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A permanent design created by injecting ink into the
dermal layer of skin. The tattoo instrument is composed of a small
needle that oscillates much like the needle of a sewing machine.
This needle repeatedly pierces the skin and injects tiny droplets
of ink with every insertion.
How painful?
On a scale from 0 to 10, in which a "0"
doesn't hurt, and a "10" is so excruciating that you pass
out...
A small tattoo consisting of only outlines took 30 minutes and ranked
as a 6.
Tattos over boney structures have a more painful reputation.
If the tattoo design has to be filled in with color
it will obviously take longer and will be more painful then just
an outline.
The feeling has been described like a large needle
stabbing deep into your skin and being scraped in different directions
for at least a half hour.
Some artists will allow you to take a 10 minute break
every once in a while. However, many tattoo recipients decide to
"just get it over with."
If you have a low threshhold for pain, a tattoo may
not be for you.
How long does it take?
Small simple tattoos generally take about 30
to 45 minutes. Larger tattoos can take several hours and may require
multiple visits.
Risks:
Sucky tattoo: This
ailment befalls the teen that doesn't investigate the artist giving
the tattoo. This is also the type of tattoo you don't remember getting
until you stumble into the bathroom the next morning and see it
lying across your forehead. (See our controlled substances section)
Allergic reaction to the dyes:
Some people may develop an allergic reaction a few to several weeks
after the tattoo is received. As a result the tattoo area may become
reddish, swollen, itchy and irritated.
Infection: If a needle
is not properly sterilized you could develop an infection leading
to illness deformity or scaring. You could also contract a serious
or even life threatening disease such as tetanus, tuberculosis,
hepatitis, or HIV. A study published in the March 2001 issue of
Medicine found that people with tattoos were over 9 times as likely
to have hepatitis C than those without tattoos. Because of these
risks and the fact that some of these diseases don't produce symptoms
for months or even years following infection, the American Red Cross
prohibits anyone from donating blood for 1 year after getting a
tattoo. So if you do decide to get a tattoo, limit the risk of infection
by putting your parlor to the following test.
What to look for in a tattoo parlor:
Read this, print it out and take it with you
when checking out a tattoo parlor. You want to be thorough to avoid
infection and butt-ugly tattoos. Few states have hygienic regulations
for tattoo parlors, and those that do don't always monitor or enforce
standards. So before jumping into the tattoo chair, give it a Bodyteen
Parlor Pop Quiz. If it doesn't pass every one of the following guidelines,
cross it off your list and find yourself a parlor worth your skin.
Workmanship: A tattoo
is meant to be permanent. Make sure you see examples of the artist's
work. Don't be afraid to ask the artist about his or her training.
Removing a tattoo is very difficult. It is nearly impossible to
return the skin to its original appearance. Scaring or skin discoloration
may diminish but not for many years. So if you're going to do it.
Do it right! Find an incredible artist. Be willing to invest the
money it takes for a quality job. And pick or create a design you
will enjoy looking at for the next 60 to 70 years.
Autoclave: This is
an instrument, regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration),
that heat sterilizes all non-disposable instruments used during
the tattoo process. Make sure your tattoo parlor has one. Make sure
they use it to sterilize every instrument they don't throw out after
use. And make sure they store the sterilized instruments in sterile
bags.
Sterile disposable needles:
Needles should never be used more than once. They should be stored
in sterile packages, used once, and then thrown out immediately
into a biohazard container for sharp objects.
Everything else should be disinfected:
All non-disposable equipment that is unable to be sterilized in
an autoclave, should be disinfected with a commercial disinfectant
or bleach solution.
Gloves: A fresh pair
of disposable gloves should be used for each tattoo. This pair of
gloves should touch you and the sterilized equipment only. If the
artist opens a drawer, picks up a phone, picks his nose, or touches
anything that is not sterilized, they will be exposing you to possible
infection.
A clean environment:
Check out the floor, counters, bathroom, etc. Case the joint like
a spy. It should look clean and surfaces should look frequently
disinfected.
Complaint free: Call
your city or county health department and ask them if any complaints
have been reported toward the parlor Every tattoo parlor needs a
permit to operate and your city government is usually the authority
that grants this permit.
Caring for your new tattoo:
The skin will take 1 to 3 weeks to heal. Until
it heals completely, make sure you keep the tattoo area clean using
soap and water.
Also use a petroleum jelly to keep the area moisturized.
How to remove a tattoo
Like we said before, tattoos are intentionally
permanent. It is nearly impossible to return the skin to it's original
appearance. All of the following options are likely to result in
scaring or skin discoloration. - One more reason to do it right
the first time.
Laser surgery:
A pulsing highly concentrated beam of light penetrates
the skin and breaks up the tattoo's pigment which then dissolves
into the body.Blue and black dyes are removed most easily while
oranges and yellows will be more difficult to remove.
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