Health Risks With Tattoo Parlors

You should know the potential health risks associated with tattooing. These range from exposure to diseases and infections caused by unhygienic practices to allergic reactions to dyes and pigments. Tattooing can also aggravate some existing health conditions. You can avoid these risks by seeking the services of a well-run tattoo parlor and a responsible tattoo artist.

Infection and Disease

• Pay attention to the tattoo artist's and the tattoo parlor's hygiene practices. The risk that is most often discussed is the procedure's potential to spread staph and other types of bacteria on unsterilized needles that can cause skin infections. This practice may also transmit blood-borne infections, such as HIV, hepatitis, tetanus and tuberculosis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports.

  The term "needles" is misleading, however, because tattoos are applied using, not needles but pins, that push--not inject--the ink into the skin, according to the Michigan State University website. This fact may reduce the risk of HIV transmission because HIV dies quickly once it is exposed to the air, inks and soap that are used to clean the tattoo.

Reactions to Dyes and Pigments

• Know the possible side effects of tattoo inks on skin, which you can discuss with the tattoo artist. The FDA says there are more than 50 types of tattoo dyes and that adverse reactions to the dyes have been reported, both shortly after the procedure and, in some cases, years later. Sun exposure-induced itching and inflammation have been reported as well. Some side effects may be caused by allergies to these substances, in both permanent and temporary tattoos. As a result, the FDA has begun to study the possible side effects of exposure to ink ingredients. Its National Center for Toxicological Research is also looking at how the inks break down inside the body.

  The FDA warns that it has not approved inks for use in tattoos, and many of the pigments in inks were developed for use in auto paint and printer's ink. Some people have reported scaling, swelling, sores (small skin ulcers) and lymphocytoma cutis--a skin reaction that looks like lymphoma, according to the Dermadoc website.

  The FDA also warned against using mail-order or other do-it-yourself tattoo kits, which contain acidic ingredients that could irritate the skin.

Other Skin Problems

• Examine your skin for various types of reactions. Tattoos, especially those that contain red ink, may trigger the formation of bumps (granulomas) or raised scars on the skin's surface (keloids), according to an article about tattoos on the Mayo Clinic website.

  People sometimes report swelling and burning on or around their tattoos after receiving a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test, but the discomfort is usually not serious and does not last long, the FDA said.

  The agency has not approved henna for tattoos, advising that it should be used only as a hair dye.

  Some people with psoriasis (an autoimmune disease that causes raised, scaly patches on the skin) have reported that their conditions sometimes worsened after they received a tattoo, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation website.

Prevention

• Make sure the tattoo parlor you use takes hygiene precautions to protect you. For example, the Mayo Clinic advises potential customers to check with the local or state health department to find out what licenses reputable tattoo establishments should have and what regulations they must follow. Look for one with a good reputation, looks clean and has well-trained staff.

  The establishment should use an autoclave (heat sterilization device) to sterilize all reusable equipment.

  Make sure that the tattoo artist wears gloves and takes needles (pins) from a fresh, sealed package and uses fresh batches of pigment, trays and containers for your procedure.

  The tattoo artist should either refrain from touching anything not involved in the tattooing process (phone, pens, etc.) until the procedure is finished or should change gloves immediately after doing so to prevent contamination from other sources, according to the Michigan State University website.