Tattoos are undoubtedly, very popular. More and more people want to get a tattoo, often enough more than one. The weirdest and more unusual the tattoo, the more appealing it seems. However, there are possible health risks associated with tattoos. Lets have a look;

1. Since tattoos involve needles and blood, there is a risk of diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis B and C being transmitted.

2. Sensitivity /allergy to certain metals, latex and red tattoo dye, may lead to an allergic reaction, symptoms of which are redness, swelling, itching and possible oozing of fluid.

3. When proper infection-control procedures are not followed, local bacterial infections may be caused. Antibiotic -resistant skin infections may lead to pneumonia, blood infections as well as a flesh-destroying condition named necrotizing fascitis.

4.Despite significant advances in laser technology, a tattoo removal still remains a very painful and expensive procedure which usually requires several treatments.

5. Recently, it has been mentioned that tattoos can cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exams. Good news is that apparently there are no lasting effects.

6. Alcohol consumption may lead to excessive bleeding which can push the ink out and ruin the tattoo.

So, before deciding to get a tattoo, you should follow these useful tips:

1.Make sure that the tattoo artist you are going to is an experienced and trustworthy one. This is extremely important, as it will determine whether he is knowledgeable in the proper cleansing of the equipment or not. Ask for recommendations before visiting him.

2. Make sure that you are not allergic to any material associated with the tattoo. If you find out that you are actually allergic to something, do not take the risk of getting the tattoo.

3. If you are too afraid of needles and you are not sure whether you can get get past that fear or not, you should opt for a temporary instead of a permanent tattoo.

4. You should be prepared to treat the area as recommended, in order to avoid infection. That means that you will have to keep the tattoo area covered until it is healed properly and keep it clean the way the tattoo artist recommended.

5. You should consider how tolerant can you be as far as pain is concerned. If you decide to remove your tattoo, surgery is the only way for that to happen and it is going to be very painful, and so are the several treatments that will follow after surgery.

Learn more about this author, Maria Papadopoulou.
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