THINK BEFORE YOU INK

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF TATTOOS

• A tattoo can express your personality and beliefs
• A tattoo can also be a reminder of something or someone
• Tattoos are not only a form or self expression but also self- improvement
• They can also make you Stand out from the crowd in a very original manner
• Tattoos can hide scars

RELIGIOUS TATTOOS

COVERING SCARS

NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF TATTOOS

• One main negative aspect is health risks
• It may not come out the way you wanted it to
• Infections from the needle
• When trying to get a job
• Bad quality with taking care of your tattoo

FAILED TATTOOS

INFECTED TATTOS

TATTOO INK- WHERE DOES IT ALL GO?

• The skin: Skin is made of a outermost layer called the epidermis
• Also followed by the dermis and hypodermis

SKIN

• Epidermis: composed mostly of keratinocytes, cells that contain keratin
• Dermis: a network of elastic connective tissue containing collagen as well as sweat gland hair follicles
• Hypodermis: loose connective tissue containing mostly fat tissue

EPIDERMIS

• The epidermis is separated from the dermis by a basement membrane
• A network of collagen fibers
• That strengthens the surface between the epidermis and dermis

DERMIS

• Dermis is the layer in which tattoo ink is deposited
• Dermis contains small blood vessels and nerve endings
• The rest of the dermis is made of dense connective tissue,hair follicles, and sweat glands
• Other cells that are important in the reaction to tattoo ink are immune cells called macrophages

DID YOU KNOW THE RISK AND REACTIONS OF TATTOOS?

• Allergic reactions: tattoo dyes ( red,green,yellow and blue)
• The allergic reaction to dye can cause itchy flesh at tattoo site
• Skin infections:causes redness, swelling, and pain
• Other skin problems: bumps,keloids, scar tissue

OTHER RISKS OF TATTOOS

• Blood borne diseases: contained with infected blood, hepatitis B, hepatitis C
• MRI complications: swelling or burning in infected areas

HOW TATTOOS HAVE TO DO WITH THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

• 40% of U.S adults 26-40 have at least 1 tattoo
• 5% of U.S population have covered up a tattoo with another tattoo
• People are spending up to $1.65 billion on tattoos a year
• 29% of people with tattoos say their tattoos makes them feel rebellious

TATTOOS EFFECT ON SKIN

• The tattooing process causes a lot of damage to the epidermis
• Ink is taken up by keratinocytes and macrophages

PROCESS OF TATTOOING

WHAT IS IN TATTOO INK?

• Most on tattoo ink pigments are made from metal salts
• Pigments considered safe are black,yellow,orange and purple/violet
• Many reds can cause serious damage to your skin
• Especially those made from oxide and iron

FACTS ABOUT TATTOO PIGMENTS

• Black pigments are made into India ink
• Browns are made of orche. Orche is composed of iron oxides mixed with clay
• Some of the ingredients used in tattoo ink are approved for used in cosmetics, food, and medical devices
• Red is made of oinnabar, cadmium iron oxide
• Orange is made of disazoyrazlone or cadmium

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL

• The laser energy passes harmlessly through the outer layer of your skin
• The cost of tattoo removal is $90 per square inch depending on the site of tattoo

DURING TATOO REMOVAL PROCESS