Body Art-Tattoos & Piercings
OBJECTIVES:
1. We will be able to identify health consequences
of body artPiercings and Tattoos
2. We will be able to identify social consequences
of body artPiercings and Tattoos
How Tattoos Are Done
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North Carolina Body Art Laws
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Tattooing
o Prohibits anyone from tattooing a
minor under age 18.
Body Piercing
o Prohibits anyone from piercing any part
of a minor under age 18 other than the
ears without the prior consent of the
custodial parent.
Some other states
o Require prior written consent from
parent or legal guardian to tattoo or
pierce a minor
tiny ink droplets.
Global Connection
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The earliest recorded tattoos were found in
Egypt during the time of the construction of
the great pyramids
When the Egyptians expanded their empire,
the art of tattooing spread as well.
The civilizations of Crete, Greece, Persia, and
Arabia picked up and expanded the art form.
Around 2000 BC tattooing spread to China.
Tattoos: Understand risks & precautions
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Tattoos may be more common than ever, but
don't take tattooing lightly.
Know the risks and understand basic safety
precautions and aftercare steps.
You could be the owner of a new tattoo in a
matter of hours — but don't let the ease of
getting tattoos stop you from making a
thoughtful decision about permanent body art.
If you first take steps to protect yourself from
possible risks, what seems like a cool idea now
is less likely to turn into a source of regret later.
Tattoo: a permanent mark or design made on
your skin with pigments inserted through
pricks into the skin's top layer.
Typically, the tattoo artist uses a hand-held
machine that acts much like a sewing machine,
with one or more needles piercing the skin
repeatedly.
o With every puncture, the needles insert
If you’re thinking about it
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There is one very important thing you have to
keep in mind — getting it done safely.
Although it might look a whole lot cooler than
a big scab, a new tattoo is also a wound.
Like any other slice, scrape, puncture, cut, or
penetration to your skin, a tattoo is at risk for
infections and disease.
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If the equipment used to create
your tattoo is contaminated with
infected blood, you can contract
various blood borne diseases.
 Hepatitis B
 Hepatitis C
 Tetanus
 HIV — the virus that
causes AIDS
o 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.
o Not regulated by the FDA-Tattoos are
cosmetic
o Make sure
your person is
licensed, has
a clean work
area, uses
gloves, washes
hands and
area to be
tattooed
Plan Ahead—for tattoos & piercing
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Make sure you're up to date with your
immunizations
o Especially hepatitis and tetanus shots
Plan where you’ll get medical care if your tattoo
becomes infected
Signs of infection
o Excessive redness
o Tenderness around the tattoo
o Prolonged bleeding
o Pus
o Changes in skin color around the tattoo
Know The Risks
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Tattoos breach (break) the skin, which means
that skin infections and other complications are
possible.
Let’s look at some of the risks:
o Allergic Reactions
 Tattoo dyes, especially red dye,
can cause allergic skin reactions
 Itchy rash at the tattoo
site
 This may occur even years after
you get the tattoo.
o Skin Infections
 Tattoos can lead to local
bacterial infections.
 Redness
 Swelling
 Pain
 Pus-like drainage
o 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)
o Blood Borne Diseases
Social Consequences
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Consider the negative consequences of
tattooing your body for life
Although tattoos have become more socially
acceptable there are still sections of the general
public that look down on tattoos
Many tattoo seekers do not realize the negative
effects of getting a tattoo in a visible place
Employers have a say about the acceptability of
tattoos and piercing if it is in their dress code
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o They can say no to visible tattoos as
long as they are consistent
 If you have tattoos that can be
covered up, you do have a better
chance of being hired in
corporate America
o Covering a tattoo for career reasons can
be a commitment in its self.
 This is one reason artists may
discourage a tattoo seeker from
getting a neck, face, or even a
lower arm tattoo.
The armed services
are also very strict
on tattoos being
viewable to the
public while in the
service.
Body Piercing
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A piercing or
puncture made in your body by a needle.
After that, a piece of jewelry is inserted into the
puncture.
o The most popular pierced body parts
seem to be the ears, the nostrils, and the
belly button.
Make sure the piercing shops is clean
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The person doing the piercing
o washes his/her hands with a germicidal
soap
o wears fresh disposable gloves
o uses sterilized instruments
o does not use a piercing gun (they're not
sterile)
The needle being used is
o new and is being used for the first time
o disposed of in a special sealed container
after the piercing
Some Health Risks
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If all goes well, you should be fine after a body
piercing except for some temporary symptoms
o some pain
o swelling at the pierced area
o tongue piercing, increased saliva
Things can still go wrong
o chronic infection
o uncontrollable or prolonged bleeding
o Scarring
o hepatitis B and C
o Tetanus
o skin allergies to the jewelry that's used
o abscesses or boils (collections of pus
that can form under your skin at the
site of the piercing)
o inflammation or nerve damage
Piercing Care
o Depending on the body part, healing
times can take anywhere from a few
weeks to more than a year.
o Don't pick or tug at it
o Keep the area clean with soap
 not rubbing alcohol
o Don't touch it without washing your
hands first
o Never use hydrogen peroxide because it
can break down newly formed tissue
o If you have a mouth piercing, use an
alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash
after eating