There have been horror stories about people getting diseases from unsanitary tattoo studio practices. Much of it comes from unhygienic practice of using contaminated needles and other illegal tattoo studio operations. This claim has a grain of truth to it but unfortunately, these reports are often overstated and exaggerated. People get tattoos every day and it is not always that someone falls into the wrong hands of tattoo studios that are unsanitary and operating illegally.

Of course, the dangers of getting a tattoo are there but if you did your research beforehand, you will avoid any issues. It pays to talk to the tattoo artist first and express your concerns about the process. Ask for referrals from your friends and take time to scope out the tattoo studio prior to the tattooing procedure. Make sure the studio is practicing the necessary sanitary procedures such as sterilizing equipments and disposal of used needles every time they do a tattoo.

In reality, it is very rare that you get diseases from legitimate tattoo shops because they are regulated and regularly inspected by the organizations they belong to, particularly the APT or Alliance for Professional Tattooists and by local agencies governing them. Infection can arise after getting a tattoo but is much more likely under unconventional circumstances such as doing them in prison or when you settled for a cheap but unregistered tattoo artist. Unsanitary practices can cause Hepatitis C which is transmitted through infected needles. It was reported by the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that transmission of communicable diseases can be prevented if sanitation is maintained. On the other hand, the FDA or Food and Drug Administration states that colored ink are not approved for use although there were no reported cases of problems arising from its application.

Don’t confuse infection from unsanitary procedures with minor skin reactions though. Irritation is common with tattoos and they are usually caused by the ink used for the tattooing process but is never a major side effect. These reactions are as common as those you get from using cosmetics that are not welcomed by your skin too well. Tattoo infections usually occur when the person did not follow the cleaning and caring procedures during the healing period and rarely from a licensed tattoo parlor.

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