Warning: 5 Risks Scratchers Don't Want your to Know About

Tattoos aren't for everyone. There's no shame in wondering the world without ink. If you're considering a tattoo here are five risks to consider.

1. Allergic reactions

   Tattoo dyes — especially red dye — can cause allergic skin reactions, resulting in an itchy rash and other skin irritations at the tattoo site. This may occur even years after you get the tattoo. Also, the ink may just fall out as your body rejects it. If you're concerned about having a reaction to the ink, get a Black and Grey Tattoo (without white highlights). Black ink is super safe.
   

2. Skin infections

   Tattoos can lead to local bacterial infections, characterized by redness, swelling, pain and a pus-like drainage. This is usually the result of bad aftercare. As long as you follow proper aftercare instructions this shouldn't be a problem. If your tattoo does get infected, see a doctor sooner then later. I have a few posts about how to spot infections.
   

3. Other skin problems

   Sometimes bumps called granulomas form around tattoo ink — especially red ink. Tattooing can also lead to raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids). This is rare, but does happen on occasion. It's something to think about, especially if you're a getting something with a lot of red in it like a rose.

4. Bloodborne diseases

   It's almost impossible to contract a bloodborne disease in state with strict regulations such as Oregon. Even so, there's a minute chance. If you see your artist using dirty equipment, LEAVE. Infections are very RARE in a shop, but transmission could happen from a base scratch-er. Since tattoo needles bust open your skin, opening the crimson flow of your circulatory system, dirty equipment can infect you with blood-borne pathogens, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tetanus and HIV.
   

5. MRI complications

   Rarely, tattoos or permanent makeup may cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. In some cases — such as when a person with permanent eyeliner has an MRI of the eye — tattoo pigments may interfere with the quality of the image. This is most likely from inks/dyes that use minerals such as brown, red, blue, and "mixed green" (it has blue in it--you know yellow and blue make green.)

Medication or other treatment may be needed if you develop an allergic reaction, infection or other skin problem. In some cases, the tattoo may need to be removed. Keep in mind that tattoo inks are classified as cosmetics, so they aren't regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

IN OREGON YOUR ARTIST IS OBLIGATED TO TELL YOU ABOUT THESE RISKS BEFORE EVERY TATTOO PROCEDURE. It's the law.