BU Well

Volume 4 Health, Wellness, and Life Sciences Articles and Multimedia

2019

Think Before You Ink

Marley Shovlin Butler University

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/buwell

Part of the Life Sciences Commons

Recommended Citation Shovlin M. Think Before You Ink. BU Well. 2019; 4(1).

This Articles and Multimedia is brought to you for free and open access by the Undergraduate Scholarship at Digital Commons @ Butler University. It has been accepted for inclusion in BU Well by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Butler University. For more information, please contact [email protected].

Think Before You Ink Marley Shovlin

Abstract: The prevalence of has increased over the past several decades. The societal shift of how tattoos are perceived has contributed to popularity and why artistry is desired. However, tattooing is not without risks. The potential health risks, psychological motivation, and perceived benefits of tattoos are topics to be considered before getting a tattoo. This article explores the risks, benefits, and reasoning behind tattoos in modern society.

hile tattoos are globally and historically significant, dating Bacterial infections can range from simple to severe, depending W back more than 5,000 years, developed countries such as on how deep the infection resides on the skin. Viral the United States are seeing a significant increase in tattoo complications generate concern for disease outbreak due to the popularity.1,2,3 Not only has the prevalence of tattoos in the US transmission of blood-borne pathogens.1 For example, in the increased, but the demographics have changed. In the past, mid-1960s New York City temporarily banned tattooing after a significantly more males than females indulged in getting a hepatitis B outbreak occurred due to poorly sanitized needles. tattoo, but this gap no longer exists.4 In comparison to Australia Current statistics report tattooing to still be a leading cause of and European countries, the US has a higher prevalence of hepatitis B transmission.4,6,8 tattoos, by about 15%, with the peak age being adolescence 12- 18 years old.2,5 Some believe this surge in tattoo interest can be Due to the increase in popularity of tattoos with the adolescent linked to the invention of the electric . This population, there is pressure on healthcare providers and 8 machine has made getting tattoos considerably more medical authorities to warn youth about the potential risks. convenient.4 With the rise in tattoo popularity, it is important to There has also been motivation to focus efforts on why young compare the health risks to the psychological motivation behind people choose to get a tattoo, which is an area of research that 3,9 getting a tattoo as it pertains to both an individual and society some believe is lacking. Some hypothesize that younger as a whole. people have transformed the stereotype of individuals with tattoos from a negative connotation to a positive, more artistic The process of tattooing involves a needle, or sharp object, that aesthetic.10 Traditional stereotypes surrounding tattoos include punctures and introduces a specific of ink into the skin. dangerous, risk-taking, and underachieving behaviors, but When tattoo machines are used, a small motor causes needles recent surveys conducted in Texas high school students found to protrude through a shaft that injects specific amounts of ink more positive ones. Students viewed tattooed individuals as and allows for intricate designs.1,4,6 This ink is often labeled as high achievers with no signs of dangerous or questionable “potentially hazardous,” and possibly contains harmful heavy activity.10 metals, due to a lack of regulation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).2,6 When the tattoo needle is injected, the Sociologists claim that getting a tattoo is an intended project 12 ink enters the innermost layer of the skin, where it is absorbed used to emanate identity. Body modification is a way to show by macrophages and deposited in fibroblasts. Connective individuality and a possession of control over self- 10-11 tissues surrounding the fibroblasts then trap and immobilize the representation. In a study that looked at reasons for getting ink.1 Any blood or pigment that remains on the outer surface of a tattoo, the ones cited most often were ‘to express myself,’ the skin is consistently wiped away throughout the tattooing ‘because they look good,’ and ‘to be unique,’ whereas reasons procedure.6 that included feelings of rebellion, risk taking, or looking tough were lower on the list.3 Tattoos also offer a way to remember Skin inflammation is a common adverse reaction, often caused certain life events, such as dramatic changes in lifestyle, death in by the contents of the ink, with colors presenting more the family, or connections to other people.11 Michael Atkinson, complications in comparison to the commonly used black .1,2 a sociologist who has been studying the art of tattooing for In the past, improper sanitization included the use of saliva or many years, reported interdependence and belonging to a urine to clean equipment before use, but tattooing sanitation specific group of people or a set of values as motivating factors techniques have since advanced.6 Laws that regulate the for tattooing.12 Although it may not impact a person’s overall sanitization procedures of tattooing reside on a state and local satisfaction with life, body modification, such as tattooing, can level, but in 2012, less than fifteen states enforced strict lead to higher levels of self-esteem.13 regulations on sanitation, training, and infection control.7 Improper sterilization procedures are still a medical Tattooing for medical reasons is also becoming more prevalent. concern, specifically regarding infections.1-6 Infections can be For example, cosmetic tattoos can aid in covering up undesired bacterial, viral or fungal, with the latter being the most rare. scarring or camouflage undesired body pigmentation. This can

Think Before You Ink be especially important for patients with .14 Medical alert https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/1410. tattooing has also been of interest. For example, individuals will Accessed 30 October 2018. mark medical conditions (ie. diabetes), list allergies, identify 8. Brown KM, Perlmutter P, McDermott RJ. Youth and tattoos: blood type, or even make medical requests such as “do not what school health personnel should know. J Sch Health. resuscitate” somewhere on their bodies. While these tattoos are 2000;70(9):355-360. doi:10.1111/j.1746- not officially recognized by healthcare professionals, it has 561.2000.tb07273.x. opened up a conversation for its potential benefit.14 Another 9. Atkinson M. Tattooed: The Sociogenesis of a Body Art. medical instance where tattooing could be considered necessary Toronto, Canada: Toronto University Press; 2003. is for nipple-areolar creation during breast reconstruction 10. Kang M, Jones K. Why do people get tattoos? Contexts. following a double mastectomy. Such a tattoo can be an integral 2007;6(1):42-47. doi:ctx.2007.6.1. part of maintaining positive mental health after undergoing such 11. Atkinson M. Pretty in ink: conformity, resistance and an intense and physical redefinition of the body.11,14 negotiation in women’s tattooing. Sex Roles. 2002;47(5):219-235. doi:10.1023/A:1021330609522. Tattooing has socially advanced, becoming a form of artistic 12. Kosut M. The ratification of tattoo: transformations within creativity, with the dedication and passion of tattoo artists as the a cultural field. Cult Sociol. 2014;8(2):142-158. driving force behind the contemporary shift. For this reason, doi:10.1177/1749975513494877. there is particular emphasis on labeling the professionals as 13. Pajor AJ, Broniarczyk-Dyla G, Świtalska J. Satisfaction with 12 “tattoo artists” rather than “tattooists.” The artwork requested life, self-esteem and evaluation of mental health in people by a customer is almost always drawn by the , who with tattoos or piercings. Psychiatr Pol. 2015;49(3):559-573. then tries to attractively accentuate the natural curves of the doi:10.12740/PP/27266. person’s body. It is common for tattoo artists to also partake in 14. Glassy CM, Glassy MS, Aldasouqi S. Tattooing: medical 12 other forms of art, such as drawing and sculpting. uses and problems. Cleve Clin J Med. 2012;79(11):761-770. The historical context and methods of tattooing have changed doi:10.3949/ccjm.79a.12016. over the years. Tattoos are more socially accepted, gaining popularity with women and the younger generation. While the act of getting a tattoo has risks, ensuring the tattoo artist follows safe, sanitary guidelines continues to be important. Tattoos can improve mental health, convey a positive body image, and identify an important medical concern. There is potential for a good outcome, as long as you think before you ink!

References

1. Isaacs T, Ngwanya RM, Lehloenya RJ. Tattoos: A summary knowledge for the practicing clinician. S Afr Med J. 2018;108(9):714-720. doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2018.v108i9.13231. 2. Kluger N, Koljonen V. Tattoos, inks, and cancer. Lancet Oncol. 2012;13(4):161-168. doi:10.1016/S1470- 2045(11)70340-0. 3. Swami V. Marked for life? A prospective study of tattoos on appearance anxiety and dissatisfaction, perceptions of uniqueness, and self-esteem. Body Image. 2011;8(3):237- 244. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2011.04.005. 4. Long GE, Rickman LS. Infectious complications of tattoos. Clin Infect Dis. 1994;18(4):610-619. doi:10.1093/clinids/18.4.610. 5. Carroll ST, Riffenburgh RH, Roberts TA, Myhre EB. Tattoos and body piercings as indicators of adolescent risk-taking behaviors. Pediatrics. 2002;109(6):1021-1027. doi:10.1542/peds.109.6.1021. 6. Islam PS, Chang C, Selmi C, et al. Medical complications of tattoos: A comprehensive review. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol. 2016;50(2):273-286. doi:10.1007/s12016-016- 8532-0. 7. Sapp, JLC. Evaluation of tattoo artists' perceptions of tattoo regulations in the United States. Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 2016;1410:1-93.

14 | http://digitalcommons.butler.edu/buwell/