Baby Boomers join the tattoo craze

There are more and more people adorning their bodies with tattoos. Among the recent surge of tattoo groupies is the group, baby boomers. Albeit this group usually desires the smaller tattoos that are hidden or somewhat hidden. The most requested tattoos within this age group are birds, flowers or family references.

As of late, there has been increased interest among the retired folks. They no longer have to worry that any stigma may be attached to them. They do not have any bosses to frown upon their whimsical ways.

Tattoos are created by injecting various inks into the skin with sharp needles. The needles go into the skin approximately 1/16 of an inch or less. The needles pierce the skin as many as 3,000 times per minute.

You should realize that this essentially creates open wounds in the body, which may cause health issues and have even caused deaths in severe situations.

For those with growing interest in obtaining a tattoo, the first question is usually in regards to the safety and what the risks are in regards to possible blood related issues. To avoid encountering any such dangers ensure that you get your tattoo from a reputable shop with the proper documentation that is regulated by the city, the county or the state agencies. A reputable shop will have no problem showing you their licenses, which should be on display, and explaining how they sanitize their equipment. They should explain the process clearly ahead of time.

A good reputable tattoo artist will want to protect themselves as well as their customers. The only needles that should be used are disposable needles that are used one time per client and then discarded. If they tell you they sanitize their needles, this should raise some flags. Even though the tattoo artist is wearing gloves, they should be thoroughly washing their hands before and after each individual customer. Gloves should be changed and thrown away as well for each client.

While all of this is governed, look the establishment over carefully. Laws are not always strictly followed or even enforced. Thus the inspection falls upon your shoulders. Be observant and ask a lot of questions. Are all chairs, tables, counters and workspaces clean and clearly disinfected for each client? As you most likely know, bacteria and viruses are spread from one surface to another. The disinfectant being used should be strong enough to kill HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. Hepatitis C claims 10,000 plus lives each year. An inexpensive, but effective disinfectant is good old Chlorine Bleach with a blend of one part bleach to nine parts water.

Even with all of these precautions, you should be aware that the most common side effect is allergies to the inks used in tattooing. Infections and chronic skin ailments are a possibility. If you are susceptible to recurring skin ailments such as psoriasis and dermatitis, you are most likely not a good candidate for a body tattoo. Scars, known as keloids or benign or malignant turmors may also form and grow in people prone to developing keloids. Nodules, known as granulomas, may develop around anything the body deems as foreign such as the tattoo pigment. If you should need to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) in the future, there is a possibility of swelling or burning in the areas surrounding the tattoo. As if that is not enough, you should know that getting a body tattoo puts you at the risk of contracting tetanus and even Syphilis.

I had no intentions of getting a tattoo when I wrote this blog. I had learned of the growing interest in baby boomers obtaining tattoos. After researching and writing this blog, I think I’ll remain with my instincts to avoid ever getting a tattoo. However for those who are determined to do so, heed the precautionary measures written about in this blog and if you have any sense that something is amiss, trust your instincts and find another tattoo salon. The bottom line is: be observant and ask questions. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

I have added some links of some articles you may wish to read prior to getting a tattoo:

FDA Government's view on getting a tattoo

CNN Health perspective on getting a tat

Perhaps you jumped on the tattoo wagon and have since wished you hadn't. There are a number of good hubs to learn about tattoo removal.