Patient education: Tattoos and body piercings (The Basics)

How are tattoos done? — 

Tattoos are done with needles that inject dyes directly under the skin. The needles pierce the skin over and over again until the tattoo is completely drawn. Tattoo artists do not use anesthesia, so getting a tattoo is usually painful.

How are body piercings done? — 

Piercings can involve the ears or other body parts, including the nose, eyebrow, lip, tongue, or navel (belly button).

Earlobe piercings can be done using spring-loaded piercing guns that shoot a stud through the ear. Most other piercings are done with a hollow needle. Usually, the person doing the piercing puts the needle through the desired body part to make the hole. Then, they insert a piece of jewelry to keep the hole open.

Getting a piercing usually hurts briefly when the gun or needle goes through the skin.

Do tattoos or body piercings have risks? — 

Yes. Many people get "body art," which includes tattoos and piercings, without problems. But it's important to be aware of the possible risks.

Tattoos come with risks such as:

●Infections – Infection in the area around the tattoo can happen if germs get into the skin. This is more likely if the artist does not use disposable needles, or does not fully clean and sterilize reusable needles between uses.

If the needles have not been cleaned well, the blood of the people who got tattoos before you can get injected under your skin. In some cases, this can cause serious infections like hepatitis B or C (which cause liver disease).

●Skin reactions – These can involve inflammation, rash, skin changes, or scarring.

●Problems related to the dye – The dyes that tattoo artists use are not regulated by the government. They can contain salts, metals, and lots of different chemicals. People sometimes have a bad reaction to these dyes.

If you have tattoos and need to get a test called an MRI (which creates pictures of the inside of the body), you might have skin pain or burning during the test. That's because tattoo dyes sometimes contain metals, which heat up or move around while inside the MRI machine.

Body piercings come with risks such as:

●Infections – Infections can happen in the skin near the piercing, or infections that affect the whole body.

●Skin reactions – This can happen if you are allergic to the metal in the jewelry. Sometimes, scar tissue can form where the skin was pierced.

●Problems with the gums and teeth – These can happen with tongue or lip piercings.

If you have certain medical problems, or take certain medicines, there might be other risks, too. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you are not sure if it's safe for you to get a tattoo or piercing.

What should I know before getting a tattoo or piercing? — 

If you want to get a tattoo or body piercing, there are some things you should think about first. This can help you make a decision and lower your risk of problems. For example:

●It's a good idea to visit a few tattoo or piercing salons, and watch the artists work. That way, you can see what's involved and whether they wash their hands and take other steps to prevent infection. (The steps you should look for are described below.) Choose a salon that has been in business for a while. Do not go to stands at carnivals, flea markets, concerts, or other temporary locations.

●People younger than 18 years old might need permission from their parents or caregivers to get a tattoo or piercing. Most salons do not accept a parent's or caregiver's note as proof. Instead, they require the parent or caregiver to come to the salon with their child. If you are younger than 18, it's actually a good idea to bring your parent or caregiver along. That way, they can make sure the tattoo or piercing is done as safely as possible.

●Talk to other people who have had what you want done. Find out what it was like for them, and ask if they have any regrets. Remember, a tattoo or piercing is something you will have for the rest of your life. Take your time deciding what you want. Whatever you do, do not get a tattoo or piercing when you have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Also, do not get a tattoo or piercing if you are pregnant.

●Think carefully about the tattoo or piercing you want and its location. You might want to be able to hide your body art in certain situations. In some situations, like if you play sports, you might need to be able to remove jewelry.

●If you are getting a tattoo, make sure the tattoo artist:

•Washes their hands with soap and water, and then puts on gloves

•Uses sterile water (usually in specially marked bottles), not tap water, to rinse the equipment and your skin where you will get the tattoo

•Wipes your skin to be tattooed with alcohol or iodine

•Uses disposable cups to hold the tattoo dyes

•Uses sterile needles (in individually wrapped packages that they open in front of you)

What should I do after getting a tattoo or piercing? — 

The most important thing is to keep the area clean. Your tattoo or piercing artist should give you specific instructions about home care.

For tattoos:

●The area will probably be covered with petroleum jelly or a similar ointment.

●Clean the area twice a day with antibacterial soap and water. Otherwise, avoid touching the area as it heals.

●While the tattoo is healing (about 2 weeks):

•Avoid swimming or putting the area underwater.

•Avoid direct sun. If this is not possible, use sunscreen on your skin with the tattoo.

•Wear loose clothing that will not stick to your skin.

For piercings:

●Clean the area twice a day with antibacterial soap and water for 10 to 15 days. Otherwise, avoid touching the area as it heals.

●Do not use the special solutions sold in shopping malls and other places to clean piercings. These are not good at getting rid of many bacteria, and they can even carry their own bacteria.

●Follow instructions about when you can change or remove the jewelry.

●For lip or tongue piercings, use a special mouthwash to lower the risk of infection. It might also help to suck on ice chips or drink cool fluids as your mouth heals.

What if I want to have my tattoo or jewelry removed? — 

It is possible to have a tattoo removed with special lasers. But the process takes several visits, and it can cause problems of its own. It can make your skin change color or get irritated or swollen. Plus, it can be expensive. Tattoo removal usually costs more than getting a tattoo.

For body piercings, you might be able to remove the jewelry yourself, but the hole might stay in your skin if it has already healed. Some types of piercings need to be removed by a doctor or nurse.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call your doctor or nurse right away if:

●The body part that was tattooed or pierced has signs of infection – These include swelling, turning red or purple, feeling hot, oozing pus, or smelling bad.

●You get a fever.

●You still have pain after your tattoo or piercing has healed.

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