Body Piercings and Tattoos

What are piercings and tattoos?

Piercing and tattooing are widely embraced forms of body art. Piercing involves a professional using a needle to create a hole in the body, into which jewellery is inserted. Tattoos, on the other hand, are made by injecting ink into the dermis layer of the skin using a needle, altering the skin’s pigment to form intricate designs. Despite their popularity, both piercings and tattoos carry potential health risks. It’s crucial to be aware of these risks before undergoing these procedures.

What are the different types of Body Modification?

There are different types of tattoos and piercings. Permanent makeup is one form of tattooing in which permanent ink is used to mimic the look of eyeliner, lip liner, eyebrow pencil, or other kinds of makeup. Another interesting type of body modification is intentional scars on the face and torso, often used as tribal or ethnic identification marks in Africa and South Asia. Facial scars were also once employed as a means to destroy the beauty of young girls to prevent kidnapping. Body parts are mostly pierced for beauty sentiments in an individual, and parts that can be pierced include the following:

• Ears, such as the earlobes, tragus, or conch
• Nose, such as the nostrils or septum
• Eyebrows
• Tongue
• Lips
• Cheek
• Navel
• Nipples
• Genitals, such as the clitoris or penis

More dramatic body modification procedures include:

• Using jewellery to stretch the earlobes
• Implanting beads into the skin
• Scarification, or deliberately scarring the skin
• Using dermal punch procedures to create a hole in the cartilage

Misconceptions about living with body modifications

• Health workers may tag you as a risk when they see your tattoos/piercings. Whilst having a tattoo or piercing does not imply risky health behaviours, having them may disqualify you from donating blood or organs as a way of minimising the potential risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases.
• Once my tattoo or body piercing is done in a safe/ clean environment, I have nothing else to worry about. Societal perceptions about body modifications differ from culture to culture. Face scarification may be acceptable in a society where a belly piercing may be seen as strange or irresponsible. Considering societal climes when getting piercings or tattoos on visible body parts is vital. This may affect your employment prospects or societal interactions, which may have adverse effects on mental health.

What are the health risks of tattoos and piercings?

Both tattoos and body piercings are popular forms of self-expression, but they also carry potential risks and complications:

Tattoos:

• Allergic reactions to tattoo dyes: Can develop years after getting the tattoo, leading to symptoms like a rash at the tattoo site.
• Skin infections: Examples include staph infections or cutaneous tuberculosis, which can cause burning, swelling, or granulomas (nodules of inflamed tissue).
• Keloids: Overgrowths of scar tissue may form around the tattoo site.
• Bloodborne diseases: Contaminated needles can transmit diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and tetanus.
• Interference with MRI tests: Tattoo ink can sometimes interfere with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Body Piercings:

• Bacterial infections: Piercings pose a risk of bacterial infections, with complications such as abscesses (pus-filled masses) that can lead to sepsis if untreated.
• Sepsis: A life-threatening condition resulting from infections, potentially leading to organ failure and death if not promptly treated.
• Location-specific risks: Different piercing locations carry specific risks. For example:
  • Tongue piercings can damage teeth and obstruct the airway due to swelling.
  • Genital piercings may cause pain during urination or intercourse.
• Other complications: Swelling, keloid formation, and bleeding from damaged blood vessels are also possible risks associated with body piercings.

Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, allergies (especially those with a history of anaphylactic reactions), skin disorders like eczema or psoriasis, or weakened immune systems, may face increased risks and complications from tattoos and piercings. It’s crucial to carefully consider these risks, choose reputable studios with strict hygiene practices, and follow proper aftercare instructions to minimise potential complications and ensure safer body modifications.

How do we make tattoos and piercings as safe as possible?

Taking proper precautions can significantly reduce the risk of health complications associated with tattoos and piercings. Here are some essential tips for ensuring safer procedures and better aftercare:

Tips for New Tattoos:

• Choose a reputable facility: Ensure the tattoo studio is licensed and maintains high hygiene standards. Cleanliness of work surfaces and chairs and the use of disposable equipment are crucial.
• Hygiene practices: Verify that the artist uses fresh gloves and washes their hands before starting the procedure. Needles should always be removed from new, sealed packages and never reused.
• Disinfection: To reduce the risk of infection, the skin area should be cleaned with a disinfectant, such as rubbing alcohol, before tattooing.
• Aftercare: Follow the artist’s instructions carefully to care for your new tattoo. This typically includes covering the fresh tattoo with sterile gauze or a bandage and using recommended ointments to aid healing.

Tips for Safe Piercings:

• Use of appropriate tools: Ensure that a piercing gun is only used on earlobes, as other body parts require a hollow needle to prevent tissue damage.
• Hygiene and safety: Piercers should wash their hands thoroughly and use fresh disposable surgical gloves for each procedure. Single-use needles should be disposed of properly after each use.
• Jewellery sterilisation: To prevent infections, all jewellery used for piercing should be properly sterilised before insertion into the body.
• Sanitisation: Both piercing equipment and surfaces should be sanitised and wiped down after each customer to maintain cleanliness and reduce contamination.

General Aftercare:

• After getting a tattoo or piercing, diligently follow the aftercare instructions provided by your artist or piercer.
• For tattoos, keep the area clean and avoid exposing it to dirt or contaminants. Apply recommended ointments or moisturisers as directed.
• Avoid touching new tattoos and piercings with unclean hands to prevent infections.
• Monitor for any signs of complications, such as excessive swelling, redness, or pus, and seek medical attention if necessary.

By following these precautions and practising proper aftercare, individuals can enjoy their tattoos and piercings with reduced risk of complications and promote faster healing.