Today, people from all walks of life have tattoos, which might lead you to believe that tattoos are completely safe.

A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on your skin with pigments inserted through pricks into the skin’s top layer.

Typically, the tattoo artist uses a hand-held machine that acts much like a sewing machine, with one or more needles piercing the skin repeatedly. With every puncture, the needles insert tiny ink droplets.

The process which is done without anesthetics causes a small amount of bleeding and slight to potentially significant pain.

You could be the proud owner of a new tattoo in a matter of hours but don’t let the ease of getting tattoos stop you from making a thoughtful decision about permanent body art. Before you get a tattoo, make sure you know what’s involved. Also, be certain that tattooing is the right decision for you.

Tattooing as an art form has been used for centuries by tribal societies in religious rites and as a natural part of life. At first banned and then appropriated by Western culture, tattoos have recently developed as a decorative art of self-expression used by some to celebrate events, memorialise a departed loved one, or as a show of commitment to a life partner. There is one thing for sure: all tattoos have a story. What’s not so clear is exactly what we’re injecting into our skin for art’s sake. Interestingly, a frighteningly growing number of teens and young adults around the world are injecting dangerous chemicals under their skin in the name of art and self-expression.

Without full disclosure of ingredients, it is impossible to know for sure what is in tattoo ink. Many of today’s tattoos contain an unknown conglomeration of metallic salts (oxides, sulphides, selenides), organic dyes or plastics suspended in a carrier solution for consistency of application. Many of the chemicals found were originally intended for use in writing and printer inks, as well as automobile paints. These inks are injected so deep into the skin that, often, tattoos will not even be destroyed by severe burns.

The carrier solution itself might contain harmful substances such as denatured alcohols, methanol, rubbing alcohol, antifreeze, detergents, or formaldehyde and other highly toxic aldehydes. Many people have reported reactions to the intensely colored plastic-based pigments. Allergic reactions have occurred with some of the many metals put into tattoo inks, nickel being one of the most common metal allergies. Some inks were found to have high levels of lead, some contained lithium, and the blue inks were full of copper.

Experts have pointed out that skin infections, psoriasis, dermatitis and other chronic skin conditions, and tumours (both benign and malignant) have all been associated with tattoos. Due to the use of needles in tattoo application, there is also the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as tetanus, herpes simplex virus, staph, HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, and even Syphilis. Since tattoo instruments come in contact with blood and bodily fluids, diseases may be transmitted if the instruments are used on more than one person without being sterilised. However, infection from tattooing in clean and modern tattoo studios employing single-use needles is rare. With amateur tattoos, however, there is an elevated risk of infection.

According to a medical doctor at Femis Hospital, Unity Road, Ilorin, Kwara State, Dr. Otun Adewale, there are many dangers associated with tattoos, because the instruments used may not be sharp enough and this could cause injury to the skin, soft tissues and blood vessels.

“Even the ink used contains high metallic salt which has been linked to birth defects, cancer and reproductive problems. It can also causes breakage of the continuity of the skin epithelium hence, affecting the barrier protective function of the skin, and blood vessels such as blood borne infection, HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, tetanus, vasculitis and haematoma, among others,” he stated.

He explained further that it is not only permanent tattoos that are hazardous to human health, but also the temporary tattoos.

He said, “though Henna (what we call laali) and some other temporary tattoos’ chemical are quite different from that of permanent one and its effect might not be much when compared to the permanent tattoo, sometimes, they have the same side effects. It can cause skin redness, de-pigmentation and hyperkeratosis, among others.”

According to experts, reactions to tattoo pigments can be triggered by exposure to sunlight. People who are sensitive or allergic to certain metals may react to pigments in the skin with swelling and/or itching, and/or oozing of clear fluid called serum.

Dermatologists have observed rare but severe medical complications from tattoo pigments in the body, and have noted that people acquiring tattoos rarely assess health risks prior to receiving their tattoos. Some medical practitioners have recommended greater regulation of pigments used in tattoo ink. The wide range of pigments currently used in tattoo inks may create unforeseen health problems such as; infection, reaction to inks, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) complication, dermal conditions, delayed reactions.

However, medication or other treatment including possible removal of the tattoo might be needed if you experience an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink or you develop an infection or other skin problem near a tattoo.

While stating that permanent tattoo could also be removed partially or wholly through different methods available, Dr. Adewale said that the removal was dependent based on availability of skilled personnel, types of ink used and how deep the tattoo was into the skin.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/quicklinkss/ask-the-doctor/item/14060-before-you-get-that-tattoo

Know the risks

Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible. Specific risks include:

•Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes — can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.

•Skin infections. A skin infection — which might cause redness, swelling, pain and a pus-like drainage — is possible after tattooing.

•Other skin problems. Sometimes bumps called granulomas form around tattoo ink. Tattooing can also lead to keloids — raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.

•Bloodborne diseases. If the equipment used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various bloodborne diseases — including tetanus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

•MRI complications. Rarely, tattoos or permanent makeup might cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. In some cases, tattoo pigments can interfere with the quality of the image — such as when a person who has permanent eyeliner has an MRI of the eye.

Medication or other treatment — including possible removal of the tattoo — might be needed if you experience an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink or you develop an infection or other skin problem near a tattoo.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/in-depth/tattoos-and-piercings/art-20045067

@ Chaircover, can U please push this post to fp for wider reading and knowledge. Thank you.

I hate tattoos

Tallesty1: I hate tattoos

Some love it. They should know the danger.

d admins wunt c dis one. I hate tatooz

Hello guys, Please, does any1 know of what to use to remove scars? probably a cream or where i can get original Python fat? (i heard it works)
I heard a keloid treatment in ibadan on my cheek and earlobe. I had been carrying it around for years and i had lost hope in any treatment available for it. Surprisingly, these people treated me and within 2 months, my keloid growths were gone. The place is called GILEAD beauty care located at shopping complex at Gate. For any1 interested, you can call them on 08032067212 and 08039459691
Now please i need help with the scar left after the keloid / bumps is gone. No bleaching creams please. but preferably, if any1 can recommend where to get this python fats of a thing..
Hope some1 helps

Mtcheew,is like even attracting us self.

I hate tattooo with passion.

^^^ seconded

Who doesn't know tatoo is mark of the beast already

Okay. Next

Photos/video: Two policemen fight each other in public
See video at http://sharebitemag..it/2015/03/photosvideo-two-policemen-fight-each.html

Ok

Firefire is this your new calling?

Are you not working for JK's victory?

ok sir

I wonder what would drive a sane person to tattoo his body.

Ok

Nice one. He who has an ear.....

"Tattooing as an art form has been used for centuries by tribal societies in religious rites and as a natural part of life. [size=14pt]At first banned and then appropriated by Western culture[/size]"

Many Africans have forgotten this. Same thing with piercings. It was taken from OUR culture. But now it's "unAfrican". Thanks missionaries.

too goody now bobo

The only reason i won't get a tattoo is because the Bible forbids it.

b

Lol.

It depends on the tattoo artists/parlour and skin type. I have got loads of tattoos and I'm getting more this summer (probably four more).

Apart from the pain - it's pretty much smooth sailing.

scam..everything has its own side effect, even water does.. tattoo has its own,but just little

Some will throw my comment to the thrashbin but to be honest, am posting this from experience. tattoo killed a guy in my area. after that d guy av d tattoo, he resumed to his work that very hour. his apprentice just discovered that their healthy looking master fell down & they scream for help. we took d guy to the hospital where he was pronouced dead. d autopsy shows his death was as a result of damages done to some of his body cells through intoxication of chemical used while making the previous tattoo & failure to rest after making his current tattoo. tattoo causes skin cancer.

Tattoos can cause your skin to sag. Real ewww!

Tattoo is a waste of time and to me a sign of poor upbringing