Allergic infections: The ink used for tattooing is made from dyes consisting of metals that could be toxic in nature. You may experience itching, redness of the skin and swelling due to the inks used while tattooing. Unpleasant reactions to tattoo colors and consequently infections are a possibility. It is better to have a test tattoo (the red-patch test) done to detect your resistance power before you decide to go ahead with one.

Tattoo requires a fair deal of after care. You should clean and moisturize the tattooed area regularly. Avoid exposure to sun for the first few weeks.

Know about removal
Before you go for a tattoo, you must be aware of the removal process. A broken relationship or boredom you’re your design may send you to remove the tattoo you had enthusiastically inscribed on your body.

But inscribing it is easier than taking it off your skin. Removing a tattoo is even more difficult than getting one.  Dr G M Rana, of Body Piercing India, Wadala, Mumbai suggests, “Try a temporary tattoo before having a permanent inscription on your body. Consider the removal process only if necessary.”

Dr Jaishree Sharad says, “A tattoo can be either surgically excised or removed with a laser. Surgical excision may leave a bad scar, and therefore laser removal is considered the only best option.

“Q Switched Nd Yag laser is the best to remove blue, grey and black colored tattoos. Orange and red tattoos, though more difficult to remove, respond to Q switched NdYag 532 nm laser. Green tattoos, on the other hand, can be removed by Q switched Alexandrite laser.”

Around four-six sessions are required at an interval of six weeks each for complete removal of a tattoo.

A local anaesthetic gel is applied an hour before treatment, after which the laser is shot on the tattoo.

Immediately after the treatment, white crusting of the skin may occur. There may be swelling and blistering during the first two days after the laser procedure. Any resultant scab generally resolves in around 10-14 days.

Proper care of the wound is necessary to aid the healing process and also to prevent infection. Typically, antibiotic ointments and dressing changes are recommended.

Last word: People under 18 need parental consent before getting a tattoo done.

Stay skin healthy

Tags: Tattoo, skin