After a visit to a tattoo parlor, hopefully you
will end up with a beautiful piece of body
art that will last a lifetime. However, several
complications can occur after the tattoo is
finished. You will be better able to decide
whether you want a tattoo for yourself if
you know about the tattooing process and
its dangers. If you do want a tattoo, there
are ways to reduce the risk of dangerous
side effects.

1. Function

Before you know the effects tattoos
can have on your skin and body, you
should first know how tattoos are
created. Your tattoo artist will use an
electric tattoo machine that uses
several small disposable needles to
inject ink into the dermis, the lower
layer of your skin. Unlike the epidermis
(upper layer of skin), the dermis
doesn't flake away, so the ink
permanently remains in the skin. This
is why tattoos are so difficult to
remove.

2. Warning

Tattoos can cause skin problems such
as granulomas (red bumps caused by
inflammation) and keloid scars, and
they can provoke allergic reactions,
making skin itch and break out. These
allergic reactions can occur with no
warning, years after you get your
tattoo. Getting a tattoo also puts you
in danger of getting diseases such as
AIDS, tetanus, hepatitis B and hepatitis
C (although you can reduce your risk
by selecting a good tattoo parlor). In
addition to these health problems,
tattoos can cause a hassle at the
doctor's office. Don't tattoo over a
mole, as this makes it harder to detect
cancerous growth. If you get an MRI
scan on a tattooed part of your body,
you may experience swelling or
burning, although these effects aren't
permanent.

3. Prevention/Solution

You can significantly reduce your risk
of contracting a disease or developing
a skin infection by using a tattoo
parlor that follows proper sterilization
procedures. Check that the tattoo
parlor is licensed by the local or state
health department. In addition, ask
whether the tattoo parlor uses
disposable needles and tubes and
throws away used pigments and trays.
A tattoo parlor should have an
autoclave (a machine that sterilizes
nondisposable tools), and surfaces
such as tables should be wiped down
with disinfectant. The tattoo artist
should wash his hands with
antibacterial soap and wear latex
gloves. After you get your tattoo, your
tattoo artist should give you a list of
instructions on how to take care of
your new tattoo. Follow these
instructions to prevent infection and
color loss.

4. Considerations

Even if you experience no side effects,
your tattoo will still be a permanent
part of your appearance. If you get
tired of it, you'll have to go through
the process of tattoo removal, which is
costly and painful. It can also leave
scars behind where the tattoo used to
be. Changes in your appearance can
also change the way your tattoo looks.
If you gain weight, stretch marks can
ruin your tattoo. Women planning on
pregnancy should avoid getting
tattoos on the stomach or breasts.

5. Potential

If you want a tattoo now but not
forever, there may be hope on the
horizon. Scientists have developed
biodegradable tattoo inks that are
easier to remove than traditional
tattoos. Infinitink (see Resources) is
contained inside a tiny plastic bead.
When a tattoo-removing laser hits the
bead, the ink is instantly blasted away,
eliminating the need for several
rounds of removal treatment.
However, Infinitink is more expensive
than regular tattoo ink and therefore
isn't commonly used.

SOURCE:
http://www.ehow.com/m/about_4691790_tattoo-dangers-side-effects.html