The Risks Exist: What you need to know about tattoos and piercings

It's everywhere these days: from celebrities to our local communities, body modification is on the rise. These interesting and fashionable markings don't come without a price, though. Body modifications can be expensive, but that's not the only cost that you should be worried about. There are several risky factors you should take into consideration when permanently marking your body.

Tattooing, for starters, is done using a hand-held machine with a needle attached, similar to a sewing machine. The needle pricks the skin several times to inject the ink into the surface layer of the skin. Generally, it can cause some bleeding and pain may follow. That is why it is crucial to investigate the place and artist in which you would like your tattoo done.

The first thing you should always be aware of is the cleanliness of the shop. If it's not clean and doesn't look professional, you should consider another place. Risks of an infection run higher in an unclean shop compared to a clean one.

"(Artists) should also be able to show you their equipment, have an autoclave for sterilization, and all of the shop's licenses and certificates should be on display in the shop," said Katie Cain, a tattoo and piercing artist of No Regrets Tattoos.

Also, be absolutely sure that the artists always use new, unopened equipment if disposable, and properly clean the non-disposable ones. Reusing tools such as a tattoo needle can spread blood borne diseases, cause infections, and create several other complications. Along with clean equipment should come a frequent hand wash and fresh pair of gloves with each tattoo.

After the artist has completed your new tattoo, they should tell you how to properly care for it. Most of the time, you receive a piece of paper with care instructions on it, along with activities and circumstances to avoid. Following the instructions is vital for proper healing.

"If you have questions or concerns about your tattoo, you should contact the artist, not a friend. Just because they have a tattoo, doesn't mean they know better than someone who's been doing this stuff for thirteen years, like me. If it's well cared for, then you really don't have anything to worry about," said Cain.

When properly done and cared for, you should be healed up in a few days and be able to enjoy your new tattoo. There is always a chance though of an allergic reaction to the ink pigments though, most cases being with red ink. A reaction can occur anytime from the day after your tattoo to several months after it has already healed.

You need to remember, a tattoo is meant to be permanent, so if it comes out badly because of unprofessional work, you have to live with it.

"We get people that come in here trying to bargain with prices. Quality, not price, is what you should be looking for, and good quality tattoos are not cheap. We've had people come in and say that their uncle could do it in his garage for fifty dollars. Well that's great, but he's not going to be able to give you the quality tattoo you want. Not in his garage and for fifty dollars," Cain said.

There is the option of laser removal, but it takes several sessions, causes more pain than getting receiving a tattoo, and it is also costly. Laser removal can also cause scarring and blistering. Plus, not all tattoos can be completely removed. The success of removal is determined by several factors, such as location, size, age, and color, but also the health of the patient.

When getting a tattoo, you should consider a place that it can be covered easily, due to several employers that require body modifications to be hidden. You can be turned down for a job because an employer wants professional looking employees, no matter how skilled or experienced you are at the job.

Piercings are similar in many ways to tattoos. They are still permanent modifications, but holes made in the body. The main difference is, a hole can close up, but that does not necessarily mean it will and not without a problem or two. The things to consider about getting a tattoo you should also consider when getting a piercing. Cleanliness, the equipment used, the artist, and so on. But with piercings come some different and possibly more dangerous risks. If a piercing were to be removed while the hole was infected, it can close up around the infection and cause what is called a keloid, a tough knot of scar tissue. There is also the risk of nerve damage. Since there is no college profession for being a tattoo or piercing artist, the best they can do is study up on nerves in the human body.

With different piercings come different risks. For example, oral piercings run the risk of damaging your teeth. A lip piercing is dangerous because your piercer could hit a nerve in your lip, paralyzing it. If you want any kind of piercing, just be sure to ask your piercer all the risks that are involved.

Athanasia Xeros, age 21, studying Agricultural and Biological Engineering, explained her views on body modifications. "I feel that they have their place in society. It is more a way of expressing one's self, which people should be able to do. Although I feel there is a limit on expression, I would prefer not to see the inside of your mouth or nose. I think that is extreme."

Piercings, however, are easier to hide on the job. Jewelry can be removed for a short time if the piercing is healed, positioned in a way which makes the jewelry invisible, or a clear piece of jewelry called a retainer can replace the original metal jewelry.

"I believe they are okay if not taken to the extreme. Also, they shouldn't be visible if you work in a business environment." Stated Itora Armstrong, age 22 who is studying Business and Criminal Justice and has five tattoos and one piercing of her own. "If I take the correct precautions, then I should be fine."