You want a tattoo, but are wondering what the health risks are. If done accordingly to the safety regulations for working with blood, getting tattooed nowadays is pretty safe. But there are still parlors out there, which ignore these regulations and therefore are a potential risk for your health if you get a tattoo done over there.
Potential health risks are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS and other infections.
For this reason many blood banks do not want you donate blood directly after being tattooed. It is better to wait 4-6 months before donating blood.
To prevent these infection diseases make sure that you are up to date with your immunizations (especially hepatitis and tetanus shots).
If you have any medical problems consult you family doctor first if getting tattooed is safe for you. Don't drink alcohol or get high before getting a tattoo. Most artists won't serve you anyway if you are in such a condition. But besides that, alcohol can cause excessive bleeding, which can push the ink out and ruin your tattoo.
When you visit the parlor, check if it looks clean and if an autoclave (for sterilization of the tattoo equipment) is being used. Needles, ink and gloves should be disposable. Ask the artist if he has a license and has followed classes to work safely with blood. A good artist will be more than happy to show these to you and show how the procedure is done. If there is anything that makes you feel uncomfortable during this visit, go and find a other parlor.
Another concern is allergies. If you are allergic to latex, you should let your tattoo artist know in advance. This will give him time to purchase synthetic ones. An allergic reaction to latex causes slow healing and in severe cases even scarring.
Sometimes "A&D" ointments instead of Vaseline are used. Most "A&D" ointments contain codliver oil. If you are allergic to codliver oil make this known. An allergic reaction can have bad outcome on your tattoo.
There are many metals put into the ink they use for tattooing (like mercury and nickel). Especially the color red can cause allergic reactions. If you are allergic against certain metals, ask if they can put a small dot on your skin and leave it there for 24 hours. If you don't get an allergic reaction you'll be probably safe to use that color of ink.
Although getting a tattoo is safe nowadays, it is better to be be safe than sorry and check your parlor out before getting tattooed.
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