A tattoo is a permanent form of an image imprinted on your skin with the help of dyes or pigments and a needle. The tattoo artist uses a machine that looks like a sewing machine. The machine contains one or two needles that inject inking droplets just under your skin.
Any arm, right or left, would be good for a tattoo. The choice boils down to your personal preferences. Just make sure your skin is free of moles.
How to make tattooing a safe procedure
Before getting a tattoo on your skin, make sure you really want to go for it. Do not do it under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, remember that your pregnancy and weight gains can stretch the tattooed skin and distort the tattoo’s shape.
Once you make up your mind on getting a skin tattoo, ensure to follow all safety precautions at the tattoo studio. Here are a few things that you should look out for:
- Go to a reputable studio with a state license and that employs trained professionals.
- See to it that the tattoo artist washes their hands well and uses a fresh pair of gloves before they proceed to make a tattoo on your skin.
- Ensure that the tattoo artist uses fresh needles, new dye, sterile trays, and containers for your tattoo.
- Make sure that the artist sterilizes the non-disposable instruments/equipment well in the autoclave before using them for you.
What are the risks involved in tattooing?
Tattooing involves penetration of the skin. Hence, it can cause problems such as:
- Allergic reactions: You can develop an allergic reaction in the form of rashes to the colored dyes used for your tattooing. This can happen immediately or even several months or years after the procedure.
- Skin infections: You can develop any skin infections such as boils (staphylococcus) and herpes rash.
- Keloids and granulomas: If you develop abnormal scars, the tattooed skin, instead of healing normally, can develop big, thick, raised dark-colored patches of scar known as keloids. The inflamed scar tissue is known as a granuloma.
- Bloodborne diseases: The instruments used for your tattooing may get contaminated with germs if they are not sterilized well. You may get diseases transmitted through blood such as hepatitis B and C.
A study found that nanoparticles of the inking pigments can migrate from the skin to the lymph nodes and enlarge them. Some ingredients in the dye such as nickel and chromium are known to be carcinogenic. Although scientists are not sure if tattoos can really cause cancer in the long run, they cause a life-long exposure to toxic elements.
QUESTION
See AnswerHow to care for your tattooed skin
If you want to keep your tattoo healthy and long-lasting, you should take care of the following things:
- Tattoos can cause your skin to become dry. Apply a water-based lotion or cream to the tattooed part.
- Apply a sunscreen of a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or above on the tattooed skin 15 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply it every 2 hours.
- Stay away from tanning treatments. These can not only fade the scars but also cause a painful skin reaction. You may also increase your risk of skin cancer.
- Get your tattoos done on mole-free skin. If the moles turn cancerous, it may be difficult to detect changes under the mask of tattoos.
If you want to get rid of your tattoo, consider visiting a dermatologist to find the right options for tattoo removal that would work for you. Some tattoo removal kits contain acids that are known to cause skin injuries, so play safe.
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CARING FOR TATTOOED SKIN. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-tattooed-skin
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Can You Completely Remove a Tattoo?
Tattoos may be lightened but cannot be completely removed. Faint scars remain for life.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
How Bad Do Lip Tattoos Hurt?
As per research, people say that lip tattoos hurt, but there would be only stinging-like pain for a while. However, the threshold of pain differs from person to person. Whether you get a tattoo on the inside or outside of your lips, you should know that both can be painful and uncomfortable.Is Tattoo Removal Painful?
Yes, tattoo removal is painful and may cause a certain amount of irritation to the area being treated. The intensity of pain may not be the same for everyone because each person has their own pain threshold. Tattoo removal treatments can also vary in pain depending on the area being treated.Before You Tattoo: Types, Safety, and Removal
Get the scoop on tattoo safety, tattoo risks, tattoo care, and what to expect from tattoo removal.What Can I Use to Remove Tattoos?
Temporary tattoos usually fade in a few days to a few weeks. Permanent tattoos do not go away on their own; however, there are ways to remove them. There are no home remedies or tattoo removal creams available in the market that can help remove permanent tattoos, although you can hide them temporarily by covering with makeup.