^^^Sound advice^^^ I have 4, one of which (my first one) I've considered having covered or removed a number of times.
In the process of having a palm sized tat removed from my left arm, 2 sessions in so far. Not the worst thing in the world but it sure isn't fun.
2nd session down, 1 more the 30th to finish the red fade and add some lighter shading to make everything look like metal....
So I have an appointment coming up soon I'm thinking about what got me all started on this crazy car obsession. I have had more things added after my last one but it was to add and refresh my first tattoo. I'm thinking about this next to blend in with the rest of the arm that will be done.
(Health Secrets) It is estimated that about ¼ of people under the age of 30 have at least one tattoo. Tattoos are part act of rebellion, part rite of passage but can they do any serious harm? Studies say yes. Before you go out and get inked, learn the hidden health risks of tattoos and how to avoid them. Hidden Health Risks of Tattoos Allergic Reaction The most common health risk associated with tattoos is allergic reaction. A common carrier solution called propylene glycol has been known to cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Within a few minutes to a few hours of getting a tattoo, you may notice itching, burning, rash, and blisters. When it comes to ink, both black and green pigments have been known to cause allergic reaction because they are metal-based. Red pigments made from mercury sulfide have also been strongly associated with severe allergic reaction. Skin Infection Topical skin infections are another common health concern associated with tattoos. Staph infections, impetigo, cellulitis, mycobacterium, and viral warts may be noticed within days of receiving ink and may be difficult to treat due to growing antibiotic resistance. Melanoma While the FDA has never been able to directly link the development of melanoma to tattoos, many tattoo inks contain known carcinogens that might increase your risk. Also, if you get a large tattoo that goes over a mole, you might not notice the minute changes associated with this most deadly form of skin cancer. Being unaware of the changes taking place on your skin can leave you more vulnerable to developing metastatic disease. HIV Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be transferred during tattooing if the artist does not use fresh needles and ink. Because of this critical risk factor, blood banks and hospitals will not allow you to donate blood within 12 months of getting a tattoo. Hepatitis If the tattoo artist does not use clean needles and fresh ink, you run the risk of contracting hepatitis C. Those with tattoos have a two-three fold increased risk of developing this viral disease. Symptoms usually appear anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months after infection. Since some people with hepatitis develop no symptoms, you could be a carrier, infecting others without realizing it. Removing a Tattoo May be More Dangerous Than Getting One When you get a tattoo, your body creates a protective barrier around the ink as it comes in contact with your skin. The pigment stays in a dense clump of skin that keeps any toxins in the ink from spreading to your lymph nodes and organs. However, if you change your mind about the tattoo and decide to have it removed, you greatly increase your risk of developing cancer. According to the National Center for Toxicological Research, some tattoo pigments contain carcinogens. When they are removed using a laser, these pigments are blasted from their protective layer, which increases the spread of toxic molecules throughout your body 70-fold!
I have 6 tattoos done (1 a cover up) and the woman who does mine breaks the tip of the needle off and lets me have the stem to do as I please. If you get a back alley tattoo,I would say the chances of HIV,Hepatitis or skin infection.My tattooist's shop is cleaner than most Dr offices.I have seen them scrub everything between clients. She even has a special station for the piercings she does.. In the end,like everything,you get what you pay for..Tattoos aren't for everyone..
Here is my first tattoo from when I was 18 back in 95 as you can see the flames towards the backside are funky. I asked my buddy's that day do they look ok of course oh yeah sweet dude.... Anyhow he went over it and added some stuff to it.
The tattoo guy could also slip really bad and shove a needle all the way through your arm. Their chair might break while you're in it and you could break your arm, leg, or sprain your ankle. Maybe your artist is on meth and you end up with a gigantic twitchy spider looking thing when you wanted a portrait of your dead grandmother....These are reasons you go to an actual professional. My guy has been doing this for 40 years and is world renowned. His studio is cleaner and more organized than any dentist's or doctor's office I've ever been in, only with better art on the walls, better music, and more interesting magazines to read. I think old guys still picture back alley seedy joints with guys named "Snake" doing the work. Guys, if you go into a place like that, be forewarned, you've got a much better chance of having issues with getting a tattoo. You're also quite stupid for not doing your research and finding a place that does best practices for clean health and puts out good work. This isn't the 40s, 50s, or 60s, all the info is out there for who's good and who isn't. Don't go to the bad places and stick with the good (duh). If you do your research, it's cleaner, safer, and less painful getting a tattoo then getting a tooth pulled....... Don't be stupid is the moral of the story. And if you're one of the guys that doesn't like or appreciate tattoos, don't be judgmental and try instead to appreciate what the good artists have done. The guy with the really good tattoo is probably a lot cleaner then you were after your last proctologist visit. The work I posted here of my cover up is not the best looking tattoo I've ever seen, nor is it the best work I've got on my body. But, it is done by someone that is learning best practices and has a real artistic flair to her. She's also like a niece to me. So, while she learns her craft, I'm happy to be a "sketch pad" for her, if you will. We can always go back and fix it later. Here's a cover up my buddy Dave (her father) is doing. (Note the cleanliness of everything in his studio to the negative Nancys.)
