We researched 12 assumptions about tattoos to find out if they’re myths or reality

Tattoos are in fashion and more and more people decide to decorate their skin with them. But there are many things we might not know about the world of tattoos. Some questions are: can anyone get a tattoo? Is there any kind of restriction? Do the drawings disappear over time? Are there any colors that cause more pain when getting a tattoo? Doubts are numerous.

O awesome.club decided to research all these unknowns to learn more about tattoos and discovered that there are many myths behind “body art”.

You’ve probably heard that tattooed people can’t donate blood. But that’s not true. They can donate blood if they meet all the requirements to become a donor. As tattoos are done with a needle that reaches the dermis, if they are done improperly they can cause blood infections. However, once the time has elapsed to rule out a possible blood disease (between six and 12 months after the tattoo, depending on the country and medical institution), the person can be a donor.

A pregnant woman who decides to get a tattoo you run no different risks than you would if you didn’t have a baby in the womb. Tattoos do not affect the baby or childbirth; however, some physicians suggest not to do to avoid risk of infection. If you decide to get a tattoo, it is recommended that it not be on the back (where you will receive the epidural injection) and that the tattoo be done at least 30 days before giving birth. After all, being a wound that is healing, it can make a woman uncomfortable during labor or have problems with healing — and no one wants a tattoo that hasn’t healed properly.

It’s a myth! Diabetes per se is not a contraindication to getting a tattoo. The only thing that doctors suggest is to avoid tattoos in areas of the body with less blood circulation and where insulin is normally injected. These recommendations are for patients who take good care of themselves; if diabetes is poorly controlled, the person may be at risk of having reduced skin healing capacity, decreasing the immune response to any infections caused by the tattoo.

Truth! The pain caused by a tattoo depends not only on the person’s degree of pain tolerance, but also on the region of the tattoo. Usually, the ones that hurt the most are those performed in areas of the body with little fat, close to the bones or where there are nerve endings. If you are concerned about this, avoid tattooing your armpits, ribs, ankles, breasts, elbows, hips, neck and face.

There is the idea that a person with a tattoo may have problems having an MRI. This myth is probably associated with metallic components in tattoo inks. But, as just mentioned, it is an “urban legend”: according to a study by the Max Planck Institute in Germany, the possibility of a side effect is minimal and the reported cases are the exception. Maybe you even know someone who has a tattoo and has had an MRI.

This idea is totally false. White ink is hardly a “protagonist” in tattoos. It is usually used to finish drawings, usually in the final stage of work. Therefore, when the tattoo artist applies white, usually the person has already been “on the needle” for a long time and, therefore, tired of the process.

Truth. But this usually takes a long time. Although the ink is not exactly blue, it does gain a bluish tint as it is absorbed and fades gradually. This can be a result of the simple passage of time, exposure to the sun or the region of the body where the design is located. Tattoo artist Josh Egnew comments that because the pigments used in the past were not of good quality, it was more common for them to fade over the years. But today, with inks being manufactured with more modern components, it is possible that tattoos will fade less… only time will tell.

Partially false. Hemophilia, a disease that prevents proper blood clotting, has several levels ranging from mild to severe. In the case of those suffering from mild hemophilia, the risk of bleeding complications is lower. Therefore, it is possible to get a tattoo with the guidance of a doctor. For critically ill patients, however, tattoos are not recommended. The fact is that there are, in the literature, cases of people with severe hemophilia who got a tattoo and had no complications. It all depends on the case. But consulting a doctor is always recommended.

Prejudice with tattoos has been decreasing and today it is common to see successful professionals in different segments displaying the so-called “body art” without any problem. It is true that there are still work environments in which the subject is still treated as taboo. Therefore, many defenders of people’s freedom to do what they want with their own bodies continue to fight to break down barriers.

As the tattoo needles apply the ink under the skin, it is normal for them to “bump” into blood vessels, which can produce a few drops of blood. But this does not cause any significant bleeding. In fact, most people don’t bleed at all. Once the tattoo is complete, there is a period of 12 to 36 hours in which the body will expel the excess ink and some blood. At this stage, it is important to keep the region very clean, following the tattoo artist’s guidelines.

Totally false. One of the hallmarks of tattoo parlor hygiene is that all material used is brand new. Needles, gloves and masks must be disposable, used only once. Therefore, artists often open the material in front of the client. Once the tattoo is completed, all this waste must go into a specific container, designated for “hazardous waste”, so that it does not pose a danger to those who collect the waste.

Partially true. Yes, there are tattoos that can be erased. The bad news is that this doesn’t work for everyone. Although there are more and more establishments specializing in tattoo removal, this is still an unexplored area. Until now, it is known that small black tattoos that are several years old are the easiest to remove. Those with yellow, orange or green paints are the hardest to disappear completely.

Now that you know more about the world of tattoos and know the myths and truths, you just need to decide when you’re going to get your first (or next!). By the way, did we fail to mention any myth on the subject? What other questions would you like to ask about the world of tattoos?