Although the art of tattoo has been
around for thousands of years, it has experienced a surge of
popularity in recent decades. According to a Harris poll,
16% of adults in the United States have at least one tattoo.
Rates are even higher among Americans who are 25 to 39 years
old. Tattoos are especially popular among Austinites, with
more than 30 tattoo studios in the Austin area.
Despite their immense popularity,
however, tattoos are not without risk, cautions Kevin Flynn,
M.D., a dermatologist with The Austin Diagnostic Clinic. If
you are considering getting a tattoo, you should be aware of
the dangers:
Allergic
reaction. To create a tattoo, permanent ink is
placed under the skin with fine needles. A wide range of
dyes and pigments are used, many of which can cause a
reaction in people with allergies or sensitive skin.
“Some red and green dyes can cause
an allergic reaction that will inflame the skin,” cautions
Dr. Flynn. “People who are sensitive to certain metals may
also have a reaction.”
Inks can be tested on skin before a
tattoo is done, but because some people may have a delayed
reaction, this step isn’t necessarily useful.
Infection.
Most modern tattoo studios are clean and in
compliance with health regulations. But because the tattoo
process involves needles and bodily fluids, there is always
the risk of infection.
“When you get a tattoo, you risk
bacterial infections, such as staph or strep, and viral
infections, like hepatitis B and C, or even herpes,” says
Dr. Flynn.
For this reason, the Red Cross will
often refuse blood donations from anyone who has received a
tattoo within the past year.
Disease.
Although universal health precautions can keep the risk of
disease to a minimum, studios or individual artists who do
not follow these guidelines put their clients at risk. Tools
should be sterilized with an autoclave after every use, and
fresh ink should be used for each client. The studio should
be clean, and the tattooist should wear latex gloves. All
tattoo studios in Texas must be licensed by the Department
of State Health Services.
For some, the desire to get a
tattoo outweighs any potential drawbacks. So if you’re
determined to have a butterfly on your shoulder or Bevo on
your bicep, it is critical to find a reputable and
professional tattooist who understands the risks of this
kind of personal statement.
The Austin Diagnostic
Clinic (ADC) is a multi-specialty clinic with physicians
representing 24 medical specialties at more than 10 locations.
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