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Tattoo and Piercing Still Risky
March 10, 2003 -- Tattoo art and body piercing are popular forms of self-expression. But body art carries a downright dangerous risk of serious infection, including hepatitis C and HIV. Kids need to think twice about it. But if they're sold on the idea, at least make sure the shop is using clean needles and instruments.
"Spring break is a time when lots of young people are impulsively getting tattoos and body piercing -- and unfortunately, they're not exercising good common sense in choosing the shop where they get it done," says David Rosen, MD, MPH, a professor of pediatrics in teenage and young adult medicine at the University of Michigan Health System.
In fact, a recent study of 874 tattoo shops, beauty shops, and hairdressers in Australia -- all where tattooing and piercing can be done -- found that most lack knowledge of some essential infection-control principles and practices, writes Aurmporn Oberdorfer, MD, MSc, a behavioral sciences researcher at the University of Newcastle, Australia. His study appears in the current issue of The American Journal of Health Behavior.
Although HIV and hepatitis B are more likely to be transmitted through unprotected sexual activity, the viruses can be transmitted by nonsterile tattooing and piercing practices.
Indeed, it's a "buyer beware situation" out there, Rosen tells WebMD. "There are some wonderful shop operators who do a terrific job, and ones who don't. I don't think most people have ability to tell what sort of place they find themselves in. We want make sure potential clients had ability to judge for themselves."
Tattoos have other hidden health hazards, beyond hepatitis and HIV risks. Some people find out they are sensitive to dyes. In a few cases, gangrene has developed from an infection. "Also, it hurts to get a tattoo, to be quite honest," Rosen tells WebMD. "And the tattoo won't be very appealing for a period of time. Most people think it will look good right after it's done, but it doesn't."
Infection from a body piercing is fairly common, Rosen adds. Also, some people have an allergic reaction to metal that is used. One in 10 will have a bleeding complication. One in 15 will have a large scar or reaction at the site. There's also the possibility of toxic shock syndrome. If a nerve happens to get pierced, nerve damage can result. Piercing of the tongue has resulted in chipped teeth, he says.
When choosing a piercing or tattoo art studio, Rosen says, choose a place where:
- Sterile supplies are used. You should be able to see the operator opening up sterile needles in front of you and throw them away afterward.
- An autoclave is used to sterilize equipment is between each use. Soaking instruments in alcohol is not enough.
- The operator uses fresh, disposable gloves. Those gloves should be replaced between procedures and after touching non-sterile items like money.
- Inks are never to be reused from person to person.
- Operators follow laws. If the state law prohibits anyone under age 18 from getting a tattoo -- yet the studio is willing to tattoo a 16-year-old -- "who knows what other rules they're breaking," says Rosen.
Also, consider the tattoo artist or body artist's talent level. "This is something that will be on your body your whole life," he adds. "Look for somebody who has some artistic flair, who will do an attractive job. Ask to see samples of their work."
SOURCE: News release, Health Behavior News Service. David Rosen, MD, MPH, professor of pediatrics, University of Michigan Health System.
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