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Health Risks and Your Tattoos

The health risks that tend to be associated with commercial tattooing are usually overblown and people have gone to all lengths to castigate the art of tattooing and its practitioners. Despite this aversion by some to the issue of tattoos and their practice, tattoo studios and enterprises are opening up all over different neighborhoods in recognition of the fact that they are becoming more popular.

Because the numbers of tattoo shops are growing so quickly they are now being opened in spots that normally would not be called home to a tattoo shop such as middle-class cities and towns that have never had such establishments in their business districts.

In past times media has suggested that there are serious health risks related to tattooing. These suggestions include that tattooing may involve unusually high risks related to the transmission of such diseases as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

In reality, there has never been a real documented case of HIV transmission occurring via tattooing anywhere in the United States. On the other hand however, more than five cases of HIV transmission through dentists and dental workers have been experienced.

In regards to hepatitis and tattooing, there are about 14,000 cases of reported hepatitis annually. From that number 12 are associated with tattoos but 43 or more cases resulted from a trip to the dentist. There are stringent safety procedures that are required by law that tattoo studios must follow so any health risks related to tattooing are basically obsolete.

The issues surrounding any health risks that might be related to tattooing are because they involve needles and blood. When tattoo artists follow all the correct sterilization and sanitation procedures, risks for disease transmission are relatively low. If non sterile practices are used then there is a risk of syphilis, hepatitis B, and other diseases.

Infections can occur in new tattoos, especially without appropriate aftercare. Some people also experience allergic reactions to tattoo inks. Although the pigments used may have U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for other purposes, the FDA does not regulate tattoo inks. Tattoo artists must also take special safety measures regarding their hands. Gloves help prevent disease transmission from bodily fluids, but bacteria thrive in the warm, damp environment they create. This means that artists must: wash hands thoroughly and often, inspect hands for cuts or sores and cover them with bandages, remove hangnails and keep nails short to prevent punctures to gloves, and refrain from tattooing when experiencing lesions, dermatitis or allergic reactions.

Due to the strict rules and safety precautions which are usually put into practice where tattooing is concerned, salons tend to be very careful when giving tattoos. Health risks tend to be associated with tattooing in cases where the needed and proper sterilization procedures are not kept to. In the United States getting a tattoo is a relatively safe issue and you should have absolutely no problems especially if you are dealing with a reputed tattoo salon.

Tags: Health and Fitness