A tattoo is a piece of artwork that a person will carry with them for the rest of their life. The decision to get a tattoo is one that should not be taken lightly. The procedure of getting a tattoo is very straight forward an uncomplicated for the person receiving the tattoo. This does not mean that there are risks. There are many tattooing health risks that should be taken into account before a person gets a tattoo. Tattooing health risks rarely happen when the proper precautions are taken when getting a tattoo, but the well-informed consumer needs to know that they do exist. Most of the tattooing health risks that exist come from the needle penetrating the person's skin with the tattoo ink. The FDA does not regulate tattoo ink because it is considered a cosmetic item. With the ever-growing popularity of tattoos, there have been fewer complications from tattoos but they do still exist.

One of the most common tattooing health risks is that of blood borne diseases. These diseases can include HIV and hepatitis. The health risk comes from the reusing of the tattoo needles from one person to another. If the blood from an infected person is present on the tattoo needle it will infect the next person to get a tattoo. Many places lower the risk by using a new needle for each tattoo. This prevents cross contamination.

Receiving a tattoo can cause many skin disorders on people who are already prone to them. One of the most common is the formation of keloids around the area of the tattoo. A keloid is a small granule of scar tissue. Many people are prone to this type of scar tissue without even receiving a tattoo.

There are skin infections that can be a possible result of tattooing. This tattooing health risk comes form bacteria being trapped under the skin at the time the tattoos are given. An unlicensed tattoo artist can usually be blamed for these types of health problems. The use of unsanitary procedures when administering a tattoo can lead to bacterial infections that can lead to more serious health problems.

Tattoo ink is a foreign body entering beneath the skin. This ink can cause an allergic reaction underneath the skin that will result in a red itchy rash over the tattoo. Red tattoo ink is most commonly known to cause this type of allergic reaction.

The many tattooing health risks that exist are very rare and uncommon in the well-maintained tattoo parlor. They do however still exist. It is up to the consumer to properly educate themselves on these possible side effects of the tattoo of which they seek. Once they way these tattooing health risks they can then make the decision whether it is worth it to get a tattoo.

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