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| July 19 | |
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Tattoos Carry Risks |
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Tattoos do carry some risks. Tattoos may look cool, but this fashion statement could cause you problems. They may even take the “bulge out of your biceps”. A report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine describes three men with tattoos on their upper body, who experienced muscle weakness and wasting. Two of the men developed pain or tingling and weakness 3 to 6 months after tattooing. It may be that the tattoo ink attacks the muscles and the nerves that help them move. This makes the muscles shrink in size. Another possibility is that the needle used to place the tattoo injured the area. There have also been reports of skin reactions to the tattoo ink. In one case, the reaction occurred three weeks after a multi-colored tattoo was placed. And if you decide to get rid of one tattoo by covering it with another—you might want to think again. If you ever want to get rid of it, you have a greater risk of scarring compared to removing a single tattoo. That’s because the double tattoos absorb more energy from the laser, causing more damage. Getting a tattoo is not unlike a medical procedure—it involves injections given under the skin. That increases the risk of infection, and of transmitting diseases like hepatitis. If you’re going to get a tattoo make sure the parlor uses good sterilization practices. |
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What about the temporary tattoos—like henna? They have their problems, too. Some people have experienced allergic skin reactions resulting in itching and rash. Usually skin reactions occur anywhere from immediately to within two to three weeks. If you experience any symptoms, let your doctor know right away. Luckily, most of the skin reactions can be treated. | |
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RESOURCES:
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Mayo Clinic |
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