Don’t drink and ink. A recent Harris poll found that 16 percent of tattooed adults regretted the decision to get tattoos, and large, intricate tattoos take time and money to both apply and have removed if you later regret your choice. Many people who have been tattooed, however, don’t regret their decisions. Another Harris poll found that 21 percent of all American adults admit to having at least one tattoo, which is up from 14 percent in 2008.
Adults between the ages of 30 and 39 were the most likely to have a tattoo (38 percent), with women slightly more likely than men to have a tattoo (23 percent of women vs. 19 percent of men).
With all tattoos come risks. Tattoo dyes can cause allergic skin reactions — especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes. You can be exposed to a skin infection or a more serious bloodborne illness, including tetanus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
If your mind is set on a new tattoo, follow these rules to ensure that you have a safe tattooing experience, which are agreed upon by The American Academy of Dermatology, the FDA and tattoo artists’ organizations:
Plan Ahead
“Don’t drink and ink” is perhaps the number one rule of getting a good, safe tattoo. Making the decision to put a permanent piece of art on your body is something that should be considered over a period of time, and to minimize your chances of regretting the tattoo, choose something meaningful.
Research your tattoo artist ahead of time — get recommendations from friends or from people whose tattoos you admire, and meet with the artist, preferably in his or her shop, before you commit to having him or her do your piece. You should be able to review an artist’s past work to make sure that it fits with what you’re looking to have done because each artist has his or her own unique style.
If you want custom work done, bring samples of what you like and dislike or show the piece to the artist. A good artist can help you boil down what you’re looking for and discuss size, placement or help you put random ideas together into one coherent, attractive piece.
Budget and Plan
Don’t base your decision on price alone. Great work will be expensive, as will having your piece done by a reputable tattoo artist in a sanitary shop. Expect that you may pay hundreds of dollars per hour for reputable, high-quality work.
You should discuss with the tattoo artist any relevant medical conditions that may affect your safety while getting a tattoo — and when in doubt, disclose out of an abundance of precaution. If you are taking blood thinners or other types of medication that affect bleeding, be sure to check with your doctor before getting a tattoo.
Keep It Sterile
Make sure the artist uses disposable needles and tubes. You should watch the artist open the new needle and tube at the beginning of your session.
Make sure that the artist wears sterile, disposable gloves for every new client (and that they are opened and put on in your presence) and that he or she uses sterile, disposable towels. Arrive early and watch the artist’s procedure before somebody even gets in the chair. Make sure that your artist does not touch any unsterile surfaces or equipment once the procedure has begun.
Ask to see the shop’s log books. Each shop keeps a record of when the autoclaves, or devices that sterilize all the shop’s instruments, were last spore-tested. This test, usually performed monthly, will show how effective the shop’s autoclave is at killing certain heat-resistant bacteria. A reputable artist will expect this request and be accommodating.
Make Sure Your Parlor Is Legit
Find a fully licensed, reputable tattoo parlor if your state regulates tattoo parlors. Research your tattoo artist, finding someone who is both experienced and has good customer reviews, even if that means driving a long distance to have your piece done.
When you arrive, make sure you don’t notice any signs of unsanitary tattoo practices, such as blood splatter, dirty work surfaces, absence of red sharps disposal containers (like you would see at a doctor’s office or hospital) and poor infection-control practices.
Know Your Ink
Dr. Orly Avitzur, writing for Consumer Reports, advises that you ask where the ink was manufactured and procured. In a best-case scenario, your artist will be able to provide you with information about the manufacturer, and it’s best if the ink is sourced from a company that has been in business for a long time, with a good reputation. Ideally, you want to know if the artist has tried the ink on him or herself or on a friend or relative. Ask if the inks are made of nonmetallic, organic pigments, Avitzur says.
You should also request a list of inks used in your tattoo, along with the manufacturer’s lot numbers (available on the packaging), in case you need to track down an ingredient. While allergic reactions are rare, they can occur — and the FDA does not regulate tattoo inks or their ingredients.
Follow Aftercare Instructions and Use Common Sense
Talk to your tattoo artist about how to care for your tattoo after you leave the parlor and while it heals. Often, the artist will send you home with written instructions, which you should not disregard, at the risk of developing an infection.
If your tattoo becomes itchy or inflamed and blistered, or if you see any signs of a rash or infection (swelling or drainage of pus), consult a doctor quickly. Some people also develop adverse reactions, such as excessive scarring or raised nodules, called granulomas, that form around the pigment.
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