Revealing tattoos’ true colors

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evealing tattoos’ true colors\

By Rozanne GelbinovichThe art of tattooing has been around for centuries —

millenniums even. Tats are a popular form of self-expression and sometimes an

integral part of one’s culture. But before you roll up your sleeves and hop in

the chair for your latest “I Love Mom” tattoo, you might want to consider the

health risks — and perhaps some “greener” options. The most common adverse

reactions to tattoos are allergic reactions to the inks and infections at tattoo

sites. Certain tattoos also can cause MRI complications and there’s the risk of

bloodborne illnesses being transferred through needles. (More from the Mayo

Clinic here.) So, first things first: Make sure you’re going to a reputable

tattoo parlor that looks clean and organized. Discovery Fit & Health suggests

asking lots of questions, including: Is there an autoclave?Are the needles and

other materials single-use?Are EPA-approved disinfectants used?Do the tattoo

artists wear gloves?Don’t be a pest, but this is your health we’re talking

about, so don’t be afraid to get the answers you need. For more Discovery tips

on finding a good parlor, click here.You also might want to take some time to

research what’s really in those inks. Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cobalt

and nickel might be adding the brightness to that flash you’ve been eyeing. (For

those of you unfamiliar with tattoo terminology, a flash is the predone picture

of a tattoo hanging in the parlor, as opposed to a custom one drawn up during a

consultation.) According to an article on TreeHugger.com, “certain tattoo

colors may present greater health risks than others.” Red pigments universally

are thought to be the most problematic, “especially those that contain cadmium,

iron oxides or mercury (cinnabar),” according to TreeHugger.com. “Mercury in

tattoo pigments, for example, has caused allergic reactions and scarring in

people and has sensitized people to mercury from other sources, such as fish or

dental fillings.” We also found out that animal byproducts are used in certain

inks and carrier solutions, so if you’re a vegan contemplating a tattoo, you

might want to up your research quotient and find an artist that mixes his or her

own inks so you know exactly what’s going into them. Planet Green last year

conducted an interview with vegan tattoo artist Brad s of Fun City Tattoos

in NYC. “I guess you could say that there isn’t a lot of awareness about vegan

tattooing, so I wouldn’t say it’s popular, unfortunately. … But people are

slowly becoming more inquisitive,” s told Planet Green. For the full

interview click here. OneVeganWorld.com compiled a list of vegan tattoo parlors

here. At the other end of the spectrum, let’s say you woke up one morning and

noticed a rather odd pain on your lower back. Don’t remember getting that

butterfly tattoo the night before? Fortunately, you can have that bad boy

removed — and you can be eco-friendly about it too. In 2008, doctors started

using a new carbon dioxide-based spray in the process of tattoo removals,

replacing the old staple of tetrafluoroethane, a greenhouse gas that wreaks

havoc on the environment.

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or%20safety%2c%20cholesterol%20check%2c%20cardio%20dancing%2c%20tattoo%20truthsR\

evealing tattoos’ true colors\

By Rozanne GelbinovichThe art of tattooing has been around for centuries —

millenniums even. Tats are a popular form of self-expression and sometimes an

integral part of one’s culture. But before you roll up your sleeves and hop in

the chair for your latest “I Love Mom” tattoo, you might want to consider the

health risks — and perhaps some “greener” options. The most common adverse

reactions to tattoos are allergic reactions to the inks and infections at tattoo

sites. Certain tattoos also can cause MRI complications and there’s the risk of

bloodborne illnesses being transferred through needles. (More from the Mayo

Clinic here.) So, first things first: Make sure you’re going to a reputable

tattoo parlor that looks clean and organized. Discovery Fit & Health suggests

asking lots of questions, including: Is there an autoclave?Are the needles and

other materials single-use?Are EPA-approved disinfectants used?Do the tattoo

artists wear gloves?Don’t be a pest, but this is your health we’re talking

about, so don’t be afraid to get the answers you need. For more Discovery tips

on finding a good parlor, click here.You also might want to take some time to

research what’s really in those inks. Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cobalt

and nickel might be adding the brightness to that flash you’ve been eyeing. (For

those of you unfamiliar with tattoo terminology, a flash is the predone picture

of a tattoo hanging in the parlor, as opposed to a custom one drawn up during a

consultation.) According to an article on TreeHugger.com, “certain tattoo

colors may present greater health risks than others.” Red pigments universally

are thought to be the most problematic, “especially those that contain cadmium,

iron oxides or mercury (cinnabar),” according to TreeHugger.com. “Mercury in

tattoo pigments, for example, has caused allergic reactions and scarring in

people and has sensitized people to mercury from other sources, such as fish or

dental fillings.” We also found out that animal byproducts are used in certain

inks and carrier solutions, so if you’re a vegan contemplating a tattoo, you

might want to up your research quotient and find an artist that mixes his or her

own inks so you know exactly what’s going into them. Planet Green last year

conducted an interview with vegan tattoo artist Brad s of Fun City Tattoos

in NYC. “I guess you could say that there isn’t a lot of awareness about vegan

tattooing, so I wouldn’t say it’s popular, unfortunately. … But people are

slowly becoming more inquisitive,” s told Planet Green. For the full

interview click here. OneVeganWorld.com compiled a list of vegan tattoo parlors

here. At the other end of the spectrum, let’s say you woke up one morning and

noticed a rather odd pain on your lower back. Don’t remember getting that

butterfly tattoo the night before? Fortunately, you can have that bad boy

removed — and you can be eco-friendly about it too. In 2008, doctors started

using a new carbon dioxide-based spray in the process of tattoo removals,

replacing the old staple of tetrafluoroethane, a greenhouse gas that wreaks

havoc on the environment.