The report details some of the risks, from skin infections to potential harm to future job prospects.
That Tattoo Might Be Trendy Today, But What About Tomorrow?
Teenagers should think twice before getting a tattoo, especially one with the name of their current crush.
That’s one piece of advice from a new report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a leading group of doctors who care for children.
Tattoos and body piercings may have become mainstream, but the report outlines some of the risks, from skin infections to potential damage to future job opportunities.
But the intention isn’t to criticize body art, said Dr. Cora Breuner, the report’s lead author.
“It’s not necessarily something to look down on. We just want young people to be aware,” said Breuner, an attending physician at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
It’s hard to know how often tattoos or piercings lead to infections or other complications because there’s no specific registry, Breuner said.
But based on case reports, potential risks include scarring, allergic reactions, and bacterial infections.
According to the academy, there are “many case reports” of people developing nontuberculous mycobacterial infections after getting tattoos, for example. These infections can range from mild skin rashes to severe boils (a buildup of pus in the skin tissue) that require surgical drainage.
Tattoos have also been linked to cases of hepatitis (a liver infection), which can be transmitted through blood.
The report emphasizes the importance of going to a licensed tattoo artist who follows proper infection control measures: They should wear disposable gloves, use a new needle from a sealed, sterile container, and pour fresh ink into a new disposable container.
It’s also crucial to ensure your vaccinations are up to date and that you’re not taking any medications that affect immunity.
According to the Academy, Similar Advice Applies to Body Piercings
“If they follow good sterile procedures, the risk of infection is low,” noted Dr. Bruce Robinson, a clinical professor of dermatology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Even so, Robinson pointed out, people can still experience an allergic reaction to tattoo ink pigments or metals (especially nickel) used in body piercings. In such cases, he noted, a “secondary” bacterial infection could