Getting Inked

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“I am a canvas of my experiences, my story is etched in lines and shading, and you can read it on my arms, my legs, my shoulders, and my stomach.”

Getting Inked

– Kat Von D

Our bodies are an artistic medium readily available for self-expression, however tattoos may come with considerable health risks. While getting “ink” may be alluring, it is important to assert that individualism safely and thoughtfully

BY KRISIE BELL, BSN, RN

A lthough not unique to the LGBT community, body modification has long been a marker of personal distinction and symbolism – especially within marginalized groups. Historically, tattoos were associated prior to the mid-20 th century with the expression of masculinity and social defiance, specifically among bikers, felons, and the military. Those subgroups pushed the boundaries, however, and have (thankfully) challenged society to be accepting beyond prior era’s

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norms. Accordingly, tattoos have become more mainstream within the last few decades, and have gained popularity among all genders, ages, and races. Regardless of their prevalence, it is important to note that tattoos do come with some risk – including later regret, infection, and allergic reactions to the various inks used.

Infections associated with unclean or contaminated equipment used in tattooing has been well-documented within medical publications, and include Hepatitis C, human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) skin infections. Luckily, advances in the sterility process, tighter governmental regulation, and evidence-based medical care have been substantial throughout the past few decades - and reputable body art shops have adhered to proven efforts to reduce those risks. Dave Draper, a tattoo artist since 1995, currently works for the local and longstanding body art shop, Fat Kats Artistry Tattoo and Piercing Studio of Ocala. Dave emphasizes that these risks are negligible if a shop adheres to Department of Health regulations whereby tattoo/piercing artists are licensed by the State of Florida, and monitored by their county’s Health Department. He adds the assurance that reputable establishments, such as Fat Kats Artistry, use “single-use, medical grade tattoo and piercing needles.” Additionally, he personally includes the step of opening those packages in front of the customer at the time of the encounter. All other equipment that is not single-use is sterilized in an autoclave after each use.

Anything injected into your body may be hazardous, and everything must be weighed by potential risk and benefit. Likewise, dyes used for tattooing may result in negative health outcomes, including skin irritation, systemic allergic reactions, and possible MRI interference due to metals used. Symptoms of hypersensitivity to ink may be as evident as localized skin itching or redness, or as vague as recurrent chills and sweats. A reaction to red ink is most common, followed by any ink composed of heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, or iron oxide. Just as with anything in life, you get what you pay for – and tattoo ink is no exception; Feel free to ask the tattoo artist about the ink quality and composition.

Surprisingly, there have been some unexpected health benefits of tattooing. Some studies have suggested that tattoos may offer some future immune protection after the naturally

KEY CONSIDER- ATIONS BEFORE GETTING INKED

Inquire about the artist’s credentials and their business’ reputation. The tattoo establishment should be capable of producing their business license without hesitation, as should the artist.

Avoid spontaneous decisions. Make an appointment in advance, and only after you have a well-thought out and detailed plan of your design, placement, and size.

Try to envision your future. While no one should feel judged on their body art choices, if you desire a career working in the public, a tattoo of a curse word on your neck may not be the best decision. Just saying. Avoid drinking alcohol prior to getting your tattoo. Being under the influence lowers inhibitions (aka, you could end up with the infamous “NO REGERTS” on your forearm!). Alcohol also increases the potential for bleeding during the procedure, and can lead to poor healing. If you desire to remove a tattoo later on, there are also risks of laser removal. Additionally, the process is usually painful, time consuming, and expensive.

occurring inflammatory response caused by the ink, or from the adaptive stress response that comes from the tattooing process itself. This has been most notable, however, among healthy people with several tattoos.

The most beneficial feature of tattooing, by far, is improvement in mental health. Individuals may get a tattoo that commemorates a time in their life that they have overcome, a person they wish to memorialize, or simply a special interest that they have. Additionally, for people with existing mental health issues, a tattoo may provide a reminder of what they need to do to take care of their own well-being. For example, there are tattoos that signify mental health movements, such as an eternity sign or a semi-colon. Seeing the symbol on someone else can remind them that they are not alone; others have experienced similar life struggles, and they may find strength in solidarity.

Just as with equality for the LGBT community, attitudes towards tattoos have shifted considerably over the years. Tattoos can be a valuable way to display pride and individualism. Whatever your reason for getting some ink, be sure to use caution and, most importantly – do your research. —

KRISIE BELL has been a Registered Nurse in the Ocala area for nearly two decades. She is currently obtaining her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree through the University of Central Florida, and hopes to eventually specialize as a Primary Care practitioner for LGBT adults. She is married to her best friend, Andrew, and they share a blended (and chaotic) family of eight.

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