DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been watching a lot of basketball lately and am bothered that so many of the young men have both arms completely covered with tattoos. Even some of the female players are doing the same thing.

Does this ink get into the bloodstream? If so, can’t it cause problems? If not now, what about later in life? I also see teenagers with tattoos, no doubt sanctioned by their parents. Even young children are wearing fake tattoos and will probably get the real thing when they are older. It’s appalling.

DEAR READER:
Tattoos have been used as a form of expression for countless years and can be seen on people of all ages, gender and ethnicity. Personally, I have never had the desire to “adorn” my body with a tattoo, but I respect those individuals that make the decision to do so.

The most common method of tattooing involves a tattoo gun that holds several needles which are driven in and out of the dermal layer of skin up to 150 times a second. Depending on design, culture and artist preference, a wide range of dyes and pigments can be used. The process can take from 15 minutes to several sessions (sometimes up to three or four hours a day for several days) depending on the complexity and size of the tattoo chosen.

The ink does not get into the bloodstream to cause problems. However, tattoos can carry health risks including allergic reactions to the dyes and infection from equipment that has not been properly sterilized. Anyone choosing to get a tattoo should be sure that the parlor is properly equipped and uses frequently sterilized equipment and new needles for every tattoo. A disposal container for needles as well as a biohazard container should be available and used to assure proper disposal of materials and to prevent re-use and contamination. Disposable gloves should be worn by the artist.

An individual should make sure he or she wants the art forever and should, in my opinion, think long and hard before getting a tattoo, as removal is expensive, painful, and often unsuccessful.