Tattoos: Are They Safe?
Tattoos: Are They Safe?
What you need to know about the health risks of tattoos, finding a safe tattoo parlor, and tattoo removal.
The most likely downside for anyone getting a tattoo is regret. "Tattoos are very difficult to remove," Tanzi says. "You can lighten them, but complete removal is a challenge. You have to accept the fact that the skin will never look the same."
Regret is what worries Beschen about her daughter's interest in ink. "I think of myself as a teenager, and I know I would not be happy with any permanent decision I made then," she says. "I just hope the fact that I have a tattoo will make it seem less cool when she's older."
Want a tattoo? Follow these safety checks from Tanzi.
You might think that if you tire of your tattoo, you can just get it taken off, but the process of tattoo removal is actually expensive, time consuming, and painful. Depending on the size of the tattoo and other factors, you may need to undergo anywhere from five to 20 sessions for a satisfactory removal -- and each session costs hundreds of dollars.
The process of tattoo removal involves a laser that targets the pigment and dissolves it so the body can absorb it. Some tattoos can never be removed completely because the ink has been placed too deep in the skin and the laser treatment can't reach it. Other complications include hypopigmentation (white spots where the tattoo used to be) and fibrosis (thickening of the skin in the tattoo site). Because of the risks (burns and scarring) involved and the skill required, you should see a dermatologist or other medical professional to have the work done.
Tattoos: Are They Safe?
What you need to know about the health risks of tattoos, finding a safe tattoo parlor, and tattoo removal.
Other Tattoo Risks continued...
The most likely downside for anyone getting a tattoo is regret. "Tattoos are very difficult to remove," Tanzi says. "You can lighten them, but complete removal is a challenge. You have to accept the fact that the skin will never look the same."
Regret is what worries Beschen about her daughter's interest in ink. "I think of myself as a teenager, and I know I would not be happy with any permanent decision I made then," she says. "I just hope the fact that I have a tattoo will make it seem less cool when she's older."
Making Sure Your Tattoo Parlor Is Safe
Want a tattoo? Follow these safety checks from Tanzi.
- Treat a tattoo as you would any other medical procedure. “You want a tattoo parlor to be at least as clean as a dentist or dermatologist’s office,” Tanzi says.
- Ask to see the tools the artist will use. The needles should be new, sterilized, and wrapped -- no exceptions. The ink should be in small pots meant for single-use and anything that touches your skin should not be reused. And the artist should wear gloves.
- Make sure the work area is free of any possible contamination from items like purses and cell phones.
Getting Your Tattoo Removed
You might think that if you tire of your tattoo, you can just get it taken off, but the process of tattoo removal is actually expensive, time consuming, and painful. Depending on the size of the tattoo and other factors, you may need to undergo anywhere from five to 20 sessions for a satisfactory removal -- and each session costs hundreds of dollars.
The process of tattoo removal involves a laser that targets the pigment and dissolves it so the body can absorb it. Some tattoos can never be removed completely because the ink has been placed too deep in the skin and the laser treatment can't reach it. Other complications include hypopigmentation (white spots where the tattoo used to be) and fibrosis (thickening of the skin in the tattoo site). Because of the risks (burns and scarring) involved and the skill required, you should see a dermatologist or other medical professional to have the work done.
