Tattoos & Piercing – Health Risks & After Care

To create a tattoo, a tattoo artist injects ink with a needle into the dermis, a layer of the skin. This alters the skin’s color and may be utilized to produce just about any image you can think of. Tattoos have become more and more common in recent years. Another common type of body art is piercing.

In this kind of body alteration, there is a use of a needle to make a hole in the person’s body. They then place a piece of jewelry into this opening. Despite their rising popularity, piercings and tattoos come with risks to health. It’s crucial to be aware of the negative side effects relating to these treatments before deciding to modify your body.

Health Risks of Tattoos

A tattoo artist punctures your skin when they tattoo you using a portable device with a connected needle. The dermis, the layer of skin underneath the epidermis, is injected with ink each time this gadget creates a hole. Tattoos are a popular way to express oneself, yet they may be problematic and harm the skin. Possible complications include:

• An allergic response to tattoo colors, which may occur years later (symptoms include a rash at the tattoo location)
• A skin infection, such as cutaneous TB or a staph infection,
• Swelling or burning at the place of the tattoo or tattoos
• Around the tattoo place, granulomas, or lumps of inflamed tissue
• Keloids are a kind of scar tissue development.
• Blood-borne illness

Health Risks of Piercing

Body alteration has several risks, including the potential for bacterial infections. There are some persons who develop an abscess after getting pierced. Close to the piercing, this pus-filled swelling might develop. This adverse effect is significant.

If neglected, sepsis or blood poisoning might occur. The infection leads to the possibly deadly illness of sepsis. Death and organ failure are possible outcomes. Blood poisoning symptoms include:

• Extreme fever
• Chills
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fast breathing
• Due to the greater bacterial density in these areas, infections from mouth and nose piercings are more prone to occur.

Aftercare For Tattoos and Piercings

Reduce your risk of infection and complications by following appropriate aftercare procedures:

Taking Care of Tattoos

• The top layer of your skin may take up to two weeks to recover. By handling the tattoo carefully as it heals, you can lower the chance of infection.
• Only during the first 1 to 2 hours after getting a fresh tattoo, keep it wrapped. After removing the bandage, cover your skin in antibiotic cream.
• Use mild soap and water to gently wash the tattoo, and then pat it dry.
• On freshly tattooed skin, reapply a gentle, unscented moisturizer throughout the day.
• Also, for the first couple of weeks, stay out of the sun.

Taking Care of Piercing

• Healing time frames for piercings will vary.
• Gently use a saltwater solution to clean fresh piercings. Apply clean gauze to the fresh piercing after soaking it in the solution.
• Clean your piercings twice a day. Because cleaning too much might irritate the skin and delay healing.
• Before handling or cleaning piercings, wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap.

The Bottom Line

Despite the increased safety of tattoos, it’s still crucial to consult with a qualified tattoo artist in a trustworthy shop to lower your chance of adverse effects. To lessen the chances of scarring and other side effects, you must practice proper aftercare.

While tattoos may carry some risk, the likelihood of adverse consequences can be decreased by being aware of them beforehand. Thus, discuss any worries you might have with your tattoo artist.