Tattoos

What are tattoos?

Tattoos are permanent images drawn on your body using one or more needles attached to a tattoo machine. The needles rapidly pierce the skin to insert ink under the top layer of the skin. Tattoos can be put anywhere on your skin, although some areas are more painful or prone to fading than others.

How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?

There is no legal age minimum for getting a tattoo in Canada, but most tattoo studios will not tattoo teens under the age of 18 without parental consent.

You will likely be asked to show proof of identity and sign a form saying you understand the risks of getting a tattoo before getting one.

What should I know before getting a tattoo?

It is important to do your research before getting a tattoo. Tattoos are permanent and can be difficult and expensive to remove. Although many people have tattoos, tattoos can have an have an impact on the way people respond to you. This may matter to some people, and it may not matter to others.

Make sure that you get your tattoo(s) from a studio that has been inspected and approved by public health. A studio that is in good standing will have tattoo artists who:

• wash their hands with soap and water, and wear new gloves, before starting the tattoo.
• clean your skin with an antiseptic such as 70% alcohol before the tattooing begins.
• use a single-use disposable razor if a part of your body needs to be shaved before tattooing.
• use single-use disposable stencils to transfer the tattoo design onto your skin.
• use single-use, clean and sterile needles.
• use only unused pigments and trays.
• do not add the ingredient para-phenylenediamine (PPD) or hair dye to their ink.
• cover your tattoo with a non-stick bandage when the tattoo is finished.
• dispose of razors and needles in the proper biomedical waste containers.
• explain the tattooing process to you in detail and provide instructions on how to properly care for your tattoo(s) at home.
• will deny you service if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Possible complications from tattoos and what to do if you develop one

Because tattooing needles break the skin, there are several complications that can occur from tattoos:

1. You can get an infection at the site of the tattoo, which can cause pain, redness and swelling. While your skin is healing, dirt and bacteria can get under the skin. You can avoid infections by keeping the tattoo site clean. If the site does become infected, there are antibiotic medications that can help treat the area.
2. You could get a blood infection such as HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. This is usually from contaminated tattooing equipment. You can help protect yourself by making sure your hepatitis B and tetanus vaccines are up-to-date.
3. You might have an allergic reaction. Although rare, it is possible to be allergic to the pigments used in tattoo ink. It is also possible to develop an allergic reaction to tattoos you have had for years.
4. Tattoos can cause scarring or overgrowths of scar tissue (keloids). If you know that your body is prone to keloids, you should probably not get a tattoo.
5. Tattoos can cause areas of inflammation (granulomas), which are nodules that form around material that your body thinks is foreign (like tattoo pigment).

How do I care for a tattoo at home?

Always follow the care instructions provided by your tattoo studio. In general, the tips below should be followed 24 hours after you have received your tattoo for the next two to four weeks:

• Gently wash the tattoo area twice a day with antimicrobial soap and water. Pat dry.
• Apply a layer of antibacterial ointment or petroleum jelly after each wash.
• Try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo.
• Avoid swimming and the sun.
• Take cool showers to avoid irritating your skin and fading the ink.
• Do not pick, scratch, or peel any scabs that form. These are normal and will go away on their own.
• If you think your tattoo is infected or isn’t healing properly, go see your health-care provider.

Once your tattoo has healed, it is important to continue moisturizing the area daily and wear sunscreen anytime it is exposed to the sun.

What if I want to remove a tattoo?

If you no longer wish to have a tattoo, you can have it removed by a laser, which zaps the ink pigments with concentrated light to break it up. This makes it easier for your body’s immune system to gradually remove the ink from its place in your skin. Although the procedure is called tattoo removal, it is very difficult to completely remove a tattoo, especially if the tattoo is large and complex. Tattoo removal is also expensive and often needs to be done over a number of sessions. It also comes with its own possible complications, like potential scarring. Before getting a tattoo, it is important to keep the challenges of tattoo removal in mind.