Almost everyone who considers a tattoo has some doubts. Realizing that the work of the master is associated with piercing the skin with a needle, many are worried about future possible diseases. Most are concerned about the possibility of their occurrence. In this article, you will find out the answer to the question – are tattoos harmful to you? You will also find out what you to do to minimize the risk.
Allergic reactions
The chemicals in the ink can be negatively perceived by the immune system. The following chemicals act on the body in that way:
- dichromate in green dye;
- cobalt blue;
- cadmium in yellow;
- mercury salt in red;
- other elements.
Sometimes the reaction shows up years later. If you feel itching, see redness, irritation, rash, peeling, swelling, the tattoo can be the main issue. Therefore, it is important at the consultation stage to ask the master about paints. For example, tattoo shop L.O.V.E. Machine Studio, whose works can be found at https://lovemachinenyc.com/, uses only high-quality inks from trusted manufacturers.
Diseases transmitted through the blood
Contact with a contaminated needle can cause hepatitis A, B, or C, as well as infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, in well-known tattoo parlors, masters pay a lot of attention to sterility. Pay attention to these moments which master have to do:
- A master should wash his/her hand before start working
- A Craftsmen have to use a new pair of gloves
- The master must take the needles out of the unopened package
- Only new pigments, containers, trays must be used
- The master must sterilize the working area
If the answer to these questions is yes, the risk of getting infectious diseases is minimal. Find another salon if you have any doubts about compliance with hygiene requirements.
Risk of bacterial infection
During tattooing, a tiny wound forms on the skin. This means that it becomes defenseless against pathogenic bacteria. They can cause a rash, redness, and if left untreated, suppuration. Sometimes people themselves increase the risk of infection by forgetting to take care of their skin, treating it indelicately.
Treatment should be carried out by a doctor. He/she will determine the type of pathogen, and will select a proper medicine for it. To reduce the risk of infection, treat your tattoo like any injury. In top salons, the master will tell you how to do it right.
Are tattoos dangerous for body thermoregulation?
Since ink gets under the skin during application, it can create problems for the sweat glands. Healthy skin reabsorbs the excreted electrolytes and sodium. At the same time, sweat helps to cool the heated areas. A tattoo can complicate the process as a result of damage to the glands by needles, then the loss of nutrients will occur more intensely, and the release of fluid will be reduced.
However, there are allegations that this situation is unfavorable only for those people whose tattoos cover almost the entire body. The small size has little effect on thermoregulation. If you are concerned about the risk of deterioration of the sweat glands, you should not get a tattoo on the skin under the arms, on the face, palms, feet, flexion surfaces of the arms and legs, where there are more sweat glands.
Skin Cancer Risk
The studies that were conducted did not find a link between malignant tumors and tattoos. However, some of the components of low-grade ink can have a carcinogenic effect:
- azo compounds that are actively used in red pigment;
- PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in black paint;
- alcohols;
- barium;
- cadmium, etc.
Modern inks are much safer than their predecessors. Therefore, you can ask which paints the master uses and to get acquainted with its composition.
Another cancer-related risk of tattooing is the difficulty in recognizing melanoma. Because of the ink, changes in moles are not immediately noticeable, they are more difficult to assess. Therefore, for tattooing, choose areas without any spots, and undergo an examination on time.
Other types of risks
The tattoo results in the formation of a wound on the skin. After its application, healing may go wrong. Then scars are formed – keloids, which deform the pattern. Therefore, follow the recommendations of the tattoo master. Do not remove the bandage ahead of time, rinse and treat it with special means.
Some people experience a negative reaction of the skin with a tattoo to an MRI. It becomes inflamed, a rash forms, sometimes burns. Therefore, you need to warn the doctor about the presence of tattoo art on the body.
As you can see, the answer to the question of are tattoos safe is yes. It is enough to carefully select the master, take care of the skin, and monitor the changes. Thus, you can safely go and get the body art you want.