By Sola Ogundipe
Some call it Body Art, others just
call it tattoo. Do you have a tattoo or intend to get one, then you need to
read this. It is estimated that one-tenth of adults in the large cities in
Nigeria now have at least one tattoo, but getting Body Art may come with
long-term medical risks. While it is true that tattoos are becoming more
popular than ever, it is also a fact that more and more people than ever
are developing infections from contaminated tattoo inks, as well as adverse
reactions to the inks.
Reports of bad reactions to tattoo inks right after
tattooing, even years later, are quite common. Adverse effects Several adverse
effects involving tattoos have been reported in recent times. The rule of the
thumb is this: Before you get a tattoo, you should consider certain key
questions. In particular, be concerned about unsafe practices and the tattoo
ink. For many of those with tattoos or individuals who had at least one tattoo
experience some type of issue such as swelling, rashes, or severe itching that
lasts longer than four months and even up to several years.
Some of these
adverse reactions could be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, others
could require laser surgery. The most severe issues could result in the
formation of scar tissue or skin lesions, and even require the removal of the
tattooed area of the skin.
A significant number of people who receive tattoos
experience short-term complications such as pain, swelling, infection, and
delayed healing, and the individuals usually seek medical attention or treatment
for those issues. Long-term complications are most common in regions tattooed
with red or black ink.
The lack of regulatory oversight in the tattoo industry,
as well as the lack of uniform standards amongst dye manufacturers and the poor
understanding of the chemical composition of the coloured inks used in the
process may play a role in these findings. While you can get serious infections
from unhygienic practices and equipment that isn’t sterile, infections can also
result from ink that was contaminated with bacteria or mould. Inks and kits
sold as “do-it-yourself” to consumers have been associated with infections and
allergic reactions.
Using non-sterile water to dilute the pigments (ingredients
that add colour) is a common culprit, although not the only one. There’s no
reliable way to tell if the ink used for the tattoo is safe. An ink can be
contaminated even if the container is sealed or the label says the product is
sterile. Some inks contain pigments used in printer toner or in car paint. None
of these chemicals are approved by health regulatory agencies. In fact the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) or its Nigerian equivalent, the National Agency
for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has not approved any
pigments for injection into the skin for cosmetic purposes. Strange reactions
You also might become allergic to other products, such as hair dyes, if your
tattoo contains a chemical known as p-phenylenediamene (PPD). Strange reactions
may happen after getting a tattoo. You might notice a rash—redness or bumps—in
the area of your tattoo, and you could develop a fever.
More aggressive
infections may cause high fever, shaking, chills, and sweats. Treating such
infections might require a variety of antibiotics—possibly for months—or even
hospitalization and/or surgery. A rash may also mean you’re having an allergic
reaction. And because the inks are permanent, the reaction may persist. Scar
tissue Scar tissue can build up after getting a tattoo. The scar tissue may
form when you get a tattoo, or you could develop “granulomas,” small knots or
bumps that may form around material that the body perceives as foreign. If you
tend to get keloids—scars that grow beyond normal boundaries—you may develop
the same kind of reaction to the tattoo. Some people may have swelling or
burning in the tattoo when they have Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), although
this happens rarely and does not last long. There are still a lot of questions
about the long-term effects of the pigments, other ingredients, and possible
contaminants in tattoo inks.
If you get an infection If you get a tattoo and
develop an infection or other reaction, contact a health care professional.
Notify the tattoo artist so he or she can identify the ink and avoid using it
again. Ask for the brand, colour, and any lot or batch number of the ink or
diluents to help determine the source of the problem and how to treat it.
Whether you’re a consumer, tattoo artist, or health care professional, tell the
health expert. Provide as much details as possible about the ink and your
reaction and outcome. Reports from consumers are one of the most important
sources of safety information. Removing tattoos Then there’s tattoo removal.
The short-or long-term consequences of how pigments break down are generally
unknown. In addition, some tattoo removal procedures may leave permanent
scarring. Removing tattoos may be harder than you expect.
So think before you
ink. Consider the risks. Removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, and
complete removal without scarring may be impossible. You should be concerned So
should you be concerned because you are planning to get a tattoo? Experts say
it is something to think about. Apart from cosmetic purposes, tattoos have no
health advantages. However, if you do decide to get a tattoo, have it done
professionally. Most persons that develop issues have longstanding, chronic
complaints about their tattoo that could persist for months to years. If you
have chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, seek advice before
getting a tattoo. If you already have a tattoo, do not expose the tattooed
parts to the sun, as exposure to sunlight can be a trigger for adverse
reactions.
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