What are the health risks of getting a tattoo?

The fact that needles are puncturing your skin means that there are health risks. Diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis could possibly be spread this way. If the artist follows the correct procedures then the risk is drastically reduced. There has yet to be any proven case of HIV transmission by tattoo application. There is almost definitely a risk of getting other infectious organisms transmitted such as Hepatitis B and syphilis.

It is possible that you could develop an infection as a result of your tattoo; the usual cause for this is inappropriate aftercare. It is also possible that you could experience an allergic reaction to the ink used in your tattoo. The FDA does not approve pigments as tattoo ink, but they may have approved the different pigments for other uses. There is also the possibility that the some pain might occur during MRI scans and that this can cause some interference with the images; this can be caused by metallic pigments.

Many states in the US have restrictions on people with tattoos donating blood. This is due to the risk of the spread of Hepatitis. It is frequently the case that those who have had a tattoo in the last year are excluded from given blood unless they used a state regulated tattoo parlor.

It is expected that tattoo artists follow universal precautions in order to prevent the spread of illness. They need to follow the same type of regulations that apply to doctors and hospitals; such as the EPA regulations in regards to blood borne pathogens.

Tattoo parlors are also required to take the following precautions;

  • They should spray liquid soap onto a tissue and not onto a bleeding area directly; this is because the spray could make the blood on the skin become airborne.
  • Artist should always check their gloves for holes or tears
  • They need to pour ink in advance and use clean tissue to open ink bottles; this is to prevent contamination.
  • After rinsing the tubes they should pat these dry
  • Any pens that they use for drawing on the skin should be sterile and medical grade.

It is also vital that all tattoo artists must follow the correct procedures in regards to washing their hands. Disease prevention can be assisted by wearing gloves but these gloves can also create a perfect reservoir for bacteria under them on the hands. In order to stop this becoming a problem the artist must;

  • Always check their hands for cuts and abrasions and make sure they cover these appropriately.
  • If they are experiencing an allergic reaction or lesion then they should not tattoo until they are recovered.
  • Wash hands fully and regularly
  • Keep their nails short and remove any hangnails

If a minor wants to get a tattoo then legally they are required to have their parent’s permission. This leads to the dangerous situation where young people allow their friends to create tattoos using makeshift tools such as paperclips and pens. There is a real risk of disease and infection because of these dangerous attempts at tattoo creation.