Tattoo

:For the unrelated Military music tattoo, a parade, see Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Risks

Permanent tattooing of any form carries small risks, including of infection, allergy, disease, and stress or phobic reactions. Risk reduction in the body arts requires single use items including gloves and needles.

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In most prisons there is a significant risk of illness due to tattooing being done without following universal precautions, including such blood-borne diseases as HIV and hepatitis. The good news is that there is a program underway in Canada as of the summer of 2005 that opens legitimized tattoo parlors in prison, this is intended to reduce the risk of infections and may also provide the inmates with a marketable talent. Inmates will be trained to staff and operate the tattoo parlors once six of them open successfully. http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/05/04/tattoo/

Related Topics:
Universal precautions - HIV - Hepatitis

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In addition, it is important that cross contamination not occur, this is why many counties require that tattooists have bloodborne pathogen training as is provided through the Red Cross.

Related Topics:
Cross contamination - Bloodborne pathogen - Red Cross

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Diseases

Since tattoo instruments come in contact with blood and bodily fluids, diseases may be transmitted if the instruments are used on more than one person without being sterilized.

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Most reputable tattoo shops use fresh disposable needles for each client and sterilize reusable instruments between clients using an autoclave. Universal precautions, such as washing the hands, wearing latex, nitrile or vinyl gloves and the thorough cleaning of counters and other work surfaces, and elimination of cross contamination.

Related Topics:
Autoclave - Universal precautions - Latex - Nitrile - Vinyl - Cross contamination

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Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions to tattoo pigments are fairly uncommon except for certain brands of red and green. People who are sensitive or allergic to certain metals may react to pigments in the skin by becoming swollen and/or itchy, oozing of clear fluid called sebum is also common.

Related Topics:
Allergic - Sebum

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People with allergies should think carefully about getting a tattoo because of the risk of anaphylactic shock (hypersensitive reaction), which can be life threatening. Some tattoo artists do small test patches of pigments to be used allowing a week or two for the client to develop a negative reaction before proceeding with the actual tattoo.

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Infection

Infection from tattooing in clean and modern tattoo studios is rare.

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Potential infections include everything from surface infections of the skin to Staphylococcus aureus infections that can cause cardiological damage, to sexually transmitted diseases, and some forms of hepatitis. People who have a compromised immune system, including those who have no spleen should consult a physician before getting a tattoo or body piercing.

Related Topics:
Staphylococcus aureus - Hepatitis - Spleen

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Following obvious precautions can also reduce the risk of infection. Shops should appear clean; sinks with hot water and soap should be available in the bathroom as well as in the studio; tattooists should wash their hands regularly and wear latex gloves; surfaces should be cleaned with disinfectant and floors should appear clean; proper procedures for sterilizing equipment should also be followed strictly.

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The local department of health regulates tattoo studios in many jurisdictions, and should accept requests for records and violation histories of tattoo parlors.

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Tattoos and MRI

There has been concern expressed about the interaction between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures and tattoo inks, some of which contain trace metals. Allegedly, the magnetic fields produced by MRI machines could interact with these metal particles, potentially causing burns or distortions in the image. The television show MythBusters tested the theory, and concluded that there is no risk of interaction between tattoo inks and MRI. In any case, today the majority of professional tattoos do not contain metal particles and therefore raise no concern for MRI or x-ray.

Related Topics:
Magnetic resonance imaging - Magnetic field - MythBusters - X-ray

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However, research by Shellock and Crues MR Safety and the American College of Radiology White Paper reports adverse reactions to MRI and tattoos in a very small number of cases. They also cite a well documented case Tattoo-Induced Skin Burn During MR Imaging by Wagle and Smith.

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