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Any health risks related to commercial tattooing are usually exaggerated and sometimes people will go as far as to mount campaigns against tattoo shops opening up in their neighborhoods. Tattoo shops have come a long way from once being a taboo practice to now being one of the fastest growing categories of retail business.

Because the numbers of tattoo shops are growing so quickly they are now being opened in spots that normally would not be called home to a tattoo shop such as middle-class cities and towns that have never had such establishments in their business districts.

In past times media has suggested that there are serious health risks related to tattooing. These suggestions include that tattooing may involve unusually high risks related to the transmission of such diseases as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

The truth is that there has never been a documented case of HIV transmission through tattooing anywhere in the United States. However, there have been over five cases of HIV transmission associated with dentists and dental workers.

In regards to hepatitis and tattooing, there are about 14,000 cases of reported hepatitis annually. From that number 12 are associated with tattoos but 43 or more cases resulted from a trip to the dentist. There are stringent safety procedures that are required by law that tattoo studios must follow so any health risks related to tattooing are basically obsolete.

The issues surrounding any health risks that might be related to tattooing are because they involve needles and blood. When tattoo artists follow all the correct sterilization and sanitation procedures, risks for disease transmission are relatively low. If non sterile practices are used then there is a risk of syphilis, hepatitis B, and other diseases.

Infections can occur in new tattoos, especially without appropriate aftercare. Some people also experience allergic reactions to tattoo inks. Although the pigments used may have U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for other purposes, the FDA does not regulate tattoo inks. Tattoo artists must also take special safety measures regarding their hands. Gloves help prevent disease transmission from bodily fluids, but bacteria thrive in the warm, damp environment they create. This means that artists must: wash hands thoroughly and often, inspect hands for cuts or sores and cover them with bandages, remove hangnails and keep nails short to prevent punctures to gloves, and refrain from tattooing when experiencing lesions, dermatitis or allergic reactions.

Because of the stringent rules and safety precautions that are enforced regarding tattooing, salons are generally very cautious when giving tattoos. There are health risks related to tattooing when the proper sterilization procedures are not followed and salons are very aware of them. It is considered that getting a tattoo in the United States is a very safe and almost clinical procedure and there should be no concerns as long as you are dealing with a reputable tattoo salon.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 5:20 am and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.