos than men.

★Lucky Diamond Rich, is the world’s most tattooed man, with 100% of his body tattooed and recorded in the Guinness World Record.

★ Religions like Christianity, Islam or Judaism opposed traditionally to tattooing, however, religions like Hinduism and Buddhism considered the concept of tattooing to bring more spirituality and never have negative beliefs about the tattoo concept.

★ Tattoo ink is inserted into the second layer of the skin and for this process, the skin is pierced from 50 to 3000 times depending on the size of the tattoo. 

Conclusion:

Certain exotic holiday destination countries like Thailand and Phillippines have a lot of roadside tattoo studios and tourists get attracted to them because of the low price and attractive colors and designs of the tattoos. Tourists who had no intention to get a tattoo are sometimes influenced by the designs and talent of these tattoo artists and get a tattoo done even if it is a small one, without considering the chemical effects on the body. From this report, we may conclude that before having a tattoo, a consumer needs to consider a lot of factors like the contents of the tattoo ink, its manufacturer, the tattoo artist, the hygiene of the studio and so on.

Cancer Council Australia advises that if you are concerned about getting a tattoo then you should not get a tattoo. If you choose to get tattooed anyway, you should ask if the inks comply with the European standard known as ResAP(2008)1, which sets out the requirements and criteria for the safety of tattoos.

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