So Is Your Tattoo Infected?
Tattoos are appealing, but not when they're infected. The New England Journal of Medicine states that in the last
couple of months there have been outbreaks of a certain type of tattoo related-infection. The bacteria called
nontuberculous mycobacterium, which is a relative to TB has been lead to infected ink. They originally thought that
ink could possibly pick up bacteria when needles are handed in non-sterile ways or when they are diluted with tap
water. It turns out that the bacteria has been found in sealed containers. This means that the ink productions facilities
might not have sterilized things properly. People who get infected tattoos should go to MedWatch to report it so they
can trace the contaminants back to its original source. To avoid infections overall, there is a recommendation that
people go to tattoo parlors that are safe and "who can confirm that their inks have undergone a process that
eliminates harmful microbial contaminants". To prove that, there isn't a specific way but if you go to a parlor and you
ask where they got their ink from or if its safe and they refuse to answer, you probably shouldn't go to that parlor.
Tattoos as Makeup? Read the Fine Print
A hairstylist in New Jersey, Auri Reynoso said she wanted to roll out of bed "looking beautiful", so she got a certified
permanent-costemetics professional to tattoo eyeliner and defined brows onto her face. Auri was satisfied with her
results even though the procedure was a little bit uncomfortable. Permanent makeup/cosmetic-tattooing was used
back in the early 1980's alopecia, which is a condition that causes hair loss. Now it is also used for burn victims,
cancer survivors, patients with arthritis and Parkinson's disease who have difficulty applying makeup. Even though
this procedure may benefit a lot of people, there are still disadvantages with needles and ink. The colour fades with
time and some patients develop granulomas,keloids, scars, blisters, and burning sensations when they go through an
MRI. John Hashey, the owner of John Hashey's Advanced School of Permanent Cosmetics states " We see
thousands of faces being destroyed by people who don't get trained properly, and that's the biggest problem in
permanent cosmetics". The reactions to micropigmentation include infections such as H.I.V, hepatitis, staph and strep
from dirty needles, and allergic reactions to permanent dyes. Dr. Mitchel Goldman, a dermatologist who specializes in
laser removal of tattoos states, “I’ve had patients who have infections on their lips and eyebrows because these
tattoo artists are totally not regulated. They use equipment that's not sterile. A lot of infections also come from the tap
water. They dip their needles in and transfer infections. The pigment goes to lymph nodes. Who knows 20 years
down the line patients will have lymphoma or cancer because of these carcinogens in tattoo pigment?"
Tattoo Infections Linked To Contaminated
Tattoo Inks
Tattoo inks are sometimes contaminated with nontuberculous Mycobacteria which can cause serious infections such
as lung diseases, eye problems, several organ infections and infection of the joints. Mycobacteria-linked infections
aren’t easy to diagnose and it requires a long treatment process. Aside from pathogens from the nontuberculous
Mycobacteria family, tattoo pigments and also inks may infect people with fungi and molds. Doctors especially, need
to become aware of the signs and symptoms so that the misdiagnosis risk can be reduced. Tattoo artists should be
fully aware of this potentially dangerous complication and even the most educated tattoo artists may not be aware
that an ink or pigment is tainted. It is difficult to tell whether or not there is contamination without proper equipment.
The FDA's two priority objectives are to encourage tattoo artists to take special precautions and to encourage tattoo
customers to seek medical care immediately if any of the signs and symptoms occur that are associated with
infection.
Infected Tattoo Outbreak Traced to Ink
Due to the popularity of tattoos, health officials are seeing more cases of skin infections caused by a common
bacteria being traced to the tattoo ink. Infections such as Hepatitis and staf infections are nothing new, but the
problem that the investigators concluded was in the ink. Tattoos are not risk free even if you go to a facility that does
everything correct. The health officials said that in the past year there have been 22 confirmed cases and more than
30 suspected cases of the skin infection in Colorado, Iowa, New York and Washington. Infections were linked to ink
or water used to dilute the ink. Only sterilized water should be used by tattoo artists and ink makers to dilute ink. The
bacteria is common in tap water and have been since previously when tattoo artists used contaminated water to
lighten dark ink. Health officials suggest to tattoo customers that they should ask what kind of ink is being used and
what measures are in place to prevent infections.
Lower-Back Tattoos Look Great, But There
Could Be Health Issues
People get tattoos for different reasons, and they have become a big trend today. Teenagers especially like to get
tattoos because they think they are cool and show off their personality. Lower-back is a very common place for
females to get tattoos, because they like to expose the great curvature on their lower-backs. Ladies who get
permanent tattoos on their lower-back might face problems with their epidermal during pregnancy. Also lower back
tattoos are not meant for people who suffer lower- back pains.
Woman should always be thinking ahead, and if they're thinking of getting a tattoo they should do more research
before proceeding. If woman know the consequence of getting a tattoo on their lower-back, then they should properly
get a tattoo somewhere else where they know for a fact that it is safe enough.