Tattoo Problems

September 15, 2016General, Tattoo BasicsBy Dr Greg Hall

There are a number of tattoo problems that can occur. One of the problems with sticking yourself a thousand times a minute and injecting, hopefully noninfectious, ink into your skin, is not everyone has the outcome they expect. Infections with hepatitis, a type of liver infection, antibiotic resistant bacteria, or even HIV/AIDS are a possibility with each tattoo visit, in fact with each needle stick! While individual states monitor and inspect tattoo parlors, they simply don’t have the resources to provide the oversight needed to prevent infections entirely. Not to mention the illegal ‘private’ tattoo artists that organize and attend tattoo parties in homes across the country. There is NO regulation or oversight of these criminals who use poorly cleaned needles, inferior or expired ink, and the fact that most who attend have been drinking, coupled with the peer pressure, to entice under-aged teenagers to adopt a tattoo, and a possible life-threatening infection.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis

Another potential tattoo problem is the association with hepatitis C. Scientists are monitoring the incidence of hepatitis as the number of tattoos increase, and there is a curiously direct relationship in the growth of both tattoos and hepatitis C. A recent study confirmed the increased risk of hepatitis C associated with tattoos independently.

There are, of course, no definitive answers to how many infections come from getting a tattoo, or even your specific infection rate from each parlor visit. But everyone agrees your chances for acquiring this type of liver infection are significantly increased by getting a tattoo. Read the post Tattoos and Hepatitis C for more information.

Lawsuits

The increase in people getting inked has also seen an increase in lawsuits related to bad outcomes and other tattoo problems. People are suing for damages related to the permanent scars, poor art quality, misspellings, misrepresentations and more . . . all related to tattooing.

Melanoma

Cancer

There have been recent reports that some are mysteriously developing skin cancer at the site of certain tattoos and/or certain colors. One of the ways to determine if you have skin cancer is a change in the color of your skin. If your skin is colored with ink, how can you detect redness, or a mole that is changing character? These issues need to be considered especially if your family has a high rate of skin cancer.

Inspect for Infectious Sources

Your local health department inspects area tattoo parlors to ensure they have adequate protective measures, a clean environment, appropriate sterilization techniques, new needles, sound procedures, and more. These inspections serve a vital purpose to help the tattoo parlors ‘do the right thing’. Without someone keeping then honest, many more infections due to cost cutting measures would appear. The needles, the ink, the ink guns, alcohol, and time cleaning, all cost money and impact what a tattoo artist takes home at the end of the day. Make sure your tattoo artist takes their time, and schedules you at a time that allows for all precautions needed, and allows you the opportunity to ask questions and get adequate answers.

Obviously getting a tattoo in a run-down, dark, dirty parlor is definitely a bad start to your tattoo experience. For much more on what could go wrong buy, Tattoos: Should I or Shouldn’t I?

WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

Unclean Tattoo Parlor
Bad Tattoo Artist
Bad equipment/needles
Unclean technique
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Keloid scarring
Skin Cancer
Hepatitis B & C
Can’t donate blood for a year (because they don’t want your blood!)
Tetanus
Heart Valve Problems
HIV/AIDS
STAPH Infections
Tattoo too big
Tattoo placement is wrong
Allergic reaction to certain inks
Possibly prevented from getting MRI
Outdated tattoo

About the author

Dr Greg Hall

Gregory Hall, MD is a physician, author, speaker, inventor, professor, and public health professional. He strives to improve the quality of medical care through fair disclosure, quality care, and an honest approach to patients and their families.

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“Dr. Hall’s book is a must read for anyone with a tattoo or is considering getting one for the first time.”

Marty Miller, President/CEO Miller Public Relations, LLC
“As a forty-nine years old woman, my decision to get a tattoo was far from impulsive.

However, my husband and soulmate has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I wanted to have some permanent record of our love, after he is gone.

Since, as part of his treatment, he will be undergoing Radiotherapy, he would be left with a small and very discrete tattoo or two himself, (in order to ensure the tumor is targeted properly). So after some consideration, I thought it would be a nice touch to have the identical marking tattooed on myself, to express my commitment to support him until the end, and to remember him afterwards. If, by some slim change he is cured, it would be a memorial of a difficult time in our lives.

I was highly delighted to come across a website, that clearly and without prejudice, gave advice to those who were contemplating making this permanent change in their lives.

After reading all the information provided on the site, I decided that a cost of 99 cents for the book was entirely reasonable, as it would not do any harm to have as much information as possible.

I am glad I made this purchase, as in among was a short passage suggesting that if you were considering getting a tattoo, in remembrance of someone close who had died, that you think about whether there weren’t far better ways of expressing your love, and whether you would really want a permanent reminder of your loss.

It suddenly hit me, that there was a significant risk that it would interfere with my ability to grieve and move on.

Thanks to this website and book, I have avoided making an irreversible decision, that not only might I regret, but could cause me significant emotional damage.

After all, I can always reconsider the decision, NOT to get a tattoo, at some later date, when I am in a less vulnerable state of mind.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Su Mitchell
“Dr. Hall – I wanted to thank you for writing “Teens, Tattoos and Piercings.” It is clear, comprehensive and compelling. As the mother of 4 children – who definitely does not want any of them getting a tattoo or piercing, other than ear piercing, you have given me a powerful and non-judgmental tool to talk them out of it.”

Shannon Jerse
“Tattoos: Should I or Shouldn’t I?” was very easy to read and contained a wealth of information. The book really made one think about the ramifications of tattoos, all the way from health concerns to possible impacts on employment. I also appreciated the tone of the book; it did not tell you that you should not get a tattoo, but focused on directing you to make an informed decision. Parents should seriously think about having their teenaged children read this book and discussing it with them.”

Sherman Moon – IT Specialist
“If you are planning on getting a tattoo, or multiple tattoos, do yourself a favor “READ THESE BOOKS” so there will not be any unpleasant surprises. It is definitely better to be “safe than sorry”. There is information in this book that will help you make a wise decision as to “tattooing” and even the tattoos you might choose that will be with you forever. This book could be one of your best investments if you, or someone in your family is planning on a life that includes tattoos. GET THESE BOOKS!”

Tony Whitaker – Inspirational Speaker & Counselor
“Just finished reading your book, “Tattoos: Should I or Shouldn’t I.” I found it to be not only an “easy read” but also, inviting to the reader, highly informative and very thought provoking. It raises questions the vast majority of people with tattoos as well as those contemplating getting a tattoo never dreamed of considering. Given the demographics of those getting tattoos and the possible consequences of an often “in-the-moment” and seemingly benign decision, as an educator, I would strongly recommend that Tattoos become a “must read” in today’s health classes or information on tattoos become a part of our school’s health curriculum at the very least. The information you provide could prevent unnecessary regret and hours of untold pain, both physical and financial.”

Reginald C. Blue, Ph.D. – Psychologist – LPCC – CAS – CRS