Tattooing Dangers - Understanding Tattoo Risk

A great many people are getting and wearing tattoos. Because it is so common, and it is so easy to call into your local studio to have a tattoo done, it is easy to overlook the risks involved. Tattooing dangers range from serious, life-threatening diseases to minor irritation and discomfort. This is not to say you should not get a tattoo but it is prudent to be aware of the risks so you know how to protect yourself and how to deal with any complications.
Serious Health Risks
The most serious tattooing dangers come from the use of dirty instruments. It is well to remember that the process involves piercing the skin with needles and inserting ink. If these needles have not been sterilized there is the risk that contaminated blood is still on them from the last customer. This is why authorities in some parts of the world have a clean needle program for drug addicts - to cut down the spread of blood borne diseases. You would not expect a tattoo studio to carry the same degree of risk, but the risk of infection is still there.
Diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Tetanus and HIV can be spread by the use of contaminated instruments. Every one of these diseases is serious and can be life threatening. Hepatitis B and C attack the liver and, if not treated early, can lead to long-term liver disease and failure. Tetanus causes a range of complications in the body, which can take from 2-4 months to heal. Most people survive but about 25 percent die from it in the Unites States and about 50 percent worldwide. As most of us know, HIV causes AIDS.
While there is a possibility of contracting any one of these diseases from tattoo needles, it is not likely to happen if you go to a reputable tattooist who is licensed and certified by your city or state health authorities. Good studios value their reputations and the last thing they want is to have someone contract a serious illness through their work. This could put them out of business. Tattoo studios use the same sterilization equipment as dentists and doctors, which means the health risks should be about the same.
There are other tattooing dangers, such as allergic reactions to the ink and skin infections resulting from poor aftercare, but these to not have the same degree of risk as blood borne diseases.