Tattoos

It seems like everyone has a tattoo these days. What used to be the property of
sailors, outlaws, and biker gangs is now a popular body decoration for many
people. And it's not just anchors, skulls, and battleships anymore — from school
emblems to Celtic designs to personalized symbols, people have found many
ways to express themselves with their tattoos. Maybe you've thought about
getting one. But before you head down to the nearest tattoo shop and roll up
your sleeve, there are a few things you need to know.
So What Exactly Is a Tattoo?
A tattoo is a puncture wound, made deep in your skin, that's filled with ink. It's
made by penetrating your skin with a needle and injecting ink into the area,
usually creating some sort of design. What makes tattoos so long-lasting is
they're so deep — the ink isn't injected into the epidermis (the top layer of skin
that you continue to produce and shed throughout your lifetime). Instead, the
ink is injected into the dermis, which is the second, deeper layer of skin.
Dermis cells are very stable, so the tattoo is practically permanent.
Tattoos used to be done manually — that is, the tattoo artist would puncture the
skin with a needle and inject the ink by hand. Though this process is still used in
some parts of the world, most tattoo shops use a tattoo machine these days. A tattoo machine is a handheld
electric instrument that uses a tube and needle system. On one end is a sterilized needle, which is attached to
tubes that contain ink. A foot switch is used to turn on the machine, which moves the needle in and out while
driving the ink about 3 millimetres into your skin.
Most tattoo artists know how deep to drive the needle into your skin, but not going deep enough will produce a
ragged tattoo, and going too deep can cause bleeding and intense pain. Getting a tattoo can take several
hours, depending on the size and design chosen.
Does It Hurt to Get a Tattoo?
Getting a tattoo can hurt, but the level of pain can vary. Because getting a tattoo involves being stuck multiple
times with a needle, it can feel like getting a bunch of shots or being stung by a hornet multiple times. It all
depends on your pain threshold, how good the person wielding the tattoo machine is, and where exactly on
your body you're getting the tattoo. Also, keep in mind that you'll probably bleed a little.
If You're Thinking about It
If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, there is one very important thing you have to keep in mind — getting
it done safely. Although it might look a whole lot cooler than a big scab, a new tattoo is also a wound. Like any
other slice, scrape, puncture, cut, or penetration to your skin, a tattoo is at risk for infections and disease.
First, make sure you're up to date with your immunizations (especially hepatitis and tetanus shots) and plan
where you'll get medical care if your tattoo becomes infected (signs of infection include excessive redness or
tenderness around the tattoo, prolonged bleeding, pus, or changes in your skin colour around the tattoo).

It's very important to make sure the tattoo studio is clean and safe, and that all equipment used is disposable
(in the case of needles, gloves, masks, etc.) and sterilized (everything else).
Professional studios usually take pride in their cleanliness. Here are some things to check for:

If the studio looks unclean, if anything looks out of the ordinary, or if you feel in any way uncomfortable, find a
better place to get your tattoo.

What Are the Risks?

If you decide to get a tattoo, chances are everything will go as planned. But if disinfection and sterilization
steps aren't followed, there are some things you need to be aware of that can go wrong. If you don't go to a
tattoo studio or the tattoo studio doesn't follow precautions like using sterilized equipment or if it shares ink
between customers, you're putting yourself at risk for getting viral infections such as hepatitis, bacterial skin
infections, or dermatitis (severe skin irritation).
Also, some people have allergic reactions to the tattoo ink. And if you already have a skin condition such as
eczema, you may have flare-ups as a result of the tattoo.
Serious complications can result if you attempt to do a tattoo yourself, have a friend do it for you, or have it
done in any unclean environment. Because tattooing involves injections under the skin, viruses such as HIV
and hepatitis B and C can be transferred into your body if proper precautions aren't followed. For this reason,
the American Red Cross and some other blood banks require people to wait 12 months after getting a tattoo
before they can donate blood.
Tattoo Removal
A lot of people love their tattoos and keep them forever. But others decide a couple of years down the road
that they really don't like that rose on their ankle or snake on their bicep anymore. Or maybe you broke up
with your boyfriend or girlfriend and no longer want his or her initials on your stomach. What then?
In the past, tattoo removal required surgery, but now there are several other methods that can be used. One
common method is laser removal. Some tattoo shops also offer tattoo removal, but it's a better idea to make
sure the person doing the removal is a medical doctor. Before you go just anywhere to get your tattoo
removed, check with your doctor or contact the American Dermatological Association to find a reputable laser
removal specialist in your area.
Although it's called tattoo removal, completely removing a tattoo can be difficult depending on factors like how
old the tattoo is, how big the tattoo is, and the types and colours of inks that were used. Removal of the entire
tattoo is not always guaranteed. It's best to consult with a dermatologist who specializes in tattoo removal to
get your questions answered — such as whether anaesthesia is used. The dermatologist can also give you a
good idea of how much (if not all) of the tattoo can be removed.
Removing a tattoo by laser can be uncomfortable and can feel a lot like getting a tattoo. The entire process
usually takes several months.