Tattoos used to be popular among sailors, criminals and bohemian public. Now nearly every young person has one. Meanwhile, foreign medical professionals believe that tattooing may have very serious consequences. There are some cases when clients were infected with tetanus, tuberculosis, and even HIV.
The least harmful consequence is allergic reaction to dyes, Portuguese and French scientists say.
According to the US Center for Prevention and Control of infectious diseases, tattooing may cause skin infections and dermatitis.
Sometimes eczema may form under the tattoo or around it, which may cause hospitalization. Parafenilenodiamin, allowed for use in cosmetic industry in limited doses and contained in dyes is the one to blame. Particularly risky are black tattoos. Another adverse effect is scarring.
Unfortunately, tattoos are often performed by unprofessional people in anti-sanitary conditions. For example , a tattoo can be made with unsanitary needle. A research shows that tattooing increases the risk of getting infected with heavy forms of hepatitis B and C nine times.
Specialists say that even temporary tattoos with henna may cause serious skin damage.
US officials had to take control of the situation because cases of tattoos damaging health have increased.
In 1961, many states introduced limitations for tattoos because of hepatitis. The states that did not implement such laws do not list tattoos as medical or cosmetic procedures regulated by state.
In 2003, US Navy soldiers were prohibited from tattooing head and neck, and sailors who already had tattoos were suggested to get rid of them.
Currently the US has a ban on importing temporary henna-based tattoos from Asia and Africa. Henna is officially allowed in the US only for dying hair, and its use in tattoo salons is illegal and is prosecuted.
The American Blood Banks Association and American Red Cross do not accept blood from donors who had tattoos made less than a year ago. Usually negative consequences of the procedure are revealed within this time period.
US FDA recently appealed to the people asking to inform about all negative consequences of tattoos.
The officials have reasons to be alarmed. Today, every seventh American has a tattoo. Among young people of the age group 25 through 34 every third one has a tattoo. Many of those polled say they are planning to decorate their bodies with tattoos.
Unfortunately, there is no statistics on tattoos in Russia, and medical officials do not pay much attention to the issue, which does not make the procedure less harmless.
Doctors recommend thinking through a decision to get a tattoo.
If you are prone to allergic reactions or have sensitive skin, you should not get a tattoo. If you are not sure, test your skim for allergies to dyes.
If you still decide to go with a tattoo, choose a reputable licensed salon where artists sterilize their tools and use quality dyes.
Remember that the procedure is rather painful, and you can get scarred or injured.
Is it worth getting a tattoo? In ten years you may regret your decision when your tattoo does not look that great on aged skin. Consider other methods of decorating yourself.
Irina Shlionskaya
Medpulse