Tattoo Safety Guidelines

They are creative. They are beautiful. They are trendy. They are tattoos. From being despised as the lot of rebels and hippies, a tattoo has now become almost a measure of one’s cool quotient.

However, before you begin to flaunt one, remember that you could be putting your health at risk. A tattoo, unless done following necessary prescriptions for sanitation and hygiene, can cause a serious infection. Don’t panic though. Just look for some basic pointers.

First things first. Don’t be impulsive with a tattoo. A permanent tattoo remains just that – permanent (laser surgeries can remove permanent tattoos but they are expensive). So to eliminate any possible future regrets, make sure that getting a tattoo is not a kneejerk decision.

Give it time. In the meantime, make enquiries abouttattoo artists in your town, visit their studios, and do a thorough check. If, after waiting for a couple of months, you still have a strong urge to acquire a tattoo, go for it!

Don’t be penny wise, pound foolish in case of a tattoo. You might find a tattoo parlour that etches designs for a lower fee but instead of trying to scrimp, ensure at what cost the parlour is cheaper. Don’t compromise with your health. A professional tattoo artist’s studioshould look and feel healthy.

If you doubt its dedication to hygiene and cleanliness, go for another parlour. A professional parlour will do whatever it can to inspire client confidence which begins with sanitation.

Do check whether the artist follows the routine meticulously using disposable syringes and containers, washing hands carefully, wearing latex gloves and disposing off the used materials. He should break and dispose the needle in front of you.

If you have any allergies or health issues, don’t forget to tell the tattoo artist about it. In some rare cases, the ink used for tattooing can cause a reaction. You are not done even after the tattoo has been etched. Strictly follow the advice of the tattoo artist.

While the dos suggest washing the tattoo with an anti-bacterial soap and cold water, and covering it with jelly or ointment to prevent dryness, the don’ts include not exposing your tattoo to the sun, not letting it dry, and not scratching it. Ready? Go for it.