.png)
A TATTOO IS A FORM OF BODY MODIFICATION
WHERE A DESIGN IS MADE BY INSERTING
INK, DYES, AND/OR PIGMENTS, INTO THE DERMIS LAYER OF THE SKIN. CREATING A PERMANENT PIECE OF ART IN YOUR SKIN
CHOOSING YOUR TATTOO ARTIST
The most important thing you can do before getting a tattoo is finding the right studio and/or artist.
Getting a new tattoo is exciting and when you finally know what you want, it's hard to wait. But this process shouldn't be rushed into. If you want a tattoo that you are going to be happy with, it's going to take some time to find the right artist for you.
Finding the right tattoo artist can be even more important than choosing a design. Tattooing is a craft that does not require licensing, so it is important that you get familiar with the tattoo artist and to find a safe studio.
You don't have to be an artist to be able to tell quality work from a bad work. When you get a chance to look at an artist's portfolio, it's important to look closely at the work. It's easy to be swayed by pretty pictures online, so it is important to take a close look at the artist's work.
If you have friends who likes to get ink from time to time, they can be a great resource when it comes to choosing an artist. If they've had a bad experience, they can warn you not to make the same mistake. If you see someone walking down the street with a great tattoo, don't be afraid to ask them where they got it!
KNOW THE RISKS
Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible, including:
- Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes — can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.fff
- Skin infections. A skin infection is possible after tattooing.
Other skin problems. Sometimes an area of inflammation called a granuloma can form around tattoo ink. Tattooing also can lead to keloids — raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
- Bloodborne diseases. If the equipment used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various bloodborne diseases — including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
MRI complications. Rarely, tattoos or permanent makeup might cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. In some cases, tattoo pigments can interfere with the quality of the image.
- Medication or other treatment might be needed if you experience an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink or you develop an infection or other skin problem near a tattoo.
