#9janinjaDotCom : For The Trendy, the Disadvantages Of Tattooing

A Tattoo is a form of body modification, made by inserting ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment.

Medical Issues in Tattooing

Because it requires breaking the skin barrier, tattooing may carry health risks, including infection and allergic reactions. Modern tattooists reduce such risks by following universal precautions, working with single-use items, and sterilizing their equipment after each use. Many jurisdictions require that tattooists have blood-borne pathogen training, such as that provided through the Red Cross and OSHA. As of 2009 in the United States, there have been no reported cases of HIV contracted via commercially applied tattooing processes.

In amateur tattooing, such as that practiced in prisons, however, there is an elevated risk of infection. Infections that can theoretically be transmitted by the use of unsterilized tattoo equipment or contaminated ink include surface infections of the skin, fungal infections, some forms of hepatitis, herpes simplex virus, HIV, staph, tetanus, and tuberculosis.

Tattoo inks have been described as "remarkably nonreactive histologically". However, cases of allergic reactions to tattoo inks, particularly certain colours, have been medically documented. This is sometimes due to the presence of nickel in an ink pigment, which triggers a common metal allergy. Occasionally, when a blood vessel is punctured during the tattooing procedure, a bruise/hematoma may appear.

Demerits of tattoo

- Career Limitations
· Style of Clothing
· Relationship Conflicts
· Decrease in Community Involvement
· Negative Self-Esteem
· Compromise Health

When it comes to getting hired for a job and professionally advancing in many careers, having tattoos is often a disadvantage.   Most professional positions in corporate business, medical, educational, law, and the military, as well as their administrative/support positions discourage hiring individuals with visible tattoos.  And, the few professional careers willing to hire individual with tattoos have dress code policies mandating tattoos remain hidden on the job.

Having to conceal visible tattoos on a daily basis for work and social events is another disadvantage tattoos bring about.  Finding the right clothing to wear to hide tattoos can be a challenge, especially if tattoos are on areas of the skin not typically covered by clothes.

Tattoos located in commonly exposed areas such as arms, necks, ankles, and wrists often require wearing long sleeves and pants regardless of the temperature or if the style trend for women is sleeveless tops and skirts.  Special occasions and evening attire limitations are a factor when it comes to dressing up and covering tattoo designs.

Personal relationships can be affected by tattoos.  Having a tattoo of a former lovers’ name can negatively impact a current relationship.  People mistakenly confuse the name of your new love with the one on your arm.

Being a parent with tattoos can create unwanted attention and embarrassment for children being teased by friends and classmates.

Tattoos can hold people back from making positive changes and pursuing a better lifestyle, such as a former gang member no longer associated with gang or street living, but is not welcome into the community for baring the identifiable gang tattoos.

Tattoo disadvantages negatively impact people’s health.   Physically, tattoos can cause health complications such as allergic reactions, serious infections, and chronic diseases such as hepatitis.

Tattoos can also damage a person’s self-esteem, creating anxiety and depression about being viewed as a stereotype personality they are not.

Remember, career goals, interests, and relationships change throughout life.  Choosing to get a tattoo in a place that can easily be covered with clothes does not mean you are selling out, it simple means you are taking advantage of all your future options rather than getting disadvantages tattooed in plain view.