Be Smart About Body Art
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"Visit the establishment to make sure it appears clean and that sterile gloves and new equipment in sealed packages are used."
– Linda Kollar, MSN, clinical director of the Teen Health Center at Cincinnati Children's |
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Tattooing and body piercing have served as symbols for rites of passage, status, love or simply artistic expression for thousands of years. In the last decade, their popularity has soared, particularly with young people. Before committing to body art, a few precautions can prevent today's cool idea from turning into tomorrow's regret.
Demand Safety
The most important decision is selecting a reputable professional to do the work. "Visit the establishment to make sure it appears clean and that sterile gloves and new equipment in sealed packages are used," says Linda Kollar, MSN, clinical director of the Teen Health Center at Cincinnati Children's.
Tattoo artists prick the skin's top layer to insert colored pigment. "The ink should be new because artists will be dipping back into it, which can contaminate the ink," Kollar says. And some dyes can cause allergic reactions; red and yellow are the most problematic.
Once skin is broken, it's more susceptible to infections, blood-borne diseases, skin disorders and allergic reactions. Picking at the tattoo while it heals may do more than just damage the design. It also can raise the risk of infection or cause scarring.
Body piercing, which uses a hollow needle to create the hole, is typically done without anesthesia. Some practitioners may use piercing guns, which are difficult to sterilize and can more easily damage the skin. A piercing gun should never be used anywhere but the earlobe.
Keep it Clean
Caring for the piercing depends on the body part, Kollar says. Standard treatment for most body piercings is twice daily cleaning with a mild antibacterial soap and a pat-dry with a disposable towel. Piercings near the mouth require special care. Rinse with an antibacterial, alcohol-free mouth rinse for about a minute after meals until the piercing heals. To prevent bacteria build-up, brush regularly with a new, soft-bristled toothbrush. And beware potential tooth damage. "Metal objects in the mouth can aggravate tiny tooth fractures caused by teeth grinding," Kollar notes.
Finally, Kollar advises carefully matching jewelry to each piercing. "Use jewelry specific to the type of piercing you have. Jewelry for a flat surface, for example, is different from what's used on an earlobe. And pay attention to the gauge of the jewelry as some need bigger holes."
Body art can be a life-long investment, and careful choices today can help make it a healthy one.
