Most of the risks and side effects from tattoos occur when the tattoo is still fresh. At this point, your skin is still healing, so proper aftercare is necessary to prevent complications.
While tattooing is an art, the actual process is technically one that causes injury to your skin. This includes both the upper (epidermal) and middle (dermal) layers of skin.
Your skin needs to recover after you get new ink, so your tattoo artist will give you tips on how to prevent infection.
An infection can also occur if nonsterile water is mixed with the ink before injection.
You’re most vulnerable to a skin infection from a tattoo within the first two weeks. Symptoms include redness, itchiness, and discharge. The area may also become swollen.
If the infection spreads, you can have other symptoms, such as a fever. In severe cases, infections can be chronic (ongoing).
Some people might develop an allergic reaction after getting a tattoo. This is usually related to the ink — especially if it contains plastic — and not the needling process itself. According to the Mayo Clinic, red, yellow, blue, and green pigments tend to be the most allergenic.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction from tattoos can include a red rash, hives, and severe itchiness. Swelling can occur too. These effects can occur years after you get the tattoo.
Tattoos have the potential to scar. This is especially true if your tattoo doesn’t heal properly, or if you have an infection or allergic reaction. Eventually, you can also develop keloid scars — these consist of raised bumps that contain old scar tissue.
If your doctor orders an MRI scan, there’s a slight chance that the test could interact with your tattoo. Some of the side effects include swelling and itchiness afterward, but they tend to go away on their own.
Your risk of such reactions could be higher if your tattoo was inked with low-quality pigments or if the tattoo is old.
Talk to a doctor if you’re concerned about your tattoo interfering with an MRI scan. According to the Mayo Clinic, this reaction is relatively rare.
A reputable tattoo artist will use sterilized needles. Many states require the use of sterlized needles by law although this can vary by state.
