Tattoos: Medically Speaking
By Desirea D. Caucci, PT, DPT
Almost everyone I know already has a tattoo or is considering getting one. They are usually pretty impressive
works of art, but sometimes what someone chooses in their twenties might not match their mature personality
forty years later! Tattoos are permanent (for the most part, anyway) and although we all realize this, we go for
it regardless of what we might think of it down the road. There is a reality TV show called Miami Ink that
always seems to grab my attention. It shows the daily happenings of one tattoo parlor in Miami by following the
artists and the patrons’ stories. Everyone has his or her own reasons for getting tattoos, but usually they
symbolize important life experiences and memories. Whether you agree with this form of expression or not, you
must have someone in your own household or a close friend who does and I thought it might be interesting to
learn more about the medical aspect of tattoos.
The term tattoo literally means to puncture the skin. Tattoo pigment is placed into a deep layer of the skin
called the dermis by multiple needle punctures. It is a permanent placement at this level, although the colors
and lines may fade over time. A majority of the injected pigments are derived from metals, which makes them
a potential source for developing a skin reaction. Some have non-metallic options for those with past allergic
reactions.
The actual tattoo is an open wound initially. It will form a scab or shiny skin patch for about a week. Wound
care is vital to prevent secondary infections, just like with any other type of wound. For this reason, it is a must
that the artist performing the tattoo uses all sterile equipment, preferably single-use sterilized disposable
needles, pigments, tubing, trays, razors, ointments, etc. The artist should also wear gloves and follow Universal
Precautions, like all doctor’s offices since the prick of a needle can pass Hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis,
Mycobacterium, Syphilis, HIV, Malaria and Leprosy.
Pain associated with the initial tattoo and within the healing stage (1st few weeks) is normal. Any signs of
infection (redness, oozing, pus, and/or ulcers) need to be evaluated by a dermatologist to prevent more serious
or systemic infections. Tattoos may also cause problems down the road, including lichenoid (small bumps of
reactive tissue), granulomas (firm balls of reactive tissue), scaling, itching, swelling, ulceration, scarring,
hypersensitivity and lymphocytoma cutis (mimics lymphoma).
While a majority of the tattooed do not experience such side effects, it is worth knowing the potential exists.
There are ways to remove tattoos, but none come easy and all leave scarring. For an art form that has
withstood thousands and thousands of years and seems to be increasing in popularity, I suspect we will continue
to see more people with tattoos. Just make sure you think ahead and know the process before being
permanently “inked.”
By Desirea D. Caucci, PT, DPT
Almost everyone I know already has a tattoo or is considering getting one. They are usually pretty impressive
works of art, but sometimes what someone chooses in their twenties might not match their mature personality
forty years later! Tattoos are permanent (for the most part, anyway) and although we all realize this, we go for
it regardless of what we might think of it down the road. There is a reality TV show called Miami Ink that
always seems to grab my attention. It shows the daily happenings of one tattoo parlor in Miami by following the
artists and the patrons’ stories. Everyone has his or her own reasons for getting tattoos, but usually they
symbolize important life experiences and memories. Whether you agree with this form of expression or not, you
must have someone in your own household or a close friend who does and I thought it might be interesting to
learn more about the medical aspect of tattoos.
The term tattoo literally means to puncture the skin. Tattoo pigment is placed into a deep layer of the skin
called the dermis by multiple needle punctures. It is a permanent placement at this level, although the colors
and lines may fade over time. A majority of the injected pigments are derived from metals, which makes them
a potential source for developing a skin reaction. Some have non-metallic options for those with past allergic
reactions.
The actual tattoo is an open wound initially. It will form a scab or shiny skin patch for about a week. Wound
care is vital to prevent secondary infections, just like with any other type of wound. For this reason, it is a must
that the artist performing the tattoo uses all sterile equipment, preferably single-use sterilized disposable
needles, pigments, tubing, trays, razors, ointments, etc. The artist should also wear gloves and follow Universal
Precautions, like all doctor’s offices since the prick of a needle can pass Hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis,
Mycobacterium, Syphilis, HIV, Malaria and Leprosy.
Pain associated with the initial tattoo and within the healing stage (1st few weeks) is normal. Any signs of
infection (redness, oozing, pus, and/or ulcers) need to be evaluated by a dermatologist to prevent more serious
or systemic infections. Tattoos may also cause problems down the road, including lichenoid (small bumps of
reactive tissue), granulomas (firm balls of reactive tissue), scaling, itching, swelling, ulceration, scarring,
hypersensitivity and lymphocytoma cutis (mimics lymphoma).
While a majority of the tattooed do not experience such side effects, it is worth knowing the potential exists.
There are ways to remove tattoos, but none come easy and all leave scarring. For an art form that has
withstood thousands and thousands of years and seems to be increasing in popularity, I suspect we will continue
to see more people with tattoos. Just make sure you think ahead and know the process before being
permanently “inked.”
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