How to get tattoos and piercings safely without risking your health?

Tattoos and body piercings are increasingly seen as symbols of beauty, confidence, personal freedom and self–expression. People love getting tattoos on their bodies irrespective of age or career. Meanwhile, body piercing has become a global trend, even followed by celebrities and socialites. However, health experts warn that these practices can sometimes lead to complications and health problems.

Hepatitis and chronic liver damage
One of the significant health risks is liver-related infections called hepatitis that can cause chronic liver damage. During tattooing, tiny needles are pierced into the dermis to inject dye into the skin permanently. If not done correctly, it could increase the risk of hepatitis (from A to E). Meanwhile, hepatitis B and C are the dangerous varieties. It could even lead to dangerous infections like HIV.

How you get the diseases through tattooing
The risk of infection is grave when contaminated needles and the same ink pots are used on multiple customers. Tattooing without wearing gloves is also a serious hygiene issue that could put your health at risk. Hepatitis viruses spread through blood, and they can be transmitted via unclean needles, tattoo ink and other tattooing tools. There’s a high chance of these viruses entering the body if the equipment is not properly sterilised, reusing it after removing it from sealed packaging or reusing the same ink pot. Besides, getting tattoos in unhygienic conditions, like those from the roadside, severely increases the chance of infection. Even a few drops of infected blood could cause severe damage.

Piercing is even more risky
When it comes to piercings, the risk of liver inflammation is relatively high. This procedure, too, involves piercing the skin with needles through tissues and cartilage. In this case, the needle comes into contact with the blood, increasing the chance of hepatitis and inflammation. Hepatitis could also spread if you wear the same ornament that has already been worn by someone else.

What does science say?
According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, tattooing increases the risk of HCV (Hepatitis C Virus). Meanwhile, another study that appeared in the Journal of Infection and Public Health states that hepatitis is a virus that was mainly spread through tattooing in the 20th century. The disease spreads when the tattoo artist doesn’t follow the guidelines to control cross-infection and uses the same needle on several people. Hepatitis B and C, which are the most dangerous types, mainly spread through tattooing and piercing. Five per cent of patients infected with hepatitis B and 80 per cent of patients infected with hepatitis C have become chronic carriers. Around 205 people have died due to chronic liver disease. Meanwhile, hepatitis C might not always show symptoms, which delays the diagnosis.

Precautions
Make sure to get tattoos only from certified studios. The customer should ensure that the needles and other tattooing tools are sterilised and clean. Those who suffer from liver diseases and have poor immunity should consult a hepatologist before getting tattoos. Besides, the place where you get a tattoo should be clean and tidy, and the tattoo artist must wear gloves throughout the tattooing process.