The world of tattoo or tattoos is considered an art. That said, the wrong or correct beliefs of their implementation in the body have divided opinion about whether they exist. risks with tattoos or if it can become a problem to practice it. From here arise several questions that need to be answered to avoid consequences that could be severe.
The tattoo technique
The red pigment (and widely used in modern tattoos), is the one that is most related to contact dermatitis and other skin allergy conditions.
For make a tattoo It requires the introduction of a needle that has a special paint on its tip, this is intended to frame a pre-established drawing and capture it on the skin. The reason it lasts so long is that the ink penetrates between 1 and 2 mm. At this level are stable cells and therefore its duration is permanent.
Contact dermatitis is one of the main problems that can occur on the skin when getting a tattoo. The red pigment, according to research, is more related to these conditions, while the blue, green and black tones have fewer incidences.
Size and area of the tattoo
The dimension of the tattoo depends on the taste of each person, but it must be considered that the larger it is, the more pain could be felt, not to mention the extreme care that must be followed. The area where they can be performed are diverse, in some areas the pain is more intense since the nerve connections are more superficial.
Pain intensity
To say that a tattoo doesn’t hurt would be a lie, some tattooists even apply local anesthesia in order to lessen the sensation. The problem with this process is that the skin stops perceiving sensations that at some point may arise as a result of a bad procedure and it will not be until after the effect wears off that the person notices a greater problem.
At this same point it is worth mentioning that pain is subjective, each person has a different pain threshold, for some it can be an unbearable pain, for others a simple annoyance. In this case, the experience of the person performing the tattoo and the equipment used also influences.
Requirements to get tattooed
This is a controversial point in some countries since laws have not been implemented that strictly prohibit its use in certain people or age range. But in most countries and to safeguard the well-being of a person, it is recommended that you are not a minor, avoid a tattoo during pregnancy, when you have a skin disorder or have been diagnosed with a coagulation disorder.
In addition to these recommendations, if the person has never had a tattoo, it is preferable that they start with a small tattoo to test their reaction, always following the recommendations of a health professional.
The risks of tattoos
As mentioned, tattoos require a semi deep piercing in the skin, in the cavity that has been opened special ink is inserted to fill. This basic process can bring complications due to various factors, the most frequent risks are due to some of the following reasons.
Lack of hygiene
The places where tattoos are made are full of instruments that help to carry out the work. These must be disinfected before each session, we must not forget that in some cases some blood vessels can break and if there is a disease in that blood and the necessary measures are not taken, it can generate a direct infection. The environment must also be hygienicbacteria and viruses are everywhere and the skin can contract some disease when exposed.
Improper technique or lack of experience
“No one is born knowing” and “practice makes perfect”, both principles applied riskily in this tattoo world. Not knowing human anatomy or the general physiology of the body can pose real risks to the client. A certified tattoo artist indicates that they have been trained in technique and simulated practice.
Consequences of a bad procedure
The worst case would be to fall into one of the two previous situations, if so, the consequences would be:
- infections: poorly sterilized equipment would cause the direct passage of hepatitis B and C, or HIV.
- Allergic reactions: the skin of each human being is different, in some cases the antibodies reject the ink and cause an allergic reaction.
- granulomas: small grains that appear just above the tattoo.
- keloids: they are a type of scars that form on the skin after being pierced. They can be cured by covering and cleaning them with hydrogen peroxide.
Tips when making the tattoo
Several dermatologists recommend that before make a tattoo take into account the following points:
- Verify hygiene conditions of the place where the tattoos or piercing are performed.
- Check the materials that will be usedall must be disposable with the exception of the equipment that must be sterilized.
- Carry out an allergy test to the pigment before being introduced to the skin.
- Leave an informed consent by both parties in case of being a minor.
- Request the professional certificate from the tattoo artist.
- Request the appropriate certification that the premises meet all the requirements to carry out the work.
What consequence of a tattoo hospitals and health aid centers recommend not allowing blood donation to another person. If all the points have been made clear and the hygiene measures have been fully complied with, the risk of tattooing would be minimal and the result satisfactory.
Find more information at Salud180
Writing: Lucid Life Team