Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh:In recent years tattoo industry is gaining popularity at Global level. However, the history of tattoos began over 5,000 years ago and is as diverse as the people who wear them. It is believed that the word tattoo is derived from two Polynesian words – Ta meaning striking something and Tatau which means to mark something.
Tattoo for the newer generation to add some liveliness to their lifestyle and they never mind about the hygiene, place or the person who is inking them. This fashion is an invitation for hazardous infectious diseases from unsafe method.
One must be careful on visiting Tattoo artist, he does not place the pigment on the epidermis, as this constantly sheds dead skin cells to make room for new skin cells. The pigment should penetrate into the middle layer of the skin. Even the middle layer rejuvenate its cells but, developing a healthier eating habits help to supply your skin with the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants so that it remain youthful and slows down the process of regeneration of new skin cells. Proper care for about 3-4 weeks is required by a new tattoo. Timely moisturizing and application of ointment is necessary because this will avoid scabbing as scabbing can pull up some of the pigments. Like our skin even our tattoos need good protection from sun rays. As sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays break down our skin and cause wrinkles similarly, they can break down the pigments used to color our tattoos. Therefore, application of liberal amount of SPF sunscreen lotion is recommended on the tattoo wherever you move out in sun or go for swimming. In case of swimming and sweating remember to reapply sunscreen lotion over the tattoo. Selection of colors is another factor responsible for the fading of a tattoo. Keep in mind that dark colors like black, blue and grays are more resistant to fading than other colors like red, orange, yellow, purple, magenta, etc.
No wonder tattoos are a new way of expressing oneself and the best expression can be made with good designs and nice colours deep soaked into your skin. This is a kind of tattoo to satisfy your desire for a tattoo without permanence. A latest and hottest trend of tattoo art is "Black Light Tattoos" that are almost invisible in daylight but, show in great detail in darkness. Though, black light tattoos are more expensive and take longer to ink.
It’s sad to know that people are deliberately inviting hazardous infectious diseases to attack them from unsafe methods of tattooing. Many folks are unaware that they can be infected by surface infections of the skin, herpes simplex virus, fungal infections, hepatitis-c, staphylococcus aureus (infected tattoo), and HIV/ AIDS via the use of unsterilized instruments. This is not the end, use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in USA unapproved ink can also result to worst nightmare of allergy.