A tattoo is for life, not just for Christmas

​It is estimated that one in five of the UK population is tattooed and in young adults the figures increase to one in three.

As with most things in life there are always risks when having a tattoo but the Local Government Association claims illegal tattooists, also known as 'scratchers', are putting people at risk of catching hepatitis and HIV.

So if you have decided you want a tattoo, how can you keep the risks to a minimum?​

Tattoo safety considerations

You need to give careful consideration to the artist you are going to select to tattoo you.

There are two main areas to consider, ability and safety.

Ability
This piece of artwork is going to be displayed on your body for life, so it needs to be good. When choosing the design you may also want to consider the most commonly removed tattoos.

​Premier Laser, a clinic in the UK that specialises in tattoo removal has shared the most commonly removed tattoos which includes lover’s names, butterflies and dolphins.

Safety
There are risks with tattoos of allergic reactions and infections but you need to be sure the tattoo artist is taking all the right precautions to keep these risks to a minimum.

If an injury does occurs during or after your procedure you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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Top most removed tattoos

Premier Laser Clinic's list of their most requested tattoo removals

• 1. Name of ex-lover
• 2. Dolphin
• 3. Misspelt foreign quote
• 4. Barbed wire
• 5. Star
• 6. Butterfly
• 7. Chinese symbols
• 8. Celtic designs

Laser Clinic Article

How to find a good tattoo artist in your area

• If you have friends with tattoos that you are impressed with ask which tattoo artist they used, what the experience was like and would they recommend the tattoo artist. Failing this look for well established artists in your area that operate out of permanent premises.

 

• Check that the tattoo artist is registered, all tattoo parlours and studios should be registered with the local council. The licence certificate should be displayed at the premises but you can check direct with your local council which are registered. As part of this registration there will have been some checks carried out on the hygiene standards of the tattooist.​

 

• Ask to see examples of the tattoo artist's previous work and if you have chosen a complicated design arrange a consultation appointment to discuss the design in detail well before you want the tattoo started. This will also give you the opportunity to see the premises and form your own view on the hygiene standards.

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Before, during and after the procedure

Before starting the design the tattoo artist should ask you questions about any health problems and allergies so that they are aware of any issues that could lead to complications.

For each session the tattoo artist should use a needle from a sealed package and proper tattoo ink that is sterile. Have you seen the tattoo artist wash his/her hands and put a clean pair of gloves? If you have any concerns don't be afraid to ask them direct.

Finally the tattoo artist should provide you with aftercare advice which may include dressing area and information on how to look after your new tattoo.

Illegal tattooists may look like a cheap alternative to using a registered artist, but as with most professions you generally get what you pay for.

Is getting a cheap tattoo really worth the increased risk of infection or ending up with artwork you are not happy with?