Tattoos can be both fun and artistic. You can have one for decoration, or as a permanent reminder of a special event or person. It could be the name of a partner or symbolize the birth of a child.

Unfortunately, things can go wrong with tattoos, and taking measures to ensure your safety is of the utmost importance. Here are a few hints to follow when you decide to get one.

Be aware of the risks involved. Getting a tattoo can trigger a severe allergic reaction, causing the area in and around your tattoo to become very red and extremely itchy.

Along the same lines, irritations and infections can set in, some of which can be very serious. If the needles have not been properly cleaned and are contaminated with any kind of disease, these can easily be transmitted into your blood stream.

Although strict hygiene laws are now in place, one dirty needle can infect you with HIV, tetanus or hepatitis. This is where these guidelines are vital in helping you eliminate these risks.

A clean and reputable tattoo parlor will proudly display their licenses and put safety first. Watch them first and ensure they wear gloves at all time, which are changed for each customer.

A good tattoo artist will use new, sterile needles for each customer, straight out of the packet. The other tools should also be sterilized and used needles disposed of immediately after use.

Once you’ve had your tattoo, there are things you should do yourself to reduce the risks. Keep it covered for the first day, and make sure it is kept clean. Use clean water and soap along with an antibiotic lotion to greatly reduce the risk of infection.

Should you notice anything suspicious that you may think is an infection, go to your doctor. You can lower the risks by wearing loose clothes, stay out of the sun and make sure the surrounding area is always moisturized.

At the end of the day, a short time doing a bit of research will make getting your tattoo what it should be; an enjoyable experience.

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Tags: art, beauty, culture, disease, education, fashion, Fashion tips, health, hobbies, men's issues, self improvement, shopping, style, tattoos, women

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This entry was posted on Thursday, March 25th, 2010 at 4:15 pm and is filed under Fashion tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.