Patient consciousness: tattoos and body piercings

How are tattoos done?
Tattooing is done using needles that inject pigments just under the skin. The needles repeatedly pierce the skin until the entire tattoo is drawn. Tattoo artists do not use anesthesia, so anyone getting a tattoo must endure the pain of needles. The government does not regulate the pigments used by tattoo artists. They may contain salts, minerals and many different chemicals. Sometimes people have a bad reaction to these dyes.

How are body piercings done?
Ear piercings can be done using spring-loaded piercing guns, which shoot a nail through the ear. Most of the other holes are made with a hollow needle. Usually, the person performing the piercing places the needle in the desired part of the body to perform the piercing. Then he inserts an earring to keep the incision open.

Can tattoos or body piercings cause medical problems?
Yes. Each type of body art may have its own problems.
People who get tattoos can get infections, including some serious infections like hepatitis B or C (which causes liver disease). They may also contract HIV (which causes AIDS), but this has not happened so far. Infection can occur if tattoo or piercing artists do not use disposable needles, or do not thoroughly clean and disinfect reusable needles between uses. If you get a tattoo or piercing and the needles are not cleaned well, the blood of people who have tattooed or pierced before you may be injected under your skin.
People who get tattoos may also have allergic reactions to the tattoo pigments. And if they ever have a test called an MRI (which creates pictures of the inside of the body), they may also feel skin pain or burning during the test. This is because tattoo pigments sometimes contain metals that heat up or move while inside the MRI machine.
People who have body piercings may develop infections either in the skin near the piercing, or in the entire body. They may also develop dental problems if they have piercings in the tongue or lips.

Is there a way to reduce the risk of tattoos and piercings?
Yes. If you’re sure you want to get a tattoo or body piercing, here are some things you can do to reduce your risk:
Visit some tattoo or piercing parlors and watch the artists at work. This way you can know what’s involved, and whether artists are washing their hands and taking other steps to prevent infection. (The steps you should look for are shown below.) Choose a salon that has been in business for a while. Don’t go to booths at carnivals, flea markets, concerts, or other temporary venues.
Keep in mind that people under the age of 18 may need permission from their parents to get a tattoo or piercing. Most salons do not accept a written parental or caregiver acknowledgment as proof of parental consent for a tattoo or piercing. Instead, they would like the father or mother to come to the salon with their child. If you are under 18, it is a good idea to bring one of your parents with you. This way they can ensure that the tattoo or piercing is completed as safely as possible.
Talk to other people who have done what you want to do. Find out what it was like for them, and ask them if they have any regrets. And remember, there is no reason to do anything in a hurry. A tattoo or piercing is something you will have to live with for the rest of your life. So take your time deciding what you want to do. Whatever you decide, don’t get tattoos or body piercings when you’re drunk or high. Also, don’t get tattoos or body piercings while pregnant.
Be sure to think carefully about the choice of tattoo or piercing, and its location. You may want to be able to hide the drawing or piercing on your body in certain situations.
Remember that tattooing or piercing can cause severe pain. You will not perform it under anesthesia.
If you are going to get a tattoo on your body, make sure the tattoo artist:
He washes his hands with soap and water, then puts on gloves
Use sterile water (usually in specially labeled bottles), not tap water, to rinse the device or area to be tattooed
Wipe the area to be tattooed with alcohol or iodine
Uses disposable cups to hold tattoo pigments
Uses sterile needles (in individually wrapped packages, opened in front of you)

What should I do after a tattoo or piercing?
The most important thing to do is to keep the area being tattooed or pierced clean. Use soap and water to wash the area every day, but try not to touch it at other times until it heals.
If you’re getting a piercing, don’t use special solutions sold at malls or other places to clean your piercings. These solutions are not good at getting rid of many types of bacteria, and may even carry their own bacteria. Washing with soap and water is the best option.
Should I see a doctor or nurse? See your doctor or nurse right away if the tattooed or pierced body part swells, turns red or purple, feels hot, starts to ooze pus or smells bad. You should also see a doctor or nurse if you develop a fever.

What if I want to remove a tattoo?
Tattoos can be removed with special types of lasers. But the process takes several visits, and may have its own problems. They may cause skin discoloration, irritation, or swelling. In addition, they can be quite expensive – usually more expensive than the tattoo procedure itself.

This text is extracted from UpToDate Feb 22, 2023.